What Are The Best Essential Oils to Help Eczema & Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW)?

(Article written by Marsha Pearsons)

Have you ever wondered how essential oils can improve your wellness journey? 

Today, I will teach you about the uses of essential oils in supporting you on this tough, painful journey throughout your eczema or topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) process.  

Before I dive into which essential oils will support your skin, I would like to provide you with some education on the three main ways to use essential oils for eczema or topical steroid withdrawal (TSW):

• diffuse them (aromatically-A)
• apply them directly on the skin (topical-T)
• oral application (internally-I) either by a capsule, or placing one drop into a cut of hot tea.

I will place the letters to each oil after their description as a guide. Always remember, when using essential oils, you only need a small amount.

Sometimes only ¼ of a drop is enough, blended with a carrier oil such as liquid coconut oil, grapeseed oil (which is a natural sunscreen), or jojoba oil. Below, you will see a list of essential oils, their uses, and how they can support your wellness journey.

Arborvitae essential oils has a warm, earthy, and woody aroma. It is a powerful cleansing and purifying agent. Add a few drops to an 8oz spray bottle and spritz the body, throughout the day, as a protecting solution. Arborvitae is also promotes clear, healthy skin. It is a calming oil which may enhance spiritual awareness or meditation. (T, A)

Cedarwood essential oil is known for its rich hue and warm, woody scent that is both grounding and evocative of wellness and vitality. Massage one drop, mixed with liquid coconut or grapeseed oil, onto the chest to maintain vitality during exercise, or to relax and soothe the mind and body. Apply Cedarwood to skin imperfections to improve appearance. (T, A)

Frankincense is one of the most prized and precious essential oils due to its extensive health benefits. It soothes the skin, it’s great for eczema scars, and if you’re suffering from topical steroid withdrawal (TSW). It induces feelings of peace, satisfaction and overall wellness, and supports healthy immune function. Add 2-6 drops to your moisturizer for a warm and soothing effect. Diffuse frankincense to focus intentions of the day.

Frankincense supports digestion, liver, musculoskeletal, healthy teeth and gums, healthy bladder and urinary tract function, as well as the health of the cardiovascular system. Add 1 drops to your nightly mouthwash to purify the beginning of digestion, the mouth. Apply 1 drop to the bottom of feet to promote relaxation and to balance mood.  (T, A, I) 

Geranium essential oil has a flowery aroma. This is one of my favorites for skin health.

Add 1-3 drops geranium to moisturizers to beautify the skin.  Apply to skin after showering for a soothing effect. Add a few drops to your shampoo and conditioner for a healthy, vibrant glow and to keep the scalp healthy looking and clean. Apply geranium to armpits after a sweaty workout. Geranium may supports a healthy urinary tract, healthy blood sugar, healthy immune function and response, healthy blood pressure and it may contain cleansing properties when applied topically to the feet. Geranium contains internal cleansing properties and may help to maintain the general health of a variety of organs and organ systems. (T, A, I)

Vetiver is my favorite for emotional support and grounding – especially if you’re struggling with stress when it comes to eczema or topical steroid withdrawal (TSW). It has a woodsy, earth smell and promotes calmness from within. Add a drop of Vetiver to your daily moisturizer for a soothing, aromatic massage. Place one drop in the palms of your hands, rub them together, and cup over the nose and mouth. Then breathe slowly for a calming, grounding effect.

Ylang Ylang is a flowery smell. Apply 1 drop to the back of the neck for a calming, uplifting effect. Blend 1 drop with a tablespoon of coconut oil and massage into back and shoulders to help reduce the effects of daily stress and apply this mixture to the scalp for a deep hair conditioner. Massage Ylang Ylang into the scalp to increase the appearance of healthy, shiny hair. Diffuse to lift your mood while experiencing a calming effect and promoting a positive outlook.

The six essential oils I have mentioned above supported me the most on my healthy skin journey, but this is a very short list of essential oils which maintain healthy skin while supporting a healthy immune system. Start out slowly. Try one drop of frankincense or vetiver for one full week before adding another oil. Your body may actually detox quicker than you think from using essential oils, so if you have a reaction, just remember it can be from detoxing. 

Recipes Using Essential Oils

Soothing Bath Soak – Until you know you react to each essential oil, I would start with one oil at a time. Then slowly add the others after one week of using a particular oil. Start out with 1lb of Epsom salt and 1lb of baking soda and use only 10 drops of frankincense or vetiver. These are the two I would start with. I would leave arborvitae until the last oil. You may also want to start with the magnesium and baking soda first before adding any essential oils. 

• 8lb bag of Epsom salt or Magnesium Flakes
• 8lb bag of baking soda, food or pharmaceutical grade, 
• Mix both bags together in a large bucket
• Add 10 drops of each of the six oils
• Hand mix thoroughly. You can use gloves for mixing if you need to. 
• Start out by adding ¼ cup to each bath and soak at least 20 mins. Build yourself up to 1 full cup of the mixture every other day for a 40 minute soak. This helps the body absorb the magnesium into the skin. 

Faithfully Oil Body Butter 

• 1 – 7.25oz tub of Raw Shea Butter
• 1 – 2oz Jason’s Vitamin E oil
• 1 cup of solid coconut oil 
• 1/8 to ¼ cup of grapeseed oil
• 10 drops of each oil listed above

In a saucepan, melt the Raw Shea Buter and coconut oil until its’ soft and mixable. Then allow it to cool, but not solid. After it is cool, add Vitamin E, Grapeseed, and essential oils. Mix thoroughly. Then allow to cool, mixing every hour until the mixture becomes a solid again. This allows nothing to settle on the bottom while cooling. 

Use as a moisturizer every morning and/or evening. 

Have you ever tried using essential oils for your eczema or topical steroid withdrawal (TSW)? And if so, have they helped you?

(Article written by Marsha Pearsons)

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

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