Are Essential Oils Good for Eczema? A Look at 5 of the Most Popular Ones

Aromatherapy is the use of essential oils inhaled in the air or applied on the skin. The goal is to improve physical and mental well-being. The use of essential oils has become very popular as there has been more focus on using natural products. As a result, many have tried to treat eczema by using essential oils on the skin.

Essential oils can be very helpful for some people. But, it may not always be the best treatment for eczema.

What are essential oils?

Essential oils are oils derived from natural plants. The plants’ leaves, stems, roots, flowers, seeds, and fruits can be used to extract the oil.

Essential oils have been used for centuries for cosmetic and other skin treatments. They have also become trendier for use in detoxing and treating various health conditions.

But it’s important to not confuse the word “essential” with the word “pure.” Essential oils are not pure oils. These oils have been broken down and found to carry hundreds of chemicals.

Because essential oils are not regulated by the FDA, other ingredients are often not listed in the ingredient labels.

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Can essential oils cure eczema?

No. Essential oils cannot cure eczema. While most uses of essential oils are safe, they can cause significant allergic reactions on the skin. This is especially risky when you have eczema.

When the skin barrier is broken in eczema, the skin cannot protect itself. The broken skin allows more allergens and bacteria to pass in, while losing moisture out of the skin. This leads to dry, irritable, and itchy skin.

When the skin of people with eczema gets exposed to essential oils, it’s prone to developing skin allergies. These allergies are called allergic contact dermatitis.

Allergic contact dermatitis is a reaction by your immune system to a skin allergen. It causes very itchy and irritated skin. Once you develop this type of allergic reaction, you’ll continue to react to the same allergen if you get exposed to it again. Many essential oils have been reported to cause allergic contact dermatitis.

What are popular essential oils used for eczema?

There are several essential oils that people use for eczema. Here are five of the more popular ones.

1. Tea tree oil

Tea tree oil is found in many personal and household products. And it has antibacterial properties. But tea tree oil can also cause skin allergies. In fact, just over 3% of people have an allergy to tea tree oil.

People with eczema have a higher risk of developing skin allergies because their skin barrier is not fully intact. For this reason, the use of tea tree oil should be with caution in eczema-prone skin.

2. Chamomile oil

Chamomile has often been used in aromatherapy for relaxation. Chamomile oil has certain anti-inflammatory effects. Some studies show that this may be helpful for skin inflammation in eczema as well. 

But, chamomile oil does contain certain allergens that have been shown to cause allergic contact dermatitis. It should also be used with caution.

3. Peppermint oil

Peppermint oil has been used as a treatment to soothe itchy skin. But the menthol found in peppermint oil can be a skin irritant and an allergen. For this reason, the use of peppermint oil in people with eczema is not recommended.

4. Eucalyptus oil

Eucalyptus oil has shown some potential to lessen inflammation in laboratory studies. But there’s no evidence that eucalyptus oil is helpful in people with eczema.

It too has been shown to cause contact dermatitis and shouldn’t be used as treatment for eczema. There are also reports of possibly toxic effects in adults and children who consumed eucalyptus oil. Rare, but serious side effects of eucalyptus oil can include:

• Nausea

• Vomiting

• Seizures

• Death 

5. Lavender oil

Lavender oil has been used for aromatherapy for many years. It has also been used to control itchiness and inflammation from eczema. But there’s no clinical evidence to recommend this treatment. Some laboratory studies have shown promise, but more research needs to be done.

There are different types of lavender oil, but they all have one major ingredient called linalool. Linalool is a known skin allergen. One study shows that this is an emerging allergen in more than 10% of children. Lavender should be used with caution especially in those with eczema.

Are any oils good for eczema?

Vegetable oils like virgin coconut oil can be helpful for eczema. Coconut oil can be designated as a “virgin” or pure oil. These oils are processed in a way that preserves the quality of the oil. And that can make the oil less irritating to the skin.

Although olive oil is also a pure oil, it’s not recommended to be used in eczema-prone skin. While it can be somewhat moisturizing, oleic acid in olive oil can sometimes make the skin more inflamed. 

Castor oil is another popular option for eczema, but there aren’t studies showing that it works and it can also cause allergic skin reactions. 

Here are some oils that may work well for improving skin with eczema.

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is derived from the meat of the coconut. It’s made up of high levels of fats. There are many benefits of coconut oil, especially for eczema. Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and moisturizing properties.

The oil helps repair the skin barrier by allowing moisture to stay in to keep eczema skin moisturized. Pure virgin coconut oil has no allergens in it and doesn’t raise the risk of skin allergies. It’s a great natural alternative for skin health.

Safflower seed oil

Safflower seed oil is also made up of various fats. Linoleic acid is one component of safflower oil, which directly helps repair the skin barrier. Safflower oil has been reported to lessen inflammation in the skin.

In one small study of children, those that used safflower oil along with their topical steroid had a great improvement in their eczema. Those who only used their prescriptions showed less improvement.

Sunflower seed oil

Sunflower seed oil is made up mainly of linoleic acid in combination with other types of fats. As mentioned above, the linoleic acid can help improve the skin barrier. Some studies have shown that sunflower oil can help lower inflammation and improve eczema. 

How do you safely apply essential oil to skin?

In general, you shouldn’t apply an essential oil directly on the skin without diluting it. Undiluted essential oils are strong, and they could cause a severe skin reaction. 

Before using an essential oil, mix it with a carrier oil (like vegetable or coconut oil). To do this, add about 12 drops of the essential oil mixed with 1 oz of carrier oil. Then apply that mixture to a small test area of skin and wait a day to see if you develop a reaction (like an itchy rash) before applying it more broadly. 

Is it OK to mix eczema medication with natural treatments?

In general, yes. But, mixing a prescription ointment with any lotion or oil could lower the concentration of the medication.

If you’re trying to decrease the use of your prescription medication, mixing it with another moisturizer can be helpful. Mixing a topical prescription steroid, for example, with a thick moisturizing cream or Vaseline (petroleum jelly) is often done.

One point to remember is that essential oils contain many ingredients. Some may include alcohol or other solvents. When mixed with your prescription, this may actually prevent it from working as it should.

Other oils, like pure virgin coconut oil, may be better mixed with your prescriptions. That’s because they are safe and have beneficial properties for eczema.

When should I talk to a healthcare professional about using essential oils for my eczema?

If you have eczema and are looking for a more natural solution, speaking with a healthcare professional should be the first step. Dermatologists specialize in the treatment of skin conditions. They are familiar with many natural and prescription formulations. Plus, they can help you figure out your risk of exposure to skin allergens.

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Written by:

Alina Goldenberg, MD, MAS, FAAD

Alina Goldenberg, MD, MAS, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist in private practice in San Diego. She is also an assistant clinical professor in the Department of Internal Medicine at the University of California, Riverside School of Medicine.

Edited by:

Karla Robinson, MD

Karla Robinson, MD, is a medical editor for GoodRx. She is a licensed, board-certified family physician with almost 20 years of experience in health through varied clinical, administrative, and educational roles.

Reviewed by:

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA

Maria Robinson, MD, MBA, is a board-certified dermatologist and dermatopathologist who has practiced dermatology and dermatopathology for over 10 years across private practice, academic, and telehealth settings. She is a fellow of the American Academy of Dermatology and the American Society of Dermatopathology.

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