If you’re constantly dealing with red, itchy, dry patches of eczema, you’re probably familiar with the struggle to find the best eczema creams out there. Chances are, by now, you’ve tried seemingly every hand cream or lotion available over-the-counter. It’s incredibly tough to find a product to treat eczema, and finding a moisturizer without irritating your poor skin further is especially essential in the winter. Eczema creams are not one-size-fits-all, and it is way too easy to spend a ton of money on products that don’t provide eczema relief. So how can you be sure you’re using the right one for you?
What to look for in an eczema creams
Eczema, most commonly known as atopic dermatitis, is a condition in which the skin barrier is not able to maintain the necessary moisture to provide protection from allergens and environmental stressors. “People with eczema tend to have dry, irritated, inflamed skin,” says Shari Lipner, M.D., Ph.D., associate professor of clinical dermatology at Weill Cornell Medicine. “Choosing the right moisturizer can help in preventing eczema flare-ups and treating the eczema.”
The best eczema creams and lotions are “thicker moisturizers,” Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, M.D., double board-certified dermatologist and founder of Mudgil Dermatology, tells SELF. It’s especially important to look for a product that contains humectant ingredients (like hyaluronic acid and glycerin) as well as moisturizing and skin-protecting ingredients (like ceramides, petrolatum, and colloidal oatmeal). Humectants help add additional hydration, while ceramides and occlusive ingredients reinforce the skin barrier, ultimately helping to protect you from irritants that might trigger an eczema flare. Keep an eye out for products with a high oil-content-to-water-content ratio as well, recommends Dr. Lipner.
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What ingredients to avoid in eczema creams
Of course, there are ingredients you’ll want to avoid too, Dendy Engelman, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Medical Dermatology and Cosmetic Surgery, tells SELF. Ingredients to watch out for include fragrances, exfoliating acids (like glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids), harsh soaps, and retinol, she says: “These can further irritate the skin by drying them out.”
Dr. Nada Elbuluk, M.D., director of the Skin of Color Center and Pigmentary Program at USC, also notes to look at ingredients lists for anything you might be allergic to, because that will also cause a flare-up. “I also recommend avoiding physical exfoliants and even certain fabrics such as wool, which can make eczema worse,” she says.
So what are the absolute best eczema creams to hydrate, strengthen, and protect against flare-ups? We asked dermatologists to tell us what moisturizers they commonly recommend to their eczema patients. Here’s what they suggest.
Source: SELF
