Is your skin swollen or irritated? Is it itchy? Common rashes include eczema, hives, poison ivy and athlete’s foot. Skin rashes can be caused by many things, such as an insect bite, a medical condition or an infection. I think you’ll agree when I say that skin rashes can be very annoying. The good news is that there are effective and natural solutions to heal skin rashes. Essential oils are great for all kinds of skin problems.
Now the question is: What are the best essential oils for skin rashes and skin conditions? And how to use them? There are lots of essential oils that have unique properties for skin. For example, rosemary, tea tree, lavender, neem and chamomile essential oils provide great benefits for skin problems.
Let’s discover the world of aromatherapy and how it can help with all kinds of skin rashes.
About essential oils…
Essential oils have been used for more than 5000 years as natural medicine and to improve the health of skin, hair and body. Essential oils are aromatic liquids obtained from flowers, trees, seeds, leaves, stems, grasses, fruits, and roots. They are highly concentrated and do not contain artificial fragrances, like perfumes or fragrance oils.
Essential oil benefits come from their antioxidant, antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties. In fact, these healing oils are rapidly growing in popularity because they act as natural medicine without any side effects if they are properly used!
Top Essential Oils for itchy skin rashes: Tea Tree & Lavender
There are a lot of essential oils to choose from. Did you know that there are more than 90 essential oils, and each essential oil has its own health benefits? If your skin rash is very itchy, some essential oils are better than others to relieve itchiness. Here are the best essential oils to soothe the itch:
Tea tree essential oil
This essential oil soothes all kinds of skin conditions associated with itchiness: sunburns, insect bites (such as flea bites), scrapes, poison ivy… It’s a must for your summer first aid kit! Tea tree oil is also effective against conditions ranging from candida to acne.
Tea tree essential oil has so many different uses because of its powerful antibacterial, antifungal and antiviral properties. When applied to the skin, it has the ability to destroy the bacteria involved in the development of acne. It’s commonly used as a local antiseptic for cuts and abrasions, for burns, insect bites and stings, boils, vaginal infections, and recurrent herpes labialis.
It’s one of the essential oils to always have at home.
I recommend the brand Aura Cacia, but there are lots of other great brands you can find in health food stores. You can buy it online here.
Lavender essential oil
Lavender calms the itch and it’s very effective for skin rashes caused by insect bites. It can help speed healing in burns and cuts as well as all kinds of skin rashes. It is also known to decrease anxiety, promote better sleep, and reduce inflammation.
Likewise, lavender oil is an essential oil that should be in every home!
Lavender Essential Oil Takes The Itch Out Of Mosquito Bites.
Best essential oils for baby skin rashes: Lavender & Chamomile
According to Valerie Ann Worwood who is the author of The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy, lavender and chamomile essential oils are safe for babies.
Therefore these essential oils can be used for baby skin rashes, such as diaper rash or allergies to insect bites.
How to use essential oils for baby skin rashes?
- Mix a few drops of either organic lavender oil or roman chamomile essential oil with virgin coconut oil.
- Apply it on your baby’s skin.
Note: Always perform a patch test on your baby’s skin and don’t put undiluted essential oil directly on baby’s skin.
Essential Oils during Pregnancy
Most essential oils shouldn’t be used while pregnant. However, there are a few exceptions. According to the National Association for Holistic Aromatherapy, essential oils that appear to be safe during pregnancy include:
- cardamon
- German and Roman chamomile
- frankincense
- geranium
- ginger
- neroli
- patchouli
- petitgrain
- rosewood
- rose
- sandalwood
Although they appear to be safe, the NAHA adds that it would be prudent to avoid the internal or undiluted application of essential oils throughout pregnancy.
List of the best essential oils for skin Problems
There are a lot of essential oils that can be used to improve skin health. To summarize, you’ll find here below a list of the best essential oils for skin problems.
This list is a quick reference guide. Please consult a qualified practitioner for proper treatment, application and dosage.
Bergamot Essential Oil
- Main skin benefits: skin cleanser, psoriasis, shingles, oily skin, thrush, varicose veins, dry eczema, shingles
- Emotional benefits: uplifting, refreshing
- Caution: do not apply before exposure to strong sunlight
Cedarwood essential oil
- Main skin benefits: skin cleanser, scalp problems, oily skin, psoriasis, inflamed skin
- Emotional benefits: calming
- Caution: do not use during pregnancy
Chamomile essential oil
- Main skin benefits: irritated skin, psoriasis, baby skin rashes, shingles, inflamed skin, dry skin, sunburns, eczema (dry & wet)
- Emotional benefits: relaxing, soothing
- Caution: do not use during pregnancy
Cypress essential oil
- Main skin benefits: irritated skin, oily skin, varicose veins, warts, poison ivy
- Emotional benefits: relaxing, soothing
- Caution: do not use during pregnancy
Eucalyptus essential oil
- Main skin benefits: shingles, thrush, eczema
- Emotional benefits: cooling
- Caution: do not use if you have high blood pressure
Fennel essential oil
- Main skin benefits: skin cleanser, wrinkles
- Emotional benefits: revitalizing
- Caution: do not use during pregnancy
Frankincense essential oil
- Main skin benefits: skin tonic, astringent, scars (to prevent), irritated skin, warts, wrinkles
- Emotional benefits: calming
Geranium essential oil
- Main skin benefits: ringworms, shingles, irritated skin, dry skin, yeast infection, wrinkles, insect repellent, eczema (dry), psoriasis, ticks
- Emotional benefits: helps relieve anxiety
Hyssop essential oil
- Main skin benefits: eczema (dry & wet)
Jasmine essential oil
- Main skin benefits: irritated skin, oily & dry skin, warts
- Emotional benefits: balancing, soothing
Juniper essential oil
- Main skin benefits: varicose veins, eczema (wet)
- Emotional benefits: calming
- Caution: do not use during pregnancy
Lavender essential oil
- Main skin benefits: psoriasis, skin rashes, ringworms, scars from burns, shingles, cold sores, oily & dry skin, stretch marks, sunburns, thrush, varicose veins, warts, wrinkles, eczema (wet), mosquito bites, poison ivy
- Emotional benefits: relaxing, healing
- Caution: do not use during pregnancy
Lemon essential oil
- Main skin benefits: skin cleanser, oily & dry skin, varicose veins, warts, wrinkles
- Emotional benefits: uplifting
- Caution: do not apply before strong exposure to sunlight
Lemongrass essential oil
- Main skin benefits: varicose veins, insect repellent
- Emotional benefits: energizing
- Caution: sensitive skin
Marjoram essential oil
- Main skin benefits: thrush
Myrrh essential oil
- Main skin benefits: chapped and cracked skin, ringworms, stretch marks, yeast infection, wrinkles, eczema (wet)
- Emotional benefits: cooling
- Caution: do not use during pregnancy
Myrtle essential oil
- Main skin benefits: antiseptic
Neem essential oil
- Main skin benefits: psoriasis, eczema, fungus, wrinkles, dry skin, mosquito repellent
- Caution: do not use during pregnancy
Orange essential oil
- Main skin benefits: skin tonic and cleanser (oily skin, wrinkles)
- Emotional benefits: soothing
- Caution: do not apply before strong exposure to sunlight
Oregano essential oil
- Main skin benefits: warts, psoriasis, wrinkles
- Emotional benefits: energizes body and mind
Palma rosa essential oil
- Main skin benefits: moisturizing (rash, scaly and flaky skin)
- Emotional benefits: calming
Patchouli essential oil
- Main skin benefits: oily hair and skin, irritated skin, dry skin, yeast infection, wrinkles, eczema
- Emotional benefits: balancing
Peppermint essential oil
- Main skin benefits: itchy skin, cold sores, ringworms, varicose veins, poison ivy, insect repellent, spider repellent
- Emotional benefits: reviving
Rose essential oil
- Main skin benefits: scars (to prevent), thrush, wrinkles
- Emotional benefits: relaxing
Rosemary essential oil
- Main skin benefits: skin elasticity, ringworms, candida & vaginal candida, wrinkles, eczema (dry), psoriasis
- Emotional benefits: stimulating
- Caution: do not use during pregnancy
Rosewood essential oil
- Main skin benefits: skin elasticity, candida, dry skin, insect repellent, eczema
Sage essential oil
- Main skin benefits: regenerates (eczema)
- Caution: do not use during pregnancy
Sandalwood essential oil
- Main skin benefits: regenerates (dehydrated skin, dry skin, wrinkles)
- Emotional benefits: balancing
Tangerine essential oil
- Main skin benefits: skin tonic and cleanser
- Emotional benefits: soothing
- Caution: do not apply before strong exposure to sunlight
Tea tree essential oil
- Main skin benefits: dry scalp, fungus, acne, cold sores, cut, insect bites, burns, vaginal infection, ringworms, shingles, sunburns, cuts, minor wounds, baby skin rashes, poison ivy
- Emotional benefits: revitalizing
Thyme essential oil
- Main skin benefits: psoriasis, insect repellent, ringworms, thrush, wrinkles
Ylang ylang essential oil
- Main skin benefits: oily skin
- Emotional benefits: sensual
How to use essential oils…
A good place to start is to get a book about therapeutic aromatherapy
or/and consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. In fact, there are many good books available and you will be able to find one that matches your needs.
In brief, here are 6 ways you can use essential oils:
Diffusion
- 8-10 drops in an oil burner with water.
Massage
- 10-12 drops for every 2 tablespoons of carrier oil or lotion.
- 1 drop on your index finger and rub on temples or back of your neck (not for all oils).
Bathing
- 10 drops in a warm bath.
Inhalation
- 5-6 drops in a hot bowl of water for a facial steam. Hold your head about 9 inches above the bowl, close your eyes, and inhale (for 10 minutes appr.).
Spray
- 30-40 drops in 100ml of water for a face/body spray.
- 60 drops in 100ml water for a room spray
Or even…
- A few drops on a tissue… A few drops on the cotton pouch where you put your biodegradable Himalayan soap nuts for your laundry…
Cautious
Essential oils are pure plant based oils that offer a variety of therapeutic, psychological and physical benefits. Each essential oil has unique characteristics and promote healing if you know how to use them.
If you decide to use essential oils for skin rashes, be aware that some essential oils themselves may cause skin irritation. Essential oils should be used with extreme caution:
- Most essential oils should never be used undiluted on the skin.
- Essential oils can sometimes irritate the skin, especially if you are allergic. You can test for allergies by rubbing the oil into a small patch of skin. If the skin becomes irritated, don’t continue to use the oil.
- Most essential oils shouldn’t be used while pregnant (see below).
- Avoid using the oil on young children who may have more sensitive skin.
- Always consult a doctor or herbalist for proper application of oils.
Top 5 Essential Oils with Unique Skin Benefits
How do you use essential oils? Do you have a favorite essential oil for skin rashes? Feel free to leave a comment here below!
The Best Antifungal Essential Oils : Get Rid of Fungal Skin Infections
- Sources
- Disclaimer
J. Beck
Sources for this article include:
- Prescription for Nutritional Healing, Fifth Edition: A Practical A-to-Z Reference to Drug-Free Remedies Using Vitamins, Minerals, Herbs & Food Supplements Paperback, by Phyllis A. Balch CNC (Oct 5, 2010)
- https://www.naha.org/explore-aromatherapy/safety/#pregnancy
DISCLAIMER
The information provided on Optiderma.com is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for the advice of an appropriately qualified practitioner.
If you are allergic to the foods, herbs, essential oils, any remedies listed here, you must of course avoid them. For example, consuming food that you’re sensitive to will only cause more (not reduce!) inflammation.
Please consult a practitioner (such as Naturopath, Homeopath, Doctor of Chinese Medicine, Dermatologist, ...) to follow the most appropriate treatment to heal your skin. All legal mentions »
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