Honey, essential oils, aloe vera… What natural treatments can help manage eczema?

The aloe vera gel can be used to soothe eczema and is regarded as a natural dressing. Applying pure aloe vera gel to lesions speeds healing while hydrating the skin. Its healing properties stem from acemannan, a polysaccharide that stimulates angiogenesis and the production of collagen and glycosaminoglycans. The aloe vera gel inhibits the production of certain proinflammatory cytokines, thus reducing redness and itching typical of eczema.

Aloe vera plays a dual role in eczema: it intensely hydrates the skin while soothing it. Indeed, its polysaccharide richness, particularly acemannan, enables it to form a hydrophilic film on the skin surface, limiting transepidermal water loss and restoring the epidermal barrier function, often compromised in eczema. Acemannan also attracts and retains moisture in the stratum corneum. Aloe vera exerts an anti-inflammatory effect by inhibiting the synthesis of pro-inflammatory mediators such as interleukins IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α through interference with the NF-κB signalling pathway, a key route in the immune response. These mechanisms make aloe vera a natural adjunct for eczematous skin.

Several studies have examined complementary and alternative medicines (CAM) to alleviate eczema symptoms and, although further research is needed, some have shown aromatherapy may help. This approach uses essential oils extracted from aromatic plants with therapeutic properties that benefit physical and emotional health. They can be inhaled, ingested, or applied to the skin, pure or diluted. Regarding eczema, the essential oils most used topically to soothe itching are tea tree essential oil (INCI: Melaleuca Alternifolia Leaf Oil) and lavender essential oil (INCI: Lavandula Angustifolia Oil), noted for calming effects and their ability to reduce pro-inflammatory cytokine production.

A study recently examined the effects of a cream containing 3% kanuka essential oil, an oil native to New Zealand, compared with the same cream without this ingredient. 80 volunteers with moderate to severe eczema applied one of the creams twice daily for six weeks. At the end of the study, the group receiving treatment with essential oil showed a significantly greater improvement as measured by the POEM (Patient Oriented Eczema Measure), which reflects the patient’s experience. In addition, a complete clearance of eczema lesions was observed in 90% of participants who used the kanuka essential oil.

Among natural ingredients used to ease eczema symptoms, green clay is also found. This compound has anti-inflammatory and healing properties that help reduce redness and itching associated with eczema. Clay comes as a powder that must be mixed with mineral water to form a smooth paste. The paste rests before being applied to itchy areas for 30 minutes. Although studies have shown green clay’s properties, the effect of this type of poultice on eczema has not been scientifically proven.

The anti-inflammatory properties of clay rely on its capacity to modulate the local immune response and adsorb pro-inflammatory molecules in skin tissue. Composed of hydrated aluminium silicates, clay features a layered structure that confers a high ion-exchange capacity. When applied to the skin, it acts as a semi-permeable barrier capable of binding certain pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF-α and IL-1β, reducing their bioavailability in the inflamed area. In addition, several studies in vitro have shown that clay can inhibit the activity of key inflammatory enzymes, such as COX-2, which is involved in prostaglandin production.

Oat is another natural ingredient often used to soothe sensitive, irritated or eczema-prone skin. Several studies have confirmed its soothing and anti-inflammatory properties, which stem from beta-glucan, a key component. This molecule inhibits the activity of several inflammation markers, including interleukins 1, 6, 10, and 12 (IL-1, IL-6, IL-10, and IL-12), tumour necrosis factor (TNF-α), and cyclo-oxygenase (COX).

The effects of oat on eczema were investigated in a recent study in which around thirty participants applied a cream containing 1% oat for fourteen days while another thirty used a standard cream without oat. At the end of the study, scientists observed a 51% reduction in the atopic dermatitis severity score in participants using the oat-based cream. They also noted an improvement in overall skin hydration and barrier function.

Often used as a natural antiseptic agent, sodium bicarbonate is sometimes suggested as a remedy to ease eczema symptoms. Its alkaline nature may help rebalance the skin’s pH, which could prevent inflammatory flare-ups and soothe redness. Sodium bicarbonate can be used as follows: mix three parts sodium bicarbonate with one part water, then leave the mixture to rest overnight. The next day you will obtain a paste that can be applied for around fifteen minutes to areas affected by eczema.

Despite its popularity, no scientific study has shown that baking soda is effective against eczema.

The chamomile, well known for its soothing effect, also offers relevant anti-inflammatory properties in eczema. Recent studies show its volatile compounds regulate T lymphocyte subpopulations by inhibiting Th17 cell differentiation—a subtype involved in several chronic inflammatory conditions including eczema. This effect lowers interleukin-17 production, a key cytokine in pro-inflammatory NF-κB and MAPK signalling pathways. The decline in mediators such as TNF-α and IL-6 helps reduce eczema flare-up severity.

The efficacy of chamomile in reducing eczema was assessed in a randomised, double-blind clinical trial. Researchers compared a cream containing German chamomile extract with a 0.5% hydrocortisone formulation, a common compound prescribed to soothe eczematous lesions. After two weeks of once-daily application, the chamomile-based cream showed a slight advantage over the 0.5% hydrocortisone product.

The common sage, known as the sacred herb, is a branched flowering plant from which an ingredient used in skincare is extracted. Sage extract is valued for its anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to soothe sensitive skin, including skin prone to eczema. The soothing effects of sage extract derive from its richness in phenolic diterpenes such as carnosol and carnosic acid, compounds capable of modulating the release of certain pro-inflammatory cytokines.

A prospective, randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study examined this extract and its anti-inflammatory properties. Areas on the backs of 40 volunteers were irradiated with the minimal erythema dose. These areas were then treated under occlusion with 2% sage extract in a hydrophilic ointment, the same ointment without extract, or 1% hydrocortisone. Erythema was measured before irradiation and after 48 hours. Compared with placebo, the sage extract has produced a significant reduction in erythema induced by ultraviolet radiation, to the same extent as hydrocortisone. The researchers concluded that these data suggest the sage extract may be useful for managing inflammatory skin conditions, such as eczema.

Several plant oils support eczema-prone skin care due to their fatty acids and bioactive compounds that exert anti-inflammatory, reparative and immunomodulatory effects. Among these, oils rich in linoleic acid, an omega-6, such as soybean oil, grape seed oil or sunflower oil, contribute to skin barrier maintenance by reinforcing lipids in the stratum corneum. Eczema-prone skin shows a deficiency in ceramides and fatty acids, which increases transepidermal water loss and promotes inflammation. Restoring these lipids reduces water loss and limits environmental aggressors. In addition, some plant oils, such as black seed oil for example, are recognised for their anti-inflammatory properties and their capacity to modulate COX-2 and iNOS enzyme expression, overexpressed in eczema-prone skin.

A randomised, double-blind, vehicle-controlled study was conducted on 32 adults with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis to assess the efficacy of an emollient enriched with esters derived from coconut oil and sunflower oil, combined with 0.1% colloidal oatmeal. After four weeks of application, results show a greater improvement in itching in the study group (65.6%) compared with the vehicle group (43.8%). In addition, 56.5% of participants in the study group achieved at least a 75% improvement in EASI score, measuring eczema extent, compared with 25% in the control group. The study also reports a reduction in topical corticosteroid use from week one in the study group (–24.8%), unlike the control group (+292.5%). Other studies using different botanical oils also indicate that these plant-based ingredients may help manage eczema.

Finally, the turmeric, a common spice in India, may help in eczema. Curcumin, the active compound in turmeric powder, has anti-inflammatory properties. It can inhibit prostaglandin production and prevent the synthesis of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-1α, interleukin-6, and tumour necrosis factor. These actions help reduce the redness and itching associated with atopic dermatitis. Turmeric has also shown wound-healing potential in several studies. Curcumin in the powder increases expression of the growth factor TGF-β1, which supports tissue epithelialisation and promotes angiogenesis, the growth of new blood vessels

Several other natural remedies can help alleviate eczema, such as shea butter, rooibos, oolong tea, and others.