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Eczema is a genetic skin condition which plagues nearly 1 in 10 people and can be categorized by dry, scaly skin that fails to retain moisture and often looks like a rash. Although there is no cure at the moment to completely rid the body of eczema permanently, there are certain ingredients which can be used to soothe the symptoms and minimize the appearance of this condition on your skin. Whether you suffer with eczema on your face, hands, or anywhere else on your body, we consulted with the derms to narrow down the four ingredients you need to include in your skincare routine for your best chance at reducing the appearance of this condition.
Ceramides
Often found in moisturizers, ceramides are an ingredient which can help your skin retain moisture, as is the issue when it comes to eczema. “Ceramides serve as the glue that helps keep the skin cells together, which helps to protect the skin from outside stressors as well as prevent water loss,” explains board-certified dermatologist Marisa Garshick, MD, FAAD. “They are important because by contributing to the natural skin barrier, ceramides help to protect the skin against irritants and other factors that can aggravate the skin as well as seal in moisture to prevent water loss.” Finding an unscented face or body moisturizer which contains ceramides will be ideal for locking in hydration on eczema prone skin.
Colloidal Oatmeal
Eczema can often be itchy, flaky, and downright uncomfortable, so colloidal oatmeal is a great ingredient to look for within your moisturizers to help soothe the irritation that eczema can cause. “It has anti-inflammatory benefits and also acts as an emollient, helping to soften the skin,” explains Garshick. “An example is Aveeno Eczema Therapy Moisturizing Cream,” she adds.
Humectants
Another ingredient which can improve the skin’s ability to retain moisture, humectants are often found in a serum form but can also appear in different lotions. “Some examples include glycerin or hyaluronic acid, which can hold up to 1000x its weight in water,” notes Garshick. “An example of this includes Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream which contains glycerin.” Adding hyaluronic acid in serum form to your bedtime routine in combination with a highly moisturizing lotion may also help to soothe the appearance of eczema on the skin, working overnight to lock in hydration.
Occlusives
Eczema prone skin is easily stripped of moisture, so including a product which can act as a barrier to the skin will be beneficial in trapping moisture beneath the surface and reducing redness, flaking, and itching. “Occlusives like petrolatum help to create a protective barrier to protect the skin from external irritants and to lock moisture in, helping to boost hydration,” says Garshick. “Because individuals with eczema often have a disruption of their skin barrier, it makes their skin more susceptible to moisture loss resulting in dryness. These ingredients can also help to boost hydration and moisture, which improves overall dryness of the skin.”
