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Eczema is an inflammatory skin disorder that can range from mild to extreme. It’s caused by an immune dysfunction and a defect in skin barrier. Eczema is more common during childhood, as many people outgrow this skin condition. However, eczema can carry into adulthood, and flare-ups may come and go.
There’s no cure for eczema, but there are ways to soothe skin affected by eczema. Read through to see how to care for eczema-prone skin.
Possible eczema triggers
Atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema. It can be triggered by a mix of internal factors, like diet and stress, and external factors, like environmental allergens, soaps and detergents, perfumes and rough fabrics.
Common eczema symptoms
Eczema can cause skin to be drier and more reactant to triggers. Skin may become extremely itchy, red, blemished, inflamed or leathery, and blisters with pus may form. Symptoms usually occur on the elbows, knees and hands, but sometimes on the face and neck as well.
How to care for eczema-prone skin
Know your ingredients – Go for skin care ingredients suitable for dry and sensitive skin. Hyaluronic acid is a great place to start to repair, intensely hydrate and enhance moisture retention, especially if you’re suffering from dry patches. This smooth aqueous substance is prominent in many skin care products, like Isntree’s Hyaluronic Acid Water Essence and COSRX’s Hyaluronic Acid Intensive Cream. Ceramide is another ingredient to smooth and soften skin and strengthen its barrier. There’s a plethora of ceramide-packed products, like HOLIKA HOLIKA’s Good Cera Super Ceramide Cream and RNW’s DER. Special Ceramide Cream which is also formulated with hyaluronic acid.
To calm inflammation, try azulene or colloidal oats. Azulene is an antioxidant extracted from chamomile, and it helps reduce inflammation and redness while fostering cell growth. This beautiful blue ingredient can be found in Dear, Klairs’s Midnight Blue Calming Cream. Colloidal oats, which help soothe skin and neutralize skin’s pH levels, are present in YEOUTH’s nourishing Dead Sea Mud Face Mask. The mask also contains Dead Sea Mud to detoxify skin.
Choose mild and hypoallergenic formulas – Eczema-prone skin has no better ally than gentle and hypoallergenic formulations that are free of parabens, alcohol, artificial fragrances and coloring, mineral oils, sulfates and preservatives. Besides avoiding allergy-inducing ingredients, do also avoid scrubs and exfoliators as they can aggravate eczema-caused conditions.
Follow the “less is more” approach by seeking out products with as few ingredients as possible. Now is an opportune time to try clean beauty products that favor safe and non-irritating ingredients to minimize toxins and potential irritants. Clean skin care brand ROVECTIN’s Clean Lotus Water Cream comes free of 20 kinds of harmful ingredients. iUNIK is another noteworthy Korean brand to keep on the radar as it’s known for using hypoallergenic ingredients to soothe skin and restore its natural balance.
Moisturize skin at least twice a day – With eczema, skin is at its driest as it lacks the fats and oils it needs. One simple and important thing to do is moisturize. Opt for creams as they deliver more moisture than lotions. Moisturize both morning and evening, as well as throughout the day when skin feels taut. It never hurts to give skin extra hydration to quench thirst and calm irritation.
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