Consider What Area Of Skin Youre Treating
Another deciding factor when choosing an eczema treatment is the area of skin youre targeting. Different consistencies and ingredients are better for some regions than others the severity of your eczema is also an influence.
So, while your face may respond to an eczema lotion thats formulated with non-pore clogging ingredients, your hands, elbows, knees, and other parts of the body may have tremendous success with a thicker eczema cream.
Clarins Hand And Nail Treatment Cream
Who its for: People who want a hand cream that strengthens their nails, too.
Who it isn’t for: People who want an unscented hand cream.
Dry, cracked nails can be caused by anything from removing gel polish the wrong way to using harsh cleaning products without gloves. Nail slugging is one way to help nurse your brittle nails back to health, but using a hand cream designed to strengthen nails can make a difference, too.
If youre dealing with dry hands and damaged nails, the Clarins Hand and Nail Treatment Cream can help solve both problems. It contains glycerin, sesame oil, shea butter, and baobab seed oil to help your skin retain water and moisturize your cuticles. It also contains myrrh resin extract, which the brand says can strengthen and fortify nails.
Price at time of publish: $31
Product Details:
- Key Ingredients: Allantoin, sesame oil, glycerin, tocopherol, myrrh
- Size: 3.5 ounces
What To Look For In An Eczema Cream Or Eczema Lotion
It truly is vital that youre using an eczema treatment cream thats void of artificial fragrances, colors, and potentially dangerous ingredients like parabens and denatured alcohol because all of these can exacerbate the problem. Also, avoid any creams that contain alpha or beta hydroxy acids, which can dry out the skin even further.
Aside from reading the ingredient list, youll probably know that youre not using the correct cream or lotion if it burns when or causes further irritation when applied on areas of skin where eczema is present.
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Moogoo Skin Milk Udder Cream
Cost: $11.90 for 120g
Review snippet:
Been using hydrocortisone steroids to treat my sons eczema for a very long time but it would always come back when you take the recommended breaks, so it was just a never ending cycle. Udder Cream has completely cleared up his eczema and helps keep it away. Cant recommend this highly enough for eczema sufferers.Bernie
Best For Mild Eczema: Dermaced Hand Cream For Dyshidrotic Eczema
Compared with other creams in this category, the Dermaced Hand Cream For Dyshidrotic Eczema has a convenient design. The dermaced hand cream for dyshidrotic eczema is made with propylene glycol, works for the lower legs and it is absolutely amazing. The manufacturer says: In addition to our active ingredients, deep therapy Ec contains powerful anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich oils like jojoba seed, sweet almond, and sunflower that pour moisture into the deepest layers of the skin. Even better, these oils contain tons of nutrients and essential fatty acids to help keep the skin nourished as long as possible.
The cream clears the skin and it is for the immune system. In addition, it is very good, is comfortable and it is great for home remedies. Lastly, the dermaced hand cream for dyshidrotic eczema relieves the itching and it is made for a high price.
Most customers quickly discovered that the cream would get better faster and also give better advice. Further, a few strongly agree that the cream comes in a white bottle with a blue lizard on the label. And, a few strongly agree that the regular deep therapy cream provided in the jar has epidermal growth factor for regular dry, itchy, or irritated skin. In conclusion, most buyers found the cream suits best, and no one questions it.
Top Customer Quotes:
Also Check: What Essential Oils Help With Eczema
Roc Dermatologic: Enydrial Hand Cream
Roc Dermatologic is more on the pricier side but I manage to find a special Xmas pack back in December. One of the sale consultant in department store said its the best hand cream she has ever used, of course that is her job to sell but because of the deal, I gave it a shot.
Apparently this ROC product is recommend for people who constantly in need to wash and use their hands in a workplace such as nurses, dishwashers and doctors etc. Similarly to the Herbacin hand cream, it contains a lot of glycerin. On a bit of cautious side to some of you, it does contain 2 types of parabens. Although it doesnt seem to bother me when I tried it.
On the plus side it does contain no fragrance and I feel a real surge of moisture penetrating through nearly all my layers of my skin. It felt like my skin was sucking it up like a sponge and feeling supple afterwards. I truly love this one! I wished it was offered in a bigger bottle but it will be very expensive so it would be a put off for some. I can see it having great potential in moisturizing dry mature skin.
Best Budget: Cetaphil Dailyadvance Ultra Hydrating Lotion
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Some users said it blocked pores, causing acne
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Remains tacky on skin after applying
Cetaphil is another dermatologist-endorsed brand that uses non-irritating ingredients to formulate effective, hydrating products for people suffering from skin issues. This ultra-hydrating lotion is made with moisturizing shea butter and glycerin to keep dryness at bay, macadamia nut oil, and vitamins E and B5. It is a great budget-friendly option for people who prefer a lighter texture than an ointment or cream, as it goes on thin, spreads easily, and will leave skin silky smooth without any stickiness or oily residue.
Active Ingredients: Glycerin, Macadamia Nut Oil, Shea Butter | Uses: Hydrates, restores and protects dry skin.
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How To Help Prevent Eczema Breakouts
How can you keep your skin barrier intact so that it can actually perform its skin-protecting duties and keep eczema at bay? For one, keep exfoliation especially physical exfoliation to a minimum. Products that fall into the category of physical exfoliation include cleansing scrubs with solid particulates, mechanical facial brushes, sonic devices and micro-exfoliating rollers, Kung said. While these may remove the top layer of dull-looking skin, Kung explained they can be too abrasive and may disrupt the skin barrier.
Chemical exfoliants should also be kept to a minimum. If you’re eczema-prone, aim for exfoliating acids in lower concentrations and use them no more than a few times a week.
Why Does Eczema Appear On The Hands
There can be a variety of reasons why eczema appears on the hands. For example, the hands can be affected by irritant or allergic contact dermatitis or both at the same time.
Coming into contact with irritants such as dust, detergents, cleaning agents, airborne sprays or even just frequent hand-washing can cause irritant hand eczema . The skin on the palms of the hands is much thicker than elsewhere on the body and is normally able to withstand a great deal of wear and tear. But in people who regularly immerse their hands in detergents or solvents, the protective barrier of the skin breaks down, and eczema may develop. People who have this form of hand eczema often have a history of eczema in childhood.
Allergic hand eczema arises as a result of an allergic reaction to a particular substance in the environment. It is possible to be allergic to a number of different substances, but common causes of contact sensitivity include nickel, fragrances, preservative chemicals, rubber and various plants, amongst other things. Once a persons immune system has identified a substance as harmful, they will react to the substance every time their skin is exposed to it, and this reaction becomes more severe on every exposure to the allergen.
When an allergic reaction of this kind is suspected, your GP should refer you to a dermatologist, who will normally perform patch tests to try to identify the allergic cause.
Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Eczema Patch On Face
How Often Should You Apply Hand Cream
Theres no one-size-fits-all routine: Just apply it when you need it. If youre prone to dry skin on your hands, a good rule of thumb is to use hand cream after you wash your hands or use hand sanitizer. You can also use a moisturizing hand soap, which is less likely to strip your skin of oils and leave your hands feeling uncomfortably dry and papery.
Body Shop: Hemp Hand Protector
Perhaps many of you are familiar with the famous best-selling product by Body Shop, the Hemp Hand cream . Hemp is known for its high concentration of fatty acids promoting skin health and acting as a powerful moisturizer. It also contains beeswax which serves as a great moisture barrier.
Many people of many skin types recommend this as the best hand cream especially for dry mature skin. This was the first hand cream that gave positive results for my hands until couple years later down the road when my skin started to return to its original driest state after regular use. As we get older, our skin tends to get drier, thinner, lose elasticity and the production of natural oils is decreased. I think it was a great cream in the beginning but unfortunately it lost its effect for me, but try it out and as always ask your dermatologist if you are not sure.
Here are some points for this hand cream:
- Claim to be dermatologically tested against very dry skin
- Slight nearly unnoticeable fragrance, I assumed it was hemp smell.
- NO parabens and no irritations on my skin. Although I am still concern with some of unknown ingredients in it.
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What Type Of Moisturizer Is Good For Hand Eczema
Mild hand eczema on the knuckles
The more water there is in a lotion or moisturizer, the more likely it is to worsen your hand eczema. Moisturizers usually contain more water than oil, and when the water evaporates it can dry out the skin. The best moisturizer for hand eczema is a greasy ointment, such as petroleum jelly. Be sure to read the label to determine which moisturizer has the least amount of water.
The NEA Seal of Acceptance directory has a list of moisturizers specially formulated for eczema skin.
Apply the moisturizer to your hands immediately after you bathe and each time you wash your hands.
Remember that it can take a few months for a flare-up to clear. Even if your hands appear eczema-free, you will sometimes need to take special care with them to avoid a return of symptoms.
How Do You Get Rid Of Eczema On Your Hands
Eczema on the hands can be quite uncomfortable and there are ways you could keep the symptoms at bay.
Limiting contact with hot and soapy should be always followed, same with cleaning hands with lukewarm water and fragrance-free soaps . Applying moisturizers daily containing emollients should be a daily routine as it helps soothe the skin.
Using gloves is advisable, preferably cotton-based ones while dealing with housework or using chemical based cleansers. Avoid latex gloves at all costs, as they make the hands sweat, leading to a flare-up.
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Cerave Daily Moisturizing Lotion
The dermatologists we spoke to recommended this lotion from CeraVe, citing its use of ceramides as the main selling point. “This lotion has a unique blend of high-quality moisturizing agents ,” said Dr. Viktoryia Kazlouskaya, dermatologist at Khrom Dermatology. “Specifically, ceramides play a key role in skin protection and barrier function,” she added. The ingredients are released slowly during the day for all-day hydration, according to the brand.
What Kinds Of Moisturizers Are Most Effective For My Eczema
Not all moisturizers are created equal. In fact, there are many types of common moisturizers that arent good at helping control your eczema and may even make it flare or get worse. Its important to understand the differences between the three basic types of moisturizers ointments, creams, and lotions so that you can properly hydrate your skin and help keep your symptoms under control.
Moisturizers are classified based on the amount of oil and water they contain. The more oil in a moisturizer, the better it usually is at treating eczema. The best moisturizers to use are the ones that feel greasy , because they contain more oil. These are very effective at keeping moisture in and irritants out.
All moisturizers should also be applied to your hands immediately after washing and gently blotting them dry. For this reason, its a good idea to keep moisturizer near every sink in your home and carry a small tube with you at all times, so that you can reapply it throughout the day.
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Best Mask: Topicals Like Butter Mask Hydrating Mask
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Packed with soothing, anti-inflammatory ingredients
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Safe for face and body
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Clean, vegan, and cruelty-free
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Can pill if too much is applied
While this is more of a treatment than a lotion, this creamy mask is choice for soothing and replenishing dry, sensitive, and eczema-prone skin. Safe for use on the face and body, it’s packed with skin-protecting and irritation-quelling ingredients like colloidal oatmeal, centella asiatica, and ceramides. Use it as a quick 20-minute mask before your shower, or leave it on overnight for a supremely nourishing treatment.
Active Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, centella asiatica, ceramides | Size: 1.7 ounces | Cruelty-Free: Yes | Yes
Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Repair Unscented Lotion
This lotion received the NEA Seal of Acceptance. It is suitable for people with eczema and may help heal and soothe dry skin. According to the manufacturers, the lotion helps moisturize and heal dry skin within 5 days of regular use.
The manufacturers recommend using the lotion daily. Applying the lotion after a shower may help further lock in moisture.
Dermatologists typically do not recommend lotions for severe eczema because of their high water content and increased evaporation.
Still, some medium-to-high potency corticosteroid lotions can help relieve severe eczema.
Amcinonide 0.1% lotion is a high potency corticosteroid indicated for the relief of inflammatory and itchy manifestations of the skin, such as eczema. Doctors usually recommend applying a thin layer of amcinonide lotion to the affected area two or three times a day, depending on the severity.
Betamethasone valerate 0.1% lotion is a medium potency corticosteroid that people with eczema can use to relieve itchiness and inflammation. Doctors recommend applying a few drops of the lotion to the affected area and massaging the skin gently until it has absorbed the lotion.
People can get the best results by using betamethasone valerate lotion twice daily. They may be able to apply the cream more frequently to areas with persistent symptoms but only on a doctors advice.
Anyone with severe eczema should speak to a doctor or dermatologist.
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What Types Of Eczema Cream Are There
If you have eczema, you probably manage your condition using a combination of emollients and topical corticosteroids. Emollients should be used daily, while topical corticosteroids should be used during a flare-up of symptoms.
Emollients are cleansers and moisturisers tailored towards dry skin. They create a protective barrier, trapping water in the skin and reducing inflammation and itching. They should be applied liberally across the body at least twice a day.
Emollients are not the same as cosmetic moisturisers, as they arent fragranced and arent designed to treat any other skin complaints, such as acne or wrinkles.
Emollients come as:
- Bath/shower oils
If your eczema symptoms are mild, you may only need to use lotions and creams. These emollients contain a lot of water, which means they are quickly absorbed and non-greasy.
If your eczema is more severe, and you have very dry, itchy and thick patches of skin, you should use ointments, as these contain a high fat content.
How To Choose The Best Eczema Cream For You
Ready to shop until your eczema flare-ups drop? Here are some tips for finding the best cream for your needs.
- Check the ingredient list twice. Some products may look tempting and nearly eczema-approved, but its best to avoid ingredients like alcohol, parabens, urea, and fragrance, just in case.
- Try a trial size. Try to purchase the smallest size of a product to test it out before you commit to your forever cream . Many derms offer sample sizes of both prescription and over-the-counter lotions, so consider heading to your doc.
- Dont assume more $ = better. Thankfully, when it comes to eczema creams, theres something with legit ingredients at every price point. You really dont need to splurge to secure an effective product, and whats more expensive wont necessarily work better for your unique needs.
- Consult the pros. You might want to look up products in the National Eczema Association directory to see if theyve received a Seal of Acceptance. The association considers these products legit for those with eczema or sensitive skin based on a variety of criteria. Products have to apply for the label, though, so some quality products might not have the seal, but it may help you narrow down your search.
Still not sure where to turn? As Graf explains, the reality is that everyones treatments are unique based on the severity. If your symptoms get worse or dont go away, she always advises seeing a dermatologist for treatment.
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Cerave Therapeutic Hand Cream
Who its for: People who want a lightweight, non-irritating hand cream to soothe eczema.
Who it isn’t for: People looking for a thicker hand cream.
This hand cream from CeraVe contains some of the ingredients you might commonly see in a facial moisturizer, like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides. The lightweight formula, which is designed to protect the skin barrier while providing moisture, also contains dimethicone to help give your skin a silky feeling.
The product has a seal of approval from the National Eczema Association, meaning its free from common irritants and suitable to use on eczema or sensitive skin. You can also use it on your body and face, giving you even more bang for your buck.
Price at time of publish: $11
Product Details:
- Key Ingredients: Niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, dimethicone