Non-Toxic Anti-Itch Treatments For Itchy Skin
I’m sharing the 10 best non-toxic anti-itch creams, lotions, sticks and spray to reduce inflammation and calm the itch caused by minor skin ailments.
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When I was a kid, I remember being covered in bug bites and applying pink calamine lotion with a cotton ball, and it definitely had a distinct and strong smell to it. Luckily there are many more anti-itch options to choose from these days, and the ones I’m sharing below don’t contain harmful ingredients.
Let’s have a closer look at Caladryl Calamine Lotion, the exact brand that was in my medicine cabinet growing up.
- Fragrance- this can be a mix of chemicals that does not have to be disclosed. Fragrance is associated with allergies, dermatitis and respiratory distress, and can also disrupt hormones in the body.
- Methylparaben- Parabens are used as preservatives in skincare. Parabens are endocrine disruptors that can mimic estrogen and elevate your risk for cancer.
- Propylparaben- Propylparabens can disrupt the normal functioning of hormones that affect the reproductive system.
- Denatured alcohol- may be contaminated with phthalates.
Other Common Ingredients To Avoid
- Steroid Cream- Use of topical steroids has been linked to skin thinning (prolonged use), skin discoloration, systemic effects from absorption into the bloodstream and skin sensitisation.
- Antihistamine Cream- Watch out for parabens in antihistamine creams. I found them to be a common ingredient.
When it comes to using anti-itch cream, make sure to understand what is causing your skin to itch. If it’s an obvious cause, like bug bites, then proceed with treatment. However, if you have another skin condition like eczema or psoriasis, then you may want to make sure the ingredients in your cream won’t further irritate your skin. Some essential oils can cause a skin reaction, so spot test first before applying your treatment. If itching persists after a week or two, visit a medical professional.
Which Cream Is Right For You?
Here are some common sources of itchiness and what type of product will bring you relief.
- Dryness: Your skin may be itchy and irritated due to dry skin. Look for a cream or lotion that will hydrate your skin and lock in moisture. Typology Itch Relief Cream contains enoxolone and ceramides to relieve itch while also nourishing your skin.
- Psoriasis and eczema: Look for hydrating ingredients to help soothe and ease dryness. Again, Typology Itch Relief Cream works for these conditions since it contains enoxolone and ceramides to relieve itch while also nourishing your skin.
- Bug bites and other rashes: Use non-toxic anti-itch cream that contains ingredients that have anti-inflammatory and soothing effects. All of the anti-itch treatments below will work for bug bites.
- Poison Ivy: Quit Your Itchin’ Spray includes the active ingredient Jewelweed, which relieves pain and itching from poison ivy, stinging nettle, hives, and other skin irritations when applied topically.
How Should I Prepare Broken Skin For Treatment
- Wash the affected area first. Thoroughly wash the area with soap and water to avoid infection from bacteria entering through broken skin.
- Apply anti-itch cream or lotion to the affected area. Applying your non-toxic anti-itch product can help to alleviate the discomfort by reducing the inflammation around the area. All of the products below have anti-inflammatory ingredients.
- If necessary, apply ice. Ice reduces swelling and can alleviate the itching sensation.
- I don’t recommend applying itch relief treatment to open wounds or weeping skin.
Whether you have skin irritation from a bug bite, poison ivy or dry skin, the 10 non-toxic anti-itch treatments below will soothe the itch without harmful chemicals.
Badger
Badger Itch Relief Stick
Cost: $7.99 for 0.6 oz ($13.32 per ounce)
Highlights: More soothing, less scratching. Treat itchy skin with organic colloidal oatmeal and cooling menthol, while a calming blend of tamanu oil, beeswax, and coconut oil nourish and soften. Simple, clean ingredients + USDA Certified Organic + GMO-free.
Power Ingredients: 10% colloidal oatmeal, eucalyptus oil, menthol
Shop: Badger Itch Relief Stick
Kinfield
Kinfield Relief Balm
Cost: $18 for 1.4 oz ($12.86 per ounce)
Highlights: Give your skin instant relief from bug bites, itching, inflammation, or other minor irritations with this soothing vegan balm, packed with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant ingredients.
Power Ingredients: 10% Colloidal oatmeal, arnica, Indonesian Cajeput, Turmeric Butter, Eucalyptus oil
Shop: Kinfield Relief Balm
Sallye Ander
Sallye Ander Bug Repellant & After-Bite Cream
Cost: $14.95 for 2 oz ($7.48 per ounce)
Highlights: This cream-based formula repels bugs and relieves itchy, bug-bitten skin with soothing, moisturizing beeswax. Plus, it’s an all-natural bug repellent and is baby safe
Power Ingredients: beeswax, lemongrass
Shop: Sallye Ander Bug Repellant & After-Bite Cream
Typology
Typology Itch Relief Cream
Cost: $23.90 for 1.69 oz ($14.14 per ounce)
Highlights: Formulated for atopic, eczema-prone skin, this cream is a concentrated formula that’s packed with nourishing and anti-inflammatory ingredients. This formula is suitable for the whole family, including newborns, and is 99% naturally derived. This treatment helps reduce the intense itching of eczema flareups, while improving softness and suppleness. Dermatologically and ophthalmologically tested, high-tolerance formula.
Power Ingredients: enoxolone (derived from licorice root), bisabolo (extracted from chamomile), Ophiopogon Japonicus root extract (reduces inflammation and diminishes itchiness)
Shop: Typology Itch Relief Cream
Honest Beauty
Honest Chill Mama Soothing Jelly
Cost: $5.65 for 4 oz ($1.41 per ounce)
Highlights: Infused with calming aloe + cooling eucalyptus, this fast-acting jelly is a relaxing treat designed to relieve itchiness and help revitalize swollen ankles + feet when massaged into skin. This lightweight, cooling formula leaves skin feeling relaxed + moisturized.
Power Ingredients: aloe, eucalyptus
Shop: Honest Chill Mama Soothing Jelly
Motherlove
Motherlove Green Salve
Cost: $12.99 for 1 oz 9$12.99 per ounce)
Highlights: Formulated with organic herbs, this outdoor essential is packed with skin-soothing herbs to always have in your pack for the annoyances, the unexpected, and the not-so-welcome moments that sometimes come with outdoor fun.
Power Ingredients: Marshmallow root extract has anti-inflammatory benefits. Plantain leaf contains allantoin, which can soothe skin and promote cell growth
Shop: Motherlove Green Salve
Silver Moon Skincare
Quit Your Itchin’ Spray
Cost: $8 for 4 oz ($2 per ounce)
Highlights: The primary active ingredient in this soothing spray is a plant called Impatiens capensis, aka Jewelweed. It works wonders for poison ivy, insect bites and chiggers.
Shop: Quit Your Itchin’ Spray
Murphy’s
Murphy’s Bite Relief Balm
Cost: $6.33 for 0.5 oz ($12.66 per ounce)
Highlights: This stops the itch and reduces inflammation from bug bites. Natural soothing powers of key ingredients, like andiroba and eucalyptus oil, giving you quick relief and peace of mind.
Power Ingredients: Eucalyptus oil has anti inflammatory and analgesic properties, Chamomile oil helps with redness, itching, and irritation.
Shop: Murphy’s Bite Relief Balm
Quitch Bug Bite Relief Patches
Cost: $9.95 for 27 patches ($0.37 per patch)
Highlights: The patented hydrocolloid base along with aloe and witch hazel relieves the itch response naturally and is a chemical free insect bite treatment.
Shop: Quitch Bug Bite Relief Patches
All Terrain
All Terrain Ditch The Itch Cream
Cost: $12.75 for 2 oz ($6.38 per ounce)
Highlights: All Terrain‘s Ditch The Itch Cream is specially formulated to protect & help relieve skin irritations & Itching due to rashes, eczema, insect bites, poison ivy, oak, sumac.
Power Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, eucalyptus oil
Shop: All Terrain Ditch The Itch Cream
Bug Bite Thing
Cost: $9.95
Highlight: Removes insect venom, saliva, and other irritants left under the skin using suction. By removing the irritant, the body stops producing the reaction that is causing you to itch & swell.
Shop: Bug Bite Thing
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