Psoriasis and eczema are two of the most common problems, and they look very similar.
Both show up as cracked, red, scaly skin in places like the elbows, knees, and scalp. The inflamed skin might be itchy and oozing (1).
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Each condition can make you uncomfortable because of the way you look and feel.
The usual treatments involve corticosteroids, immunosuppressive drugs, and creamy moisturizers.
But today I’m going to talk about the best essential oils for eczema and psoriasis.
Although they haven’t been studied extensively yet, some trials show promise.
Before we begin the reviews, let me recommend that you visit a doctor to determine the best remedy for your situation.
What Essential Oils Are Good for Eczema and Psoriasis?
You’re eager to clear up inflamed patches on your skin. But what caused the inflammation in the first place?
If you’re not sure, then using essential oils for dermatitis could make the problem worse.
Always dilute the essential oils before you put them on your skin.
And always do a patch test beforehand.
It doesn’t matter how calming and beneficial an oil is said to be. Unfortunately, you could be allergic to it and not know.
With that said, let’s look at the top essential oils for psoriasis and eczema.
Now Essential Oils, Organic Lavender Oil
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Many studies have been done on lavender essential oil. It’s one of the most recommended for treating a variety of illnesses and relieving stress, too.
For example, lavender is a home remedy for acne, bacterial infections, cellulite, eczema, dermatitis, fungal infections, psoriasis, rosacea, sores, scars, sunburn, and insect bites (2).
If you want to reduce the inflammation and itchiness of psoriasis or eczema, you’ll need just two things: lavender and a carrier oil like fractionated coconut.
- In 1 teaspoon of carrier oil, put 2 drops of lavender essential oil. Mix it well, then apply it up to three times a day.
Let it absorb completely before you apply any other moisturizer over the top.
Also, make sure that the lavender won’t conflict with any other medication or topical cream you’re currently using.
If you’re budget-conscious, NOW offers large bottles of organic, undiluted lavender oil at a reasonable price.
They are one of the top essential oil brands.
Edens Garden Chamomile German Essential Oil
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German chamomile essential oil is another one that soothes the mind and the body.
Use it to calm itchy skin by adding 2 drops of chamomile to 1 teaspoon of sunflower seed oil.
A study published in 2013 reviewed clinical tests on humans using chamomile extract. It found that chamomile performed as well as hydrocortisone and better than some other non-steroidal drugs (3).
Chamomile reduced swelling, redness, and itching.
But why did I mention sunflower seed oil?
That’s because it diminishes inflammation and strengthens the skin’s protective barrier (4).
Plant Therapy Frankincense Serrata Organic Essential Oil
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Frankincense from the Boswellia serrata tree resin is rich in boswellic acids. These acids have been used to treat inflammatory diseases like eczema, psoriasis, arthritis, and asthma.
That’s not surprising since frankincense is one of the best essential oils for skin care.
A double-blind study comparing Boswellia serrata extract to a placebo found that of frankincense treatment improved scales and swelling (5).
Plant Therapy performs extensive tests on their essential oils to verify purity and quality. You can view those analysis reports for free. They also sell directly to the public, which keeps their prices down.
Plant Therapy Myrrh Essential Oil
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Myrrh is another anti-inflammatory essential oil. It’s great for treating everything from acne to wrinkles.
Since it’s quite potent, use it at a 1% concentration, or one drop per teaspoon of carrier oil or lotion.
Recipe to Relieve Itchy, Inflamed Skin
In a tablespoon of sunflower seed oil, add:
- 1 drop myrrh essential oil
- 3 drops frankincense
- 2 drops lavender
Apply this blend up to 3 times a day.
Edens Garden Rose Bulgarian Absolute Oil
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Do you know the difference between absolute oil and regular essential oil?
Absolutes are created by solvent extraction. It makes their fragrance more potent, ideal for perfume.
I’ve listed this Bulgarian rose absolute oil to point out this key difference to you. You may find it perfect for diffusing or making homemade soap.
But if you want to use rose oil to treat psoriasis or eczema, skip to the next product below.
Plant Therapy Bulgarian Rose Otto Organic Diluted Essential Oil
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Rose oil may keep your skin looking young as it fights wrinkles and inflammation alike.
Blend 1 drop of this diluted rose oil with 2 drops of lavender in a teaspoon of carrier oil to soften scales.
Now Essential Oils, Patchouli Oil
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Patchouli oil appears in perfumes as a base note. When used on the skin, it calms itchiness and promotes healing.
In alternative medicine, it’s used to treat cracked skin, eczema, fungal infections, sores, stretch marks, and wounds.
doTERRA Juniper Berry Essential Oil
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Juniper berry is antiseptic, which makes it good to care for psoriasis, eczema, acne, and dermatitis.
Its fragrance can help you feel calmer while its natural ability to detox the skin helps you heal faster.
When used for aromatherapy, juniper berry blends well with citrus oils like bergamot.
Mystic Moments | Bergamot Bergaptene-Free Essential Oil
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Bergamot has an uplifting fragrance that may remind you of grapefruit. It acts like an astringent to reduce oiliness.
A study published in 2021 stated that bergamot decreases psoriatic plaques in animals (6).
The oil is cold-pressed from the peel of the fruit.
But take note that this specific bergamot essential oil is free of bergaptene. That’s very important. Bergaptene is the component in regular bergamot oil that makes the skin sensitive to sunburn.
Use bergaptene-free oil whenever you put bergamot on your skin.
Plant Therapy Jasmine Absolute Essential Oil
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Absolute jasmine is extracted from petals of the flower with solvents. Use it to make perfume or homemade soaps and lotions.
If you want to benefit from jasmine for psoriasis or eczema, get the next product below.
Poppy Austin 100% Pure Jasmine Oil, Cold-Pressed
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Poppy Austin’s cold-pressed jasmine oil wasn’t produced with solvents, so it’s better for use on your skin.
Besides its intoxicating fragrance, jasmine nourishes and rejuvenates the skin. It may soften psoriasis plaques and prevent infection.
The other benefit of using jasmine as a topical treatment is its fragrance. Its scent promotes restful sleep and alleviates stress and anxiety.
Sandalwood Essential Oil – INDIA – by SenseLAB
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Sandalwood from the Santalum album tree has been used in clinical trials to treat both psoriasis and eczema. The results were positive – all the more so since sandalwood rarely causes adverse reactions (7).
The active components in this essential oil are also effective against bacteria and fungi.
Moreover, the fragrance of sandalwood boosts concentration and promotes relaxation.
Organic Cedarwood Atlas Essential Oil by Red Silk Essentials
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If you have scalp eczema, add 2 drops of cedarwood essential oil to your shampoo and conditioner before you put them on your hair.
Cedarwood calms inflammation and itching.
The Cedarwood Atlas oil here comes from Morocco. It’s steam-distilled from the wood of the Cedrus atlantica tree.
Recipe to Clear up Eczema and Psoriasis on the Scalp
The first step in getting rid of psoriasis or eczema on your scalp is to switch to a gentle shampoo. Choose one without sulfates and preferably with no artificial fragrances or dyes.
Next, add these essential oils each time you measure out shampoo and conditioner to wash your hair.
- 2 drops cedarwood
- 2 drops sandalwood
Mix them well before you massage them into your scalp. Let the shampoo and conditioner each work for a couple of minutes before you rinse.
Aura Cacia, Essential Oil Palmarosa
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Palmarosa is known for its antimicrobial properties against bacteria and other pathogens.
Putting palmarosa essential oil on skin affected by eczema and psoriasis may prevent secondary infections.
Palmarosa is also a good moisturizer.
Organic Helichrysum Italicum Essential Oil by Red Silk Essentials
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Helichrysum was recognized in ancient Greece for its medicinal properties. Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey calls it, “elixir of youth.”
Use helichrysum to restore your skin to health when you have eczema or psoriasis. It helps with itching and redness.
Edens Garden Yarrow Essential Oil
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Yarrow is a weed with a pleasant, light scent.
When your body’s immune system has kicked into overdrive and caused a flareup of eczema or psoriasis, yarrow can help. It’s full of antioxidants and acts as an anti-inflammatory. Therefore, it helps the skin to repair itself.
An article in 2011 pointed out that scientists are studying yarrow for inclusion in medications (8).
Oregano 100% Pure, Undiluted Essential Oil Therapeutic Grade by Fabulous Frannie
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Oregano isn’t just an herb to put on your food. It can also help relieve symptoms of psoriasis.
Please don’t use oregano oil if you’re pregnant or nursing. Also, always dilute it as it’s very potent.
Salem Botanical Calendula Oil
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Calendula oil comes from the flowers of the marigold plant.
It’s antiseptic and proven to reduce inflammation. It can help wounds, bruises, rashes, eczema, and psoriasis heal more quickly.
This natural ingredient appears in a wide variety of creams and lotions because it also moisturizes dry skin.
Aura Cacia Pure Essential Oil, Vetiver
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Vetiver doesn’t have the most appealing fragrance, but when blended with other oils like patchouli, it could help both eczema and psoriasis. It’s a fixative in perfumes because of its ability to uplift mood, and it repels insects, too.
Pregnant women take note: avoid this essential oil because it might cause spontaneous abortions.
Edens Garden Evening Primrose Carrier Oil
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Evening primrose oil is an excellent carrier to dilute all the essential oils I reviewed above. It’s rich in essential fatty acids that repair the skin.
In fact, Great Britain used to license this oil to be sold as a drug to treat eczema.
Be aware that evening primrose oil may cause blood to clot more slowly. Avoid it if you’re taking other anticoagulants.
Recipe to Soften Scales
After you’ve washed the affected area that has scales, pat dry but leave the skin slightly damp.
Then gently massage this blend in until it absorbs.
In a ¼ cup of your favorite carrier oil (or even petroleum jelly), put:
- 6 drops chamomile
- 6 drops lavender
- 4 drops palmarosa
- 4 drops calendula
- 2 drops yarrow
- 2 drops myrrh
Stir it well before each use and store the excess in a cool, dark place.
Tamanu Oil by Leven Rose
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Tamanu oil comes from Southeast Asia. It’s been used for centuries to take care of cuts and scrapes. That’s because it’s antibacterial and anti-inflammatory.
Since it’s high in fatty acids, people who consume plenty of (food-grade) tamanu oil tend to have less psoriatic arthritis.
But if you’re allergic to tree nuts, avoid this carrier oil.
Ancient Greek Remedy Oil Blend
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Instead of piecing together your own DIY cure for eczema or psoriasis, try this premade blend. It contains Vitamin E, sweet almond, organic castor, grapeseed, extra virgin olive, sunflower, and lavender essential oils.
These oils soothe and soften the skin.
Conclusion
Essential oils are a good complementary treatment for psoriasis and eczema. Some are proven to be just as effective as over-the-counter medications.
Whenever you have a flareup of eczema or psoriasis, first, eliminate the cause if you know what it is. You might need to change your diet, lower your stress level, or be more careful about exposure outdoors.
Then, reach for the essential oils that can help you heal your skin and feel more comfortable.
Resources:
1. https://www.aad.org/public/diseases/eczema/eczema-resource-center/controlling-eczema/eczema-vs-psoriasis, accessed July 11, 2019
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5435909/ “Commercial Essential Oils as Potential Antimicrobials to Treat Skin Diseases “ by Ané Orchard, et al., published May 4, 2017, accessed July 11, 2020.
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3834722/ Postepy Dermatol Alergol. “Medicinal plants used in treatment of inflammatory skin diseases “by Renata Dawid-Pac, published June 20, 2013, accessed July 11, 2020
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4518179/ “Alternative, Complementary, and Forgotten Remedies for Atopic Dermatitis” by Allison Goddard, et al., published July 15, 2015, accessed July 11, 2020
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4235203/ “A cosmeceutical formulation based on boswellic acids for the treatment of erythematous eczema and psoriasis” by Stefano Togni, et al., published November 11, 2014, accessed July 11, 2020
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6392855/ “Efficacy of bergamot: From anti‐inflammatory and anti‐oxidative mechanisms to clinical applications as preventive agent for cardiovascular morbidity, skin diseases, and mood alterations” by Simone Perna, et al., published July 25, 2019, accessed July 11, 2020
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5749697/ “Sandalwood Album Oil as a Botanical Therapeutic in Dermatology” by Ronald L. Moy, et al., published October 1, 2017, accessed July 11, 2020
8. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3232110/ “A review on phytochemistry and medicinal properties of the genus Achillea” by S. Saeidnia, et al., published 2011, accessed July 11, 2020.
9. https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-1006/evening-primrose-oil , accessed July 11, 2019
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