If you’ve tried all sorts of store bought lotions and treatments for eczema and even tried DIY recipes found online, you may be feeling frustrated about their lack of effectiveness. It’s taken me a long time to get this recipe for a homemade eczema lotion just right. Now it’s time to share this beeswax recipe for eczema, loaded with healthy, natural ingredients.
This article updated with new research and data, March 2026.
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In This Article
Why did it take so long to figure out a good recipe, you ask?
Well, it wasn’t because the online recipes were bad, it was because each oil in the recipes affects people differently. The lesson learned was that no lotion works for everyone and each person requires their own tweaks to make it effective.
In 2024, alone, the FDA approved four new eczema treatments. The most recent studies demonstrate how complex the causes of eczema are — genetic, immunological, environmental, and microbial factors all play a role. Genetic research has identified over 118 genes linked to both eczema and psoriasis, and this very recent study helps to explain why so many cases of eczema begin in early childhood.
My sister has tried every known remedy for her son’s eczema, both natural remedies and pharmaceutical. He’s suffered from this since he was a baby. Eczema really is an enigma because there doesn’t seem to be a one-size-fits-all solution.
If you’re reading this article, you’ve probably already tried multiple eczema treatments, so how does one provide an effective eczema recipe for the masses?
The answer is simple: You don’t!
No one can claim their recipe or pharmaceutical drug is the ‘cure all’. So this article will not do that. Rather, it provides you with a basic recipe that you can modify to work for you. That’s one of the great things about switching from store-bought to homemade items.
This recipe is best suited for mild to moderate dryness and irritation, not a replacement for medical treatment, especially for anything beyond a moderate case.
The Basic Homemade Lotion for Eczema
You’ll notice this beeswax recipe for eczema allows for different types of oils. I’ll explain why each is beneficial. For my kids, I use equal parts olive, almond, and coconut oils.
Ingredients
This amount will fit perfectly into a wide mouth, pint size, canning jar. The mixing, melting, cooling, and storing is done in one jar, eliminating any kind of mess.
- 1-1/2 cups of oil
- 1/4 cup of solid beeswax (or 2/3 cup of beeswax pastilles)
- 2 Tbsp of butter (I use equal parts shea and cocoa)
- 20-40 drops of an essential oil (I use lavender)
- 1 tsp of Vitamin E (for preserving purposes only)
Oil Options
Almond Oil
This is a great oil for moisturizing, and it has anti-inflammatory properties.
Coconut Oil
This is the oil getting all the attention right now. Coconut oil is being hailed for having moisturizing, antibiotic, anti-fungal, anti-oxidant, and multiple-nutrient properties. It’s a good start as a base oil when doing a blended oil recipe, and has the benefit of being an oil you can store long-term without it becoming rancid.
100% Cold Pressed Olive Oil
This oil is as old as time. Olive oil has a well established reputation for assisting in repairing skin by neutralizing free radicals and stimulating cell growth. Can be used as the sole oil in the recipe.
Other Oils
This list is not an exhaustive list of oil choices. I have found that they are the most popular ones used. Do some research and pick other oils as options if the listed ones don’t work for you. The options are endless; just add it to the oil ratio.
In the experimental phase of trying this recipe, cut the recipe in half, so if the first combination you try isn’t effective, you haven’t wasted much money or time. The half-recipe looks like this:
- 3/4 cups of oil
- 1/8 cup of solid beeswax (or 1/3 cup of beeswax pastilles)
- 1 Tbsp of butter (I use equal parts shea and cocoa)
- 10-20 drops of an essential oil (I use lavender)
- 1/2 tsp of Vitamin E (for preserving purposes only)
The only suggestion I would make is to limit your blend of oils to a few. Even start off with using only one oil, then when making your second batch add the additional oil, and so on until you have found your perfect blend. This way you know what works and what doesn’t.
What the Research Says About Natural Oils and Eczema
Recent research has actually validated several of the oil ingredients in this recipe. Sunflower seed oil has been found to contain linoleic acid, which helps restore the skin barrier and reduce inflammation, and coconut oil has shown antibacterial and moisturizing properties that can help prevent infection and soothe dry skin.
Beeswax
The amount of beeswax can be increased slightly if a thicker lotion is desired. I have seen recipes that have used up to 1/2 cup of solid beeswax using the same ratio of oil called for in this recipe.
The recommended jar size is just right for the recipe above with only a small amount of room for additional volume. Modifications to the amount of oil may need to be decreased if the beeswax is increased by a substantial amount.
You can buy beeswax online, but be aware that the beehives it was harvested from were probably treated with one type of miticide or another. As beekeepers, we’re very aware of the impact varroa mites, in particular, can have on bees. So common mite treatment with Apivar, Apistan, and CheckMite+ can leave a residue in the wax. My recommendation is to find a local beekeeper who uses more natural treatment methods (only when necessary), and buy beeswax from them.
Butter Options
Make sure you buy the best quality butters and ones that are 100% pure. There are many products on the shelf out there that have additives and other unwanted ingredients.
Also, butters loose their effectiveness with age so buy a quantity that is appropriate for your usage. Any leftovers can be used in other beauty care products such as deodorants or as a carrier for your use of essential oils.
Cocoa Butter
This ingredient has the ability to neutralize free-radicals and prevent further damage. Cocoa butter is packed full of minerals and vitamins effective for assisting toward the healing of eczema.
Shea Butter
This butter has a slew of reasons you should consider adding it to your lotion. It is claimed that it aids in helping dry skin, itchy skin, cracked skin, allergic reactions on the skin, and repairing damaged skin.
Essential Oil Options
Chamomile
Chamomile oil works by calming irritated skin and reducing redness. Has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.
Lavender
Personally I use lavender because it is known for its antiseptic, antifungal, and pain relief properties.
You can get creative and personalize your lotions with essential oils. Just be sure to look up any side effects and potential health restrictions of any chosen oil before using it.
Directions For Making The Lotion
1. Fill a wide mouth canning jar with:
- 1 1/2 cups of your chosen oil blend
- 1/4 cup of solid beeswax (or 2/3 cup of beeswax pastilles)
- 2 Tbsp of your chosen butter blend.
2. Place canning jar in a pot, fill pot half-way with water, and place pot on medium heat.
3. Once the lotion has melted, remove the canning jar from water, and place it on a cooling rack. Stir the mixture occasionally as the lotion cools.
4. Once the canning jar has cooled enough to the touch, but not too cool that you are unable to stir easily, add 20-40 drops of your chosen essential oils and one teaspoon (or capsule) of Vitamin E.
5. Allow to cool, place lid on canning jar, and use as needed.
The best part — very little mess and very little clean up!
One last word of caution. This is an oil based lotion and is oilier than your store bought variety. Make sure it has absorbed well prior to putting any clothing on or it will transfer to your clothing.
Printable Recipe: Homemade Eczema Lotion
Homemade Eczema Lotion
Equipment
- 1 wide-mouth, pint canning jar
- 1 cooking pot
- 1 stirring spoon
- 1 jar lifter
Materials
- 1½ cups Oil blend Your choice
- ¼ cup Solid Beeswax or ⅔ cup of beeswax pastilles
- 2 tbsp butter blend Cocoa and Shea
- 20-40 drops essential oil your choice
- 1 tsp Vitamin E or 1 capsule (for preserving purposes)
Instructions
- Fill a wide-mouth canning jar with oil blend, beeswax, and butter blend.
- Place canning jar in a pot, fill pot half-way with water, and place pot on medium heat.
- Once the ingredients have melted, remove canning jar from water and place on cooling rack stirring occasionally as lotion cools.
- Once the canning jar has cooled enough to the touch, but not too cool that you are unable to stir easily, add 20-40 drops of your chosen essential oils and 1 tsp (or capsule) of vitamin E.
- Allow to cool, place lid on canning jar, and use as needed.
Notes
Oil Options:
Almond Oil
Great for moisturizing and it has anti-inflammatory properties.Coconut Oil
Hailed for having moisturizing, antibiotic, anti-fungal, anti-oxidant, and multiple-nutrient properties. It’s a good start as a base oil when doing a blended oil recipe.100% Cold Pressed Olive Oil
Has a well established reputation for assisting in repairing skin by neutralizing free radicals and stimulating cell growth. Can be used as the sole oil in the recipe.Other Oils
This list is not an exhaustive list of oil choices. Do some research and pick other oils as options if the listed ones don’t work for you.Beeswax:
The amount of beeswax can be increased slightly if a thicker lotion is desired. To still fit in a pint-size canning jar, modifications to the amount of oil may need to be decreased if the beeswax is increased by a substantial amount.Butter Options:
Cocoa Butter
Has the ability to neutralize free-radicals and prevent further damage. Cocoa butter is packed full of minerals and vitamins effective for assisting toward the healing of eczema.Shea Butter
Claimed to aid in helping dry skin, itchy skin, cracked skin, allergic reactions on the skin, and repairing damaged skin.Essential Oil Options:
Look up any side effects and potential health restrictions of any chosen oil before using it.Chamomile
Calms irritated skin and reduces redness. Has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-inflammatory properties.Lavender
Known for its antiseptic, antifungal, and pain relief properties.
Iwhere do you find all these ingredents like the beeswax, butters?
I get both my butters from my local health/natural food store. Find one that sells herbs and and it will likely also sell cocoa and shea butter and possible even the beeswax pastilles.
My beeswax I got from a local beekeeper in bulk so I have to melt it down and measure it out into 1/4 cup portions. I use little plastic, reusable, see through, Ziploc containers that have been marked at the 1/4 cup level. The beeswax then cools and pops right out to be placed in the canning jar.
For an easier solution to the beeswax you can order it from amazon.com. There is a link to them above in the article if you want to go that route.
I’ve been hearing about Argan oil but I don’t know if I could mix with this homemade lotion for my eczema.
I have been using a mix of avocado oil and argan oil with a bit of vit E as a preservative for my eczema. They are pretty light absorbing oils so I just rub it all over after a shower. Eczema outbreak free for about 6 months 🙂
Hi.. Iam suffering with my eczema too and I want to try to make my own lotion too.
Where can I find the beeswax, butter and shea butter?
Im from Philippines.
Thank you for sharing this. I hope I can get an answer from you.
Amazon carries these supplies, as does eBay. If they don’t ship to the Philippines, find an online store that does. I’m sure they’re out there.
Thankee Muchos for your respond. This is so helpful😊
What does the beeswax do for it? Just curious. I made a recipe for daughter where I used raw shea butter, coconut oil, lavender essential oil and tea tree essential oil, it seems to be working pretty well, its very hydrating. We just went to the dermo a couple days ago and she looked at me like i had three heads when i told her what i was putting on it…but it was soothing it and calming the itching…they advised us to use Cera Ve lotion and soap (bout 16.99 each) and gave us some more ointment of the same thing that she has been using for years that doesnt seem to help…so we are doing this for now..and i was wondering if the beeswax gave it some added benefit…i have never used beeswax in anything
Thank you!!!!!!!! My daughter reacted to many lotions and creams and I tried this recipe out and her eczema is looking so much better. We used bees wax, cocoa butter, olive oil, jojoba oil, & vitamin E oil.
what brands of essentials oils do you use? thanks.
I have mostly Young Living, which I’ve been buying for about 5 years. I’ve also purchased a couple of different brands from a health food store.
HI I am suffering from eczema too. Once i read your block i have try to make the lotion. I am wonder how was the texture suppose to be? Mine is quite watery so is hard for me to carry it out. Is there any ingredient i need to add to make it harder or creamy?
I just finished the recipe (first time). After it started to cool down, the texture changed from liquid to that of mayonnaise. I assume the beeswax must play a role in causing the lotion to be more creamy. Once it sets overnight, the texture might change.
Sorry your product came out runny.
Has anyone tried using oatmeal in this? Also has anyone used herbs instead of oils? My daughter is very fond of lavender,so I have buds pretty much all the time. If I can use them instead of buying oils I would prefer that
Vitamin E might be not just for preserving as some had great results with just putting straight vit E on the eczema. And it is used for burns as well.
Hi,
I just made my first jar of this for my 2 year old daughter who suffers from eczema. Is it ok to use this all over the body or just on the eczema? Also, is there anyway to make this less oily/sticky? We live in a hot humid weather here in India! I applied this on her skin after bath and waited for 10 minutes before putting on clothes, it still transferred on to her dress! Please help. Thanks!
Yes, you can use this lotion just as you would any other. 🙂
The honey is not melting; its just sitting at the bottom of the jar. Help?
I have been making my own body oil/lotion for years! Works better than anything I can buy in the store AND no chemicals! I’ve found that the beeswax does mainly 2 things, it thickens the mixture and wax helps form a barrier on the skin to retain moisture. Be careful heating the oils, if you use shea butter and get it too hot, it will go grainy. The wax melts at a much higher temp than the oils/butters, so you may want to start with just the wax. Lotion bars can be made from the same mix, just use a higher ratio of beeswax. I use simple rectangular molds for the bars and then store it in a travel soap container to keep in clean in your purse!
I would love to try this. My husband and grandson both suffer from eczema.
My husband is a bee keeper so I can get all the bees wax that I need. In fact I have some in bar form already so will that need to be melted down first? Also, when looking for the Shea and Cocoa butter do I need to get the raw form (chunky) stuff or is it more like a paste? (I’m not sure that is the correct term for it) Could you please post links to the butters that you use.
Thank you so much, I hope this gives my family members some relief.
Thank you! I am going to try this on my grand daughter!