Skin conditions of any sort can be uncomfortable, but Eczema and Psoriasis are probably two of the most common and irritating. Both are genetic auto-immune skin conditions that result in flaky, inflamed skin that can itch terribly and leave you feeling helpless and even embarrassed. If you or someone close to you suffers from one of them then you'll know just how much it can affect a person's life. Outbreaks are often red and swollen and can appear on any part of your body, from your hands to your knees to your face. While affected skin can often appear unsightly, it's the pain and tenderness that can affect people's lives for the worse.
There is no cure for Eczema or Psoriasis and treatment is limited to simply controlling the severity of the outbreaks and soothing the symptoms. Keeping the skin clean and moisturised is the usual remedy however some of the prescribed medications and products can be a bit suspect. One of these is the use of mineral oil and petroleum jelly on the skin. Both are by-products of petroleum (gas and petrol) production and while they do help the skin stay moist they clog the pores and prevent air from reaching your skin. The other treatment which is more specifically for Psoriasis involves sitting in a bath with essence of coal tar which is literally the by-product coal being turned into coke. A close family member of mine has Psoriasis and I can still remember the smell of these baths - it's similar to the smell of tarmac being laid.
However there are natural non-petroleum based options for treatment of Eczema and Psoriasis and at least one which can effectively clear up breakouts: Neem oil. Extracted from the fruits and seeds of the Neem tree, Neem oil is a thick red or green oil which is not only highly moisturising but is naturally anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory and provides external pain relief. Though its smell can be quite strong its medicinal qualities are impressive and it's relatively safe to use as a self-prescribed treatment. In fact the Indian culture has been using Neem oil for thousands of years for anything from skin diseases and inflammation to fevers and insecticide.
There are Neem oil skin creams already on the market and if you're interested in simply buying one then you'll have no problem locating a few varieties. However, making a topical cream yourself is easy, relatively inexpensive and safe. It also allows you to control just how much Neem oil you want in the product: though Neem is a natural oil, it is strong in both effect and scent.
Neem Cream
Makes one 110g pot
10g* /0.35oz* Neem oil (raw and cold-pressed)
40g /1.41oz Shea Butter
30g /1.06oz Cocoa Butter
20g /0.70oz Castor oil
10g /0.35oz Sweet Almond oil (alternative: Grapeseed oil)
5 drops of Tea Tree essential oil (optional)
5 drops of Lavender essential oil (optional)
*Note - 10g of Neem oil will result in quite a strong smelling and acting lotion. If you'd prefer, you can reduce the amount by half to 5g to mask the smell and create a gentler cream. It's also possible to add more than 10g of Neem oil to this recipe but please test your cream on a small part of your infected skin before using it all over. Neem can be quite strong and if it's placed on the skin undiluted it's possible that it can cause contact dermatitis.
1. Take all the ingredients except for the essential oils and place them into a double-boiler. You can also place them in a plastic bowl which can be floated in a pan of hot water. The point is that you want to heat the oils evenly and through an indirect heat source.
2. Melt the oils over a medium heat until they are completely liquid. Stir well and place the bowl in the freezer for five minutes.
3. Take the bowl out and beat it with a whisk, adding the essential oils in at this time if you've opted to have them in. These fragrances will help mask the scent of the Neem and are both ingredients that will help inflamed skin. Lavender essential oil is extremely soothing and anti-inflammatory and Tea Tree essential oil is anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and anti-microbial as well as having a soothing medicinal scent.
4. Make sure to scrape any oil that's hardened along the edge of the bowl back down into the liquid oils then place the bowl back in the freezer for another five minutes - then take it out and beat it again. Repeat this process until the oils appear opaque and creamy then spoon it into a container which is fitted with a lid. You can use the cream after it's set for about a day.
Hmm this sounds extremely interesting. I have made creams with all the ingredients with the exception of Neem oil which I have never come across before. I am finding that Hemp is really good too.
ReplyDeleteHemp oil is super moisturising and I'm sure that mixing it with Neem and some other harder oils such as Shea or Mango butter would create a lovely cream.
DeleteI've never heard of Neem Oil. Eleanor gets eczema so I should look in to this a bit more.
ReplyDeleteI urge you to definitely look into it Jo... Neem oil is natural, sustainable and much better for you than other types of treatments you can buy over the counter.
DeleteTHANK YOU- some very loved ones suffer terribly- this will make terrific presents...
ReplyDeleteNo worries Tori and I hope your loved ones will like your handmade cream :) If you're looking for Neem oil you can probably find it in South-Asian markets in London or buy it direct from Pukka. Alternatively, follow the link I've left in one of the below comments.
DeleteI have really been hearing some good things about neem lately. Thank you for this Tanya.
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome Leigh! Neem has amazing properties and I think the only hurtle to more people using it is simply the smell. Pure Neem is pretty pungent :)
DeleteHi Tanya...I have a few questions...
ReplyDeleteCould the Neem oil be added as an essential oil to the almond oil for a massage oil?
Could some Neem oil be dropped directly into a bath like an essential oil? Where could I buy Neem oil??
I suffer with eczema and have a friend with quite bad psoriasis so I would love to give some of this a try.
Absolutely Tanya, you can add it to creams, massage oils, and the bath but don't bother with any Neem soaps you come across since cleansers in general simply dry out your skin. A good source for purchasing Neem oil is at this link. And as stated on that page, make sure to dilute it in a carrier oil to about 5%. The cream recipe above is stronger but the footnote lets you know to reduce the amount to 5g (just under 5%) to make a gentler version.
DeleteI knew there had to be a better remedy than topical steroids! thank you for this...i am going to try it for my skin. there is a health food store very close..I will check for these ingredients..
ReplyDeleteI am your newest follower..pls follow back if you can.
Glad to help and good luck with your cream :)
DeleteMy uncle suffers from psoriasis for quite a long time. He has consumed probably tons of cream that are non-organic. I'll save your recipe and will source out for the ingredients, i'll give you an update and probably ask some questions soon. Thank you very much!
ReplyDeleteNo worries Krishna and I really hope your Uncle has some luck with the cream. Psoriasis is a hard condition to live with and I'm sure he's tried quite a few products before now...
DeleteInteresting stuff!
ReplyDeleteI came across Neem in a different format. The bark is sold as a treatment for gum disease, and you can get Neem toothpaste. I have a note to look up more about Neem and here you are using it! :)
Fascinating Mo...Neem really does seem to be a 'cure-all'!
DeleteI'm going to have to try this! I've been dealing with eczema for the last couple of years.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with the cream Jenn!
DeleteIs this anything that you could use for STD?
ReplyDeleteProbably the best thing to do is speak to your doctor about treatment for STDs.
DeleteIn immersion/stick blender works great when doing things like this
ReplyDeleteMy daughter had bad eczema from the time she was just a few months old until almost 4 (then it sort of just faded away - don't know why).
ReplyDeleteWe didn't know about neem oil, but I didn't want to use all the over the counter medicines with possible side effects.
So we used pure jojoba oil.
No soaps or anything when she bathed and after she got out we would rub it all over her body.
It really seemed to help.
There are a lot of oils that can help and I'm not surprised that Jojoba worked for you. Coconut oil is another one that you could use just on its own to help with a range of skin issues.
DeletePS - You could substitute Jojoba oil for Sweet Almond oil in this recipe
If anyone makes this send me an email jessicastubbs80@gmail.com I will buy some if you can ship it to me I'm in Wisconsin.
ReplyDeleteHi Jessica, I don't make this product for sale but encourage you to try making some for yourself :)
DeleteI have psoriasis, only on my scalp. Would I be able to use this in my hair? I will try for my daughter, she has eczema. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteOf course you could but it will likely make your hair very oily. If I were you I'd make the cream without essential oils and then leave it in overnight to rinse out the next morning. Try first with only a small amount on your scalp though since the skin on your head will be more sensitive than on other parts of your body.
DeleteThank you, I am definitely going to try this.
DeleteI really hope this works. My 7 yr. old has really bad eczema and I have tried so many things and nothing really helps. This would be amazing if it does. I'm definitely trying it!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Faye and I hope it helps your child :) For little ones try making the cream/balm with smaller amounts of Neem and essential oils since children have much more sensitive skin.
Deletecan you recommend a good shea and cocoa butter at a good price? Thank You!
ReplyDeleteI bought supplies to make my own body butter at www.bulkapothecary.com after doing some price research. I was extremely happy with the things I ordered.
DeleteIt's all dependent on your location - if you're in the US I can't really help you other to say that some people have been purchasing it off Amazon.com. In the UK, Ebay is a good option for small quantities of inexpensive butters and oils but do research the seller. Otherwise there are a wide variety of independent retailers to be found online.
DeleteMy daughter has eczema pretty bad on her scalp. I'm also wondering if I'm able to use this in her hair.
ReplyDeleteAnother lady asked that today and my response is yes, it can be used but it will be very oily. A thought has just occurred to me that Neem could probably be used to make a conditioner though. I'll look into it!
DeleteAre organic aloe and organic coconut oil good ingredients to add as well?
ReplyDeleteThis is a base recipe that can be expanded on with your own preference of healing oils and ingredients if you find them to also be beneficial to your skin. Both Aloe and coconut oil are brilliant for all types of skin conditions so yes you could use them in a cream. If you replace the Cocoa butter in this recipe with Coconut oil then you'll get a much more creamy/lotion type texture.
DeleteAloe juice contains water though so you'd have to make an emulsion which is a more complicated process than this recipe. You'd also have to use the cream much quicker since it would require a preservative to last longer than a week.
Please take care when heating anything in plastic. This recipe can easily be made by heating the ingredients in a metal or glass bowl.
ReplyDeleteFlip over your food storage containers and take a look at the small number printed on the bottom. If the recycling number is #3 or #7, it likely contains either BPA (bisphenol A) or phthalates (used to make PVC plastics) which mimic estrogen and can interfere with hormone levels.
All plastics contain possible harmful chemicals, and when heated, those chemicals can leech onto the food that is next to them. This lotion is food for your body. Take care!
Thanks for the tip on understanding your plastics :)
DeleteHmm looks interesting. I will definitely look into making this for when my eczema flares up again. One possibility for using this on the scalp is to apply, let it work, then wash it out after like 15 min. (I have it on my scalp too) I also have a friend who has bad eczema, so I could make this stuff up and share with them.
ReplyDeleteI hope it works out for you and your friend and that it helps both of you. Good idea with using the cream as a type of hair mask!
DeleteI have neem leaves is it possible to make an oil from the leaves?
ReplyDeleteI understand that neem oil comes from the fruit and seeds rather than the leaves. However, it might be worth trying an oil infusion with the leaves. If you try it out please let me know how you get on.
DeleteI don't know if it's "natural" or "organic" but I think it's pretty much natural - hyaluronic acid - we get ours from amazon, from a company called Watts or Waats, and it is awesome for eczema.
ReplyDeleteI got some relief with coconut butter, shea oil, etc. but they would always work at first and then stop working. So far the hyaluronic acid works great. I still get outbreaks but this stuff takes care of it pretty much immediately.
I understand that Hyaluronic Acid is used in quite a few over the counter beauty creams for eliminating wrinkles and fine lines and that it can also be effective in skin disorders like eczema. It's not clear to me whether there are any issues arising from its topical use but it does appear to be a natural component of the human body. Notice to Vegetarians/Vegans: Hyaluronic Acid can often be sourced from Rooster combs.
DeleteI found herbal or natural treatment appealing. It is surely a process though but its really effective in the long run. I've seen pictures of psoriasis from others and it is really bad that surely needs a medication.
ReplyDeletePsoriasis natural treatment and medication are great!
DeleteIs it better to use refined or unrefined ingrediants?
ReplyDeleteUnrefined are generally better because it means that the oils will have more of their beneficial qualities intact. Some people prefer to use refined versions of some of the ingredients though because they're not keen on the natural scent.
DeleteI was asked to make a remedy for both eczema and psoriasis and am thankful to find your recipe. One person gets (I can't remember which condition) around his eyes, would this be safe to use around his eyes? Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'd be very careful about using any product with medicinal properties around the eyes and so would not recommend this cream for that use.
DeleteOk thanks for responding. :)
DeleteI have eczema on my hands and can't wait to try this!! Thanks so much for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMelissa--Camden, nc
I hope it helps Melissa :)
DeleteWould this be safe to use on your face or childs' face? My son gets eczema on his face. Thanks
ReplyDeleteNeem oil is fairly strong acting and smelling and might make your child uncomfortable. Myself, I'd probably be very cautious when applying any medicinal product to the face.
Deletedoes it burn when put on? my husband suffers from it all over his body but nothing works and everything burns going to give it a try
ReplyDeleteHi there. ...I also have read that neem helps all manner of skin conditions. I have dishydrosis on my palms and fingers which causes them to get tiny water blisters all over which itch unbelievably, and following that, the skin will crack and peel and sometimes bleed. I haven't tried neem yet because I read that it is also used as a spermicidal and my husband and I are trying to conceive. Is that part of it true? The way i read it sounded like that only applied if taken internally. Would it be recommended to apply to my hands? Thanks
ReplyDeleteAndrea
Neem oil is used in organic fungal control for plants I just didn't know it was used in creams.
ReplyDeleteIm am going to try this, both skin disorders run in my family. Although every ones skin is different, if it doesn't work for my family i'll just pass it along to my friends. To some of the other people on here, my son was diagnosed with eczema and was a guinea pig for just about everything and nothing worked. Come to find out, he didn't have it, he was having a reaction to metals (mainly nickel), the spot he had the rash at the most was around his waist band, I started putting clear nail polish on the back side of his pants buttons and it cleared all up and no longer has problems with it... Just an FYI in case this could be your situation.
ReplyDeleteI made this and within 4 days the eczema behind my ears and a spot near the outer corner of my eye was almost fully cleared up. I can't believe how well it works! I added the essential oils Lavender, Elemi and Frankincense too. Thanks so much for sharing this recipe! I can't wait to make the body butter next and maybe the lip balm!
ReplyDeleteI'm from the States could convert the grams into teaspoons or cups..thank you!!
ReplyDelete