If you're one of the millions who suffer from eczema, psoriasis, or other itchy skin conditions, you know how uncomfortable and embarrassing it can be.
The problem is that many over-the-counter dry skin remedies only worsen it. The majority contain harsh ingredients that irritate the skin or even trigger an allergic reaction.
But there's good news! Essential oils are natural and safe alternatives that don't just help soothe your skin — they also contain powerful anti-inflammatory properties that can help fight the root cause of your itchy skin condition.
Essential oils are highly concentrated plant extracts used in aromatherapy and other alternative medicine practices. Lets look at eight essential oils that are known to help relieve your dry, itchy skin problems:
Lavender oil is a wonderful anti-inflammatory that can help with itchy skin. It's also great for burns and other skin irritations. It's an effective insect repellent and has been shown to have antibacterial properties, so it's useful as an antiseptic.
Lavender oil has been used for centuries to treat various ailments, including eczema, acne, psoriasis, and rashes. Its soothing effects are due to its ability to relax muscles and reduce inflammation, which can help relieve itching.
How to use lavender oil to relieve itching
Lavender essential oil is one of only a couple of oils that can be applied directly to your skin. It can also be added to bath water for a relaxing soak. If you choose to use it in a bath, make sure you dilute it first by mixing it with a carrier oil, dispersible bath oil, or even milk, before adding it to your bathwater. This will prevent irritation from the oils entering your eyes or nose if you accidentally get some on yourself while bathing.
Lemongrass oil is an antifungal, antibacterial, and antiviral agent that can help heal skin conditions such as eczema or psoriasis. Since eczema is an inflammatory condition of the skin, lemongrass oil can help relieve itching caused by inflammation. It also contains limonene, an anti-inflammatory agent for your skin. By applying this essential oil topically to your skin, you can help reduce its inflammation and soothe any itching it causes.
How to Use Lemongrass Oil for Itchy Skin
Apply directly to the affected area.
Mix with carrier oils such as coconut oil and jojoba oil to make a cream or body lotion that you can apply directly to your skin.
Clary sage is another essential oil that can be helpful in treating eczema and psoriasis because of its anti-inflammatory properties. This herb is known for its ability to soothe nervous tension and stress, which can both contribute to outbreaks of itching or inflammation on the skin's surface.
Here are some of the ways you can use clary sage essential oil for itchy skin:
Bath: Add five drops of clary sage essential oil to your bath water and soak in it for at least 20 minutes. You can also combine with lavender essential oil to help increase relaxation while bathing.
Massage: Apply 2-3 drops of Clary Sage Essential Oil to a small amount of carrier oil and massage into affected areas until absorbed. Do not apply directly onto open wounds or damaged skin.
Sandalwood essential oil is a natural remedy for many skin conditions like eczema because of its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Below are some of the benefits of sandalwood essential oil for eczema:
Anti-inflammatory Properties: Sandalwood oil has anti-inflammatory properties which help reduce swelling, redness, and itching associated with eczema. These properties also help treat minor skin infections like acne or athlete's foot that might result from eczema.
Antibacterial Properties: Sandalwood oil has antibacterial properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria on your skin and keep infections at bay.
How to Use Sandalwood Essential Oil for Itchy Skin:
Massage: Add five drops of sandalwood essential oil to 5 tablespoons of almond or jojoba oil, then massage into your skin. This can be done before bedtime or whenever you feel like your skin could use some TLC.
Tea tree oil is one of the best-known essential oils for treating itchy skin because it has antiseptic properties that help fight infection-causing bacteria and fungi. This helps reduce redness, swelling, and inflammation associated with rashes or hives.
In addition, tea tree oil has powerful antifungal properties that make it helpful in treating jock itch, ringworm, and athlete's foot.
How to Use Tea Tree Oil for Itchy Skin
Massage: Apply a few drops directly onto your dry skin, or add them to your favorite moisturiser or lotion before applying them to your skin. You should not apply this directly to wet or damp skin as it might irritate your skin instead of relieving the itching sensation.
Bath: Add a few drops to the running water in a bath before soaking in it for 10 minutes or more. This will help soothe dry, irritated skin and relieve itching sensations in the tub itself! Some people also find this beneficial when experiencing generalized anxiety or panic attacks since it helps calm anxious thoughts while bathing.
Patchouli oil has been shown to have anti-inflammatory properties that may help relieve itching caused by insect bites or other irritants in your environment.
There are many ways to use this essential oil at home to help treat itchy skin conditions, including:
Massage: If you suffer from chronic dryness or eczema, try mixing 1-part patchouli essential oil with two parts almond or jojoba oil and massage into affected areas twice daily. This will help soothe inflamed areas around your body while also providing moisture to damaged skin cells
Rosemary oil can help with itchy skin by helping to relieve inflammation, stimulate circulation and reduce swelling. In addition, it has antibacterial and antifungal properties that can help eliminate any infections or parasites that may be causing your itchiness.
How to Use Rosemary Oil for Itchy Skin
You can add one drop of rosemary oil to 1 tablespoon (15 ml) of carrier oil such as coconut oil or jojoba oil before applying it directly onto your skin as needed for relief from itching and inflammation due to eczema or psoriasis.
Geranium Essential Oil is well-known for its soothing properties. It can be used to help with itchy skin and insect bites, as well as other skin irritations.
Geranium oil is also known as the "herb of grace" because of its ability to uplift the mood and promote feelings of joyfulness. This is because geranium oil contains high amounts of limonene, a chemical compound found in citrus fruits that acts as a natural anti-depressant.
Geranium essential oil can be used in several ways:
For insect bites and stings: Apply 1–2 drops directly onto the affected area and allow time for absorption before dressing.
For itchy skin: Apply 1–2 drops directly onto affected areas twice daily or as needed. It's best to use this method around bedtime so that you can let it absorb overnight rather than apply it during the day when you will be exposed to sunlight or other UV rays, which can cause photosensitivity reactions in some people when using essential oils topically.
References
https://www.stylecraze.com/articles/essential-oils-for-itching/
https://www.vedaoils.com/blogs/essentialoils/essential-oils-for-itching