Questions You Might Ask
Is moisturizer necessary for people with dry skin?
Pretty much everyone needs or can benefit from moisturizers, says Dr. Griffinparticularly those with dry skin. Lifestyle changes can help prevent some skin dryness but using moisturizer is a simple, effective way to add skin moisture.
How often should people with dry skin apply moisturizer?
If you have dry skin, Dr. Griffin says you should moisturize at least once a day. You might consider using one moisturizer for the daytime and a richer formula at night. A body cream can help address dry skin on your limbs and torsoand dont forget about hand cream, especially in the winter.
What are some other ways to combat dry skin in addition to using moisturizer?
If your skin is dry, it’s important to focus on what you do in and immediately after your shower, Dr. Griffin says. Moisturization is best done after a bath or a shower when the skin is hydrated, as it will help lock in the moisture.
Some tips he recommends: Avoid super hot showers or baths that can dry out your skin, use a soft washcloth or your hands to apply soap or body wash, and try not to use soap on your body more than once a day.
If that’s not enough, home water softeners can help in areas with very hard water, he says. So can using a humidifier in the winter season.
Buy Moisturizer That Comes In A Tub
The products you scoop out with your fingers is actually thicker than formulas that have to go through a pump. The National Eczema Association recommends CeraVe Healing Ointment and Vaseline Intensive Care Deep Moisture Jelly Cream for keeping your skin moisturized. The organization also passed along a stamp of approval to Aveeno’s eczema treatment cream, which is a rich balm loaded with ceramides in an colloidal oatmeal base that can help moisturize your outermost layer of skin in harsh temperatures.
Aveeno Eczema Therapy Itch Relief Balm
Aveeno Eczema Therapy Itch Relief Balm
When you get out of the shower or bath, pat your skin with a towel until it’s slightly damp. Then seal in the moisture by applying lotion no more than three minutes later. This method a.k.a. “soak and seal” will promote better hydration. While you won’t get that squeaky-clean feeling, that sensation’s actually a sign you’ve dried out your skin too much, Dr. Bhutani says.
Try A Disinfecting Bath
People with atopic dermatitis are prone to infections, so bleach baths can help disinfect the skin. One or two times a week, add a half cap of bleach to the tub and soak for 10 minutes.
Warning: People with bleach sensitivities or allergic asthmas should consult their doctor before trying this, according to the National Eczema Association. A cup of vinegar added to a full tub may also help reduce the amount of bacteria on the skin without the risk.
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First Aid Beauty Sculpting Body Lotion
|Sculpting Body Lotion.
Tighten up that skin with the Sculpting Body Lotion from First Aid Beauty. If signs of aging are starting to plague your skin, you may want to invest in a high-quality natural lotion that can help tighten the skin and reduce these skin concerns. The natural ingredients come together to nourish and help the skin stay supple and tight.
A special peptide complex, hydrolyzed wheat protein, increases natural elasticity in the skin and evens out the tone. Caffeine helps cut down on inflammation and puffiness and helps increase blood flow. Hydrating glycerin is the main moisturizing component, and it ensures skin stays supple and hydrated.
Final Verdict: A Multi
This is one of those super useful, great-to-have products youre sure to find use for. I personally love it, and have had a tub in my bathroom for as long as I can remember. If you love a multipurpose product, this is absolutely one of the best.
- Product Name All-Purpose Skin Cream
- Product Brand Egyptian Magic
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Expert Advice On How To Tend To This Sensitive And Reactive Skin Type
Dragana991/Getty Images
Eczema is a very common skin condition that impacts about 10 percent of the population. It can affect anyone at any age, and typically shows up as uncomfortable patches of dry, scaly, and itchy skin.
Eczema presents differently depending on the type of eczema,” says Tiffany Libby, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist. “However, for atopic dermatitis the most common type of eczemait commonly presents in lighter-skinned patients as pink-red scaly rashes on body folds , though it can show up anywhere on your skin. On darker skin, eczema tends to appear as purple, brown, gray itchy, scaly rashes.
Keep scrolling to discover the best skincare routine for eczema along with some dermatologist insights on how to keep your skin at its healthiest.
Kiehls Creme De Corps
| Creme de Corps.
Famous for their down-to-earth, natural products, Kiehls Creme de Corps is a classic natural body lotion. Where can it be used? Every inch of skin on your body that seeks ultimate moisture. Smooth, soft, and undeniably hydrating, the formula traps natural ingredients in this small, efficient bottle.
Shea butter and squalane drench the skin with extreme moisture. Natural botanical oils avocado and almond make the application incredibly smooth without leaving skin feeling sticky and wet, making it an incredible natural body lotion for men and women who dont mind spending a bit of extra cash on skincare products.
Also Check: Can You Get Eczema As You Get Older
What Are The Best Products For Eczema On The Face
As Nakra tells us, the ideal evening skincare routine for someone with eczema flare-ups on their face would start with gentle cleansing, followed by a low-inflammation nighttime moisturizer, which, he says, can even be as simple as pure coconut oil. However, he does point out that anyone with more active eczema may need to treat their skin with over-the-counter topical steroids such as hydrocortisone 1% cream before applying their nighttime moisturizer, or even doctor-prescribed medications to reduce eczema’s intensity and frequency.
Keep scrolling for the products dermatologists recommend to anyone with facial eczema.
“An ideal anti-inflammatory skincare routine for someone with eczema would begin with a cleanser that doesn’t overly dry the skin, such as this one from Avya Skincare,” says Nakra. “All of the products from the brand avoid common triggers for eczema, including glycolic acids, retinoids, and other inflammatory agents.”
For hydration, Nakra says he recommends this moisturizer containing snow mushroom, turmeric, and neem, which are all meant to reduce skin inflammation.
“Cerave Moisturizing Lotion is a great option for the face because it is affordable, yet elegant, providing the skin barrier repair complete with ceramides, but no greasy or tacky finish,” says Hartman.
Ethique Hydrating Body Lotion Concentrate
| Hydrating Body Lotion Concentrate.
A fun, innovative take on body lotion, its a moisturizing lotion in bar form. So how do you use this cool body lotion bar? Its basically like a fun science experiment. Chop or snap your bar into multiple pieces and heat them up with 300ml of boiling hot water to create your very own lotion!
You will love this quirky lotion bar its surprisingly easy to use and is awash with natural ingredients that restore skin moisture levels. Enriched with the lovely lavender and vanilla scents, it leaves a light aroma for you to smell all day.
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What Are The Best Natural Ingredients In A Body Lotion
There are many great ingredients you might see in your natural body lotion. The best lotions will have certified organic substances, making them safer and healthier for the skin. Always read the ingredient label of a body lotion before purchasing. Some products labeled natural may contain harmful, even toxic chemicals that eradicate any progress you want to achieve with a natural lotion.
Just a few of the best ingredients include shea butter, lavender, jojoba oil, rosehip oil, mango seed butter, seaweed extract, coconut oil, algae extract, and vitamin E.
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What Skincare Ingredients Should You Avoid If Youre Dealing With Eczema
As a general rule of thumb, there are a few ingredients that anyone eczema prone should steer clear from. First up is anything that includes a scent. Fragrance is something I would definitely exercise caution with because it is one of the most common cosmetic sensitivities, explains Love. She also warns that active ingredients such as retinols are something that should be started very slowly, consciously, and under the guidance of a dermatologist. Formulas that are traditionally harsh on the skin are more likely to have adverse effects if your skin barrier is compromised or extra sensitive.
If you are someone who has recurring eczema on the face, Love suggests that it might be worth reaching out to your doctor for patch testing. This is when we can test to see if youve developed any potential skin allergies to products that you are using, says Love. This could be makeup, hand soap, or even detergent. After the process, you might have a personalized list of products and ingredients that you can remove from your routine to make room for more friendly formulas.
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Dr Barbara Sturm Anti
| Anti-Aging Body Cream.
Mature skin deserves love and hydration too. Dr. Barbara Sturms Anti-Aging Body Cream is a science and nature duo that helps build, restore, and protect the skin from premature aging.
The formula uses natural botanicals, herbs, and antioxidants to treat the skin. Shea butter serves serious hydration, purslane extract evens the skin and reduces inflammation, and Indian almond strengthens and tightens skin.
Weleda Skin Food Original Ultra
| Skin Food Original Ultra-Rich Cream.
Good for the skin and good for the soul, Skin Food is an uber-moisturizing cream that works its way into your pores and brings ultimate hydration. With a century of research and products under its belt, Weleda manufactures some of the best natural skin care products.
This juicy formula includes rosemary, calendula, and sweet almond oil to set the skin to rights and encourage healing. Cruelty-free, GMO-free, and only using sustainably and ethically sourced ingredients, its easy to put your trust in Weleda.
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Finding The Right Moisturizer
Steer clear of moisturizers that contain a lot of irritating extras, like dyes and fragrances. Opt for products that are dye- and fragrance-free.
Look for moisturizers that are rich in emollients, like colloidal oatmeal or shea butter. Those that contain fatty acids called ceramides can also help manage and prevent flares. One study suggested that ceramides can help ease eczema symptoms by locking in moisture for longer periods of time. This can allow you to apply product less often.
Beautycounter Countermatch Adaptive Body Moisturizer
| Countermatch Adaptive Body Moisturizer.
Let your skin sparkle with the Countermatch Adaptive Body Moisturizer from BeautyCounter, a lotion that turns up skins brightness, shine, and luster by combining a few of natures best botanicals.
Aloe vera cuts out irritation while soothing the skin, phytic acid encourages cell production and brightens the skin, while plum oil helps skin soften and feel super smooth. This is a seriously rich, nourishing body lotion that you wont regret trying.
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Can Sweat Cause Eczema
Sweat does not usually cause eczema, but chemical heavy antiperspirant deodorant can disrupt your skin microbiome, and cause itching and rashes. Sweating is a natural process our bodies are meant to do. Along with thermoregulation, eccrine sweat is VITAL for skin barrier health. Sweating can even help to balance out the skin microbiome and help boost skin barrier integrity. Sometimes I choose to not wash up immediately after working out because my skin feels so good from sweat.
I Created My Naturally Eczema Free Skin Care Kit To Give You Safe Natural Product Alternatives For The Most Common Skin Care Products That Cause Allergic Contact Eczema
severely chapped hands, I recommend the Dry Hand Repair Kit to provide your hand skin with intensive repair therapy.
If you have eczema, you need smart skin care choices screened and created by a dermatologist who knows the nuances and pitfalls of your eczema-prone skin. I’ve worked hard to curate my product line for people like my family, my patients, and you – we are folks who need the absolute best eczema treatment for our sensitive skin.
If you would like more specific skin care tips for eczema please see:
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The Seaweed Bath Co Hydrating Body Cream
| Hydrating Body Cream.
Feel like a mermaid with The Seaweed Bath Cos Hydrating Body Cream. Made with sustainable, organic seaweed and other natural materials, this body cream seriously hydrates with the power of nature. You wont smell like seaweed if you choose this natural product. Instead, youll carry the light fragrance of lavender around with you all day.
The creams sixty-plus minerals and vitamins moisturize, hydrate, nourish, and heal the skin. Some of the natural ingredients include shea butter, argan, oil, and aloe vera.
Finding The Right Ointments/occlusives In A Sea Of Selections
There are many products designed to maintain skin moisture and it can be overwhelming to choose. Every now and then, I cruise through the pharmacy aisles, just to see the options for patients. The truly hypoallergenic products are not always organized together.
To help make the process a little less daunting, I recommend a few products that can help.
My favorite thing to talk about is actually vegetable shortening because most people dont think about using it to help their skin and its really inexpensive. If you think about what all these barrier compensation creams or ointments do, its to help seal the water into your skin once its already wet from the bath or the shower. Vegetable shortening does the same thing. If you have a lot of food allergies, however, make sure youre not allergic to the vegetable ingredients that the oil is derived from, because we cant speak to how well its purified.
Dermatologists also recommend petroleum jelly a lot because it is generally well tolerated, even for patients who are truly sensitive and for whom many products sting. Of course, petroleum jelly can be tricky in that its heavy, sticky, and can get onto furniture and clothing. So while smearing petroleum jelly all over the body can be particularly messy, I encourage applying it on what I call your hot spots, places on the body where the fire tends to recur, because those patches of skin are going to be the most sensitive to chemical irritants and other ingredients.
Read Also: What Causes Eczema To Get Worse
A Compromised Skin Barrier
A basic skin care regimen should focus on the fundamental aspects of atopic dermatitis. In atopic dermatitis theres a skin barrier function problem. The people with the worst atopic dermatitis have absent or abnormal skin proteins in which the cells at the upper layers of the skin, called keratinocytes, are not producing appropriate proteins. That can reduce the skins ability to do all of the things that its supposed to do.
For example, because were mostly made of water, normally the skin is supposed to keep water in. When you have the impaired skin barrier that comes with atopic dermatitis, the skin isnt able to hold water in, and so it gets very dry.
Whats more, that compromised skin barrier allows for the penetration of many chemical irritants and potential allergens, which may become true allergens for an individual. On top of that, once those microbes have gotten through, an increased number of microbes can penetrate the skin barrier, and the skin is less capable of combatting bacteria and viruses to prevent a full-blown infection.
Check Your Elbows Before Anything
You might be able to tell a serious case of eczema apart from occasional itchy skin by where the rash pops up. Shari Sperling, DO, a New Jersey-based dermatologist who practices at St. Barnabas Medical Center, says that there are two common areas on the body that are most often affected. “Eczema shows up more in patches, more commonly behind the knees and inside of elbows as well as on cheeks for babies,” she shares. “These patches are severely uncomfortable, dry, red, inflamed, and itchy.”
If you’re unsure about whether or not your patch of rough skin needs more attention, try doubling down on lotions and topical treatments first. If there’s no improvement in two weeks, it’s time to head to a professional treatment .
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Hand In Hand Body Lotion
| Body Lotion.
Silky sea salt, eucalyptus, and sweet mint are the dream team in Hand In Hands Body Lotion. Containing sustainable, earth-friendly natural ingredients, this body lotion option is safe for your body and the environment.
The company only uses ethically sourced natural ingredients like cocoa butter, shea butter, and plant oils like sunflower seed oil.
How To Build A Smart Skin
To calm aggravated skin due to atopic dermatitis, follow a personalized regimen every day, not just during flare-ups.
Eva Katalin/Getty Images
If youre living with eczema, you know that what you do or don’t apply to your skin can affect whether red, dry, and itchy skin stays at bay. But sometimes figuring out which products are safe for you takes some trial and error.
The right skin-care routine can help support skin functioning in eczema, but the wrong one can make matters worse, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a dermatologist and director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.
The most common form of eczema is the itchy skin condition called atopic dermatitis, according to the National Eczema Association . Unlike contact dermatitis, which can be blamed on a specific irritant or allergen, atopic eczema has no defined cause. It appears to be indirectly related to allergies because it’s common in people who have respiratory allergy symptoms such as asthma, according to the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology .
Eczema needs to be managed with the right treatment from the time it first appears, which, for between 80 and 90 percent of those who have it, is in the first five years of life, according to statistics from the NEA and the ACAAI.
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