Hand ointment against eczema and cracks - Cosmetic cookbook

Today I want to share with you a cream recipe that I created for my grandmother who suffers from eczema on her hands. When I recently shared on Instagram how I prepare the cream, I received a message asking for the recipe. And since eczema is a problem for many people, I decided it might make a useful article. Eczema can be different and different preparations, peels and processes can help you... This cream helps in our family, so hopefully it will help you too.

I created the recipe that I will share with you below one afternoon, when my grandmother came to visit us, saying that her eczema on her hands had gotten worse again. They were cracked to the point of blood, reddened… well, the horror! I was sorry that nothing really works for her, so I tried to do it myself... I went to the kitchen and from the supplies I have at home, I selected ingredients that are suitable for fighting eczema and started making. Although it was such a current trial-and-error idea, I thought we'd just try it and see.

We tried and there was an improvement! Phew!

In addition to the recipes from the Cosmetic Cookbook, I have a new recipe for you that I know works and a great example of how wonderfully versatile cosmetic ingredients are and how they have a wide range of uses. Because I didn't buy any of the ingredients I used with the primary intention of eliminating eczema.

As I wrote, this cream contains ingredients suitable for eczematous skin, which should not irritate... But since eczematous skin is already quite irritated, it is important to test the cream first on a small area of the skin, and only after you are sure that everything is fine , erase the necessary areas across the board.

What does the cream contain and why?

Black cumin oil (otherwise also black seed oil) is full of unsaturated fatty acids (up to 84%), vitamin E and other valuable substances. I started using it mainly because it is excellent for acne. In addition, it helps to calm irritated skin, heal minor injuries (wounds, abrasions...), is strongly bactericidal, antifungal, anti-inflammatory and antiviral. In cosmetics, it is used not only for acne but also for skin problems such as fungal diseases, atopic eczema and other eczemas, dermatitis, hives, psoriasis, etc. What is also interesting is the fact that it has proven itself very well for pollen allergies and hay fever. It is used externally in cosmetics, but you can also use it internally (for example, with allergies and colds, or with flatulence). I also love the interesting smell of this oil. The unusually high proportion of essences in this oil is its other specific feature.

I tested the fact that cumin oil works on my own (and other people's) skin, because it helped me with acne, my sister with dermatitis and my grandmother with a cream (see below) with eczema.

Calendula macerate (= base oil in which calendula is macerated) is especially suitable for treating sensitive (even baby), irritated, inflamed, dried, cracked and otherwise damaged skin, even after sunbathing. It is antibacterial, helps heal purulent and poorly healing wounds, fights acne and leg ulcers. You can make calendula macerate yourself by macerating calendula in a suitable oil, or you can buy it ready-made. In this case, I would definitely recommend buying ready-made for beginners and those who don't want to wait 3 or more weeks for the macerate to be ready. Macerates in shops mostly use olive, sunflower and soybean oil as a base. As always, it is advisable to buy raw materials from high-quality and proven manufacturers, but here I would emphasize this need even more.

Shea butter is a miraculous and versatile ingredient that I really like. It is rich in many vitamins and helps regenerate the skin, heal minor injuries, soothes, nourishes, softens, does not irritate. Suitable for all skin types, including very sensitive and children's skin.

Jojoba oil is very similar in structure to human sebum. Thanks to this, it is very well absorbed into the skin and provides the skin with the necessary substances. It is suitable for all skin types including sensitive, damaged, inflammatory and eczematous.

In addition to its aromatherapeutic effects on the mind, Patchouli essential oil is also great for its effects on the skin. It reduces the appearance of wrinkles and the symptoms of skin problems such as oozing eczema, psoriasis or fungus. In addition, it helps to heal wounds and cracked skin. It is antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic and antiviral. It is interesting that, similar to quality wines, this oil gains quality as it ages... Its aroma is very specific. some love her, some hate her. If you belong to the second group, know that this essential oil is still very useful.

The soy wax in the recipe ensures a sufficiently stiff consistency, and also creates a thin, invisible film on the hands that prevents moisture from evaporating from the skin - thus helping to prevent over-dry skin. I intentionally use soy wax in the recipe and I advise you to use it as well. My favorite is beeswax… I have access to it straight from the beekeeper, which is the best possible way to control the quality of the ingredients. Unfortunately, I don't have that with soy and I have to rely on the statement of the trader or the manufacturer... Even so, in this case, I advise using soy wax instead of beeswax, because beeswax, unlike soy, can cause allergic reactions. So far, I haven't met anyone who had a reaction to beeswax, but I wouldn't try my luck with eczema sufferers, small children and similarly sensitive people. So, rather soy in the cream...

Now you know what I decided to add to the cream and why... Let's get to it!

What will we need?

For 50 ml of cream

- 9 ml of cumin oil

- 9 ml of calendula macerate

- 9 ml of jojoba oil

- 20g of shea butter

- 3-5g of soy wax (depending on whether you prefer a softer or harder consistency)

- 15 drops of Patchouli essential oil - Latin: Pogostemon Cablin (Patchouli) Oil

Buy all ingredients of good quality - cold pressed oils and butter, and check the Latin name on the essential oil.

How to do it?

We will disinfect the work surface, packaging and utensils (ideally with 70% or stronger alcohol - you can get it at the pharmacy).

We weigh 20g of shea butter and soy wax into a heat-resistant bowl.

Place the bowl in a water bath and heat until the butter and wax melt.

Once the shea butter and soy wax are melted, add the oils (not the essential yet) and mix well - add the oils while the bowl is in the water bath as they are cold - they might cool the melted butter and make lumps. But as soon as the mixture comes together, immediately remove it from the water bath. It is desirable to heat only for the shortest necessary time, so that the heat does not destroy the valuable substances in the "cold" pressed ingredients we are talking about.

After weaning from the water bath, add the essential oil, mix and fill in the prepared container.

Let cool slowly for about 30 minutes. After that, you can, but you don't have to put it in the refrigerator to "harden".

Store in a dry place away from sunlight at room temperature, or in the refrigerator (but not necessary).

The product lasts for about a year.

Do a tolerance test before first use. Despite the fact that all the ingredients are soothing and suitable even for very sensitive skin, it is necessary to be careful. This cream certainly does not serve as a substitute for treatment prescribed by a dermatologist.

I hope the cream helps you as it helped my grandmother. If you also have a proven tip, I would be happy if you share it in the comments.

Maybe this will help other readers

Good luck, Anna

We thank Anička very much not only for a great and effective recipe that will surely help many people, but especially for the permission to publish her recipe on our website!