Natural Help for Eczema: 5 Ways to Soothe Dry, Itchy Skin

Looking for a more natural way to care for eczema-prone skin?

When your skin is dry, red and unbearably itchy, it can feel as though you have tried everything. One product promises relief, another has an ingredients list that requires a science degree, and somehow your skin is still not happy.

There is no miracle answer, and I would never pretend otherwise. However, by following some very simple steps, my daughter’s eczema cleared, and she has now been free from it for eight years. This is what worked for us, and it is why I created Samantha Lily.

I cannot promise that everyone will have the same result because everyone’s skin is different. But if you are looking for natural help with eczema and want to simplify your skincare routine, I can share exactly what I do.

I will mention some of the products we make along the way, but I will also share simple things you can try at home without spending a fortune. Nobody wants to read a blog that is just one long sales pitch, do they?

Here are five natural ways to care for dry, itchy and eczema-prone skin.

1. Hydrate your skin, then keep that hydration in

The first thing to understand is that water hydrates your skin, while oils and butters help soften it and slow down moisture loss.

This is why I always apply an oil-based balm while the skin is still slightly damp. Think of it as giving the water a reason to stick around rather than disappearing five minutes later.

After bathing or showering, gently pat your skin with a soft towel, but do not dry it completely. Apply your balm straight away. The water hydrates your skin, while the oils and butters help prevent it from drying out too quickly.

Reapply your balm whenever your skin feels dry or tight, particularly after washing your hands and before going to bed.

Whether you choose one of our natural balms or buy something from somewhere else, there are a few things I would look for:

• A simple ingredients list you can actually understand

• Natural oils and butters suitable for dry and sensitive skin

• No synthetic fragrances or artificial colours

• A product rich enough to leave your skin feeling soft and moisturised

  
  

Even natural ingredients will not suit everyone, so always test a small amount first. Natural does not automatically mean your skin will love it. Skin can be just as fussy as the rest of us.

Explore our natural eczema products here

2. Try an oatmeal bath for dry, itchy skin

Have you tried an oatmeal bath and wondered why it did not make any difference? It may be because you were not using enough oats or getting enough of the milky oat water onto your skin.

You do not need an expensive or fancy product. Try putting at least two large handfuls of plain oats into an old, clean sock, an organza bag or a cotton pouch.

Place it in a lukewarm bath and keep squeezing the pouch until the water becomes cloudy and feels silky.

Here is my test: put your hand under the water. If you can still see it clearly, I would squeeze out more of the oats. I want plenty of that lovely milky oat water in the bath.

The most important part is to wash your skin with the oats.

Gently squeeze the oat water over your skin and smooth it over with your hands. There is no need to scrub. Your skin is already irritated, so this is the time to be kind to it.

In my experience, there is little point in having an oatmeal bath and then washing with fragranced soap, shower gel or bubble bath. I keep it simple and use the oats to wash the skin.

After your oatmeal bath:

1. Gently pat your skin dry rather than rubbing it.

2. Leave your skin slightly damp.

3. Apply your chosen oil-based balm.

4. Allow it time to absorb before getting dressed.

   
   

Oats can make the bath slippery, so take extra care when getting in and out. We are trying to soothe your skin, not send you flying across the bathroom.

Avoid oats if you have a known oat allergy, and stop using them if they irritate your skin.

If balancing oats in an old sock is not quite how you imagined spending your evening, you can find our ready-made oat wash below.

You can find out natural oat wash here

3. Get to know your eczema triggers

Everyone’s skin is different. Something that irritates one person’s skin may cause no problems for someone else, which can make finding your triggers feel like a bit of a detective mission.

Possible eczema triggers and sources of irritation may include:

• Heat and sweating

• Hot baths and showers

• Heavily fragranced skincare products

• Harsh soaps and cleansers

• Rough or tight clothing

• Scented laundry products

• Changes in temperature

• Stress

  
  

Try keeping a simple skin diary for a few weeks. Write down which products you use, what your skin comes into contact with and when the dryness, redness or itching becomes worse.

It does not need to be complicated. A few notes on your phone will do. You may begin to notice patterns that help you understand what your skin does and does not like.

This was a really important part of finding what worked for my daughter. Rather than constantly adding new products, I paid attention to what seemed to make her skin better and what appeared to make it worse.

Sometimes the answer is not another product. Sometimes it is removing something that your skin simply does not get along with.

4. Choose clothing that lets your skin breathe

What you put on your skin matters, but so does what you wear against it.

I would suggest choosing soft, natural materials such as cotton, especially at night. Rough, tight or heavy clothing can rub against sensitive skin and make itching feel worse.

You may also find it helpful to:

• Remove scratchy labels

• Wash new clothes before wearing them

• Change out of damp or sweaty clothing quickly

• Choose loose-fitting nightwear

• Avoid becoming too warm

• Keep the bedroom comfortably cool

  
  

Everyone’s skin is different, so choose clothing that feels soft and comfortable against yours.

If something feels scratchy the moment you put it on, your skin has probably already given you its opinion.

5. Find alternatives to scratching itchy skin

Telling someone with itchy skin to “just stop scratching” is about as useful as telling someone who cannot sleep to “just go to sleep”.

Anyone who has experienced eczema knows it is not that simple, especially when the itching wakes you during the night.

When you feel the urge to scratch, try:

• Gently pressing or patting the area

• Applying your oil-based balm

• Keeping your hands occupied

• Keeping your fingernails short and smooth

• Wearing soft cotton gloves at night

  
  

For children, a calm distraction such as reading, drawing or playing with a favourite toy may help take their attention away from the itching.

The aim is not to pretend the itch is not there. It is to find ways to get through it without leaving the skin feeling even more sore afterwards.

Why do I use calendula for dry and eczema-prone skin?

Calendula is a flowering plant that has been used in traditional skincare for generations.

At Samantha Lily, I use calendula in our rich, oil-based balm, created to moisturise, soften and protect dry, sensitive and eczema-prone skin.

Our Calendula Balm is handmade using natural and certified organic ingredients. Like the rest of the Samantha Lily skincare range, it contains no:

• Synthetic fragrances

• Parabens

• SLS

• Alcohol

• Artificial colours

  
  

I believe natural skincare should be honest and uncomplicated, with every ingredient carefully chosen for a reason. Your skin has enough to deal with without throwing a huge list of unnecessary ingredients at it.

Everyone’s skin is different, and even natural ingredients can cause sensitivity. Always test a small amount first.

A gentler, more natural approach to eczema skincare

Choosing natural skincare does not mean you need to create a complicated routine or replace everything in your bathroom overnight.

In fact, I believe the opposite is true.

Start simply. Pay attention to how your skin responds and choose products made with ingredients you understand. What matters most is finding a natural skincare routine that feels comfortable and works for your skin.

Frequently asked questions about natural eczema skincare

What natural ingredients can help moisturise eczema-prone skin?

Natural oils and butters can help soften dry skin and slow down moisture loss.

I recommend applying an oil-based balm while your skin is still slightly damp after bathing or showering. The water hydrates your skin, while the oils and butters help keep that hydration in. You can find out Calendula Balm here. We offer a money back guarantee.

Everyone’s skin is different, so always test a new ingredient or product on a small area first.

How do you make an oatmeal bath for eczema-prone skin?

Place at least two large handfuls of plain oats inside an old, clean sock, organza bag or cotton pouch.

Put the pouch into a lukewarm bath and squeeze it until the water becomes cloudy and feels silky. Gently squeeze the milky oat water over your skin and smooth it over with your hands. There is no need to scrub.

Pat your skin dry afterwards and apply an oil-based balm while it is still slightly damp.

How often should you apply balm to eczema-prone skin?

Apply your balm whenever your skin feels dry or tight. After bathing, after washing your hands and before going to bed can be particularly helpful times.

There is no perfect schedule. Pay attention to your skin and apply more when it feels as though it needs it.

Is natural skincare always suitable for sensitive skin?

Not necessarily. Everyone’s skin is different, and natural ingredients can still cause irritation or an allergic reaction.

Always test a new product on a small area first. If your skin becomes more irritated, stop using it. Your skin is quite capable of telling you when it is not impressed.

Can natural skincare cure eczema?

I cannot promise that any product or skincare routine will cure eczema. What I can say is that this natural approach worked for my daughter, whose eczema cleared and has not returned for eight years.

Natural oils, butters and balms can also help keep dry, eczema-prone skin feeling soft, moisturised and comfortable.

Medical disclaimer: This blog shares my personal experience and provides general skincare information. Everyone’s skin is different, so the same results cannot be guaranteed. Samantha Lily products are cosmetic skincare products created to moisturise and care for dry, sensitive and eczema-prone skin. They are not medicines and are not intended to diagnose or treat a medical condition.