Are you plagued with eczema? That burning, peeling, itching and painful skin condition that literally robs you of a high-quality life.  When it’s at it’s worst, you can hardly think of anything else and when it’s subsided a bit it is still completely annoying. Is that what you struggle with?

Do you long to have smooth skin that isn’t painful to the touch?

I certainly did!

My lifelong battle with eczema had been discouraging and frustrating to say the least. At one point, it was so bad all over my arms and neck that I cried all the time and was scared of eating anything because eating made my skin feel like it was crawling. Just thinking about that time makes my eyes water.

Why You Have Eczema

As important as nourishing our skin on the outside is, it’s even more important to understand that your eczema is not caused by a skin problem. The root cause of your eczema stems from the health of your body inside.

So, before you read all about the toiletries to use on the surface of your skin in this post, I strongly suggest you read about how to heal your eczema from the inside. Then, once you are educated about that, you can come back here and, in tandem with the action steps you’re taking from that post, you can apply some of these healing toiletries as well. Sound good?

Dangerous Ingredients Touted to Help Eczema

When I didn’t know any better, I used all kinds of different products that were marketed to eczema sufferers as products that would soothe and heal cracked skin. The ironic thing was some of the ingredients in these products were actually contributing to the worsening of my debilitating skin symptoms as well as the onset of disease.

For example. let’s look at a few products on the market that are supposed to be safe, healthy and used to supposedly heal eczema. Some of them are even developed by dermatologists! In my opinion, that’s really scary!

Remember – our skin absorbs everything we put on it. So you have to be mindful that you are putting ingredients on your skin that nourish its microbiome and heal your body inside rather than break it down.

Example 1: Lubriderm Advanced Therapy Moisturizing Lotion (16 harmful ingredients in 1 product)

Suspect Ingredients:

• Cetyl Alcohol – a known irritant to skin with eczema.
• Mineral Oil – made from petroleum and research suggests petroleum may be linked to cancer.
• Cyclomethicone – silicon which our body can’t metabolize.
• Propylene Glycol – a skin, eye and lung irritant. Otherwise known as antifreeze. Can cause skin and immune system toxicity and allergies.
• PEG-40 Stearate – a synthetic polymer that can contain 1,8 Dioxane which is a known carcinogen and is banned in Canada for use in toiletries and cosmetics.
• Isopropyl Isostearate – a paraben that has been found in breast tumor tissue and has estrogenic activity.
• Diazolidinyl Urea – a formaldehyde releaser with high concern that it causes cancer and a known human toxicant and allergen causer.
• Titanium Dioxide – possible human carcinogen if it’s used in nanoparticle form. It can bioaccumulate and cause organ system toxicity.
• Sodium Benzoate – an anticorrosive preservative that increases damage to DNA (1) and is a possible link to ADHD and hyperactivity in children.
• BHT – found to mutate cells and cause tumors in high doses, is neurotoxic can impair breathing, cause nausea and has been linked to certain cancers.
• Disodium EDTA – causes reproductive and developmental abnormalities in large doses.
• Retinyl Palmitate – rated 9 on EWG! That means it’s really bad since 10 is the worst rating they give. Banned and restricted in some countries. It interferes with cell signaling, causes mutations, leads to cell death, and is implicated in cardiovascular disease. It’s also been found to produce tumors and is suspect in various cancers.
• Tocopheryl Acetate – a human toxicant and allergen and causes tumor formation in high doses.
• Fragrance – can contain over 100 different chemicals from a stash of over 3,000! Fragrance should not be an ingredient in anything you use.
• Sodium Hydroxide – skin, eye and lung irritant and highly caustic.
• Iodopropynyl Butylcarbamate – a strong human allergen and toxicant and can cause gastrointestinal issues as well as liver toxicity.

Example 2: Aveeno Eczema Therapy Cream

In addition to some of the ingredients above, this cream has Dimethicone, Steareth 20 and Petrolatum in it.

• Dimethicone is a silicone that disrupts the microbiome of your skin and is labeled toxic or harmful in Canada.
• Steareth 20 can contain 1,4 Dioxane which is toxic.
• Petrolatum is an ingredient our bodies cannot metabolize and it is almost always contaminated with PAHS which is rated a 9 on EWG. It’s very dangerous.

Example 3: Cetaphil Skin Cleanser

This is one I used to use, thinking it was safe and gentle and would help my skin. I was SO wrong!
Suspect Ingredients:

• Cetyl Alcohol – see above
• Propylene Glycol – see above
• Sodium Lauryl Sulfate an irritant to skin, eyes and lungs.
• Parabens – Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Butylparaben – found in breast tumor tissue and has estrogenic activity. These are rated anywhere from 1-8 on EWG with 10 being the worst.

*You can look up every single one of these ingredients on EWG and find out more. It’s also wise to check PubMed to see what science has found out about these ingredients.

This is just the tip of the iceberg for toiletries on the market that supposedly help with eczema. I haven’t even talked about the pharmaceuticals that have even worse ingredients. You can read here why they can cause problems.

The Chemicals are Just Not Worth It – Even for Temporary Relief

I hope I have helped you to understand why the ingredients in these products are just not worth putting on your skin. The long-term damage to your body that comes from these chemicals can negatively change your life forever. Furthermore, these products really aren’t helping your eczema, though you may feel like it is temporarily.

Instead, the ingredients are breaking down your body and your immune system so eventually your eczema will get worse and worse. You may get temporary relief but the consequences from these unpronounceable ingredients are disastrous. Become a label reader and stop buying these products with harmful chemicals and preservatives in them.

On the flip side, let’s look at toiletries with the safest and most pure ingredients that will nourish your skin and soothe your eczema symptoms.

Toiletries for Eczema Made Simple

Basically, we need to ditch all the complicated, storebought lotions and creams with unpronounceable and downright dangerous ingredients and get back to simplicity. Are you with me? Do you like the idea of simplicity? I hope so because I am going to share with you 20 simple products that all have ingredients you can pronounce that will soothe your ailing skin. Some of these only have ONE ingredient on their list too.

20 Natural Toiletries for Eczema Sufferers That Will Help Soothe Inflammation

Products that you put on your skin should be as close to the way God made them as possible. They should be supportive of your skin’s natural microbiome and be safe to your internal organs when absorbed.

Natural toiletries for eczema should feed your skin the essential vitamins and minerals it needs and ultimately heal your skin from the outside, while you work on healing your skin from the inside.

{Click any of the pink links to see what brands I recommend. Some are affiliate links that will not increase your cost but will provide me with a small commission to keep this website rockin’. Thank you for your support!} 

1 | Apricot Kernal Oil

This oil is not heavy and greasy.  It’s soothing, soaks in fairly quickly and has anti-inflammatory properties. I love it because it has omega-6 and -9 fatty acids, several beneficial minerals as well as vitamins A, C and E. It makes my skin feel so smooth.

2 | Organic Coconut Oil

Not only is this a staple in my diet but it is wonderful for nourishing the skin. It’s a great emollient which means it’s going to be a bit heavier and absorb slower. It’s also wonderful for removing makeup and cleansing the face.

One of the things I love is that coconut oil has caprylic and lauric fatty acids which have exceptional disinfectant and antimicrobial properties. Since eczema can often ooze and get infected, applying this oil can help immensely.

*It’s important to only use a high-quality coconut oil that’s tested to be glyphosate free. Remember, you don’t want added chemicals and additives on your skin because it will exacerbate your symptoms.

3 | Tropical Traditions Unscented Lotion

This is one of the only pre-made products you will find on this list. The ingredient list is perfect: purified water, organic virgin coconut oil, organic jojoba, emulsifying wax (plant-based, no soy), grapefruit seed extract, and virgin palm oil. The lotion really moisturizes and soothes my skin. Also, I like to add my own essential oils to it when I want a scent. You can see below for essential oils.

4 | Organic Shea Butter

When my eczema was at its worst, this was what I used on my skin. It’s thick and provided a really good barrier to keep the moisture level right on my skin. It is highly emollient and contains up to 60% fat. It has vitamins A, E and F in it and, believe it or not, naturally has an SPF of 6 in it. It is excellent to help reduce inflammation due to the cinnamic acid in it. Other nourishing factors in Shea butter are oleic, stearic, palmitic, and linolenic acids which help reduce fine lines, and soften and strengthen skin.

5 | Cocoa Butter

This smooth, ultra-hydrating emollient is mostly saturated fat and contains lots of antioxidants which help to reduce oxidative damage to the skin. It is also packed with polyphenols that promote health on the inside and outside. One of the reasons I love using pure cocoa butter is that it literally helps to prevent skin peeling! Believe it or not, when I used cocoa butter it boosted my mood as well. Do you want to know why? Because it truly smells like chocolate!

6 | Aloe Vera Plant

There are so many benefits of owning your own Aloe Vera plant. One benefit is that they help to absorb the EMF’s in and around your spaces. The more we can reduce our EMF exposure, the healthier we will become.

When it comes to skin, the Aloe plant is like no other. The gel from the leaves is able to deeply absorb into the skin. It helps to supply oxygen to the cells as well as keep the skin flexible. With eczema that is very important. Due to the mucopolysaccharides that are naturally occurring sugars in the Aloe plant, it helps to keep our skin moist. I strongly recommend using this to reduce your skinflammation.

7 | Grade 1 Essential Oils

Essential oils have long been a part of my skin healing regimen. In fact, they were one of the first remedies I introduced when I began my healing journey. You should know that I made the mistake of buying an essential oil in the store first and it was awful. My skin DID NOT like it at all. I didn’t realize there were different grades of oils and the storebought ones were low grade and sometimes even toxic!

However, when I found these essential oils, it was a game-changer for me. I use essential oils every single day on my skin now for many different reasons – from skin health to organ health like supporting my thyroid and even in cooking!

I did want to caution you about something because I learned the hard way. If you have open sores from your eczema, you will need to heavily dilute your essential oils so they don’t burn. When my eczema was at its worst, I could not apply essential oils directly to the areas that were inflamed. Instead, I had to put them on my feet or the areas that weren’t inflamed. As my skin healed a bit, I was able to start applying essential oils diluted 1 to 5. My favorite skin healing essential oils are Helichrysum, Geranium, Lavender, Petitgrain, Myrrh, (heavily diluted), Rose and Frankincense (which helps to prevent scarring). I used any of the oils on this list as well as Fractionated Coconut Oil for dilution.

8 | Epsom Salt

Mainly, I used Epsom salt in baths to help reduce the overall inflammation in my body. When my eczema was at its worst, I couldn’t take full baths because anything on my skin would bring me pain. However, I would fill a bath partway full and be sure not to get the areas of skin that were inflamed in the water. I always added essential oils to the water and soaked. I found that these greatly relaxed my body and alleviated the pain I was feeling both physically mentally.

9 | Manuka Honey

Medicinal grade honey made by bees in New Zealand who pollinate the Manuka Bush, this honey has profound skin healing benefits. Making a honey mask is the best way to use this for the skin. It will feel weird and sticky but could help to heal your flaring eczema quicker. You’ll want to apply a small amount of Manuka Honey over the worst part of your eczema and let it sit there for about 15 minutes. Then, gently wipe it off with a clean, warm cloth and warm filtered water. Apply one of the oils on this list afterward. Manuka honey has natural antibiotic and antibacterial properties which will prevent any infection from skin lesions as well as reduce inflammation.

10 | Organic Jojoba Oil

This oil closely resembles our skin’s sebum and is a great conditioner and moisturizer. It helps to create a seal on the skin. It can help to relieve the itchiness and help prevent secondary infections due to its antibacterial and antifungal qualities.

11 | Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E oils is a thicker, more sticky oil that I like to rotate using with some of the others on the list. I also like to combine it with other oils to reduce the stickiness of it. I find it great to apply directly to cracked and bleeding skin that needs a soothing coating or barrier. Vitamin E helps to neutralize free radicals and boost collagen production which is beneficial for healing eczema.

12 | Organic Sunflower Seed Oil

This is a rich source of vitamin E as well as linoleic and oleic fatty acids which help to calm the skin. It works great in combo with other oils to relieve the skin. It is lighter in feel and absorbs fairly quickly.

13 | Sweet Almond Oil

A mildly scented oil that the skin easily absorbs. High in vitamin E, A and K, the benefits to your skin from using this are incredible. It is highly protective against oxidative damage from sun rays and helps to dislodge debris from the skin. It is also known to help reduce itching and inflammation.

14 | Organic Argan Kernal Oil

Rich in vitamin E and F, carotenoids and beta-carotene as well as phytosterols this rare oil is highly beneficial for eczema. It is also non-comedogenic (which means it won’t clog pores) and has regenerative properties for the skin. It is high in omega 6 and 9 content and will help nourish inflamed, painful, irritated skin.

15 | Avocado Oil

For eczema, this is a great oil to use not only on your skin but for cooking too. It is high in vitamins A and E and has high antioxidant levels to help protect the skin. You’ll want to use the Extra Virgin Avocado Oil (linked above) for your skin as opposed to the cooking version. The extra virgin has a green tint to it.

16 | Organic Calendula Oil

A great disinfectant and antibacterial that can be used to treat slow-healing eczema. It stimulates the production of collagen and helps to prevent scarring and reduces overall skinflammation.

17 | Organic, Extra Virgin, Cold Pressed Olive Oil

This oil really goes without saying for the benefits it can have not only for our entire body but our skin as well. Olive oil has a high omega 9 (or oleic acid) content which helps to produce healthy skin cells. Olive oil will help to repair damaged skin due to the high amount of antioxidants it contains too. Plus, it’s really gentle and smooth when applied to the skin.

18 | Body Soap

I have used this bar soap for years now and love it. It’s free of unnatural and harmful ingredients and cleans my skin and makes it shine. The sea mud variety is rated a 1 on EWG. *Careful NOT to purchase the ones that have fragrance in them. The unscented is the one I use.

19 | Facial Cleanser

When my facial eczema was in a flare I did not know about this gentle cleanser and honestly, at that point, my face could only have water on it. Had I known about this cleanser then, I am sure it would have been gentle enough to use.

I do use it now and absolutely love it. It has been formulated to EU standards which are a lot more strict than American Standards and the ingredients are all unrefined and sourced from whole-food. You should try it, you’ll love it!

You can find it in my Fullscript Dispensary under “skincare.“ I also give 15% off to all who purchase from my dispensary and you get free shipping on orders over $49.

20 | Other Toiletries

For things like toothpaste, deodorant, shampoos and conditioners, I recommend looking on EWG Skin Deep Database and only purchasing products that are rated 2 and below. EWG also has an app that includes a barcode scanner for you to use your phone to scan items while you’re at the store to see what they’re rated. It’s been a fantastic tool for me!

Here are the toiletries I use:

• Toothpaste I also do premium oil pulling regularly and use this Teeth Whitening and Remineralizing Paste 3 times a week.
• Deodorant {the rash free version – homemade} or rash free storebought.
• Shampoo – not all of their shampoos are rated 2 and below. You’ll find this to be true with a lot of companies which is why it’s important to check the product on EWG. Personally, I have enjoyed the mint one which, in their old formulation, was rated a 2. The verdict is still out on their new formulation.
• Conditioner -not all of their conditioners are rated 2 and below. You’ll find this to be true with a lot of companies which is why it’s important to check the product on EWG. Personally, I have enjoyed the mint one which, in their old formulation, was rated a 2. The verdict is still out on their new formulation.

Learn More About Healing Your Skin

I want to assure you that you can eliminate your eczema. Through, gut healing, and my diet and lifestyle overhaul, which included ditching all of my toxic toiletries and replacing them with whole, unrefined God-made oils, I was able to get rid of my eczema in its entirety. I am no longer plagued with the pain and itch I was for almost my entire life. I can wholeheartedly say that the simple changes I made were well worth it. They will be for you too!

If you want to learn more about fixing your skin, I wanted to recommend my favorite skin healing book to you. It is my absolute favorite book about cleaning up your skin holistically. Plus, it comes with some helpful whole food and unrefined ingredient recipes that will have your skin glowing in no time!

Which Toiletries are You Going to Try?

Now that you know some of the harmful ingredients in toiletries touted to help eczema as well as which natural toiletries to use that will help heal your eczema and soothe your skin, which ones are you going to try? Let me know if you have any questions or successes by commenting down below!