When you have an itch, nothing else matters. That itch must be scratched. Immediately. Sure, you can try to will yourself away from the inevitable, but you’re pretty much setting yourself up for a few minutes of itchy torture.
Whether your itch is from a bug bite, skin allergies, very dry skin, medication, or so many other reasons, that persistent feeling can start to interfere with your quality of life. If that sounds dramatic, just think about the last time you got a cluster of mosquito bites on your ankle. Suddenly everything you’re doing is accompanied by that annoying, nagging feeling to reach down and scratch. Sitting in on a meeting? Itchy. Making dinner for the family? Itchy. Sleeping? You may be too far in dreamland to realize it, but you’re still itchy! Sometimes even waking up to a worse issue since you’ve been unknowingly scratching in your sleep.
So what can be done?
Well, there are plenty of over-the-counter medications designed to help stop the itch, but if you’re looking into more natural remedies, aromatherapy is a great option. Let’s get right to it and talk about some of the best products Plant Therapy offers that can offer you some relief from that dreaded itchy feeling.
Helichrysum Hydrosol
When your skin is feeling uncomfortable, reach for a hydrosol. This gentle and natural product is a great first place to turn to when you are itchy. They’re cooling (since they are stored in the fridge), great for all ages and skin types, and require no mixing, measuring, or guesswork. Just spray it on!
Helichrysum Hydrosol is especially great to help reduce the itch. Spray it on the area or add some of the hydrosol to a cotton round and apply to the skin. Hydrosols can even be used on babies, making it the perfect choice when your little one is suffering from a bug bite or rash.
The Original Organic Healing Balm
We just can’t talk about this product enough! Like hydrosols, it is gentle enough for babies, but tough enough to tackle a wide range of skin issues, including itchiness. It’s moisturizing, while also leaving behind a bit of a barrier to help protect the skin. You can use it alone or use it to dilute essential oils if you find you need a bit more strength to deal with the itch.
Learn more about our amazing Healing Balm (and the rest of the Balm Squad!) here.
Apricot and Sunflower Carrier Oils
Before I dive into Apricot and Sunflower carriers specifically, I would like to mention this caveat. As with just about everything else having to do with aromatherapy, we all have our own unique interactions with certain products. While the two carrier oils mentioned are fantastic for itchy skin, they are surely not the only ones. In fact, if you’ve experienced success with other carriers, let us know in the comments! Your suggestions may be just what someone else needs.
However, especially if you’re new to carrier oils, both Apricot and Sunflower are great places to start when trying to alleviate itchy skin. Apricot is particularly rich in vitamin A, which is known to encourage healthy cell production. How does that help itchy skin? Well, it strengthens your bodies natural barriers and protects your skin from harmful irritants that attack the surface. It’s a great choice when your itchiness is a consequence of bites, poison oak or ivy, or other unwanted environmental irritants.
Sunflower Carrier Oil is not only rich in vitamin A, but also vitamins B, D, and E. Plus, it also contains lecithin, which helps to restore skin’s moisture, and unsaturated fatty acids. This makes it a wonderful nourisher and soother for the skin.
Check out A Deep Dive into Carrier Oils if you’re interested in learning more about them!
Olive Lotion
Wonderful for irritated, itchy skin, our Olive Lotion is enriched with the benefits of Apricot, Olive, Grapeseed, and Coconut oils. Not only is it nourishing, but it makes a perfect lotion to blend with essential oils since it is unscented. And what essential oils should you use when battling the itch? Here are a few suggestions of EOs with some awesome itch-relieving power!
Aloe Jellies
Soothing, cooling and incredibly hydrating, Aloe Jellies are a hidden gem. Try applying Lavender Aloe Jelly to your skin right after a shower, especially right after shaving, to help soothe and hydrate irritated legs.
Don’t forget the roll-ons!
Not every situation is ideal for busting out the lotion or carrier oils, then dropping in the EOs. Sometimes, you just want a quick answer for an itchy problem! In those cases, we have some pre-diluted roll-ons that are perfect. They are already safely diluted and ready to use as-is, meaning less effort from you. They’re also small enough to take with you in your purse or toss in a backpack so you’ll always have them handy. Try these suggestions for some relief:
Hopefully, after reading this you can walk away with some great idea on how to help itchy skin. Don’t forget that you are always welcome to reach out to our team of aromatherapists at aromatherapist@planttherapy.com for more information. Or, become a member of our Safe Essential Oil Recipes Facebook group, which is always packed with great information and awesome oily lovers!
By Katrina Scampini, Certified Aromatherapist
