This post may contain affiliate links. Please see our disclosure policy.
Looking for a natural way to ease the itch from bug bites? This homemade anti-itch cream is packed with skin-soothing ingredients that help provide comfort while nourishing your skin.
I decided to make a homemade anti-itch cream since the bugs are extra bad here this summer because of all the flooding in my area.
We had one of the rainest springs in history here in the Midwest! Thankfully, our house wasn’t affected by the flooding, but many nearby roads are underwater.
When I am driving down the main highway near my home, it looks like I am driving along a shoreline rather than fields.
In return, we have a whole lot of bugs EVERYWHERE! We even have ants getting into the house, which I don’t think is related, but I have been using essential oils to repel the ants anyway!
Just to stay on top of things, I have been making and using my all-natural bug spray as well as my homemade bug plant spray almost daily in the garden.
However, I still end up with a few bites here and there, which is where this itch cream comes in!
Materials Needed
Beeswax: While beeswax has its own host of benefits, the main reason for choosing it is so I can have a firm, almost balm-like consistency when I apply it.
Cocoa Butter: This adds a rich, creamy texture and helps it to glide smoothly onto the skin. Plus, it has a subtle chocolatey scent that I love.
Coconut Oil: This helps keep the itch cream soft enough to spread easily once it touches the skin.
Essential Oils: I use a few different combinations; however, for this DIY, I am using chamomile, lavender, tea tree, and a mint essential oil. (You can read why I chose these below)
Lip Balm Tubes: I know this is not an ingredient, but it is helpful to have on hand. If you use the ones I do, you’ll fill about 12 tubes.
Variations
You can make this cream in a lip balm tube for easy application, or you can store it in a small container.
This cream is simple to make and can be applied to the skin right after you notice you have been bitten.
Homemade Anti-Itch Cream
Step 1: Melt beeswax, cocoa butter, and coconut oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
Step 2: Once all the ingredients are melted together, remove from the heat, add essential oils, and mix well. Work quickly since the mixture will begin to harden after being removed from the heat.
Step 3: Using a small funnel or old medicine dropper, fill the lip balm containers with the mixture.
Step 4: Let the tubes sit at room temperature for a few hours until cooled and completely hardened before capping. Apply directly to bug bites.
Tips
- Before using this product, always perform a patch test on a small, inconspicuous area to ensure you don’t have any skin reactions. If you have sensitive skin, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor before trying new products.
- Old lip balm tubes work great for this project! Plus, it’s an excellent way to reuse them and reduce waste.
- You can also melt the oils and beeswax using a double boiler. If you choose to use a saucepan like I do, just keep an eye on it and stir frequently to prevent burning.
- I highly recommend labeling your finished products. Since this recipe makes a lot, it’s easy to forget what’s in your DIY cabinet. I’ve created free printable labels available in my member resource library to help you stay organized.
The Best Essential Oils for Bug Bites
You might be surprised by how many essential oils are used for soothing itchy skin. Here are a few that are often recommended for natural itch relief.
- Basil: This is possibly one of the most popular oils for skin relief. While it may not directly stop itching, it is known to help with irritation, making it especially useful for bee stings.
- Mint oils: Mint oils, such as peppermint and spearmint, are noted in this article for their ability to help relieve itching.
- Tea Tree: This oil is a popular choice for bug bites. A 2012 trial even found it to be effective in preventing itching. The best part about this oil is that it works for a lot of different bugs, including mosquitoes, ants, ticks, and even bed bugs.
- Chamomile: This particular oil, specifically German chamomile, was used in a study and found to be even more effective than the other product in the study in reducing skin itching.
- Lavender: I like to use this oil strictly for its soothing properties, as mentioned in this article.
- Eucalyptus: I haven’t personally used this oil for relieving itch, but an interesting article I came across mentions how it can be particularly effective in helping to relieve itching in certain skin conditions.
Key Takeaways
Summer is by far my favorite season of the year, and I think most people agree! Am I right? Everything about it is so dreamy! Longer days, warm weather, no school, swimming, fishing, BBQing, the list goes on and on…BUT THE BUGS!
That is the one thing that I hate most and seem to forget all about every single year. The only way to avoid the bugs altogether is by staying inside. Staying inside isn’t an option for us, and I am betting it isn’t your number-one choice either.
Before going outside, be sure to apply homemade bug repellent or use DIY bug repellent lotion bars.
Wear clothes that cover more skin, a hat, socks, and shoes, and enjoy the beautiful outdoors!
If you tried this Homemade Anti-Itch Cream or any other tutorial on my website, I would love for you to come back and leave a star rating and let me know how it went in the comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Homemade Anti-Itch Cream (Natural Bug Bite Relief)
Equipment
- saucepan or double boiler
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons beeswax, you can use pellets or bars
- 2 tablespoons cocoa butter
- 2 tablespoons coconut oil
- 10 drops chamomile essential oil
- 5 drops tea tree essential oil
- 5 drops lavender essential oil
- 5 drops peppermint essential oil
Instructions
- Melt beeswax, cocoa butter, and coconut oil in a small saucepan over medium-low heat.
- Once all the ingredients are melted together, remove from the heat, add essential oils, and mix well. Work quickly since the mixture will begin to harden after being removed from the heat.
- With a small funnel, pipette, or old medicine dropper, fill the lip balm containers with the mixture.
- Let the tubes sit at room temperature for a few hours until cooled and completely hardened before capping. Apply directly to bug bites.
Video
Notes
- If you don’t have all of the oils listed, feel free to substitute any of them or use just one oil, up to 20 drops, to make this cream. If you choose a mint oil, I recommend reducing the amount to half.
- Do not apply to broken skin.
- Before using this product, always perform a patch test on a small, inconspicuous area to ensure you don’t have any skin reactions. If you have sensitive skin, it’s a good idea to check with your doctor before trying new products.
- Old lip balm tubes work great for this project! Plus, it’s an excellent way to reuse them and reduce waste.
- You can also melt the oils and beeswax using a double boiler. If you choose to use a saucepan like I do, just keep an eye on it and stir frequently to prevent burning.
I love the itch cream! I make it and just use the chamomile for the essential oil. Works great
That is great to hear!
I can’t wait to try this love you recipes so much!
I was just wondering what the shelf life on essential oils? I have some bottles of essential oils from about 5 years ago that I would like to use.
Glad you like the recipe. As far as essential oils goes, there are a lot of factors such as how they are stored and what kind they are. I have a whole blog post dedicated to the topic. You can search “essential oils expire” in my search bar and it will pop up.
Hi, is there a specific number of drops to be used for each essential oil in the anti-itch balm?
I do equal parts of each oil.