I really wish I had this recipe years ago when I was suffering from cracked bleeding knuckles due to eczema! If you currently suffer from eczema, I'm sure you can relate to the itch, irritation and annoyance that is eczema. Whether you've been suffering from bouts of eczema or chronic eczema and had to resort to topical steroid cream, then this DIY cream will be heaven-sent.
Topical steroid creams are the most common prescription creams doctors use to manage the symptoms of eczema. They make your skin look and feel temporarily better because they calm the inflammation. However, this is a temporary solution. This is similar to pulling the fuse on the gas light in your car because you don't like it reminding you that you need gas! Meaning, the problem is still there, you just can't see it for a little while.... until you run out of gas, or your eczema flares up again because you haven't addressed the root problem.
I'm sure this will come as no surprise that I'm not a fan of conventional treatments for eczema, all of which I break down one by one in my Eczema Healing Guide.
The problem with steroid creams is that they come with side effects and they do not address the root cause of eczema.
Research shows that topical steroid use has many side effects:
- May reduce the elasticity of the skin, making it wrinkle and sag more.
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May cause stretch marks and bruising.
- May cause both hypopigmentation (very common) or hyperpigmentation, which is a darkening or lightening of the skin in patches. Usually, this is reversible when steroid treatment is discontinued.
- Thinning of the skin.
- May trigger or worsen other skin disorders such as acne and rosacea.
- Hair growth on the area of the skin being treated.
- Some people may develop an addiction to the steroid cream.
What about use on infants and children?
The skin of babies and children is very sensitive making them more susceptible to side effects of topical steroid treatments. They should be avoided in children. The Food and Drug Administration's center for drug evaluations and research have reported side effects in babies and children similar to those seen in adults.
Some side effects not reported in adults but seen in children include local irritation, mood change, gynecomastia (enlarged breasts), genital hypertrichosis (excessive hair growth) and staphylococcal infection.
As per usual, conventional solutions do not address the root cause of the disease. They mask the symptoms temporarily. If you haven't checked out my new Eczema Healing Guide, now is the time if you want to get to the root cause and banish it forever.
In the meantime, if you're suffering from the itch and inflammation of eczema, this cream will help. It was created by the lovely Kathrin Brunner of For Love of Body.
The herbs in this Eczema Healing Cream are soothing, anti-inflammatory and healing.
- Chamomile. The flavonoids and essential oils in chamomile treat eczema because they are able to penetrate below the skin surface into the deeper skin layers. Research shows these oils have anti-inflammatory action, meaning they literally have the ability to inhibit prostaglandin-2 release and COX-2 activity (both of which are inflammatory chemicals).
- Calendula has been found to relieve itching, burning and promote healing. I love the healing aspect of calendula. I have an ointment that is a staple in my medicine cabinet to help heal wounds, scratches and abrasions.
- Plantain is antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory. It's that weed that grows in sidewalk cracks. In fact, if you ever get stung by a bee, find some plantain and crunch it up on your hand to release the oils, then place it on the sting. It will take out the sting!
- St. John's Wort has shown promise in research due to a phytonutrient called hyperforin which has shown anti-inflammatory and antibacterial ability.
Do not use this on children and do not use internally.
These herbs have none of the negative side effects that topical steroid treatments have. This cream is not going to "cure" your eczema, but you need to make dietary, supplement and lifestyle changes for that. However, what it will do is naturally reduce the inflammation, pain and itching.
If you don't want to make this cream yourself, then in my Eczema Healing Guide I've shared with your three brands of creams that I have used and love -- including Province Apothecary.
Here's the recipe for Eczema Healing Cream.
DIY
Eczema Healing Cream
Print
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1 tsp dried calendula flowers
- 1 tsp dried chamomile flowers
- 1/2 tsp dried comfrey
- 1/2 tsp dried plantain leaf
- 1/2 tsp St. John's Wort
- 1 tsp melted beeswax (organic or cosmetic grade)
- 1 tbsp fair trade shea butter
- 2 tbsp rosehip oil
- 1 tsp vitamin E (non-GMO)
- Optional: 1-2 tsp zinc oxide powder*
Instructions
- Add healing herbal blend and coconut oil to a double boiler and allow herbs to infuse over a low simmer for 3-4 hours.
- Allow oil to cool enough to handle, then strain out herbs (a fine sieve, nut milk bag or several layers of cheesecloth work well).
- Melt your beeswax in a double boiler. Measure out 1 tsp melted beeswax and add to infused coconut oil and shea butter and melt together. Add rosehip oil and vitamin E and stir to combine.
- Remove from heat. If using zinc, stir zinc into balm and then pour into glass containers and seal tightly. If adding zinc, place in fridge or freeze to set faster so zinc remains suspended throughout (you can also stir your balm as it’s setting).
- Once set, unopened balm will keep for up to a year when stored in a cool place out of direct light.
- To apply, warm a small amount of balm between fingers and spread onto irritated skin to help soothe and heal. Can also be used regularly to prevent flareups.
Notes
*Adds a barrier to seal in hydration and helps with skin cell regeneration.
- Herbs: I bought all my dried herbs from The Herbal Clinic and Dispensary in Toronto. This is also where I buy my essential oils.
- Canadian Beeswax in bulk from New Directions or search "organic beeswax cosmetic grade" on Amazon.
- Fair trade Shea from Bulk Natural Oils or search "fair trade shea" on amazon.
- Organic rosehip oil from Skin Essence Organics.
- Vitamin E can be found from any health food store or pharmacy, make sure it's non-gmo as most vitamin E is sourced from GMO soybean oil.
I know that suffering eczema can be extremely upsetting, stressful and frustrating. You've likely tried many different things to try and get to the root of your eczema. I am here to help. have created a comprehensive guide that addresses the root causes of eczema with evidence-based solutions.
I have created a comprehensive guide that addresses the root causes of eczema with evidence-based solutions that focus on healing and prevention. I go through the nutrition, supplement and lifestyle. Learn more about it here.
Remember that you have the power to heal your body!
I encourage you to use this affirmation as a daily reminder you are in control of your beautiful body.
Wishing you beautiful skin from within,
Joy
So, what would you use on children? My 7 month old got a rash on her face from teething that has not gone away and now is very dry and red. It looks like eczema to me. Coconut oil is not really helping. Thanks!
ReplyTeething rashes are super common and it's probably not eczema. Coconut oil is great, but it isn't deeply moisturizing. I really like E-cream by Skin Essence Organics for this type of rash. It's safe on babies too. For a daily deep moisturizing, I use Smooth Like Butta body butter on my 20 month old it's so clean you could eat it. Here it is: https://www.joyoushealth.com/24121-product-smooth-like-butta-body-butter
What items in that recipe are not safe for kids? Would that body butter help with the discomfort of eczema? My 2 year old has been scratching so much and I'd love something to help.
ReplyHey Jessica, It's the botanicals we would recommend steering clear of for kids. We can never be too sure of their potency so it's better to play it safe and avoid them. The Smooth Like Body Butter would be great for your 2 year old or even the E-Cream by Skin Essence Organics :) Rachel - Joyous Health Team
Hi my son is 2 and a half. He's suffered with severe eczema since he was 12 weeks old . Unfortunately he caught chicken pox at 11 weeks and then had a severe allergic reaction to shampoo he was prescribed from the gp. Cut the long story short ever since all that his skin has been horrendous especially his face and scalp. I live in the U.K. So getting hold of all these ingredients / and your book is almost impossible . He is plastered in steroid creams everyday as this is the only way his skin heals. Any advice on what I should do would be much appreciated . I.E. foods and creams
ReplyHey Francesca! I'm so sorry to hear what your son is going through. That can't be easy for a loving mama to watch :( There are definitely things you can do in the way of diet, lifestyle and supplementation. All of this information is included in our newest Eczema Healing Guide and there is actually a designated section on how to heal eczema for infants. You can find more about that here https://www.joyoushealth.com/54-joyu-program-eczema-healing-guide. I hope that helps, but feel free to reach out to us if you have any questions at [email protected] :) Rachel - Joyous Health Team
Is this cream helpful for other skin issues? My daughter was told she has dermatitis on her face and that it's extremely difficult to get rid of. Do you have any helpful info I could pass on to her so she doesn't need to see a dermatologist.
ReplyHave you tried strong black seed oil for eczema; it is amazing. This natural ingredient is anti-inflammatory so it takes care of inflammation due to eczema. It works great for other more minor allergies too.
ReplyHey Jennifer, Thanks so much for sharing! We haven't tried that yet but we'll be sure to keep that in mind :) Rachel - Joyous Health Team
Where you wou recommend buying some of these items? As most are New to me!
ReplyHey Jessica! You can order organic herbs from Organic Connections online. Joy typically goes to her local dispensary or health food store :) Rachel - Joyous Health Team
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ReplyDo you have any tips for psoriasis as well? My husband suffers from psoriasis and I occasionally have eczema. Not sure if this would work for him.
ReplyHey Mary, We have a ton of natural eczema recommendations on Joyous Health (on the blog and the Eczema Healing Guide in the shop) and while they aren't specifically focused on psoriasis, they can be beneficial for treating psoriasis naturally, including this cream. Rachel - Joyous Health Team
interesting thanks for your post
ReplyYou should sell some of this in your shop for people who don’t want to/are unable to make it! :)
ReplyI saw you replied but don't see a comment... it's blank...
ReplyOops sorry about the Jenn! Thanks for the idea! Try the Smooth Like Butta - I use it daily to prevent an eczema flare up: https://www.joyoushealth.com/24121-product-smooth-like-butta-body-butter
This recipe is such a great find. Thank you for sharing the step by step instructions and sourcing recommendations too. Can you share your thoughts on preparing gel based formulation using Hydrosols ? Can such formulations be equally effective? Thanks in advance :)
ReplyGlad you love it! I haven't made a gel-based formulation using these ingredients. I think you'd need some organic glycerin to get a more gel like consistency but I don't know what the ratios would be. Maybe just try googling it?