I have a child with mild eczema. In this post, I want to share my tips and experiences for finding the right skin care for babies and kids with eczema. But remember, what works for another child may not work for yours. Find the best skincare remedy for your kid and he will be well on their way to better skin.
Natural Ingredients for Eczema
- Virgin Coconut Oil – Very moisturizing. Anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. Repairs damaged skin by fighting free radicals. Builds a protective skin barrier. Only buy virgin, cold processed coconut oil. Oil should have a mild coconut smell. Regular non-virgin varieties have been overly processed and stripped of their healing prosperities. (This is a tree nut, so be cautious when dealing with tree nut allergies.)
- Sea Buckthorn Seed & Fruit Oil – Reduces inflammation and contains moisturizing and healing omega 7 fatty acids, as well as 3, 6, and 9.
- Hempseed Oil – Anti-inflammatory and skin healing properties. Moisturizing emollient. Also great as an oral omega supplement.
- Oats – Soothes and relives itching. Very moisturizing. Gluten-free oats are best to avoid cross contamination. Great in powder format when added to the bath.
- Unrefined Shea Butter - Only buy raw or unrefined shea butter. If it doesn’t say this on the label, then all the natural healing properties have been removed during processing. (This is a tree nut, so be cautious when dealing with tree nut allergies.)
- Aloe Vera – Excellent skin hydrator, soothing, and antibacterial. Promotes healing. Be wary as many drugstore aloe products contain drying alcohol. Best format is directly from the plant.
Essential Oils/Herbs/Flowers
Use caution and only use small quantities, as essential oils are effective, but potent.
- Tea Tree – Antibiotic properties, great for preventing infections after scratching. Also reduces inflammation.
- Neem – Anti-inflammatory properties similar to cortisone. Antibacterial and analgesic (pain killer).
- Calendula – Relieves itching and reduces flaking.
- Geranium – Anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory. Promotes skin healing.
- Chamomile – Soothing, anti-itch and anti-inflammatory effects.
- Chickweed – Relieves itching and heals wounds.
- Red Clover – Anti-inflammatory.
- Goldenseal – Antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.
- Rosemary – Relieves stress and reduces inflammation.
- Witch Hazel – Soothes and heals wounds. Reduces inflammation. Drug store variety does not contain tannins, so it’s not as effective.
- Comfrey – Anti-inflammatory and promotes skin healing.
- Marshmallow – Soothing, anti-bacterial, and anti-inflammatory.
- Thyme – Antibacterial and anti-septic.
- Tumeric – Anti-inflammatory and promotes wound healing.
- Plantain Leaf – Relieves itching. Anti-inflammatory and promotes wound healing.
Tips for Testing a New Product:
- Keep a Journal – Document everything – when skincare is applied, food consumed, change in detergents or cleaning products, change in weather, etc. It may not be the skincare that causes a reaction.
- Keep it Simple – Avoid long ingredient lists, which have a higher potential for containing an unknown allergen and makes it harder to identify the offending ingredient.
- Patch Test – Any ingredient could potentially cause a negative reaction, so it’s best to proceed with caution. Test on a very small patch of skin a couple of times a day. Choose a spot on the body that is typically the most sensitive. If there is a reaction, discontinue use of the product and try to identify the ingredient, which caused the reaction. Note in the journal.
- Two Week Trial – Some creams work best when continuously applied and the benefits may not be seen immediately.