Neem Balm Recipe for Eczema and Psoriasis
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How to make neem balm, an easy-to-make skincare recipe for eczema and psoriasis. This skin balm is all-natural, and the ingredients help soothe inflammation, itchiness, and flakiness. The most important ingredient in this product is neem oil, a natural anti-inflammatory.
Many skin conditions can be uncomfortable, but eczema and psoriasis are probably two of the most irritating. Both are genetic auto-immune skin conditions that can result in flaky, inflamed skin. It can itch and weep terribly and leave you feeling helpless and even embarrassed. If you or someone close to you suffer from one, you’ll know how much it can affect a person’s life. That’s why I created this neem balm recipe.
Outbreaks are often red and swollen and can appear on any body part. Hands, scalp, elbows, knees, and even your face. While affected skin can appear unsightly, the worst part is the pain and tenderness. There are a lot of products to help, but if you’d like to try something completely natural, this recipe is for you. It’s easy to make at home in your kitchen and inexpensive if you regularly make it.
What is Neem Oil
This neem balm skincare recipe is for an all-natural oil-based balm to help soothe itchy and inflamed skin. I created it as a way for people to make a high-quality soothing skin balm at home. The main active ingredient is pure neem oil, which is traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine. In India, neem oil is seen as a heal-all and has many uses from top to toe. Its use in treating skin is probably one of its most well-known.
Extracted from the fruits and seeds of the neem tree, neem oil is a thick red or green oil that is not only highly moisturizing but is naturally antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and can provide external relief from pain and itchiness. Though its smell can be quite strong, its medicinal qualities are impressive, and it’s relatively safe to use as a self-prescribed treatment. The Indian culture has used neem oil for thousands of years for anything from skin diseases and inflammation to fevers and insecticides.
Inflamed Skin Treatments
There is no cure for eczema or psoriasis. Treatment of both is limited to controlling the severity of the outbreaks and soothing the symptoms. Keeping the skin clean and moisturized is the usual remedy; however, some prescribed medications and products can be harsh. One of these is using mineral oil and petroleum jelly on the skin. Both are by-products of petroleum (gas and oil) production, and while they help the skin stay moist, they also clog pores and prevent air from reaching your skin.
The other treatment, specifically for psoriasis, involves sitting in a coal tar bath. My mom has psoriasis, and I can still remember the smell of these baths—it’s similar to the smell of tarmac being laid. Despite its scent and origins, tar baths can be very effective. This neem balm recipe could be used alongside it and other treatments, but please speak to your dermatologist to get the go-ahead first.
DIY Neem Balm Recipe
The recipe below is for a tried and tested oil-based cream for inflamed and itchy skin. It can be customized, though, depending on your needs. Some people are sensitive to neem oil, so please see the note about testing it on yourself first. For a more liquidy cream, you can also adjust the amounts to have more liquid oil than solid oils.
If you’d like to make even more skincare for sensitive skin, feel free to use these recipes:
- Chamomile Skin Cream Recipe
- DIY Psoriasis Skin Cream
- Neem Oil Soap Recipe
- Homemade Eczema Skin Cream Recipe (Eczema Honey Copycat)
Neem Balm Recipe for Eczema and Psoriasis
Equipment
- two stainless steel pans (one able to fit inside the other) (to create a double-boiler)
Materials
- 1.41 oz shea butter 40 g
- 1.06 oz cocoa butter * see note for beeswax / 30 g
- 1.06 oz sweet almond oil 30 g / or olive oil, grapeseed oil, or sunflower oil
- 0.7 oz castor oil 20 g
- 0.35 oz neem oil * 10 g
Instructions
- You'll begin with two stainless steel pans—one small enough to fit comfortably inside the other. Half-fill the larger pan with water and bring it to a simmer. Turn the heat down to medium.
- Measure the shea butter, cocoa butter, castor oil, and sweet almond oil into a small stainless steel pan. Float this pan inside the pan filled with hot water.
- Stir and break up the oils as they melt. When they are fully liquid, pour the oils into a small mixing bowl and place it in the freezer for five minutes.
- After that time has passed, the oils will be slightly thick and opaque. Spoon or pour in the neem oil, then, using a whisk, beat the mixture until it's creamy and glossy.
- Spoon the finished product into a glass or stainless-steel container with a lid. A silicone spatula works well in getting all of the balm inside.
- The balm can be used after one day. At that point, the consistency will be firm but still scoopable. This product has a one-year best-by date, but please finish the product within six months of beginning use.
Hi there I was wondering about your preservative. Since you have the bitters in there I assume you would need one. Thanks
Hi Lindsay, the only time that a formulation needs a preservative is if it includes water or an ingredient with water-content. You do not need preservatives for butters.
I didn’t take the time to read through all the comments, so if this was covered before I apologize for asking again.
I went to my local health store to purchase some of the ingredients and was told that castor oil is actually an ingredient that heats the skin and should not be used. I didn’t purchase it at the time, but question the advice considering you’ve made and had success with it, but thought I should at least bring it forward and ask your thoughts on it.
Thank you.
Hi Shelley, castor oil does not heat the skin. It is a thick nourishing oil that helps lock moisture into your skin and is an important ingredient in neem balm.
It actually does heat my skin; I’m a Pitta dosha type and should not use castor oil according to my Ayurveda doctor. However, I use it anyway. The warming affect doesn’t actually seem to aggravate my rosacea which is why I’m using neem, to kill demodex mites.
I love all your videos. In fact, I just bought your book, but was a little disappointed. I thought it would have all your wonderful recipes in it. I’m still thrilled that you have all of them printable on here. That’s exactly what I’ve done and they are all stuck in your book. Hahaha. I love your page. Thanks again.
Deb
Hi Deb, the book is filled with recipes but that’s right just chapter four focuses on skincare and soap. I’m planning my second book now though and I’m sure it will be up your alley :) Best wishes, Tanya
Hej Tanya!
How do you make those nice labels you have on the cans? I’ve been looking everywhere for a program to make labels but can’t find one to make round labels. And if I find a program, it’s way too expensive: P
I have labels printed for me by a professional printer in the UK. Inkjet printers (the type most people have at home) aren’t great for professional label quality.
Thanks Tanya
I came across your recipe a few years ago and i tweaked it slightly and went on to not only heal my son but many Friends and family who I made it for.
Of course with the recommendation that we also remove harsh surfactants and laundry detergents from our lives we are much more happier .
The Neem oil is a little strong at first but when it brings you relief people have over looked it and do actually start to like it after several uses .
Thank you so much for this amazing recipe xx
You’re so welcome and thank you so much for your feedback — especially considering that you’ve been using a version of this recipe for years.
Hi Tanya,
thank you so much for the tutorial. I’ve tried it today but it is more creamy than hard as discribed in your video, and it really really smells a lot like the Neem Oil. Is there anything I can now do about it? I dont think I can keep using it with the smell. And I put more thank 10 drops of Lavender in it as well.
Thank you!
Hi Sibel, the scent of neem is just something that you have to work with. It’s very distinct and many people get used to it after seeing the benefits it has. As for the creaminess, you could re-melt the product and add a little more shea butter or cocoa butter.
Tanya,
Thank-you for showing the video on how to put together the ingredients and how they should look during the process. You mentioned that Neem oil taken internally caused infertility in animals. Could you substitute Tea Tree oil instead and expect the same results??
if I was to add beeswax to this recipe, how much would I use?
I dont want it really hard, but a little soft.
thx
what do you think about adding powdered oat meal to the recipe
hello Tanya,
Can we use it on baby ?My baby suffers from eczema.. she is under 1 yr old
Thanks
I’d recommend that you make the product first without the Neem oil and see how it goes. Often, even the protection that an oil-based balm can help soothe eczema! Neem oil is quite potent in scent and in power and is probably more suitable for adult skin.
Is there an oil that could be susbstituted for the almond oil in the neem balm recipe? My grandson suffers from tree nut allergies and has eczema. I would like to make this for him, but am afraid to use the almond oil. Please advise!
Hi Tanya,
Getting ready to make the Healing Neem Balm and would like to know how much beeswax I should add to your recipe. Thanks -Bill
This recipe doesn't require beeswax :)
Hi Tanya! I was just wanting to know how much beeswax you put in your balm? Thanks!
Also is it okay to put the balm in a lip balm tube?
Hi Grace! This balm would be fine to put into a lip balm tube if it's liquid enough when you're finished.
In your ingredients you use ounces as a form of measurement. If I don't have a scale to weigh, can you give me measurements in cups, teaspoon, or tablespoons. I would really appreciate it, I would love to make this for my daughter in law who has psoriasis really bad and is afraid to see a dermatologist as she thinks they will put her on steroids. I think she will like this natural product and I hope it works for her. Thanks Theresa
Hiya :) When making beauty products you should use a kitchen scale – they're relatively inexpensive and available through Amazon and other retailers.
Hey! You are very generous.Congratulations!
Thanks
Regina
Not sure about neem oil; some studies have shown it can cause infertility. Is there an oil I can substitute?
I believe those studies were on animals that took Neem oil internally. Neem is perfectly safe to use on your skin in a diluted form.
We use neem oil as an insect control spray on vegetable plants. It affects their ability to reproduce, so they can't lay eggs. I reckon you'd need to be eating spoonfuls of the stuff to do harm to yourself (in fact eating any is probably not recommended), we're millions of times bigger than those little greenfly!
Neem oil is used in some natural toothpastes and I'm intrigued by the idea…but also not so keen on the taste (I've tasted it before!)
I think you're right Christy and that maybe you should try to gently reheat the balm and whisk again. It may be that you lose some of the lavender fragrance due to heat evaporation so maybe add a few more drops.
You're so welcome Estefania and please let me know how you get on with making the balm for your father?
As for Candida, I've heard of it mainly as a fungal infection inside the gut. Cutting sugar and sweets from your diet helps but in a Herbal Medicine course I took some years ago I also learned that garlic can help combat the yeast. It might not be the most aromatic therapy but if you wanted to try something natural, that's what I might do.
Thank you so much for this tutorial, it is great, I will make it for my dad :) He suffer with psoriasis, not very severe, but uncomfortable enough. Would you know a nice balm to help treat candidiasis? It is a fungal condition, that affects you finger nails, it irritates the skin a lot, and its very hard to treat….. Many many thanks :)
Hi I was reading the comments to get feedback and saw your question about the fungal nail infection. I had one a while ago and put vicks vaporub on it twice a day and covered with bandaids (so it didn't rub off everywhere) it went away within 2 weeks. A lot cheaper and healthier than medicines
Also, if you have any tea tree essential oil, it helps fight fungus as well. I like to use almond oil for a carrier oil because it absorbs into the skin quicker since it is similar to the natural oils your body makes.
I'm so glad you did this video tutorial. I made this balm a few weeks ago. It came out very lumpy and I just realized why. I added the neem oil during the melting and let it all sit in the freezer too long.
I wonder if remelting it and whisking like crazy would get rid of some of the lumps.
Thank you for your wonderful recipes and now video tutorials.