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6 Easy And Natural Remedies For Eczema-Prone Skin
05/12/20228 min read
The constant routine of applying products that don’t work to treat eczema gets old, fast. Natural remedies for eczema teach us a better way to help improve eczema-prone skin.
These natural remedies range from everyday household products to items that are a quick stop at the store away. But it’s important to remember that natural options are not a replacement for your prescription treatment.
Always consult with your doctor before changing or adding to any recommended treatment. Read on to discover what we have learned about these natural solutions and how they can help eczema-prone skin.
Natural Remedies For Eczema
Coconut Oil
Coconut oil is more than the perfect match for your sweet and salty batch of popcorn. This solid fat of the coconut has been shown to help balance the microbiome, help with irritation, and has antioxidant properties.
But not all oils are created equal. To help your skin rather than harm it, be sure to select high-quality coconut oil — either virgin or cold-pressed. Choosing one of these options helps you avoid skin-irritating by-products.
Colloidal Oatmeal
Colloidal oatmeal is packed with essential vitamins and nutrients that help keep your skin feeling fresh.
We know it sounds daunting — colloidal — but this finely ground oat grain is simply dissolved in water to gain its softening properties (and its title as an official FDA-listed skin protectant). Colloidal oatmeal creates a protective barrier that helps retain your skin’s moisture.
One of the most common application methods is an oatmeal bath. Because let’s be real — if something soothes eczema and smells great, we’d bathe in it, too.
Honey
Another method for calming skin irritation is one of the oldest medicines known to humans. From sore throats to dry skin and many conditions in-between, honey has always been a sweet relief.
The benefits of honey are similar to that of coconut oil and colloidal oatmeal, including boosts of antioxidants and skin-hydrating properties.
Just as you want to select the proper coconut oil for your skin, you also want to choose high-quality honey. Look for honey that is free of contaminants. This means it’s been filtered, ensuring it’s free from harmful chemicals.
If you’re starting to crave a bowl of oatmeal with honey and coconut after all this talk about these ingredients, we don’t blame you. But let’s take a look at some of the less-delicious natural remedies for treating eczema.
Apple Cider Vinegar
We’ll say what you’re thinking: Apple cider vinegar is far from one of the better-scented options on this list. But this strange-smelling liquid reduces inflammation and helps restore your skin’s pH balance, so it’s worth a try.
Apple cider vinegar can also help fight dandruff when used on your scalp. And, honestly, the apple cider vinegar scent doesn’t prove to be an issue for too long. We won’t promise you’ll love it, but it does stop bothering you after a while.
Since different skin types react to apple cider vinegar differently, it’s best to try it in small amounts before applying larger patches to your skin.
Sunflower Oil
There are a lot of oils believed to treat eczema and fight dry skin. While some of these may help ease eczema symptoms, the majority of them fall short in making the larger impact you’re looking for.
Sunflower seed oil, however, lives up to expectations. This oil works to moisturize your skin and naturally helps repair your skin's barrier function. And the anti-inflammatory properties of sunflower oil further help it soothe irritated and itchy skin.
When it comes to choosing a sunflower oil, you’ve probably caught onto a pattern at this point. Go for a higher-quality, cold-pressed oil to avoid causing more irritation.
Aloe Vera
Although very few studies have been conducted to confirm aloe vera’s eczema-relieving abilities, the natural properties of this plant show promising results.
One of the reasons it works well for people with eczema is that it fights off bacteria and fungus that can infect the skin.
When your skin begins to break, it’s at a higher risk of being infected. Aloe vera combines its cleansing function with its polysaccharides, which help your skin retain water and stay hydrated, to protect your skin while promoting healing and growth.
Most stores sell a gel form of aloe vera that’s easy to apply, but you can also use aloe vera the old-fashioned way by spitting open one of the leaves to access the gel.
Tips For Managing Skin Irritation
Along with the natural remedies for eczema listed above, it’s important to consider all of the ways you can help relieve eczema symptoms. Below, we offer tips on easy and effective ways to take your skin relief a full step further.
Make Dietary Changes
Still thinking about that coconut oatmeal? Before you get up and don your chef hat, let’s look at some other foods that can positively impact your skin.
Eating foods that are high in quercetin is a fantastic way to care for your skin from the inside out. Quercetin is a plant pigment known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which can aid in reducing swelling.
So don’t be afraid to throw some blueberries, blackberries, and apples into that oatmeal mix. These fruits are naturally high in quercetin on top of being packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and a long list of other great benefits.
Teas, citrus fruits, onions, sage, parsley, and even apple cider vinegar are also great sources of quercetin. However, we don’t recommend mixing all of these into your oatmeal.
Decrease Your Stress
Stress is detrimental to your skin. Finding daily activities to help you relax and stay calm is beneficial not only for your mental health but also for your skin health.
When everything feels frantic and full of stress, try meditating. This practice of simply noticing your body and concentrating on your breath can eliminate the noises of life and help you focus, which in turn reduces the stress on your body.
Massages can also be beneficial. And what better excuse to get a massage than to help care for your skin?
Try A Cool Compress
If you’re looking for temporary relief, cool compresses can reduce itchiness and irritation. Just take a clean towel, soak in cold water, and apply it over the affected area.
The cold temperature targets the impacted areas and provides a numbing effect. Compressing for about 20 minutes at a time can also help with swelling.
Take Shorter, Cooler Showers
Dry, irritated skin thrives on hot water because the hotter temperatures strip your skin of its natural oils that help it heal.
We’re not telling you to start bathing in ice water, but limiting the time you spend in the shower (we recommend 10 minutes or less) and avoiding scorching temperatures will make a significant difference in the way your skin protects itself.
Cooler showers are better for your skin, but adding a bit of warmth to your water helps remove dirt and bacteria. So, the trick is to stick to warm, not hot, showers and baths.
For an even more powerfully gentle cleanse, our Sensitive Skin Moisturizing Body Wash is a great way to lock in moisture for softer, smoother skin.
Use Gentle Products
We mentioned taking a colloidal oatmeal bath earlier, but colloidal oatmeal can also be found in creams, like the Eczema Daily Calming Cream here at Bodewell.
With a combination of coconut oil, vitamin B3, and vitamin E, this product does wonders for eczema irritation.
Clinical And Natural Remedies For Eczema Symptom Relief
You have a busy schedule on top of managing your skin. Following this list of natural remedies for eczema is a great way to easily step up your skincare game.
From sunflower oil to figuring out which high-quercetin ingredients to put in your coconut oatmeal, you’re sure to find something that works for you.
At Bodewell, we have learned from nature and use clinically tested ingredients and soothing botanicals for eczema relief and clearer-looking skin. We offer solutions for specific conditions, like eczema, to help skin rebalance itself over time.
Our specially designed skincare products provide gentle and powerful solutions that work. Visit bodewellskin.com to discover how you can enjoy more good skin days.
