10 Gentle Natural Treatments for Eczema To Help Soothe Dry Itchy Skin

If you have eczema, you already know the vibe; your skin sees a harmless trigger (a cold southerly, a new laundry powder, stress or a cat merely existing) and it responds like it is defending the family silver. It is itchy, inflamed, dry, cracked, and somehow always worse right before you’ve got something important on. 

Eczema (atopic dermatitis) is common in Aotearoa. Starship notes that eczema affects about 25% children and 7% adults, with higher prevalence in Māori and Pasifika children. So what can you actually do, day to day, on a budget, without living in fear of your own elbows? In this blog, we cover some natural treatments for eczema that support your skin barrier and can help you manage flare-ups.

Natural treatments for eczema

1. Moisture

Have a lukewarm shower or bath, just don't make it too hot as this will dry out your skin further. Pat yourself dry (don’t sandpaper yourself, dry gently). Apply a thick, fragrance-free emollient or a good therapeutic oil straight after. 

2. Oat baths

One common natural treatment for eczema is colloidal oatmeal because it can help to soothe the itch and support the barrier function. You can also just add good old-fashioned rolled oats to your bath - just make sure you put them in a contained vessel, otherwise you'll end up sitting in porridge... Put half a cup of oats in a clean old sock, tie the end and throw it into your bath. You can also add chamomile to help calm the skin. 

3. Choose your plant oils wisely

Some natural oils can irritate the skin further, and certain fatty acids can worsen barrier function for some people. Make sure you patch test first before slathering it all over you. 

4. Saint John's wort

St John’s wort (Hypericum perforatum) has been researched to show wound healing and tissue regeneration activity, including effects relevant to skin repair processes. There is also scientific discussion on topical Saint John’s wort extracts in inflammatory skin conditions and biology. This is one of the reasons why we use it in our Golden Skin Oil, which contains both Saint John’s wort and kawakawa. It is a sensible and supportive topical option for irritated and damaged skin, especially when part of a barrier routine.

Note: Saint John’s wort has been found in studies to have a photosensitising effect in some contexts, so just be smart, avoid slathering yourself and then sunbathing, and stop if any irritation occurs. Saint John’s wort, taken topically, is totally fine if you are on medications.

5. Be mindful of seasonal triggers

Winter means cold winds, low humidity and a tendency to take long hot showers - a recipe for eczema chaos. So in the cooler months (or all year in Dunedin) think shorter showers and thicker moisturisers.

Summer means sweat, sunscreen, chlorine and UV exposure. This can also cause a rise in flare-ups. So, opt for gentle sunscreens and moisturise consistently but lightly (as you don’t want to trap in sweat).

6. Go boring with laundry and body products

Fragrance can be an irritant, so an easy natural treatment for eczema is swap to fragrance-free laundry powder/liquids or sensitive options if available. Ditch the fragranced fabric softeners and body washes.

7. Food and supplements

Unless you have clear food reactions, don’t ban everything and anything. Instead:

• Prioritise omega-3-rich foods. You know the drill: oily fish, nuts and seeds or a good quality supplement or liquid oil. Take it with your main meal.
• Colourful vegetables and fruits - they contain lots of antioxidants that help with skin repair and protection.
• Protein. We need protein to repair everything, including skin.
• If you suspect a food triggers skin issues, track your symptoms and then take that knowledge to your health professional.
• Zinc is helpful for so many things, but particularly skin. Take after your main meal as zinc can cause feelings of nausea on an empty stomach.

8. Stress and sleep (this again)

Stress does not cause eczema, but it absolutely pours petrol on inflammation and scratching. So, here are some small things that might help your nervous system (and skin):

• 5 minutes of meditation
• Deep breathing
• Earlier bedtimes
• Nervine herbs like chamomile and Californian poppy
• Reduced rage scrolling. A medically recognised skin and nervous system irritant …in my opinion anyway

🌿Related: 5 Simple Herbs For Stress (And Other Hot Tips)

9. Probiotics

There is a definite link with your gut health and skin, and with increased research into particular strains, we are seeing more probiotics that support eczema or irritated skin issues. Probiotics are often recommended, particularly for children suffering with eczema. If you do decide to take a probiotic that is specific for skin health, give it at least 8 weeks and track your symptoms to see if it is helping. 

🌿Related: When To Take Probiotics - A Simple Guide

10. Bitters

Bitters don’t treat eczema directly, but they can support digestion, and digestion ties into inflammation (the above gut-skin axis is a case in point). Interestingly, you have bitter taste receptors in your skin cells, including your keratinocytes and fibroblasts. Researchers are looking into how bitter compounds may influence skin barrier and inflammatory pathways, so by including bitters in your day or diet, you might also be supporting your skin health. Our Liver Bitters is a great way to easily incorporate bitters in your daily routine and to support digestion.

🌿Related: 10 Clever Natural Ways To Improve Digestion