Once upon a time, there was a hobbit who needed some homemade skin cream. He didn't live in a hole in the ground. Rather, he lived on a farm.
But that's not the point.
The point is the hobbit himself.
Our little hobbit (and by little, I mean 4 lbs. 14 oz. at birth) is over a year old now, but naturally, he's still my baby. And he will continue to be for approximately the next sixty years – give or take. There's something about this little man that just tugs at my heart strings desperately. So a few weeks ago, when he was struggling a bit with red, itchy, dry skin, it hurt that ‘ol heart of mine.
I know. I know. A little bit of red, itchy, dry skin is very small on the scale of world problems. Get some perspective, Shaye. But still, as his Mama, I found myself wanting to fix it. Wanting to cure it. Wanting to take it away.
It wasn't bad enough that it was causing him to itch or scratch – but the patches of dry, scaly skin would get red and irritated at times (particularly after a warm bath). There was one patch, in particular, that I'd been battling for a few weeks and it just wouldn't go away! Even with steady applications of coconut oil AND a cream from our naturopathic doctor.
I started to think:
– Was he allergic to milk?
– Was it my laundry detergent?
– Was he having a reaction to something he'd eaten?
Over the next few weeks, I began to introduce more probiotics in his diet via homemade sauerkraut, kefir, and kombucha. I figured it couldn't hurt – right? And after that, I did what most Mamas do. I lay awake at night while the rest of the house was sound asleep and snoring, wondering what I should try next. I told myself I'd give it one more shot before taking him into the Doctor.
And I'm so glad I did!
Because I found the creme de la creme. The Mac Daddy. The jackpot. The homemade skin cream of champions.
It took a bit of research, but I finally settled on a combination of shea butter and essential oils to encourage recovery in the hobbit. And here's why I used what I used in this homemade skin cream:
Shea butter: A tried and true moisturizer that heals the skin wonderfully. It is rich in Vitamin A and mimics the natural moisturize produced by our skin.
Geranium essential oil: One of the best skin care oils, promoting stability and balance.
Cedarwood essential oil: Used for centuries to help encourage recovery in skin conditions.
Lavender essential oil: Generally noted for aiding in skin care as it promotes regeneration and circulation.
To learn more about what essential oils I recommend, CLICK HERE.
Soothing Skin Cream
You will need:
– 1/2 cup shea butter
– 20 drops geranium essential oil
– 30 drops cedarwood essential oil
– 20 drops lavender essential oil
Simply mix all the ingredients together in a small jar like so…
Look at you go! You're an soothing skin cream makin' fool!
I've only been giving the little hobbit two baths per week. Each night before bed, I've been slathering him up in this soothing skin cream – head to toe. It's actually quite cute when I do it – he lays there, stiff as a board and totally still. I think he likes the massage. But who wouldn't love a full body massage? Sign me up!
Sorry. Was that too much information?
Ahem.
Regardless. I'm happy to report that after only THREE APPLICATIONS Owen's skin is SMOOTH. I was blown away! Or, in order to let you know how exciting I really was, I'll say it like this: I WAS BLOWN AWAY!!!!!!!!
Even Stuart, who is a slight skeptic of essential oils, couldn't believe the difference it had made. Owen had smooth, calm skin in less than four days. Granted, his case was very mild, but even still – what sweet relief it offered to the little one!
I'll always keep a batch of this soothing skin cream on hand. It's one more fantastic thing to have up our sleeve!
One of my favorite parts about this soothing skin cream is how inexpensive and easy it is. I'm thankful it's possible to approach some of these smaller issues with just a little bit of creativity and willingness to try new methods.
And of course, it's important to thank the Ultimate Healer who watches over our little one and cares for even the smallest of skin ailments.
Amanda
I’ve been using melaleuca alternafolia and lavender mixed with water to clean Lucy’s bottom followed with coconut oil for diaper rash. I may be a believer in essential oils now, haha!!
Dottie
Does the Shea Butter need to be unrefined for this to work?
Tanya Gutierrez
Thank you! I can’t wait to try this on my daughter!
Sara L
I’ll have to make some for my husband
Bekka
I just made some of this for a friend! It smells great and my skin feels really smooth now. Thanks for the recipe!
Audrey G
The shea butter is hard, did you warm it first?
bonnie mitnick
i mix powdered fenugreek seeds with some water to make a soft paste.
then i rub olive oil into my hair. then I rub the fenugreek paste on my constantly itching flaking scalp. the itching stops immediately, while the paste is on. i put on a scarf, and sleep with it, and wash it off in the morning. the smell of fenugreek stays, but the itching and flaking is reduced very much.
Ashlea
It seems like a lot, but I do a lot of soap making and lotion making and it’s really not. I double checked these essential oils and up to 5% of the total is acceptable for both lavender and geranium and there is no restrictions on cedarwood for use in baby lotions. Hope this helps!
sophie lee
Hi, Does anyone know how long this will keep? Thanks!
Mary
If she’s using the EO pictured, from NOW, she can use that much of it bc NOW EO are already diluted in carrier oils.
Georgia Beckman
And every mother (or grandmother, in my case) on the face of the earth SANG OUT THE HALLELUJAH CHORUS!!!!!!!!!! I have lavender on hand but need to order the other 2 oils & the shea butter. THANK YOU!
Terianne
Wondering if I used the same EO in coconut oil. Thoughts?
Shaye Elliott
Worth a try! I like shea butter because it’s less greasy.
CP
Yes, coconut oil is my carrier oil of choice.
Faye
What’s a good source for shea butter?
Courtney
Hi!! Thank you for the recipe 🙂 I have two questions: 1) what kind of Shea butter do you prefer? 2) my LO is 19 mos, what amount of EO do you suggest for her?
Christine
I just got all my ingredients to try this, but the shea butter is crumbly, kind of more like a pie crust/play-doh consistency. I’ve never used this stuff before, but for some reason, I imagined it to be more creamy as in your picture. Is there something wrong with my shea butter?
Shaye Elliott
Warm it up – it should be fine!
Winona
I have seen question but no answers but I’m going to ask anyways…and hope…I went to get cedarwood and there are multiple kinds (Virginian, Texan, Chinese, Atlas, and Himilayan). Also I really like the smell of tea tree, would that make the recepie no work???
Shaye Elliott
I use Texan, I believe. A small bit of tea tree would probably be fine but it can irritate skin, so use sparingly.
Winona
Thanks. It works great…my co-workers love it.
Shaye Elliott
I’d just leave the cedar out!
Shaye Elliott
I primarily get mine from a local health food store that carries it.
Shaye Elliott
Go for it, Jill! Glad it worked for you!
Shaye Elliott
I’d leave it out and try it like that first before adding any other essential oils.
Shaye Elliott
Brenda – I don’t. Too many regulations in that 😉
genie
What regulations are you referring to? I’ve contacted our county officials and they said there are no regulations regarding the production of personal care products, like deodorants or shaving cream, for the small/tiny business. And also the feds also have no laws. Just curious if you knew something that my tiny town officials didn’t. Thanks!
Roxy Mills
I use all organic ingredients.
Kate
Cocoa butter works amazingly as well!
Hong
Tacha-
Can you please provide me with the recipe that you used?
mireya
Hi where can i order these ingredients? Thanks
Anne-Émilie Gold
Hi Miranda, When you say 3 drops of oil per 1/2 oz carrier for a child, does that mean 3 drops of each oil, or 3 drops of oil total? In this case we are making this recipe with 4 oz shea butter and three different essential oils. Do we put 24 drops of each oil into the butter, or 8 drops of each oil to amount to the 24 drops? Thank you!
Julie
I am pretty sure she means 24 drops total, so 8 of each oil. That is what I am going to try! 🙂
Shaye Elliott
Yes, coconut oil will work! And I agree. I’d try less EO.
Kristen P.
I’ve tried just coconut oil on it’s own and it’s not enough for my girl. I’m getting pretty frustrated trying to figure out what EOs won’t make her break out or if I should just do a mix of coconut oil and shea or what. But if EOs have benefits, I want to find one that works for her. Gah!
Jill
Caution for children with nut allergies! Shea butter is a tree nut and can aggravate some kids. Try cocoa butter or coconut oil. Coconut is actually considered a fruit (though some tree nut allergic folks still can’t tolerate it).
Can’t wait to try your combo.
Cynthia
Eczema is absolutely caused by an allergy. My ds’s was caused by oats & removing them from his diet cleared it 100% launching my research into it. Simply treating the symptom is just putting a bandaid on a bigger problem. If the eczema persists, i would definitely seek the advice of an allergy professional (naturopathic, traditional, or otherwise). Thanks for sharing the recipe though. All sufferers need help calming a flare-up.
jena miller
My 2 yr old has terrible eczema. He itches and scratches
24/7. We saw a dermatologist, and used steroid creams
For a brief period. I even had him allergy tested. It showed
nothing. I started him on a probiotics and a liquid
Omega oils supplement, and have been using unrefined
coconut oil. It helps some, but he is still itching like crazy
and his skin looks terrible. I am getting the ingredients for
This cream and praying it works. I would appreciate any other
Input you have to help my son.
Adriana
Did it work?
Lilly
My 3 year old son has been battling eczema since he was 3 months old. We’ve also been seeing dermatologists and allergists and prescribed steroids and store-bought moisturizers. . All work temporarily but the eczema always comes back!
I want to try out this recipe, but I was wondering, is this safe for everyday use? And if so, can this be applied as often as possible? Do you think it’s safe to use everyday on my 2 month old too?
Thanks!
Shaye Elliott
Yes, it is – though I would dilute it down to 1/3 of what it calls for on the oils for the little one. Start low on dosage and up it as necessary. Get the best oils you can – it really makes a difference. Hopefully you won’t have to use it for too long because it WORKS!
danielle
my daughter has a peanut allergy and allergist asked us to avoid all nuts – because of this we can’t use shea butter. is there something someone can recommend as the base instead of shea butter?
Shaye Elliott
I still use the same amount. I haven’t tried coconut oil because I’ve had such great results with shea butter.
Leslie
I tried a batch with coconut oil and it was very loose and oily. It worked — use it for my heels — but it’s not as solid as the shea butter. When I’m giving this cream as gifts, I definitely use the shea butter.
Shaye Elliott
I’d just leave it out, Carli!
Janelle
is this ok to use on a 2 yr old? or is it too strong?
Shaye Elliott
I used this on my 2 year old!
Shaye Elliott
You can lessen the amount of oils and try it to make sure his skin doesn’t have any reaction to it at all!
Jamila
Thank you for posting this!! My 4 month old has it on his face. When you used this, were you ever concerned with your baby rubbing their hands in their face after you applied the mix then putting their hand in their mouth?
Leslie
I’m commenting a year after you shared this recipe, but it’s to tell you how FABULOUS this cream is. I made up a large batch last year and divided it up in jars as gifts. I knew some of the folks would be hesitant to try a homemade cream … and I didn’t expect to hear back from them for a few months. Sure enough … long about July I began getting comments about how well this cream worked … and in October I got hints that folks wouldn’t mind getting a repeat gift this year. LOL One friend just came out and said that it was the one gift she was really looking forward to. So I’m brewing up another batch, printing off labels, and tucking this wonderful cream into stockings and Christmas baskets. Thank you, Shaye, for all that you do to nudge us closer to a better, more traditional lifestyle. And blessings on you and your family this Christmas season.
Tina Hood
I am allergic to trees, so I’m guessing I’ll be highly allergic to the Cedarwood Oil — I’m highly allergic to Tea Tree Oil.
Do you think the cream will be effective without that Cedarwood Oil?
Shaye Elliott
Yes, I would avoid the cedar wood. It will be effective without it.
Kim Lambdin
That was my concern. I’m going to try the recipe at the suggested and diluted.
Shaye Elliott
We have used it on our face with no problems!
Jen
My son is 3 months old and it’s really really bad on his face. His cheeks are completely red and wet cause it’s oozing out everywhere. Would this be safe for me to use on him ?
Shaye Elliott
Yes.
Shaye Elliott
So glad to hear!
Cyndi
How much of each ingredient did you use to make your lotion?
Shaye Elliott
I think it would totally be helpful. E-mail me for more info.
Ina
I use this concoction for eczema on my hands and neck and it is the only thing that really works!
Steroid cream is way to harsh, store bought eczema creams make it feel a little better for a little while but wear off quickly and don’t help it heal. Coconut oil doesn’t cut it.
But this stuff was a GOD SEND! I got a big patch on my neck right before ny wwdding! Byr this stuff had it cleared up without a trace in just a few days!!
This is my most important health care product. I never run out. That just isn’t allowed.
Thank you SO much!
Melanie
Shaye, thank you so much for posting this recipe. I started using it probably shortly after you posted it, and have been eczema free since. I had severe dermatitis covering both legs from knee to ankle. It was awful, and I had tried everything, so I thought. This was the fix! It’s now my go to recipe to share with friends who are battling eczema, yet knowing everyone is different and reacts differently, so results aren’t always the same. But it’s always worth a try! Thanks again!
Shaye Elliott
So glad!
Stefanie Williams
My son calls this his “itchy cream.” It made all the difference for him. I’m making another batch for the dry winter months, but for the most part his skin is completely healed. Thank you for sharing it!!!
Shaye Elliott
So glad it’s working well for him!