Common skin irritants such as eczema can be annoying, irritating, and a nightmare to get rid of. Having a homemade eczema salve using natural ingredients is a must to relieve the itch and reduce the appearance of skin blemishes.
Eczema is a rash that appears on the skin. Typically it shows up on the limbs, such as on the elbows, behind the knees, or hands. But it can appear anywhere on the skin. The irritant appears on the skin as a way for the body to tell you, “something is wrong.”
Common eczema triggers
The cause of eczema is often difficult to pinpoint since it can be caused by many external irritants such as detergents, soaps, pollen, viruses, and changes in temperature. However, not limiting the cause of eczema just to external irritants, it can also stem from internal issues with the gut, food intolerances, stress, digestive issues, and hormone imbalances.
Needless to say, pinpointing the root cause can be quite difficult. This homemade eczema salve works well at soothing irritated skin and can reduce the appearance of eczema.
What does eczema look like
Eczema appears in the form of small red, rash-like bumps but also can look like small patches of dry, “scaly” skin. It is often itchy and it can come and go, making it hard to determine the cause.
My son had eczema for a good year before we pinpointed his “trigger,” which was dairy. He was allergic to casein, the protein in milk.
After two years of a complete diet change, digestive enzymes, probiotics, and essential oils for digestive health and allergies, his eczema disappeared completely.
During that time, the rash would come and go, but it always came back. When it would flare up, I would use this homemade eczema salve with essential oils to reduce the appearance of the rash, soothe the skin, relieve the itch and discomfort.
Because there is always an underlying cause for eczema, this salve is only meant to ease the irritation and to help lessen the appearance of the rash.
You can use this salve for soothing and moisturizing dry, flakey or itchy skin due to skin irritations. If eczema is the cause, the GAPS diet or the elimination diet might be worth trying out to help pinpoint the root cause. However, be sure to check with your doctor first.
How to get rid of skin irritations
The GAPS diet and elimination diet are both two great options to help with eczema. The GAPS diet focuses heavily on eating foods that are easy to digest and ideal for gut health. Read more on that HERE.
The elimination diet, on the other hand, is a great way to pinpoint allergies. The idea of the elimination diet is to cut out high allergen foods to determine what foods are bothering you.
It can be challenging because certain foods, like dairy, can stay in the system for a month. Talk with your doctor to see what they recommend. Read more on the elimination diet HERE.
What is eczema cream?
Eczema salve has a “balm-like” texture, sort of like a firm, non-greasy cream. This eczema salve recipe is made of shea butter, coconut oil, beeswax, honey and essential oils.
Shea Butter for Eczema
Shea butter is the fat that comes from the nuts of an African shea tree. When applied topically to the skin, shea butter will hydrate dry skin and add a protective barrier that can ward off environmental threats.
Shea butter can soften and smooth skin. It can also reduce swelling that may occur when having a flare-up. Shea butter can be applied to the area of concern to reduce skin irritations.
It is very rare to have an allergic reaction to shea butter; however, if you experience inflammation or irritation, be sure to stop using shea butter right away.
Coconut Oil for Eczema
Coconut oil can be used to reduce almost all skin imperfections. It is an effective moisturizer, reduces inflammation, and soothes irritations.
Coconut oil has antibacterial and antiviral properties. It can help to keep skin clean and purified.
Coconut can be very effective for red rashes, swelling, and itchiness. For best results, apply coconut oil to the area of concern 3 times daily.
Beeswax for Eczema
Beeswax has amazing benefits for the skin and has been used on skin irritations for many, many years. Similar to shea butter, the beeswax will create a protective layer on the skin when applied.
Beeswax is antibacterial, great for sensitive skin, and can help skin stay hydrated. If possible, it is best to find local beeswax to use on skin irritations.
Honey for Eczema
Honey is most commonly used to sweeten desserts, but did you know the benefits it has for your skin and hair? I love adding honey into my skincare products and even using it for a hair mask.
Honey has microbial and anti-inflammation properties, making it effective for eczema rash. When used on the skin, honey can reduce signs of aging, promote clear skin, and soothe skin irritations.
Essential Oils for Skin
The best essential oils to use for skin irritations are lavender, frankincense, and tea tree. These 3 oils make a powerful blend for almost all skin imperfections.
For this salve recipe, I am also adding in geranium as I have found that oil to help with rashes. Geranium essential oil can promote the appearance of clear skin and soothe dry skin.
This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Get my full disclosure HERE.
Homemade Salve Recipe
- 1/2 cup shea butter
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup beeswax
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
- 10 drops lavender
- 8 drops frankincense
- 5 drops Tea Tree
- 5 drops geranium
- Storage Tin
Directions:
- Melt shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax in a double boiler.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Stir in raw honey and essential oils.
- Transfer to storage tin.
- Allow it to harden with the lid off.
- Apply to the area of concern.
Don’t forget to print off your free printable label. It can be found in the online resource library.
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Homemade Soothing Eczema Salve
This salve is simple to make and soothes itchy skin caused by eczema and other irritating rashes.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup shea butter
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1/4 cup beeswax
- 1 tablespoon raw honey
- 10 drops lavender
- 8 drops frankincense
- 5 drops tea tree
- 5 drops geranium
- Shallow Storage Tin
Instructions
- Melt shea butter, coconut oil, and beeswax in a double boiler over medium heat.
- Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
- Stir in honey and essential oils.
- Once ingredients are well combined, transfer the salve to metal storage tins.
- Allow the salve to harden completely before securing the lid.
- Apply to the area of concern.
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Sandra says
Hi Laura,
Great video and blog! I only have lavender and geranium essential oils at home, are the other two essential oils strictly necessary to make this salve effective? If yes, I will purchase them. I have amber glass containers, will that work? Or should I get the tin containers? Thank you!
Laura says
All the essential oils make it most effective but you can make it with what you have and see how it works for you!
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Hannah Jenkins says
My 7 month old baby boy is dealing with the eczema/asthma and has along the same story pneumonia several times rsv @ 3 months old almost a wk stay in the hospital. Very frustrating he was perfectly fine till after all this now his allergies eczema is really bad. Thank you so much Laura definitely going to do this 😊
lauraascher says
Awww I am so sorry you are dealing with this! It is no fun! Thankfully, after implementing the GAPS diet, using essential oils, and a few supplements we have reversed everything. It took us two years but it was so worth the extra work!
Avary says
Hi Laura, I am very interested in making this recipe however I do not have any Shea butter. Could I use cocoa butter instead?
Laura says
Yes!
Monica Nazempoor says
I just watched the Eczema recipe video and was wondering what the shelf life is for that product? Storage requirements? Since there won’t be any preservatives in this all natural recipe (love it), I just want to make sure it is kept in a safe environment. Thanks!
Laura says
It is good for one year.
Praj says
Hi Laura
Great recipe Once again 👏 I can’t wait to try this on my sons eczema prone skin and see the results and I will be posting them here. I am fighting to clear his eczema from the last 10 years and I have been trying different natural things on him. He is on immunotherapy now but it takes time to have the effect.
Can you tell me what kind of digestive enzymes, probiotics and essential oils did you use to treat your sons problems? I would like to try on every bit of information I get.
Thanks once again 💜
Laura says
I use doTERRA and get the enzymes and probiotics through them! I used frankincense, copaiba, and lavender, as they help with inflammation and typically eczema, is due to food allergies that cause inflammation.
Simerha says
Do u use water in ya lotions
Starve That Ego says
Thank you so much for the details of each ingredient. I would like to know if the honey makes it sticky. I can’t stand being sticky. Thank you
RBMar says
I am guessing most tins are of aluminum. Seems that might leech? Would glass be better? And thank you. I have been dealing with eczema for far too long and I WILL get to the bottom of this!
Laura says
Yes, glass is fine too!
Tamara says
I tried making a salve once with honey but the honey didn’t settle and stayed liquid in the centre. Any tips?
Connie H. says
I have three grandchildren suffering from eczema. I am going to make this and give it to them. 🙂
Tekla says
Thanks for your recipe. It’s really help
Esra says
Thank you very much for sharing this important recipe, but won’t bacteria form because of honey and there is no preservative?
Can I replace honey with powder?
Laura says
I have never had any issue with it but you can add a preservative if you would like to.
Jenny says
Honey is a preservative
ST says
CAN I USE SOMTHING ELSE INSTED MANGO BUTTER
Laura says
This recipe call for shea butter
Kate says
For what ages is this safe? I have a 3.5 month old who is getting patches of eczema already. 🙁
Laura says
I would omit the essential oils before using this on someone that young.
Jenny says
Can I use yarrow infused olive oil in place of coconut oil?
Purvi says
Thank you for the recipe! Can I completely omit the essential oils for this recipe just to keep it fragrant free? Do the essential oils play a role besides fragrance in healing the eczema?
Laura says
They do provide some benefits, but you can certainly make it without them!
Julie says
Does the honey make your skin sticky when you use this salve?
Laura says
I have not had any issues with that.