“I am reaching out because I am desperate to find something for my daughter’s skin. She is 10 years old … has severe eczema that seems to just keep getting worse.”
I get so many emails from readers asking me how to help soothe their eczema. I am passionate about natural skin care remedies, but I felt like I had zero authority to talk about soothing eczema with natural remedies. I’ve been reluctant to make recommendations because I don’t have it myself and can’t really test any results. Plus, eczema is often thought to be a body’s response to auto-immune irritants, and since I’m not a medical professional, I didn’t want to get involved.
Back in January my husband told me one of his employees would be emailing me with questions about green beauty. I was stoked because I love emails from readers! {Pssst: you can send me one through the Contact page.} But then Tonya’s email came and she was asking about help for her daughter’s eczema. I was honestly very hesitant to make any suggestions for obvious reasons. But I just couldn’t say no because her daughter’s story was so compelling. So finally I have a case study for you! Her initial email is below.
Seeking Help for Eczema
“I am reaching out because I am desperate to find something for my daughter’s skin. She is 10 years old so not needing makeup yet, but would love it if you know of something we could try or you sell to help her extremely dry skin. She has severe eczema that seems to just keep getting worse. All of the medical creams are loaded with steroids and other chemicals that cause discoloration of the skin. Her problem areas are her face and the back of her neck. This being said she is at the age where she does not want to be looked at differently. So she refuses to use the creams. Sorry this is so long winded just a mom looking for a different option other than the multiple harsh meds we have been using for the last 9 years. Thanks so much for your time.” -Tonya
I couldn’t NOT TRY to help a 10 year old girl that has been suffering most of her life, especially with those awkward teen years coming up in no time. My heart went out to this little girl and her mom trying to help. So I put on my big girl britches and made some suggestions based on the research I have been doing since the first reader asked me. This was my (lengthy) response.
Natural Remedies (and some disclaimers)
“Oh my goodness, bless your daughter’s heart! That must be so frustrating for both of you. I want to help you if I can, but first I need to emphasize to you that I am NOT a medical professional in any way. My understanding of eczema is that it can sometimes be triggered by an auto-immune issue, so I want to encourage you to always seek medical advice and approval of anything you plan to use on your daughter. Always read labels carefully to make sure it doesn’t contain any known allergens. None of this is meant to treat, diagnose or cure, because that is something only a doctor can do, per the FDA.I don’t have a recipe for anything quite like what you need without it being ridiculously expensive for you to make yourself, but I have a few suggested product ideas. Some of these are affiliate links, which means you don’t pay anything extra, but if you do purchase it, I make a small commission. These are all brands and products I use myself and only recommend because I am very pleased with the results I have personally seen. I don’t have eczema, but I have suffered from very dry skin for about five years now.Having said those important disclaimers, I have read some really wonderful things about Hemp Seed Oil helping soothe eczema symptoms and minimize it’s appearance. Blissoma is a company I use regularly for my skincare products and they make two different serums that contain Hemp Seed Oil. I have personally used their Restore Healing Serum, for my own extremely dry skin and it is phenomenal for that purpose. Blissoma also makes a serum called Flawless Healing Serum, which is geared towards acne sufferers, but contains an even higher concentration of Hemp Seed Oil. You can read the specific details on each of those products at the links and decide which you think is better for her needs. Unless she is just insanely dry, I would suggest the Flawless (even though I have not used that one myself) because of the higher hemp seed oil content. If you purchase from Blissoma, make sure you sign up for their newsletter so you can get free shipping on orders over $50, which you can do here.In addition to either of these I would strongly encourage you to use a non-toxic and very gentle cleanser on the area. Basically even something like Cetaphil (commonly recommended by dermatologists) still contains some nasty toxins that only aggravate really sensitive skin. Start with this one for Acure Organics Sensitive Skin Cleanser. It is really economical and completely non-toxic. You can buy it from Amazon at that link, but your grocery store or local target may also carry it (mine only carries their shampoo, but fingers crossed they will get more stuff soon).I really hope this helps your daughter. It is hard enough growing up as a girl without also dealing with something like this. Give her big hugs for me! Feel free to reply to this email with any more questions you have.” -Cajun
The Results
Then, I didn’t hear anything back. I just figured she tried it for a few weeks with no major results and went on to something else. I was bummed it possibly didn’t work, but what can you do? Then almost seven months later, I got another email from Tonya:
“Several months ago I contacted you as a last hope for my daughters eczema. I am so happy we found you. I could never thank you enough as life is hard on an 11 year old girl with skin problems and skin discoloration due to all the harsh treatments that we had tried and been prescribed. For the first time since my daughter was 2 she can enjoy the summer with normal looking skin. We have been able to stop all of the medicated creams and steroids that she has been on for the last 8 years. (Her doctors are aware and were supportive) At her last dermatology/immunology appointment even they were amazed at the results. Not only has my daughters skin cleared up but the discoloration of her skin has gotten better as well. My daughter is so happy these days and has enjoyed several summer camps. This has really boosted her level of self confidence and has allowed her to make many new friends. I just wanted to take the time to tell you all these things to say keep doing what your doing. Not only are you educating us on the effects of these chemicals your changing lives. Thank you so much. Lots of hugs your way.” -Tonya
Bottom Line: Hemp Oil Soothes Eczema
I am so stoked for Tonya and her daughter! Finally I feel like I have some hope for folks seeking a greener way and a natural remedy for soothing eczema. As with most things skin-related, this isn’t a “cure”. She will always have eczema. But Hemp Oil can help her keep the symptoms under control without the nasty side-effects of skin discoloration.
Many thanks to Tonya for giving me permission to use her emails and also thanks to Blissoma for such amazing products. This post is NOT sponsored in any way by them. Tonya and I just really love their products.
Hi Cajun,
You are doing a great Job, one of my friends is battling with eczema, i will sure suggest him to buy Hemp Oil.
Keep sharing, Thank you.
Hello Cajun!
This was a great story and I’m so glad to hear the hemp oil worked for your reader’s daughter. My son is three and he has some eczema on the back of one of his knees and a bit on the front of his lower abdomen. I wonder if this might be a good remedy for him being so young with sensitive skin?
Thanks again for the great info!
I can’t see how it would hurt! It contains only holistic all natural ingredients (including all natural preservatives). Here is a link to buy a sample: http://shrsl.com/l8hf
I don’t know if it will be enough to see if it works, but it should certainly be enough to make sure he had no adverse reactions before you buy a whole bottle. 😉
Hi,
I never thought of Hemp Oil as a remedy to soothe eczema. My friend is having trouble with her kid because of eczema. Her baby’s skin is dry and flaky. I’ll tell her to read this blog. I will bookmark this page as well.
Thanks Jenny! I hope it helps your friend.
Hi Cajun,
You are not only inspiring readers but you are also touching lives. I was really happy reading your blog. I hope you can help more people like what you did for Tonya’s daughter. This is an inspiring story. Beauty is not only on the outside but inside. Thank you for sharing.