Homemade Eczema Bath Soak

Cold winter weather can be brutal on your skin. Taking a warm shower or bath can be comforting, but doing so will only exacerbate dryness and irritation. And for sufferers of severely dry skin, or worse, eczema, these factors can make the months of winter unbearable.

Fortunately, you don’t have to sacrifice a relaxing bath or shower for the sake of maintaining your skin’s moisture. Rather, you can enhance your washing routine with a homemade bath soak enriched with hydrating ingredients like vitamins, essential oils, oats, and more. Indulge in some self-care and nourish your skin at the same time with the help of your favorite skincare specialists here at Moody Sisters. We’ve got the scoop on how to craft homemade bath soaks that will soothe your skin, and keep it looking radiant all season long.

Essential oils for Eczema

Despite what popular media will make you believe, you don’t need a cabinet full of exotic oils or expensive elixirs to make bath time a luxurious experience. Rather, a simple peek inside the pantry can reveal a treasure trove of useful ingredients to transform the look and feel of your skin. The following are some of our favorite oils for calming and comforting dry, chapped skin.

Tea tree oil
Peppermint oil
Calendula oil
Lavender oil
Chamomile oil

Other beneficial oils for dry skin

Coconut oil
Jojoba oil
Sunflower seed oil
Olive oil
Almond oil

Ingredients such as beeswax, shea butter, and vitamin E are also rich in moisture and can lend a hand in keeping your skin looking healthy and hydrated.

Natural bath oil for eczema

Ingredients:

Olive Oil or Coconut Oil

(Essential oil of your choice)

Directions:

Add ¼ cup coconut or olive oil to warm bathwater. Select an essential oil of your choosing, and add approximately five drops. Allow the oil to evenly disperse in the water. Both carrier and essential oils will stay on top of the water so make sure to massage it into the skin while soaking in the tub.

After-shower oil recipe for dry skin

Ingredients: Carrier oil of your choice (we recommend coconut or sunflower seed oil) and a gentle essential oil such as chamomile

Directions: In an empty bottle, combine your carrier and essential oils. For every ¼ cup of carrier oil, add 15 drops of essential oil. Upon stepping out of the shower, pat your skin dry, but leave some moisture remaining. Generously apply your after-shower oil to damp skin, and wait until the mixture is fully absorbed.

Oat & honey eczema bath soak recipe

Ingredients: 1 cup of raw oats, ¼ cup of baking soda, honey, 10 drops of your preferred essential oils

Directions: In a blender or food processor, combine oats and baking soda. Blend ingredients until oats are powdered. Make sure the oats are ground to a very fine powder, otherwise they'll just sink to the bottom of the tub and leave a big mess to clean up. Next, add essential oil drops and pulse your food processor a few times to thoroughly mix them in. Store in an airtight jar, in a cool dry location when not in use.

For use in the bath:

Add ¼ cup of oats and let it dissolve in your bathwater. Note that if you don’t have a blender you can also add the whole oats to a small muslin bag, cheesecloth, old tights, or even a sock and hang it in the water rather than having to grind them.

For use on eczema or a rash:

Mix ¼ cup of your homemade oat blend with honey to create a spreadable paste. You can then use this paste directly on patches of eczema, diaper rash, or even on sunburned skin. Apply a small amount over splotches of irritated skin, like you would a face mask. Let the paste dry and then gently rinse it off with warm water. Gently pat your skin dry and immediately apply a hydrating body butter or balm for best results.

Best times to use bath soaks & oils

These recipes are safe for all ages and skin types, and are gentle enough to be used year-round. However, you’ll likely get the most from their moisturizing properties during specific seasons or circumstances. The following are a few indicators that your skin is thirsty for a dose of hydration.

● At the first sign of dry, flaking, or peeling skin

● During the months in which you experience fall and winter weather

● When you notice an eczema or dermatitis flare up

● If a heat or diaper rash appears

● When your skin is simply feeling parched and needs a boost in hydration

Please note that bath oils and soaks can cause the tub to become slippery. Use caution when entering and exiting, and please do not leave children unsupervised.

Bonus skin softening bath melts

This holiday season, our gift to you is this bonus recipe for our favorite skin soothing bath melts. Perfect for those nights when you need a little extra pampering, simply slip one of these bath melts under the warm running water, and experience the lap of luxury. Not only are these bath melts the epitome of self-care, they hydrate and soften the skin while you sit back and relax.

Basic bath melts

Ingredients: 1 Cup of Coconut Oil

15 Drops of Essential Oil (your choice)

Rubber molds

Directions:

1. In a pan, heat the coconut oil on low heat for 1-2 minutes or until it’s completely melted.

2. Remove from heat and add in essential oils, stirring well.

3. Mix well and pour the melted coconut oil into your rubber molds.

4. Place the molds in the fridge to harden.

5. Once cooled, pop the melts out of the molds and store them in a cool place.

6. If your house stays above 70 degrees keep your bath melts in the fridge or freezer.

Luxe hydration bath melts

Ingredients: 1 Tablespoon of Beeswax

½ Cup of Shea Butter

¼ Cup of Coconut Oil

1 Tablespoon of Olive or Almond Oil

¼ Cup of Ground Oats

Drizzle of Honey

Rubber molds

Directions:

1. Melt the butters over low heat on the stove top. Stir often. This may take 10-15 minutes.

2. Once thoroughly melted add in liquid oils and honey.

3. Remove from heat.

4. Pour into silicone molds and put in the fridge to cool.

5. Once solid, remove from molds and place into a container.

6. Store in the fridge or freezer until ready to use.

This is a great recipe for those suffering with eczema, psoriasis or chapped, dry winter skin. Your bath time will never be the same with this silky butter bath melt!

More Tips for Treating Eczema Naturally

We recommend using those common ingredients that you probably have in your pantry – olive oil, coconut oil, honey, oats and essential oils. These can all be found at your local grocery store.

If you want to expand your DIY ingredient base grab some beeswax beads, shea butter, vitamin E oil and rich sweet almond oil. These are common ingredients that can all be found at your local health food store.

Our favorite essential oils for dry skin & eczema are:

Lavender
Tea Tree
Chamomile
Geranium
Rosemary

Have these on hand to enhance your DIY recipes. You can find them at your local health food store.

When to use DIY Bath Oils, Oats & Melts

Signs of dry flaky skin
Winter Time
Eczema / Dermatitis Flare Ups
Heat or Diaper Rashes appear
For hydration boost

You can use these DIY bath recipes any time of year for a hydration boost or when you run into moody skin. If your skin starts to get flaky give yourself a DIY bath treatment to help reduce dull skin, nourish and hydrate.

If you struggle with eczema or dermatitis these bath treatments will provide relief and give you a hydration/protection boost.

Each bath treatment is safe for babies so if your little one is suffering from eczema or diaper rashes start using a bath treatment to soothe and calm irritated skin.