Tips and Skincare for Eczema-Prone Skin
CONCERNEczema is one of the most common skin conditions in the UK, affecting around 20% of children and 10% of adults. Symptoms range from dryness and itchiness to rashes and inflammation, and while flare-ups can be difficult to manage, understanding your skin – and choosing the right skincare products — can make a world of difference.
In this article, we’ll cover how to identify eczema, what can trigger it and the best soothing skincare for eczema-prone skin.
Best Skincare for Eczema: Key Takeaways
- Triggers for eczema include cold weather, stress, allergens, sweat and harsh soaps.
- The best skin products for eczema are gentle and fragrance-free, with barrier-supporting ingredients like ceramides, squalane, glycerin and colloidal oatmeal.
- Daily moisturising is essential to soothe discomfort, reduce dryness and help support the skin barrier.
- Consult a doctor or dermatologist if you suspect you have eczema.
What is Eczema?
Eczema is a group of inflammatory skin conditions that cause the skin to become dry, itchy, red and cracked. Because the skin becomes so itchy, scratching can irritate it further and often lead to visible rashes. The most common type is atopic dermatitis, which is what most people are referring to when they talk about eczema.
What Does Eczema Look Like?
While you may find it difficult to tell one itchy rash from the next, there are a few signs that can help you identify eczema. The condition is often incredibly itchy, sometimes leading to scratching that can make the skin feel sore or even bleed. During flare-ups, skin may become thick and inflamed, and can appear cracked or blistered.
Eczema is most commonly found in the parts of the body that bend, such as your inner elbows, the backs of your knees, and around the neck, wrists and ankles.
What Triggers Eczema?
Eczema flare-ups can be triggered by everyday irritants such as harsh soaps, fragrances, rough fabrics, sweat, stress or changes in temperature. Many people notice their eczema worsens in cold, dry weather, while others find that sweating and exposure to triggers such as sun, chlorine, pollen and certain sunscreens can make their eczema worse in the summer months.
People with eczema are often prone to allergies and may also experience conditions like asthma or hay fever.
Contact Dermatitis Vs Eczema
Contact dermatitis is a type of eczema. The key difference between contact dermatitis and atopic dermatitis is their cause. The former is a reaction to a specific irritant or allergen when it comes into contact with the skin, while the latter is often an inherited, chronic condition, linked to a sensitive immune system and weakened skin barrier.
How Can You Treat Eczema?
While there is unfortunately no cure for eczema, daily moisturising can help to hydrate the skin, support the barrier and make flare-ups easier to manage. Gentle, fragrance-free skincare and avoiding known triggers can also make a difference. And while easier said than done, avoiding scratching can help reduce the risk of skin infections.
If you suspect you may have eczema, please consult a doctor for an expert opinion — don’t just rely on self-evaluation.
Best Skin Products for Eczema
Your skincare routine can play an important part in keeping eczema-prone skin hydrated and supported. Look for products that are gentle, fragrance-free and deeply moisturising, with barrier-supporting ingredients such as ceramides, glycerin, squalane and colloidal oatmeal.
And remember, eczema is a medical condition, so consult a doctor or dermatologist before trying any new products, and ask for their recommended creams for eczema.
Best Eczema Products for Face
You might worry about face wash drying out your skin, but gentle cleansing is essential for removing irritants and protecting the skin barrier. Opt for a mild, fragrance-free cleanser like our Ultra Facial Barrier-Hydrating Cleanser – our best face wash for eczema-prone skin. Formulated with glycerin, squalane and amino acid surfactants, it gently cleanses without stripping the skin’s barrier.
After cleansing, apply our Calendula Skin-Soothing & Stabilizing Emulsion to help calm and comfort the skin. This soothing formula is ideal for normal to oily skin types, and sensitive skin too. It works to relieve aggravated skin and minimise the appearance of skin imbalances and discomfort.
To lock in hydration and support the skin’s barrier, reach for a rich moisturiser like our Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream. Formulated with colloidal oatmeal and beta-glucan, this potent formula helps relieve skin dryness up to 10 surface skin layers deep to support skin barrier recovery.
Recommended Eczema Creams for Body
Eczema often appears on the elbows, knees, neck, wrists and ankles, so give your body some TLC with a hydrating body lotion. Our bestselling Crème de Corps is a rich yet non-greasy body lotion that helps keep eczema-prone skin comfortably moisturised. With cocoa butter, squalane and beta-carotene, it nourishes your skin and leaves it feeling softer, smoother and hydrated.
When your skin feels more sensitive or is experiencing increased dryness or discomfort, switch to our Ultra Body Mega Moisture Squalane Cream – our first body lotion specifically formulated for sensitive and eczema-prone skin. With squalane and pro-ceramides, it absorbs quickly and delivers ultimate, long-lasting hydration.
Best Eczema Creams for Hands
If you’re struggling with dry, cracked hands, we recommend a thick, nourishing formula like our Ultimate Strength Hand Salve. Enriched with avocado oil, eucalyptus oil and sesame seed oil, our bestselling hand moisturiser leaves hands feeling soothed, soft and conditioned.
It draws and absorbs water from the air, forming a “glove-like” protective barrier against moisture loss. This makes it an ideal hand cream for hand eczema, especially during colder months or after frequent handwashing.
Discover Kiehl’s Range of Skincare for Eczema-Prone Skin
To help soothe dry, itchy skin and support your barrier, shop our range of skincare for dry, eczema-prone skin.
