Neem Balm Recipe for Eczema and Psoriasis
A whipped balm that melts on contact with your skin. It's made with nourishing oils, including neem oil. Neem can also work as a natural corticosteroid, helping stop itching and inflammation. This recipe makes one 4.8 oz (142 ml) container of homemade neem balm and includes a full DIY video at the end. Use the recipe toggle to scale the batch size up.
Servings 4.8 fl. oz
Cost $20
Equipment
- two stainless steel pans (one able to fit inside the other) to create a double-boiler
Ingredients
- 1.41 oz shea butter 40 g
- 1.06 oz cocoa butter * see note for beeswax / 30 g
- 1.06 oz sweet almond oil 30 g / or olive oil, grapeseed oil, or sunflower oil
- 0.7 oz castor oil 20 g
- 0.35 oz neem oil * 10 g
Instructions
- You'll begin with two stainless steel pans—one small enough to fit comfortably inside the other. Half-fill the larger pan with water and bring it to a simmer. Turn the heat down to medium.
- Measure the shea butter, cocoa butter, castor oil, and sweet almond oil into a small stainless steel pan. Float this pan inside the pan filled with hot water.
- Stir and break up the oils as they melt. When they are fully liquid, pour the oils into a small mixing bowl and place it in the freezer for five minutes.
- After that time has passed, the oils will be slightly thick and opaque. Spoon or pour in the neem oil, then, using a whisk, beat the mixture until it's creamy and glossy.
- Spoon the finished product into a glass or stainless-steel container with a lid. A silicone spatula works well in getting all of the balm inside.
- The balm can be used after one day. At that point, the consistency will be firm but still scoopable. This product has a one-year best-by date, but please finish the product within six months of beginning use.
Video
Notes
* You can replace up to half of the cocoa butter with beeswax for a more solid neem balm. Beeswax can also help lock the other ingredients into your skin for longer lasting effect.
* This amount of neem oil can create a strong-smelling and acting balm. If you'd prefer, you can reduce the amount by half to mask the smell and create a gentler product.
Some people may show sensitivity to neem oil, so please do a skin patch test to ensure it's right for your skin. Used on the skin neat, it's possible that it can cause contact dermatitits.
Please also avoid using neem oil if you are pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant in the immediate future.
The video shows using vitamin E oil and lavender essential oil to make this product. I no longer recommend the essential oil since it can trigger eczema and psoriasis flare-ups in some people. If you do not react to lavender essential oil, you may wish to use it. You can also add the vitamin E oil shown in the video, but it's completely optional.
If you prefer to purchase neem balm instead of making it, I offer a product available within the UK, Channel Islands, and Isle of Man.