For those just learning it,Skyrim’s alchemy system may seem a little intimidating. With dozens of ingredients each bearing four effects, it can be tricky to learn how to optimize one’s potions. The best recipes are the ones that can achieve more than one buff, but sometimes, a detrimental effect gets accidentally caught up in the mixture.
To help players get started, here’s a list of some of the best potion recipes players can whip up inSkyrim.Each of these mixtures boasts multiple effects that complement each other, has no negative effects, and can serve the Dragonborn in plenty of different scenarios. All the mixtures listed below are beneficial to the drinker — to harm enemies through alchemy,check out this guide to devastatingSkyrimpoisons.
Updated July 03, 2025, by Demaris Oxman:Skyrim’s Alchemy crafting system continues to fascinate players over a decade after the game’s release. The game’s Anniversary Edition revitalized the player base with the addition of free Creation Club content. Among the quests, features, and items added, several new alchemical ingredients came to Skyrim for the first time in the Creation Club update. Some of these ingredients could even create potions with effects that were not present in the base game. To give Dragonborn alchemists a head start in experimenting with these new ingredients, this list has been updated to include more information on what each potion’s effects do.
15Snowberries + Spriggan Sap + Blisterwort
Effects
A Dragonborn looking to buckle down for a crafting session should chug this potion, as it provides the Dragonborn with increases to two handy crafting skills. Not only are these effects valuable, but they also work well with each other.
Applied enchantments will be more powerful, and weapons and armor will be improved to a greater degree. This will allow the player to craft stronger, more powerful gear to keep them alive in Skyrim’s harsh landscape — or to sell for a few extra gold.
14Ashen Grass Pod + Pine Thrush Egg + Purple Mountain Flower
Theperfect potion for thieves, this recipe fortifies essential stealth skills, making it that much easier for the Dragonborn to break into houses and help themselves to valuables. What’s more, if the playerhappens to be low on Stamina, this mixture will restore that as well.
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Unfortunately, the Ashen Grass Pod is a DLC-exclusive ingredient, found only inDragonborn.For those with the DLC, however, this potion is worth a trip to the island of Solstheim.
13Briar Heart + Ectoplasm + Glow Dust
A perfect mixturefor destruction mages, this potion ensures that the player has plenty of Magicka at the ready, and that their spells will do more damage.
Whether the player relies on fire, frost, or shock, this potion ensures that they have plenty of Magicka to cast their highest-level spells, while also increasing the damage that those spells inflict. Battlemages should pack a few every time they head into a fight.
12Daedra Silk + Blister Pod Cap + Red Mountain Flower
This is an essential brew for stealthy mages, such as those who use Illusion magic to pass through enemy territory. It will not only render the Dragonborn invisible, but allow them to see in the dark as well. Even if the invisibility wears off, they can use the cover of the shadows to sneak successfully, and still be able to see clearly.
What’s more, with both Fortify and Restore Magicka, the Dragonborn will have the resources to cast any other stealthy spells they need, such as Invisibility or Muffle. And if their stealth does fail, they’ll have the resources to let their Destruction spells rip.
11Garlic + Slaughterfish Egg + Namira’s Rot
Every Dragonborn should take this mixture along when delving into Dwarven ruins or other Falmer hideouts. These corrupted elves and their Chaurus pets usedebilitating poison attacks, so a potion like this is invaluable.
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Additionally, even when the player does take hits, Regenerate Health ensures they’ll bounce back quickly. Finally, with the extra stamina, they’ll be able to perform extra power attacks to overwhelm their foes.
10Snowberries + Bone Meal + Frost Salts
Snowberries make several appearances on this list, because they are invaluable for providing elemental protection. Whether the Dragonborn’s enemy prefers to roast or freeze their opponents, this potion will protect the player, thanks to Snowberries' alignment with the other two ingredients.
Meanwhile, Bone Meal and Frost Salts work together to provide the Fortify Conjuration effect. This ensures that the player’s summons, from zombies to Storm Atronachs, will last longer.
9Slaughterfish Scales + Thistle Branch + Tundra Cotton
This is the perfect mixture for aproud Skyrim warrior. Players can use their battleaxes and greatswords to both deal heavier damage to enemies, and to more easily deflect incoming attacks.
The Resist Frost effect will also come in handy. For a Dragonborn fighting a Frost Dragon or Ice Wraith, this potion increases offensive power, and allows players to stay on their feet even with an ice spear through their chest.
8Juniper Berries + Elves Ear + Vampire Dust
Archery is a favorite skill among manySkyrimplayers, especially those who prefer to take out their enemies from a distance. With the damage boost that this potion provides to bows and crossbows, the Dragonborn might even be able to one-shot a few guards and sneak into a forbidden area.
Additionally, since some stealth builds use Illusion magic to soften their footsteps or render themselves unseen, this potion will assure that the Dragonborn has enough Magicka to perform their spells. And if they do find themselves caught in a fight, the Regenerate Health effect will make them much harder to kill.
7Scaly Pholiota + Giant’s Toe + Mora Tapinella
Whether searching for a destination or simply wandering the world, this potion is essential for a Dragonborn wandering Skyrim. Regenerate Stamina allows for frequent sprinting (or power attacks when facing foes), whileFortify Carry Weight lets players pick up every stray sword, chunk of ore, or interesting mushroom they find.
The final effect may seem out of place to some, but this school of magic can be life-saving during exploration. Use Clairvoyance to find a way out of that cave, Muffle to sneak past a pack of bandits, or Calm to quickly get away from a sabre cat.
6Blue Mountain Flower + Wheat + Rock Warbler Egg
For warriors who find themselves wounded in a fight, this potion will get them back on their feet — and perhaps even help them gain the upper hand. With it, the player’sswords, maces, and axeswill deal more damage, giving them an advantage
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What’s more, the potion both restores and fortifies the Dragonborn’s health.Together, these ingredients both heal damage that has been done, and enable the player to take more hits while they dish out pain of their own.
