DIY Rash Cream with Aloe & Lavender - Dr. Axe

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DIY Rash Cream with Aloe & Lavender

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DIY rash cream - Dr. Axe

Rashes or hives, also known as urticaria, can be a little scary, especially when you are not sure what caused it. There are many types of rashes, but typically a rash appears as raised bumps surrounded by red skin. It may start as a burning sensation that then develops into an itch or even skin welts.

Numerous things can cause hives, such as an allergic reaction to medicines, insect bites, food, alcohol, exercise, laundry detergents and other household items, and even emotional stress. It usually goes away within a day or two, but can be very uncomfortable, and if not treated, it can cause infection due to extreme scratching. Hives and rashes affect about 20 percent of people at some point or another in their childhood or adult life. (1)

The great news is that if you treat it, you are likely to get rid of the discomfort of the rash fairly quickly. Interestingly, you can use a DIY diaper rash cream to treat it. Another option is to make a special and easy DIY rash cream with natural ingredients right at home.

So let’s get started!

Using a double-boiler (or you can use a heat-safe glass bowl that fits in a pan with a couple of inches of water), place the cocoa butter and grapeseed oil in the pan or bowl. Cocoa butter is an amazing ingredient because it has the natural ability to soothe irritated skin.

Meanwhile, the debate about whether grapeseed oil is a healthy food is still out there, in regard to ingesting it. However, it’s great for your skin because of its vitamin E and moisturizing fatty acids. Rashes can cause drying of the skin and that makes grape seed oil a smart ingredient. Keeping the heat on low, gently melt the two ingredients while stirring.

Next, add the aloe vera gel and blend well. Nature created a gem of a plant with the healing qualities of aloe vera, which dates back as far as 1935 with a study reporting the rapid relief from the itching and burning that aloe vera provides. 

Now, remove from heat and add the witch hazelbentonite clay and lavender. Witch hazel acts as an astringent fighting bacteria while helping to reduce inflammation. Bentonite clay is phenomenal due to its ability to draw out impurities and toxins, which can really help the healing move along much faster.

You will notice the mixture forming a paste as you add the bentonite clay. Continue stirring, adding the witch hazel to help achieve the desired consistency. It will produce a thick paste, like a mask, or you can make it thinner by adding a little purified water. Add the lavender essential oil, which is a favorite ingredient of mine because of the antimicrobial properties it contains. 

Place the mixture into a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid. This DIY rash cream serves another purpose, too. You can even use this as a mask on your face to help improve your skin and use as another great home remedy for acne.

For your rash, simply apply a thin layer of your DIY rash cream to the affected area twice a day. Allow it to dry for about 15 minutes. Then rinse or gently wipe off with warm water. With this amazing rash cream, your rash is going to disappear in no time!

DIY Rash Cream with Aloe & Lavender

Total Time: 10 minutes
Serves: 4–5 ounces

Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup cocoa butter
  • ⅛ cup grapeseed oil
  • 2 tablespoons bentonite clay
  • 2 tablespoons aloe vera gel
  • 10 drops lavender essential oil
  • 1-2 tablespoons witch hazel

Directions:

  1. Using a double boiler, place the cocoa butter and grapeseed oil in the pan and melt, while stirring on low.
  2. Next, add the aloe vera gel and continue to stir.
  3. Remove from heat and add the bentonite clay, witch hazel and lavender. Stir until well blended.
  4. Place into a glass jar with a tight-fitting lid.
  5. Apply to the skin twice a day, allowing it to dry for about 15 minutes.
  6. Gently rinse off with warm water and a washcloth.

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28 Comments

  1. Niav on

    I just made this with all brand new ingredients purchased at Whole Foods. As others have mentioned, it’s not mixing. The benzonite clay is clumped apart from the oils. I’ll try allowing it to cool and whipping it up once cooled as others suggested to try to solve the separation issue.

    It would be so nice if someone from Dr. Axe’s team would respond.

    Reply
  2. Carol Abney on

    I’ve tried to make this and once you add the clay it becomes mealy/clumpy. Then I added the witch hazel and the clay bound well with that, but not with any of the oil or cocoa butter. It seems the clay needs a water based liquid to blend with and will not blend with the oils. Other people have had similar comments about it becoming clumpy and not mixing. I hope someone sees this message so that you can adjust either the instructions or the ingredients. Thank you.

    Reply
    • Carol Abney on

      Follow up comment: I left the mixture (that wasn’t able to fully mix) and came back to it later. The oil had completely cooled. I was then able to mix it all together into the paste. So the trick seems to be that the oil and butter need to completely cool off. It might be helpful for others if you listed that in your instructions.

      Reply
  3. Taraza on

    This is amazing. My child had a unknown type rash and I made it. It was the only one out of 4 that I made that helped relieve the pain and itching.

    Reply
  4. Judy on

    Hi Dr. Axe, I tried to make this mixture, but it turned crumbly, like sand, when I put the bentonite clay in. It isn’t smooth, so it just falls off when I put it on…. I don’t know what went wrong, I had all the ingredients. Maybe the cocoa butter is old….. Any ideas?

    Reply
  5. Michelle on

    My husband has cancer and is taking immune therapy. One of the side effects is a very itchy rash on his body. Nothing seems to work including steroids, unless it’s a very high dose. I’m going to try this. Do you think it might work or do you have another remedy?

    Reply
  6. Laverne Crockett on

    I made the cream per instructions but it doesn’t stay on the skin area. I’ve tried adding more bentonite clay to stiffen it up, but it seems like all the oils don’t make a paste. Please help

    Reply
  7. Elizabeth on

    Doctor Axe
    I would like to talk to you about my face rash as it is very troubled and extreme. Doctors have diagnosed many things it might be but nothing for sure. I have found some supplements to help but nothing to get it gone. I am going to try your rash lotion recipe on this page but I have tried geranium and lavender oils by themselves and they didn’t help. I am hoping when mixed with other things that I will have better results. I would like to talk with you further about this face rash that tends to flair on its own..doesn’t seem to have a reason. My supplements help a lot but I am unable to completely get it gone. Seeking suggestions to a painful face rash. Thank you

    Reply
    • Sandy on

      Sounds like rosacea, which is a reddening of the facial skin sometimes with raised bumps. Rosacea makes the skin very sensitive to any substance, and it often feels like your face is sunburned, or on fire. If those symptoms further describe your rash, it may help you to know that there’s a ton of information out there about it. Try searching for rosacea and see if you find relief. BTW avoid the topical antibiotic creams the doctors will give you; they help a little, for a little while, but it’s not a bacterial problem. Rosacea is a systemic inflammation problem. Start looking there for answers.

      Reply
    • Angela on

      Try accupuncure and herbal supplements offerd by herbalists.That is how I curred my rash. I tried lots of meds &
      creams nothing helped until I went alternative therapies.
      I hope it will help you too.
      Angela

      Reply
  8. Jodi on

    This recipe didn’t work for me at all. I’m wondering what I did wrong. Am I supposed to let the melted oils completely cool before mixing the bentonite clay? It turned out looking like cooked hamburger with grease left in the pan.

    Reply
  9. Keri on

    Hi, I’ve just made this, but it’s not blending….I have the clay paste and oil mix and they just ill not blend together….any ideas would be much appreciated

    Reply
    • Gayle on

      Hi Keri. I’ve made a lot of recipes from Dr Axe’s DIY collection. I was thinking about making this rash cream myself, so I’m glad you said something. Try chilling the mixture til it gets a bit stiff, then whip it with a hand mixer. If that doesn’t help, try chilling & whipping another time or two. That’s what I would do.

      Reply

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