4 Ways to Make Your Beauty Routine Work With Eczema — Not Against It

Medically reviewed by Jacquelyn Dosal, MD. Board-certified dermatologist at The Dermatology House in Park City, UT.

If you have eczema, you probably know by now that not all beauty products are created equal. The supposedly “gentle and safe” products that work for other people can trigger reactions in your skin. Not to mention the hunt for products your skin can actually tolerate likely involves some (expensive) trial and error.  The good news? With the right strategy, it’s possible to create a regimen your skin actually likes.  Here are a few ways to keep your skin calm — and your beauty routine on track. 

1. Learn to decode ingredient lists

Before you even put a product on your skin, its ingredient list can give you a hint about how your  skin might react. Certain ingredients are particularly problematic for eczema-prone skin — and they show up in more products than you might expect.

Fragrance is one of the main culprits. It’s added to skincare, makeup, and hair products — even when they’re marketed as “unscented,” it’s added to mask the natural smell of other ingredients. Pro tip: Look for products labeled “fragrance-free,” which contain no fragrance compounds at all. Essential oils might be “natural,” but they’re still common irritants (and “natural” doesn’t mean it’s FDA regulated, btw). Oh, and you should also avoid formaldehyde-releasing preservatives while you’re at it.  

On the flip side, ointments — especially petroleum ones like Vaseline and Aquaphor — should be a go-to for eczema-prone skin as their high oil content helps lock in moisture. Skin barrier repair creams can also be good options, as they contain ceramides and lipids to help form a protective layer on the skin, which locks in moisture and blocks irritants. 

Look out for ingredients that support your skin barrier, like ceramides, glycerin, hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and colloidal oatmeal, which are beneficial for eczema-prone skin. You can also look out for the National Eczema Association (NEA)’s Seal of Acceptance, which means that it’s a clinically-tested product and is free from ingredients on their Ecz-clusion List of irritants and allergens.

2. Try the “soak and seal” method  

Here’s how it’s done: Take a short, lukewarm bath or shower (scalding hot temps can cause flare-ups and trigger dry skin), and use a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer — sans loofah. Then pat your skin dry so it’s still a little damp, and apply moisturizer within three minutes to lock the water in. PS: Ointments and thick creams work best for this step.

If your skin is feeling extra irritated, a bath with colloidal oatmeal can help calm things down. But only try advanced treatments (like bleach baths) if your dermatologist gives you the green light. 

3. Make ceramides a priority

If you remember only one ingredient from this article, make it ceramides. They’re naturally occurring lipids (aka fat molecules) that help keep your skin barrier intact. Their job: keep moisture in and irritants out. People with eczema often have lower ceramide levels — and therefore weaker skin barriers. Using products with ceramides can help restore and strengthen that barrier.

Look for skincare products that specifically list ceramides on the label. Apply these products generously and frequently, and layer them over any prescription treatments to seal in medication and prevent evaporation. 

4. Be weary of retinol

Retinoids and retinols can be effective ingredients for certain skin concerns — especially anti-aging and acne — but they can also be irritating, particularly for eczema-prone skin.

Some doctors recommend that patients with eczema avoid retinoids altogether, so talk to your dermatologist if that’s the right call for you. If you get the OK, begin with low concentrations infrequently (once or twice a week), while remaining diligent about your moisturizing routine. Monitor how your skin responds. If you notice increased sensitivity, redness, or dryness, stop using them. During flare-ups, avoid retinols entirely. Your focus during those periods should be on gentle, barrier-supporting products.

theSkimm

Building a beauty routine with eczema-prone skin takes a little extra effort. Once you've established what works for your skin, it’s important to maintain that routine going forward. The payoff — having products you can trust that make you feel comfortable in your own skin — is worth the investment.