Lanolin Free Cream For Eczema

Humectants Bring In Moisture

Humectants are designed to try and draw moisture into the skin, Dr. Anthony explains. They attract and bind to water, pulling it from the air and from deeper within your skin. They include:

• Alpha hydroxy acids, like glycolic acid and lactic acid.
• Hyaluronic acid.

Applied on their own, humectants can cause stinging and burning. Instead, eczema creams combine these ingredients with more soothing emollients and occlusives.

Occlusives Lock In The Good Stuff

Occlusives are like a sealant, keeping moisture and hydration where they belong in your skin. Without an occlusive, some of that goodness is lost to evaporation. But adding an occlusive on top seals the deal by literally sealing hydration and moisture into place.

Occlusive ingredients good for eczema include:

• Silicone derivatives, like dimethicone.

Vaseline®, which is made of petroleum jelly, is both an emollient and an occlusive. For the most part, its safe to use on eczema. But like other occlusives, petroleum jelly alone wont moisturize your skin.

You have to get the moisture in there first, whether from other ingredients or from water, and then seal it in with a topcoat, Dr. Anthony explains. Thats what we call occlusive therapy.

Honeyskin Organics Organic Moisturizer Cream

Honeyskin Organics Organic Moisturizer Cream is the ultimate face and body cream. Made from a unique blend of 100% natural ingredients, this lanolin free cream is specially formulated for daily use on dry skin, itchy skin, and skin prone to eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, rosacea and other topical allergies and conditions. Unscented and non-greasy, it is effective for men and women, and gentle enough for babies.

The number one ingredient is aloe vera, which provides soothing treatment for itchiness and redness. The Manuka honey is naturally medicinal and anti-bacterial, used in hospitals for wound care and to speed up healing. The special blend or shea butter, cocoa butter, coconut oil, and olive oil, keep skin moisturized without irritation. Blue-green algea naturally stimulates the bodys production of collagen, rejuvenating cells. And other skin friendly vitamins and extracts work together to to nourish and replenish skin on body and face.

Use Honeyskin as a night cream, or a base under make-up, as it will brighten and tighten skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles. It is also safe and soothing for use on athletes foot, burns, bug bites, and acne.

Its also nice to know that Honeyskin Organics is a family owned business that stands behind their product with confidence and assurance, offering a 60-day money back guarantee if you are not satisfied for any reason.

Read Also: Eczema Getting Worse With Cream

What Should Parents Know About Baby Eczema

Eczema in babies is common. Many babies grow out of it, or at least see their symptoms improve over time.

We are not always sure what causes eczema in babies, explains Stephanie Jacks, M.D., a pediatric dermatologist in Roseville, California. Genetic factors certainly play a role, and babies who have at least one parent with eczema are two to three times more likely to get eczema. However, some babies have eczema even with no family history of the condition.

In adults, eczema usually appears as skin that is rough and dry. But the skin condition can show a little differently in infants. Itchy cheeks are usually one of the first signs of infant eczema, Dr. Clark says.

In most infants, eczema is not due to an allergy to foods or other triggers but instead reflects an intrinsic tendency for skin that is more dry and easily irritated by temperature, clothing and other external triggers, says pediatric dermatologist Kara Shah, M.D., Ph.D., of Kenwood Dermatology in Cincinnati, Ohio. As such, the basis for treatment is good skin care.

To treat infant eczema, you might try keeping baby’s nails short to prevent scratching, giving baby a lukewarm bath and patting baby’s skin dry. Immediately after that, apply any topical medicine prescribed by your doctor and finish with a moisturizing cream.

Best Overall: Aquaphor Healing Ointment

• Multiuse: Good as a moisturizer and as an ointment for cuts, scrapes

• Not suitable for those sensitive to lanolin

Who else recommends it? Good Housekeeping, The Strategist, and Byrdie all picked Aquaphor Healing Ointment.

What do buyers say? 87% of 62,500+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 5 stars.

We love this ointment as our best overall pick because it’s made with 41 percent petroleum, but also contains glycerin, which has humectant properties that attract water from the dermis and a humid environment into the epidermis. The addition of lanolin in the ingredient list also adds more occlusive benefits for those who are not allergic. A 2017 study indicates that lanolin can reduce water loss through the skin by 20 to 30 percent, so it helps to hydrate and soften the skin.

Aquaphor is a multitasking skin protectant. Its not only a great, thicker moisturizer, it can also be used to relieve dry, chapped lips, and can enhance healing and soothe minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.

Price at time of publish: $14

Active Ingredients: Petroleum | Scent: Fragrance-free | Usage: Apply to the affected area and can be used as often as needed

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Why Trust Verywell Health

Stephanie Valera has written and edited articles for Mashable, Everyday Health, Weather.com, HuffPost, and CBSNewYork.com, among other publications. She has also held editorial positions at CBS, NBC, and BBC America. She is passionate about climate and environmental issues, health, and wellness.

Skincare Ingredients To Avoid If You Have Eczema According To Dermatologists

The epidermis is the largest and perhaps one of the most fundamental organs of our body. Not only is it a protective guardian against harmful bacteria strains like Staphylococcus aureus, its also a faithful gatekeeper, allowing oxygen, moisture and other nourishing elements in.

People with eczema need to be especially mindful of what theyre putting on their skin to keep it healthy and safe, while also knowing which things to avoid so as not to trigger inflammation and flare-ups. We asked two dermatologists to share top skincare ingredients to avoid if you are living with eczema or caring for a child with the condition.

Peter Lio, MD, assistant professor of clinical dermatology and pediatrics dermatology at Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine and founding director of the Chicago Integrative Eczema Center, and Jeff Yu, MD, a dermatologist specializing in allergic contact dermatitis and occupational dermatitis in adults and children at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston, offer the following advice:

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What Is The Best Baby Eczema Cream

When choosing a product for an infant with eczema, keep these considerations in mind:

• Look for thicker formulas. For babies with eczema, ointments and cream formulas will probably help ease symptoms more effectively than lotions. Not only are lotions thinner, which means they wont create as thick of a barrier on skin, but they also may contain alcohols that are drying or irritating.
• Look for “fragrance-free” on the product label. Fragrance may be irritating to your baby’s already sensitive skin.
• Formulas don’t necessarily need to be organic. While it is easy to be led astray by buzzwords like organic and natural, parents should keep in mind that organic products are not inherently hypoallergenic, and in fact, many contain fragrances and botanicals that can further irritate the babys skin, explains Dr. Jacks.

Dont get discouraged if your babys eczema doesnt get better right away. Sometimes it is a trial and error, says Dr. Clark. Give any new product a minimum of two weeks to see if it works before abandoning it, as the bodys healing process takes time.

Finally, talk to your pediatrician if baby’s eczema gets worse or doesnt improve after baths and cream application. They may recommend that your little one see a pediatric dermatologist, who can determine if baby needs a stronger steroid cream to ease symptoms. You should also tell your pediatrician if you notice scabbing on baby’s skin, since this could lead to an infection.

What Products Should I Avoid If I Have Eczema

You should avoid any ingredients that you have a known allergy to and anything that has irritated your skin previously, Dr. Chan said. Common products that can do this are acne products with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid. I also would avoid high percentage AHAs.

Be sure to note that developing a skin allergy is higher when you have atopic dermatitis, so avoiding fragrance when you can is a good idea, especially during an active flare.

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How To Apply An Eczema Lotion

Application method is unique to everyone, but generally speaking, “moisturizers help skin retain moisture, so they are most effective when applied on damp skin after a shower,” Kung said. That being said, you should also treat dry, irritable, cracked skin as often as needed your lotion application shouldnt just be limited to post-shower.

What Were Looking For

Ingredients: Serious cases of eczema will require prescription treatments, but some patients can get by with an over-the-counter one filled with emollient, humectant ingredients like ceramides, petrolatum, shea butter, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and squalene, which will rehydrate and restore any dry, cracked skin caused by eczema, according to Dr. Corey L. Hartman, founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama. For eczema-prone skin, hydration is the name of the game, he says. And since eczema is essentially just inflammation of the skin, products with additional ingredients like colloidal oatmeal and petroleum will soothe and protect the skin from further damage or irritation.

Price: Eczema treatments tend to be on the affordable side, but weve noted how much youre getting in each bottle or tube and how much it costs per ounce.

Also Check: Best Medication For Eczema And Psoriasis

Best Overall Eczema Treatment

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Most Common Fragrance Irritants

Finding cleansers and moisturizers without scent isnt as easy as it should be: Even those labeled unscented or fragrance-free sometimes still contain a masking fragrance, says Dr. Fusco. This is used to cover up unwanted natural odors from herbal or botanical ingredients and can itself cause a skin reaction. Its important to check labels for common fragrance ingredients as opposed to just the term fragrance mix, says Dr. Garshick. Beware these six, which might contain fragrance: cinnamic alcohol, cinnamic aldehyde, eugenol, isoeugenol , geraniol , hydroxycitronellal, and oakmoss.

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Emollients Help Repair Your Skin

Emollients fill in the cracks in dry skin, which helps soothe, soften and ultimately heal. They restore some of the natural fats in the skin, Dr. Anthony says. Fats are important in enabling the skin barrier to exist, and emollients help repair your skin barrier.

But some emollients are better than others for eczema. Good choices include:

Ceramides fats derived from plants or animals are especially good for eczema. Data shows that products that are high in ceramides work well for a lot of patients with eczema due to their anti-inflammatory effects, Dr. Anthony says.

Tips For Using Lanolin Safely

Again, lanolin is very safe as long as it is used correctly. With that being said, there is little room for error. You need to know how to use lanolin safely before even trying it out. First and foremost, you need to make sure that you follow the directions on the product youre using that contains lanolin. This cannot be stressed enough. At the same time, you have to be very cautious about getting the wax into the wrong areas. Be sure to keep the product away from the eyes, mouth, nose, and private area. Otherwise, there is a possibility that it is going to enter the body.

Depending on the product in question, you probably shouldnt use it on the cut or cracked open skin. Again, it really depends on the lanolin cream that youre using. Read the instructions carefully and take note of any precautions that are offered. Otherwise, you might get yourself into a little bit of trouble.

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Best Natural: Wild Naturals Eczema & Psoriasis Cream

Courtesy of Wild Naturals

• Contains manuka honey for moisturizing and soothing properties

• pH balanced at 5.5 to support skin’s natural barrier function

• Not endorsed by the National Eczema Society

While some dermatologists will only recommend products formulated with well-studied ingredients, some people with eczema want an all-natural option to relieve some of their symptoms, such as dry skin and redness. Wild Naturals Eczema & Psoriasis is not endorsed by the National Eczema Association, but it does contain manuka honey, which studies have found to have antibacterial benefits. It also contains aloe vera, which can help soothe irritated skin.

This moisturizing cream has a lightweight, non-greasy texture, and users report that they only need a little product to target affected areas.

Price at time of publish: $22

Active Ingredients: Aloe vera, manuka honey | Scent: Fragrance-free, but users report a slight scent of honey | Usage: Patch test on skin before applying to all affected areas or as recommended by doctor

What Causes Eczema

According to Kung, eczema is the result of a complex interplay between a person’s genetics and their environment. “Eczema involves an overactive immune response to environmental triggers like pollen, sun exposure and prolonged exposure to hot water,” she said. It doesn’t help if your skin barrier isn’t in tip-top shape. An impaired skin barrier makes people more susceptible to these environmental irritants and allergens,” Kung explained.

Extreme weather conditions can also trigger or worsen eczema. Extremely hot or cold temperatures can cause irritation and weaken the skin barrier, making it less apt to protect your skin and lock in moisture. This also applies to water temperature, so stick to lukewarm water when you bathe or shower .

As far as eczema’s genetic component, some research suggests that the two are connected. Studies have found that atopic dermatitis is linked to other inflammatory conditions like asthma, allergies, and hay fever. This means that if you have eczema, you may be at a greater risk of developing one of these conditions and vice versa but not in all cases.

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What To Look For

1. Shea butter, glycerin, and lanolin. These moisturizing ingredients repair your skin and help it look healthier. Look for skin care products that list one of these first, second, or third on the ingredients list.

2. Hyaluronic acid. It helps draw moisture from the air to your skin. Smooth on cream with hyaluronic acid for an extra boost of moisture and to ease flaky, dry skin.

3. Niacinamide. If red patches show through no matter how many layers of makeup you pile on, try a serum or cream that has this compound, also called vitamin B3. It can reduce redness from eczema by strengthening your skinâs natural barrier. Apply niacinamide cream first, then put on cosmetics.

Other Ingredients To Soothe Eczema

Research continues to evolve to identify the best ingredients for treating eczema. Dr. Anthony shares two ingredients that have been found to be particularly soothing.

• Licorice root: Studies show that glycyrrhizin, a compound in licorice root, has anti-inflammatory properties that can soothe skin with eczema. And Dr. Anthony says its unlikely to cause allergies.
• Colloidal oatmeal: Made of finely milled oat kernels, this ingredient has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that make it a good choice for people with eczema.

Recommended Reading: How To Treat Eczema On Toddlers Face

Articles On Eczema On Hands & Face

• What People With Eczema Wish You Knew

When you have eczema, you may already know that some cosmetics irritate your skin — but that doesnât mean you have to give up on makeup.

Some products may trigger a flare, but others have ingredients that are gentle on the sensitive skin on your face and neck. The trick is to know the difference.

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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