Olive Oil for Eczema

Eczema or atopic dermatitis is a skin condition that makes the skin rough, blistered, inflamed, itchy and even bleed. It can cause a lot of irritation and discomfort in areas like the face, neck, hands or legs, behind knees or in the bend of an elbow.

It can be caused by allergies like wheat, milk, nuts, eggs, etc. some of which will trigger the reaction of eczema. External irritants include pet hair, mold, dust mites and various other house hold cleaning products and chemicals.

Olive oil is a natural oil and one of the best remedy to treat eczema. We’re about to tell you why it works and exactly how to use it. Let’s get started!

Is Olive Oil good for Eczema?

Olive oil is very effective in treating eczema with its amazing properties.

  • It soothes the flare ups and reduces the inflammation caused by eczema.
  • The oil will penetrate deep into the epidermis to nourish and soften the skin without causing any allergic reactions.
  • Olive oil has vitamin E, omega – 3 fatty acids and other nutrients that help to maintain and lock the moisture to prevent dryness.
  • It contains certain compounds called squalene and oleocanthal which are natural anti – inflammatory and antioxidant.
  • It has 3 antioxidants like tyrosol, beta – sitosterol and squalene that reduces the production of inflammatory compounds.
  • It reduces the amount of bacteria on the skin.

How to use Olive Oil for treating Eczema:

1. Olive Oil with Coconut Oil and Vinegar

  • Add 1/4 cup of vinegar (preferably apple cider vinegar) in 1/2 cup each of virgin coconut oil and extra virgin olive oil.
  • Stir it well, adding a little sea salt and pepper.
  • Use this mix as a dressing on salads and store the rest for future use.
  • Make sure to warm the mix before each usage.

2. Olive Oil for Eczema and Psoriasis

  • Apply cold pressed extra virgin olive oil on the affected skin.
  • Massage it gently and leave it on for a few minutes.
  • Repeat regularly for better results.

3. Olive Oil with Sugar

  • Mix equal quantities of sugar and olive oil.
  • Apply on the affected skin.
  • Massage gently for a few minutes and wipe off the sugar using a clean cloth.
  • Leave the oil on that affected area to be absorbed by the skin.
  • Apply daily.
  • You can also add a few drops of water to create a thickness paste.
  • Or mix 4 oz of olive oil with a tablespoon of sugar and apply this mix on the affected area and cover it with a gauze and medical tape.

4. Olive Oil after Shower

  • Apply olive oil on the eczema affected skin after taking bath.
  • Massage the oil on the damp skin to lock in more moisture.
  • Or add some olive oil to your favorite chemical free moisturizer and apply this after a shower.
  • Regular usage of this oil as moisturizer will help to prevent eczema.

5. Olive Oil with Tea Tree Oil

Tea tree oil has an anti – microbial property that minimizes the likelihood of secondary infection on eczema.

  • Add 15 drops of tea tree oil and 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil to a bath tub of warm water.
  • Stir the water and soak yourself for 10 – 15 minutes.
  • Have this bath once daily.
  • You can also add 20 drops of tea tree oil in 1/2 cup of olive oil and apply this mix directly on the eczema.
  • You can also add olive oil to any of the essential oil and apply this on the affected area.

6. Olive Oil with Cabbage Leaves

This process soothes the inflammation and irritation.

  • Wash cabbage leaves well and kept it aside for few minutes to dry.
  • Soak them in olive oil for few minutes until the leaves absorb the oil and become soft.
  • Apply these leaves on the affected skin and cover with a linen cloth.
  • Leave on for 3 – 4 hours and then wash with lukewarm water.
  • Repeat it regularly until you got relief from eczema.

7. Olive Oil with Baby Lotion

  • Add some extra virgin olive oil to a scent free baby lotion.
  • Stir it well and apply this lotion on the eczema affected areas.
  • Leave it on for a couple of hours and wash off with water.
  • Do the same process daily for 2 – 3 weeks.

8. DIY Olive Oil Lotion

  • Add few drops of extra virgin olive oil and some honey or beeswax in 1/4 cup of water.
  • Stir until all the ingredients are mixed properly.
  • Apply this mix as a lotion on the affected skin.
  • Leave for 3 – 4 hours and regularize this oil application.

9. Olive Oil for Eczema on Hands

This process is for people who suffer from extremely dry hands.

  • Add few drops of pure olive oil in water and stir.
  • Soak your hands in this water for a few minutes.
  • Dry your hands and rub it with a lotion containing olive oil.
  • Massage it gently and cover your hands with gloves.
  • You can sleep with these gloves on or just keep on for a few hours.

10. Olive Oil Bath

  • Add some olive oil to a warm bath and stir well.
  • Soak yourself for 10 – 15 minutes in this water.
  • Regularly have this bath.
  • You can add 1 tablespoon of sea salt and 2 teaspoons of Epsom salt.

11. Olive Oil with Sea Salt and Essential Oils

  • Mix 1 cup each of sea salt, olive oil, coconut oil, jojoba oil, orange oil, aloe vera, soy milk, tea tree oil, cucumber and Shea butter in a container.
  • Stir it well and keep aside for 4 – 6 hours or overnight.
  • Apply this on the skin and massage gently, then leave for a few minutes.
  • Repeat this process once or twice a week.
  • You can also make a scrub by mixing 1/2 cup each of milk and butter, 2 tablespoons each of olive oil and honey and a little of sea salt together. Stir well and use this mix to scrub the eczema affected areas.

12. Olive Oil with Vitamin E Oil

Vitamin E oil hydrates the skin with its anti – oxidant properties which protect the cell membranes and repairs the skin to heal eczema.

  • Mix equal amounts of olive oil and vitamin E oil.
  • Apply on the affected skin, massage gently and leave it on for overnight.
  • For more effective results, apply this oil daily.

13. Olive Oil with Chamomile Oil

Chamomile is used to treat eczema on very sensitive skin.

  • Mix a little chamomile oil in olive oil.
  • Apply on the affected skin, massage it gently and leave for a few hours.
  • Repeat the same process regularly.

14. Olive Oil with Lavender Oil

Lavender is a skin healing aromatherapy oil.

  • Add few drops of lavender oil to 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
  • Stir it well and apply this mix on affected skin.
  • Massage it gently and leave for a few hours.
  • Or you can infuse calendula flower’s petals in olive oil and apply this oil.

15. Olive Oil for Eczema Scars

  • Apply extra virgin olive oil on the eczema scars.
  • Massage it gently for few minutes to get the oil well absorbed into the skin.
  • Place a hot washcloth over the oil applied areas.
  • Leave it until the cloth becomes cold and then wash it with lukewarm water.

16. Olive Oil with Cornstarch

  • Mix some cornstarch in olive oil to make a paste.
  • Apply this paste on the eczema affected areas.
  • Let it sit for about 20 – 30 minutes and wash it off with water.
  • Dry your skin and apply some natural moisturizer.
  • Apply regularly.

17. Olive Oil with Turmeric

Turmeric has antibiotic and anti – inflammatory properties.

  • Mix turmeric powder with extra virgin olive oil.
  • Apply on the affected skin and leave for 30 – 40 minutes to dry.
  • Wash it off with lukewarm water and apply moisturizer.
  • Or Crush handful of neem leaves to extract the juice.
  • Mix 1 tablespoon of organic turmeric powder and a teaspoon of olive oil .
  • Apply on the affected areas and leave it on for 30 – 45 minutes before washing with warm water.

18. Olive Oil with Black Walnut Powder and Myrrh Powder

  • Mix 1 oz each of black walnut powder and chaparral powder, 1/2 oz of myrrh powder, 1/4 oz of beeswax (melted) and 4 oz of extra virgin olive oil.
  • Stir all these ingredients well and keep it aside for overnight.
  • Apply this salve on the eczema affected areas.
  • Repeat regularly.

19. Olive Oil with Tea Tree Oil and Jojoba Oil

  • Mix 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, 1 teaspoon of jojoba oil and 10 drops of tea tree oil.
  • Stir it well and apply this oil mix on the affected skin.
  • Massage it gently and repeat the same process regularly.

20. Olive Oil and Aloe Vera Gel

  • Break an aloe vera leaf to collect fresh aloe gel.
  • Mix few drops of olive oil with a tablespoon of fresh aloe vera gel.
  • Using the aloe leaf, apply the mixture on skin two to three times a day.

Tips and Precautions:

Follow these tips and precautions to get quick and safe relief.

  • Avoid applying olive oil to young baby’s skin.
  • It is better to choose olive oil as a replacement to many animal fats and other unhealthy source of fats.
  • Make sure to do a patch test first to check you are not allergic.
  • Apply olive oil based cosmetic products to prevent the eczema and irritation.
  • You can also use olive oil in your cooking, as salad dressing and condiments.
  • Use ozonated olive oil like O2 – Zap that delivers oxygen to skin and stimulates the skin cells growth, moisturizes the skin and improves cellular function.
  • Generally, asthma patients are more prone to eczema.
  • Make sure to consult your doctor if you didn’t find any relief from the eczema after using these olive oil methods.

Other than these olive oil methods, you have to take proper skin care, have a healthy diet, try to reduce stress, have proper lifestyle habits, etc.

37 comments
  1. HI is it bad to drink olive oil .I hear it cures it from the inside out what are your thoughts.?

    1. It is not bad to drink olive oil, if it is 2 or 3 tablespoons per day. More amounts of olive oil is also not good for your health.

    1. Olive oil is high in oleic acid which makes some layer of the skin more permeable. Which means it lessens the skin’s capacity to lock the moisture. This makes the skin dry and worsens the eczema. So is better to avoid olive oil application for eczema in babies. You can try coconut oil instead of olive oil. For remedies related to olive oil for eczema, you can read in this article – http://wellness.guide/coconut-oil-for-eczema/

      1. I do not understand this explanation. If it does not moisturizer due the oleochemicals acid, then why is it recommended? I have eczema but I feel so much more itchy (and turns red)if I put olive oil on my face, when compared to the rest of the body, I have eczema both on my face and body, but it’s more severe on my face. I do not even feel like it gets absorbed into my facial skin. It just sits uncomfortably on top. Can you please explain further regarding the effects of the oleochemicals acid in adult with eczema?

    1. I drink 2 to 3 tablespoons of olive oil and coconut oil in the morning and at night for about two weeks. It was not always pleasant .
      However red patches that I had on my legs for over a decade have been gone for more than two years . I am a firm believer that these skin conditions are caused by bacteria in your intestines .
      Good health and good luck .

  2. I heard olive oil can repaire my eczema damaged skin, how long does it take to work and can I mix it with my cocoa butter lotion?

    1. It is very difficult to mention the exact time as everyone’s eczema condition is different. Yes, you can also mix it with cocoa butter lotion.

  3. Hi

    I have very fine rash all over my face and some greenish spots on my fore head covering the fore head, the derma said the spots were caused by hormes during pregnancu i’ve tried all sorts of oils expensive ones but nothing seems to help can i use olive oil will it help

    I’m using nivea even tone lotion on my face

  4. Hi my 8yrs son has fungal inections backside of head how can cure it can olive oil is helpful if yes how to apply

    1. Yes, olive oil is helpful in treating fungal infections as it contains anti-microbial properties. It soothes the irritation and inflammation caused by fungal infections.

    1. As per your comment we are not aware of the reason for dryness around the eye. Is there any specific reason why the skin has become dried?

  5. Hi my 28days baby son has fungal inections backside of head how can cure it can olive oil is helpful if yes how to apply

    1. Yes, olive oil contains antimicrobial properties, you can apply it on the infection. However, we recommend consulting a doctor to know the reason for fungal infection.

  6. Hi. I have Atopic Dermatitis on both my palms. I have been seeing many skin and allergy specialist in which I’m cleared of food allergy. Doc said most likely it is due to contact of detergents and exert the allergen. I have yet to do any patch test as it is costly. I’ve also been applying prescribed hand cream such as Ceradan, Cutivate, Protopic, Dermovate and they’re all very costly as well. I only see fantastic improvement when oral steroids and anti fungal medications are prescribed. Thereafter, it is back to dry skin and only way to keep it moisture is using the prescribe creams.

    I’m frustrated with the high cost of medication and would like to try natural ways to go about it until I came across this website. Which of the methods above are recommended for my condition as I know having eczema on the palms are irritating towards our daily chores?

    I’m also taking a teaspoon of extra virgin olive oil once a day in the morning. Is that enough?

    Hope to seek some opinion so that I don’t just rely on costly medication. Thanks.

    1. Yes, that should be enough to moisturize the affected areas. If you feel dry even after 1 teaspoon application of olive oil then you can increase it to 2 teaspoons as well.

  7. Hi, I am currently having allergies (which are not known for the cause) and eczema on my face, neck and at the back of the ear. I have met the doctor and i was given some cream and oral medicine. Yet, my skin will start to itch and rashes will appear after applying the cream. So, i was thinking of going with natural products. Can i mix the olive oil and coconut oil to apply on my skin?

  8. Hi. My 1 year 10 months daughter is having eczema around knees and bum area. Can I use olive oil on her skin??? Also is it ok to massage whole bodywith olive oil daily???

    1. Yes, it is safe to apply olive oil on babies. You can massage the whole body with olive oil however we recommend to do a patch test just to confirm she is not allergic to it.

  9. Hi, I have rashes on my bikini line area because of shaving. Can I just use extra virgin olive oil for this?

    1. Yes, it helps to soothe the flare up and reduce the inflammation. It will deeply penetrate into the skin lock the moisture and keep the skin hydrated. So, apply it regularly to keep eczema under control.

  10. I have excema on my face as well especially around the nose area on the left and also right side and on top of my nose. If i use Olive oil, do i need to wash it off after a while or should it be left on until it dries?

  11. Hello, pls the olive oil bath, can i put a few drops in my bathing water, and bathe with it and soap and sponge. Is it ok

  12. I am currently pregnant 28 weeks. I have developed a rashes on my belly. It is itchy and on and off burning sensation. Can I apply extra virgin olive oil on the rashes? How frequent should I apply it? Twice a day? Can I add on the olive oil from time to time in a days? Can i leave it on the whole day ?

  13. I have itchy red bumps on whole of my body but not face. I think its a type of infection and i have consulted a dermatologist and he gave me some oral pills and an ointment to apply but i don’t think it’s working. So please tell me what should i do?

  14. Hi can any of these treaments above fully cure the eczema if it is a mild form & is there no possibility this could make the eczema worse ?

  15. Hi I recently came across this method and I’m still a unsure on how to use it. Do I just rub the oil on the affected areas and then wash it off? Or can I just leave it on until it dries? Also, how many teaspoons should I drink everyday?

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