With kids, skin irritations are a fact of life… especially during the summer when things like mosquito bites, poison ivy, and other insect bites can cause skin problems.
Don’t let the lack of pink fool you… this homemade natural anti-itch cream is an excellent DIY replacement for calamine lotion and works in a similar way to relieve skin irritations and itching. It contains all natural ingredients and can be mixed as needed for a soothing and effective remedy.
How to Make Your Own Anti-Itch Cream
If you already make some of your own natural remedies, you probably have bentonite clay, witch hazel, essential oils, and baking soda on hand. If not, I encourage you to build up a small stash of these items because you can make so many money-saving remedies that are just as effective as the ones you find in the store.
To take this anti-itch cream to the next level (and maybe make your own sunscreen while you’re at it!), you can add non-nano zinc oxide powder to this recipe. This isn’t something everyone has around, so feel free to skip it if needed. You’ll still get a great itch-soothing effect courtesy of the bentonite clay.
Longer-Lasting Option:
If you’d prefer not to have to make a small amount that must be used within two weeks, you can make a larger batch by mixing double or triple quantities of the dry ingredients and adding to the wet ingredients as needed for use. (Of course, if you’re using it for the dreaded poison ivy rash, you may want to make the large batch all at once!)
I store the pre-mixed powder in an empty spice container or small tin. When needed, I simply shake the powder out into a small bowl and mix it with witch hazel right before I need to use it.
Anti-Itch Cream Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 tsp non-nano zinc oxide powder (optional)
- 1 tsp sea salt (fine ground)
- 1 tsp baking soda
- 2 tsp bentonite clay
- 1 TBSP witch hazel (or water if using within a week)
- 10 drops peppermint essential oil (optional, cooling)
- 33 drops Leucidal Complete natural preservative optional
Instructions
- In a small bowl or jar, mix together the zinc oxide, sea salt, baking soda, and bentonite clay.
- Slowly stir in the witch hazel (or water) until it reaches a creamy consistency.
- Mix in the essential oil and preservative if using.
Notes
Other Useful Soothing Skin Remedies
- Keratosis Pilaris Exfoliating Cream (DIY Recipe)
- Eczema Relief Lotion Bars
- Bug Repellent Lotion Bars
- Itch-Stopping Natural Remedies for Poison Ivy
- My Natural First Aid Kit & Remedy Cabinet
This article was medically reviewed by Jessica Meyers, MPAP, PA-C, RH(AHG), who specializes in herbal protocols and functional medicine. You can also find Jessica on Instagram. As always, this is not personal medical advice and we recommend that you talk with your doctor.
Ever have skin irritation? What has helped you? Share below!
Hi there.. does the cream need to stay wet like a poultice? If not, how long do you leave it on the skin?
I find it works best to let it dry on the skin and then brush the excess off..
thanks so much! I like the way the salt feels on the skin.. kinda itches it for you as you are wiping it on haha!
I made it for a friend, she said that as it dried it was really messy!
Just a word of caution about intentionally exposing kids to chicken pox…It doesn’t guarantee you won’t get it again as an adult, plus there’s the possibility of shingles later in life (I know two people that got shingles at ages 25 and 26, so you don’t have to be elderly to get it! Just have a bout with a bad illness or a really stressful year while not eating very well will do it!) I had chicken pox as a kid and even got a titer blood test about 6 months ago that showed I had immunity to it, but at the end of march I came down with flu like symptoms and pain in my knees. After 3 days of it getting slowly worse, I broke out in raised, red, tender spots. Then my knees swelled up and I couldn’t bend them past maybe 10 degrees, nor could I straighten them, I could barely walk and had to cling to furniture to hobble to the bathroom. I went to the emergency room (at the recommendation of the urgent care I went to first) where I was given IV fluids for dehydration and told I had chicken pox and sent home.
It took about 5 weeks and an 8 day step-down course of prednisone for the inflammation in my knees to recover fully from that, plus the prednisone caused anxiety and heart palpitations for about 3 of those 5 weeks.
I realize this story may have the effect of encouraging some of you to expose your kids to chicken pox, as it will reduce the likelihood of getting it later (by a great deal) but just be aware that it is a double-edged sword.
I and siblings had chicken pox while living in Morocco when young and parents had to haul clean water for 50 miles for clean baths. I intentionally exposed my 3 boys and never regretted it. Eat well. Build immune system . I did not, will not vaccinate. ..shedding spreads shingles. among elderly and causing elementary age to get it…I would rather chicken pox than toxic chemicals and poisons injected. .I use and share organic (Young LivingI ) essential oils and also other natural means to protect and build. I had 1 quarter size patch (cultured) shingles on forehead near hairline 8 yrs ago and successfully used prayer, Oregano and Neem oil…amino acid Lysine internally fights herpes virus and works for both. Eucalyptus oil helps also.. and more…has helped others with worse outbreaks..
Currently helping a friend with excessive itching from poison oak in cellulitis… thanks for suggestions on itching salve! I refuse to recommend hydrocortisone cream…undermines the hormonal system…
My husband (30 years old) just got shingles and a lot of others who are “too young” have got shingles around here. I’m thinking this is why as well. I also was trying to get my kids to get chicken pox but no luck lol. I am going to make up some of this lotion right now and try it on his shingles.
It’s not just your children you’re affecting by not allowing them to get the vaccine. Vaccines are safe, proven and effective, by the way. Numerous doctors, scientists, and studies have proven this. Do not try to refute this or argue with me in any way. Facts are facts.
Vaccines also provide herd immunity that helps to protect the elderly, very young and immunocompromised which may not be able to receive vaccines, due to medical reasons, and are very susceptible to contracting these illnesses. With their health status they could have even more severe complications and potentially die from the effects of a typical childhood disease that your kid could bounce back from.
So unless you and your kids are going to live in a bubble and never see anyone else, you could unknowingly be exposing very vulnerable populations to dangerous diseases. Sometimes without even knowing, as children and adults can be contagious before showing symptoms. I’m sure you don’t want other people’s children to suffer potentially fatal complications because of your actions. Please reconsider your actions to not vaccinate!
Please reconsider your ideas to vaccinate. There are so many injuries every year. And the science is NOT there on the effectiveness of vaccines. One cannot just take the “proof” from those that have a monetary interest in selling vaccines. You have to seek out independent research.
Vaccines shed, it is proven .
My daughter had the chicken pox twice before she was 13 and it was due to not having it bad enough the first go around so luckily she had it again when young instead of when she was older.
Clueless u have been lied to. It has been proven and I Have seen proof with my own eyes Vaccines shed and they have given people I know SHINGLES. the MARRIED couple where 1 was vaccinated the other wasn’t, HE GOT SHINGLES right AFTER she got vaccinated.
what purpose does the zinc oxide serve?
Hi– I have zinc oxide at home….and it says french milled on the outside. Do you know if that is non nano? It says high grade, cosmetic quality (that never means much to me), french process… I just wanted to check before I added it in. Thanks!
It should be fine…
Thanks!
I have to get allergy tested and the week before you can not use any antihistamines or things like that. Benedryl pill or liquid, for up to a few days before, yes. Problem is, if one week is not bad enough, I have cancelled 2 times now and I am ready to go through the roof with the scratching and benedryl. I think I can make this and use it before they scratch me with the crazy nasty allergens test. I am sure I will even use it after. Because when I get the freak out allergy attack, even with the antihistamines in me. It’s then I start SLATHERING the cream on which only lasts a few seconds.
Maybe this will what I am after. Thank you!!!! Shannon
We have some friends who know some friends who have chicken pox right now and we’re always on the fence when it comes to intentional exposure. The mom whose children have it is open to us coming for a play date because she knows–it took years for her kids to finally get it. Her oldest is 13. This week is our window. We’ll see how it goes.
Good luck! My kids are 2 and 4, so gonna wait a bit before I try that. May be pretty bad though since my husband never had it 🙁
Thank you so much for all your hard work and beautifully simple presentation of such helpful information! I am wondering about this recipe–what is the function of the zinc oxide? I know it says “optional” but I would like to know what bene
fit I might be missing if I leave it out. Thanks!
good question – wondering the same thing myself
Zinc oxide is a moisture barrier (for that reason it’s frequently an ingredient in diaper rash cream). It may also work as a sunscreen.
I just had a quick question… do you have to use bentonite clay or could you substitute french green clay?
French clay would work too…
Okay, thanks for getting back to me! Hope this will help my husband as we’ve tried dozens of things to no avail.
Also, I love your site. I discovered it a few months ago and have really enjoyed going through all of your postings! Thanks again! 🙂
I just found your site a couple days ago, and have been devouring all the information! I so appreciate the effort and research you’ve put into each and every one of your articles and recipes.
I’ve had moderate eczema my whole life that I an usually keep under control with an allergen-free diet (gluten, dairy, egg, and soy) and healthy oils and butters (coconut, Shea, and jojoba). I’ve recently had the worst outbreak I have ever had, and have been dying from the itch. I’m going to make this!!! Any other ideas you may have for supplementation diet would be much appreciated!
Awesome recipe.. I’ll have to check it out. My sister keeps on having rashes for I’m not sure what reason. I hope this helps
My RA (Rheumatoid Arthritis) started with rashes.
Oh my gosh! Just last night my husband returned from his deployment. He had a reaction to our soap (we use Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint soap) when he shaved his chest. He has sensitive skin and I guess the combination of our hard water and soap he hadn’t used in a while just made him itch like crazy. We tried every oil and lotion in the house. Vitamin E oil, coconut oil, shea butter, even aloe vera. Nothing lasted more than a few minutes. Finally I found some presciption Hydrocortisone cream and that worked for a few hours. I just hated to use it because he was obviously hugging me and our kids a lot. Thank you so much for putting this up! I’ll go make a batch now and let you know how it goes!
Hope he feels better soon!
He is! I made it for him right after reading this and he said it worked just as well as the Hydrocortisone cream. Thank you so much!!!!
Yay! So glad it helped…
Works with poison ivy too! I’m not allergic, but the kids apparently are. Some had started creeping over the fence and they started pulling on it yesterday. Still had some cream leftover and it worked great!
Hello! I just have one question… If, for example my hands feel itchy from time to time, should I apply the cream on the whole hand? Or just on the spots where it itches?
Can I use this all over my baby for hives? We found out he was very allergic to our dog and although we rehomed her it’s going to take time to clear all her hair and dandruff from the house. He also struggles with severe eczema but it seems that is improving and it’s mainly just hives bothering him now. I’ve tried lots of things, store bought and homemade, and they help with the dryness he has but not the itchy red bumps. Thanks!
Comfrey is an awesome herb for irritations.