TL;DR: Herbal infused oil for eczema is made by soaking completely dried herbs—such as calendula, comfrey, plantain, thyme, or licorice root—in a carrier oil for 6–8 weeks. These oils can help moisturize and soothe eczema-prone or irritated skin and may be used as body oil, massage oil, cleanser, or a base for salves. Store the strained oil in a cool, dark place and use within about 3-4 months. 

If you have ever dealt with the itch and irritation of eczema, you know that finding gentle, effective relief can feel like a quest for buried treasure. But what if I told you that you could craft your own bottle of soothing comfort right in your kitchen? Today, we are diving into the beautiful world of herbal infused oil—nature's answer for happy, healthy, and moisturized skin!

What is Infused Oil?

Before we start mixing, let’s clear up a common question: essential oil vs. infused oil. While they both come from plants, they are quite different! Essential oils are highly concentrated, aromatic compounds usually extracted via distillation. In contrast, an infused herbal oil is created by soaking dried botanicals in a carrier oil for several weeks. This process allows the oil to gently "pull" out the plant’s therapeutic properties, such as their anti-inflammatory flavonoids and healing carotenoids, leaving the result perfect for herbal infused oil skincare.

What Herbs are Safe for Skin Oil Infusions for Eczema?

When crafting a herb infused oil for eczema, you want to choose plants known for their soothing and regenerative powers. Here are some of the best infused oil ideas for sensitive skin:

• Calendula Infused Oil: Often called the gold standard for skin healing, calendula infused oil for eczema reduces redness and promotes tissue repair.

• Comfrey Infused Oil: Known for accelerating cell regeneration–a powerful ally for healing cracked skin due to a compound called allantoin.

• Plantain Leaf Infused Oil: Renowned for its ability to effectively calm inflammation and alleviate the persistent discomfort of reactive skin flares.

• Thyme Infused Oil: Rich in antioxidants like thymol, thyme infused oil supports skin clarity and resilience while remaining gentle.

• Licorice Root: licorice is amazing for calming general facial redness and irritation.

What are the Best Carrier Oils for Herbal Infusions?

The carrier oil is the "vehicle" that delivers the herbal goodness to your skin. For herbal infused body oil, you want something that absorbs well without leaving a heavy residue.

How to Make An Herbal Infused Oil for Eczema at Home

Making your own herb infused oil is a lesson in patience and love. Here is a simple step-by-step guide to creating your own herbal infused masterpiece:

1. Prepare Your Herbs: Start with 2 to 4 oz of dried flowers or herbs (like calendula). If you rinse them, they must be completely dry before proceeding to prevent mold.

2. Fill Your Jar: Place the clean, dry herbs into a small, sterilized glass jar.

3. Cover with Oil: Pour your chosen carrier oil over the herbs until they are completely submerged.

4. The Slow Infusion: Seal the jar tightly and store it in a cool, dark place for 6 to 8 weeks. Shake it gently every few days to help the infusion along.

5. Strain and Store: After the waiting period, strain the oil through a fine-mesh sieve into a fresh, clean glass jar. 

6. Yay! Your herbal infused skincare oil is ready to go!

How Long Does Herbal Infused Oil Last?

Your homemade infused herbal oil is a fresh, natural product! Generally, it will stay fresh for about 4 to 6 months. To maximize its shelf life, store it in a cool, dark place or even in the refrigerator. You will know it has gone bad when it develops a rancid smell.

Getting Creative with Your DIY Herbal Infused Oil

Once you have your golden oil, there are so many ways to use it! It works beautifully as a:

• Gentle oil cleanser for reactive skin

• Soothing base for DIY aromatherapeutic skin oils 

• Nourishing base for a DIY "drawing salve"

• Moisturizing  massage oil for a relaxing gua sha routine

By choosing a whole-plant herbal infused oil, you are giving your skin a synergistic "entourage effect" that single chemical compounds just can't match. So, grab a jar, your favorite herbs, and start your journey to naturally comforted skin today!

At Ora’s Amazing Herbal, we believe in the power of whole plants. All of our moisturizer formulas, from our body oils, salves, to our body butters, feature a base oil that is a whole herb infusion into pure, non-GMO, cold-pressed, and solvent-free Italian grapeseed oil. Depending on the product, we carefully add organic calendula, comfrey, plantain, St. John's Wort, burdock, and thyme, or a blend of calendula and licorice. You can visit our Ingredients page to learn more about the individual herbs and the care that goes into creating every blend.

Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment.

About the Author: Dorothy Miguel is a licensed massage therapist, certified Chinese herbalist, and Chinese medicine specialist.  She graduated from Myotherapy College of Utah in 2010, then got her bachelor's and master's degrees from the Academy for Five Element Medicine.  She is the owner of Happy Cat Pain & Stress Relief in Tallahassee, FL. As a mom of two kids with special needs, she is passionate about helping busy moms recharge their internal batteries and become more resilient to stress.

About Ora’s Amazing Herbal: Ora’s Amazing Herbal creates natural, herbal infused skincare for the whole family. We strive to empower women through self care, one minute at a time (because let’s be honest, as moms- often a minute is all we have)! Our current line includes salves, powders, body oils, body butters, face oil serums, powder facial cleansers, beard & hair oils, lip balms, and herbal steams. We also have a natural baby care line which includes gentle newborn and baby salves, powders, and baby oil. We use high quality, non-gmo, fair trade oils and organic herbs to create skin care that is both pure and effective. Our products are crafted in small batches in New Jersey and are free from talc, grain, lanolin, chemical preservatives, synthetic dyes & fragrances, parabens, and animal testing. We also have a huge focus on sustainability, eco-friendly packaging, and kindness to the world around us. If you’d like to learn more, please check out our website: OrasAmazingHerbal.com.