Extra special fancy moisturizer for eczema

Extra special fancy moisturizer for eczema
I've been making moisturizer for a couple years now. Not only do I save a lot of money, but it's great fun to come up with recipes tailor-made for my family. My husband suffers from chronic atopic dermatitis -- eczema -- and I've tried many many recipes to keep his outbreaks at bay. The basic moisturizer is good for day to day use. With only three ingredients it is simple to make, and very well tolerated by the most sensitive skin, but during a change of season, a period of stress or after wearing irritating clothes flare-ups can still occur. The following recipe is the result of my research into all the exotic ingredients which claim to cure skin ailments... It works quite well for my personal test subject, but I want to emphasize that everybody is sensitive to different chemicals. This cream helps my (extremely sensitive) spouse, but it could make you break out into a rash -- so try a little of the oil mix on a patch of healthy skin, and if after a few days of use you don't get a reaction you can see if it helps your angry red blotchy patches of skin... You can also replace some of the grape seed oil in the basic moisturizer with small amounts of these ingredients, trying them one at a time. That way you would be able to tell if you just need to avoid one of the ingredients listed here.

I like making small quantities often, to avoid preservatives which can irritate my "patient's" skin, but this cream has too many ingredients to make that practical -- the solution is to make this in two steps. First, mix the oils and waxes, then make the cream (i.e. add water) with only a portion of the oils. I can store the leftover oil mix in the refrigerator, where it will last a very long time (bacteria and mold need water to grow), then I can make extra cream quickly whenever I need it.

If you are struggling with this skin problem, check out my guide, Bleach baths and other cheap eczema remedies.

 
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Step 1Equipment

Equipment
You will need a milk frother or a quick wrist with a small whisk.

You will need  two wide mouth jars or similar containers: one for the finished cream and one for storing the extra oil/wax blend. Containers should be able to hold at least 1/2 cup each.

A recycled honey bottle or a similar container which can stand on its cap will work for the finished cream but not for the oil blend which will harden, especially if you store it in the refrigerator.

If you have a small precise scale (one which can weigh up to 1/10th of a gram is best, but if it only goes to 1 gram that's OK too) making this cream is a lot easier and faster -- but I give measurements in volume as well as grams, so you can measure either way.

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46 comments
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Dec 9, 2011. 1:59 PMMacflame says:
I have the same problems as Suckrpnch. I also have dry skin due to the painkillers I have to take. So I would really like to try this 'recipe'.
Has anyone in the UK managed to get these ingredients under one roof and in fairly small quantities?
Jul 26, 2011. 4:27 PMnelsonk says:
Shea butter is pretty much "de rigueur" in any high end cosmetic, because it is reputed to be one of the best moisturizers and emollients, effective against scars, eczema, burns, rashes, wrinkles, stretch marks, blemishes and any other skin problem you can think of. It is also reputed to be an anti-inflammatory agent and to provide UV protection, although the level of protection can vary between zero and SPF 6. One thing is certain: it absorbs rapidly into the skin, does not feel greasy, and leaves the skin feeling supple and firm. You can use either refined (white and odorless) or unrefined (with nutty color and smell) shea butter. Supposedly unrefined has better therapeutic effects.***
so i looked up natural ways to get rid of stretch marks and your mixture came up, i just want to get rid of my stretch marks on my stomack from when i was bigger how do i do this just with shea butter??? and where can i get natural oils by the way ?? like tea tree or almond oil, im not rich and would like to stay in budget thanks :)!
May 21, 2010. 7:00 PMdakellymon says:
 I've been reading this with interest as I have been suffering with hand and foot eczema for the last 7 years.  Doctors have been no help.  I know in my case the problem is cause by small white blisters that turn into red spots and then the skin above the spots dies and peels.  Oils and salves can only help with the dead dry skin that is constantly peeling.  I think that the cure lies in stopping the problem from within.  
May 21, 2010. 9:20 PMdakellymon says:
 I don't know if atopic eczema has the same symptoms as the hand eczema.  But in my experience putting oil base creams on the blisters is like putting butter on a burn.  I carry a tube of moisturizer and apply it when I am going somewhere to help hide the unsightly dead flaking skin.   I would really like to find out the source and what exactly is in the blisters that causes the skin above them to harden and die.   
May 30, 2011. 6:40 AMKittyF says:
My sister gets hand and foot eczema from wheat. a symptom of her ciliac. it takes a up to six months to go away after she has accidentally ingested a wheat component.
May 23, 2010. 8:15 PMdakellymon says:
 I don't mean to clutter up your instructable.  I only piped in hoping to perhaps find others and compare notes.  As I stated I don't know about atopic eczema, I have what is called "Hand eczema" even thought the soles of my feet are 5 times as bad as the palms of my hands.  I flush the affected areas with Hydrogen peroxide daily when I shower to help control bacteria.  I would never put bleach on my skin.  I would like to talk with others that are suffering with "Hand eczema and try to understand what might be the cause.  I know there is a genetic component as my father had boutes of it.  I can't understand what would trigger my body to produce a substance so toxic that it would kill the skin on my hands and feet.  
Nov 18, 2011. 10:17 AMMar HK says:
I've had eczema on my hands, elbows, and behind my knees since I was born. I've found two things that trigger it: My parents' hard, iron-rich well water, and sweat.

My eczema decreased dramatically once I moved away from my parents' and into the city. If I wear gloves for a long time, or am somewhere warm where my hands sweat, it's basically a guaranteed outbreak. A doctor once explained it to me as an immune response to my own sweat.

I’ve tried all sorts of creams and oils, but the only thing that works reliably for me to deal with the small blisters and later dead skin is the steroid creams (hydrocortisone, betaderm, etc). You can get some over the counter. The strong ones are more expensive and need a prescription, but they work like magic for me.
Jun 14, 2010. 7:56 PMsuckrpnch says:
I have seborrheic eczema and rosacea that mainly affects my face. Usually I can get a few things from the dermatologist that reduce to barely visual, but come back very quickly after I run out. They have been getting really bad again, so I made this moisturizer. On top of that, I adopted the technique of washing my face with oil as well. After one week of these two things, my face is greatly reduced. Barely visible. I am pretty excited so far. I took basic ingredients from this instructable to use in the oil face washing as well. I also added a little coconut which, I think, improves the smell a bit, but I love coconut in everything. This has been very empowering. Link to oil washing instructable: http://www.instructables.com/id/Wash-Your-Face-With-Oil/
May 30, 2011. 6:44 AMKittyF says:
I've been using coconut oil straight on my psoriasis like patch on my face and it's helping a lot.
Coconut oil has reduced my eczema to the point where I only have to use the prescription half as much as previously to keep it clear, but the psoriasis patch is tougher.
May 30, 2011. 7:31 AMsuckrpnch says:
I have also found that diet is a huge issue with all of my skin conditions. I haven't nailed it down, but at one point, I removed carbs and dairy, and my face cleared up completely. Adding them back in can cause bad break-outs over time again.

I thought it was dairy in my case, but I am generally uncertain right which it is.
Jun 1, 2011. 9:50 PMKittyF says:
I think that both also apply to me. especially the psoriasis. when I avoid the dairy, it fades, but never really gets clear. I'm beginning to think I'd have to avoid the wheat for at least a couple of months to confirm it, which of course, if my face cleared, I'd then have to use the wheat to see if the psoriasis came back to be sure it was the cause. which would be sad.
May 24, 2010. 6:20 AMgardenancy says:
You might want to try doing an elimination diet, start with wheat.  It is likely you have a wheat allergy or possibly even celiac disease.  There is a rash associated with that autoimmune disease called Dermatitis herpetiformis that sounds like the rash you are describing.  Good luck, I hope you get relief.
Jul 6, 2010. 1:09 PMcharleymarie1 says:
Hi there, thanks for this Instructable. Can hyaluronic acid be added to this or perhaps substituted for another ingredient? Thanks. Charlotte
Jun 26, 2010. 9:30 PMc0 says:
(removed by author or community request)
Jun 2, 2010. 12:15 AMjireena says:
I am from the island of Guam. Our people have a solution for eczema that comes from a tree we call Daok. It is a natural oil extracted from our Daok tree and it works wonders for everyone who isn't allergic to peanuts. All of our relatives prefer this remedy over prescription drugs and moisturizers. Thanks for the suggestion of an alternate solution. We tried your recipe, but we discovered that our Daok Oil is more effective.
May 24, 2010. 5:17 PMsrodgers says:
our oldest child had this rash when he was about 3 months old.It was eventually diagnosed as eczema.. We were told that eczema was a symptom of asthma and as my father, his grandfather was asthmatic, it quite oftem appeared every second generation. We tried all sorts of creams and lotions but no cure.
Then an old  friend said to try bathing him in  AMWAY LOC.. I think that it is a cocoanut oilbased detergent . the rash cleared up in about 2 weeks and never returned.

He only ever had one asthma attack and never again...

May 20, 2010. 3:22 PMbunee says:
I am fascinated by your (obvious) hard work researching skin care ingredients.  Looking forward to the book.  Are you planning to have a downloadable version?
Do you have any "treatments" for psoriasis that you need guinea pigs for?  I have two friends who suffer with the affliction.
May 20, 2010. 2:38 PMIsisOfSun says:
Thank you so much for this! I have awful eczema on my hands and face, and actually just went to the dermatologist today. I now have prescriptions but not much works for me, so if they don't I will definitely try this.
May 20, 2010. 1:21 PMgnysgrl says:
 Do you by any chance sell this as a finished product? I read the instructable and there is honestly no way that I would feel confident making it. My daughter has suffered with eczema her entire life and nothing and I do mean NOTHING works. 
May 17, 2010. 9:02 AMZorra31 says:
Dimethicone is a bioaccumulative environmental toxin and common side effects of topical application include redness, itching, burning, irritation and stinging.  Many people will not experience any side effects, however someone prone to atopical dermatitis or other forms of eczema has an increased chance of experiencing these side effects. 

In my opinion, using dimethicone on someone (especially a child) who has eczema is ridiculous.  My daughter has atopic dermatitis and after years of numerous different prescription creams and lotions and remedies suggested by doctors and pediatricians, we tried using something that has been used for centuries to treat nearly all varieties of skin rashes and irritation: neem oil.  We use it straight from the bottle and it works wonderfully.  Her patches of eczema diminished overnight after the first treatment and after 10 days it had cleared up completely. 

We apply the neem oil once weekly now to keep her eczema in check (whereas with the prescription creams, many were barely effective at all, and the ones that were required a lot of product -- twice daily applications, only diminished the eczema, never completely cleared it up, and if we skipped a day of applying the cream her rash would flare back up again immediately).  We are very pleased with the neem oil.  It's easy, soothing, super effective and cheap -- a small bottle for $8.99 has lasted about 8 months now (whereas before we were going through one tube a month of prescription cream at $14-$35 apiece).  I highly recommend any parent of a child with eczema give pure neem oil a try!
May 17, 2010. 12:26 PMZorra31 says:
Yes, the smell of the neem oil does take some getting used to -- my daughter & I both think it smells like curry which we both love so we're fine with it, but my mom also can't stand the smell of it, lol. 

I will keep an eye out for Tamanu - we might give that a try, too! 

Anyway, just wanted to throw my two cents in in case other readers looking for eczema solutions come across your article and it doesn't work for them due to the dimethicone, another avenue for them to try.  Thanks!  :)
May 15, 2010. 9:15 PMilldoyourdrugs says:
Is that a bump key i see in the fourth photo? Haha. I believe it is.
May 16, 2010. 7:55 PMilldoyourdrugs says:
The second key appears to be filed or modified in some way. It looks like the teeth are pointed like a bump key. Bump keys are used to "bump" open locks. http://fs2600.org/meetings/2009/august/images/lockdown_bumpkey.jpg
May 15, 2010. 9:57 PMsonogo says:
I had eczema in my hand before .
will, nothing worked from the doctors, as soon as I stop the medicine it will start again.

Then, I used black seed oil -habatull barakah  oil- alone. in less than two weeks eczema is history. 

what you mentioned above, that the black seed is a treatment for all illnesses except death is a true saying mentioned in the Hadith books -which are books reporting what prophet Mohammad PBUH said- but what he said is about the seed itself not the oil. The oil as it is easier to spread is used for skin.

I use the seed for the flu and cold, in few hours no more flu.
I use it for every thing even for preservation of diseases like swine flu.

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I don't see bitter almond oil in the mixture. this is a good oil for the skin osteitis.




Thank you & keep the good job. stay in good health.
May 14, 2010. 5:03 PMalekamca says:
Other than glass, you can also try polypropylene (it's recycling code #5 in the US), instead of PET.   A lot of plastic food containers are made of this because it can survive heats well over boiling.
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I am trying to work on an overly ambitious tome, MAKE ANYTHING, a handbook for saving money, living green and having fun with trash. Trouble is, I keep getting distracted by pop-ups -- the cards, not ...
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