The soap you use plays a huge role in managing your eczema and avoiding future flare-ups. You want to choose a cleanser that is gentle and free of common irritants, allergens and fragrance oils.
This formula features skin soothing ingredients like aloe vera and chamomile to calm your itchy, red skin. It’s formulated without any dyes and fragrances and is dermatologist recommended.
1. Fragrance
Fragrance is the combination of chemicals that give perfumes and colognes their distinct scent. It’s important to look for fragrance-free soaps with eczema because this can reduce the symptoms of a flare-up and prevent future ones from occurring.
Traditional soaps strip the skin of its natural oils and moisture, leaving it irritated and dry. The best eczema soap should have nourishing ingredients that put these nutrients back into the skin so it can stay healthy and hydrated.
This soothing eczema soap contains natural ingredients like aloe vera and chamomile that work together to calm the skin. It also contains sunflower seed oil, coconut, and palm oils to moisturize the skin as it cleanses. It’s also hypoallergenic and fragrance-free and is dermatologist recommended. This is one of the best eczema soaps for hands because it gently removes dirt and buildup without irritating skin.
2. Aloe Vera
Cleopatra used aloe vera, the so-called ‘plant of immortality’ to soothe her sunburns 2,000 years ago and it is still one of the most popular natural remedies for irritated skin. The gel contains special water-storing tissues that help hydrate the skin and relieve itching.
It also contains hormones Auxin and Gibberellins that stimulate wound-healing and reduce inflammation. This helps the rash heal faster and breaks down the vicious itch-scratch cycle that triggers eczema.
However, aloe vera may cause a reaction in some people, especially if you’re allergic to plants of the lily family (Liliaceae) such as garlic, onions and tulips. So, before using any aloe vera products on your rash, patch test it on a small area of your skin and wait 24 hours to see if you develop any kind of rash or irritation.
3. Petroleum Distillates
In order to create soap that's effective at cleaning, a recipe needs certain oils that can turn into soap. These are called cleansing oils. These oils typically include coconut, babassu and palm kernel oil. They are effective cleansers when turned into soap and provide a good lather.
Petroleum distillates, also known as petroleum jelly or paraffin wax are a type of hydrocarbon that can be found in products such as lip gloss, liquid gas, furniture polish, pesticides, plastics, paint thinners and cleaners, motor oil and hundreds of other household and commercial products. The toxicity level of these hydrocarbons varies according to their structural class.
If you suffer from eczema, choose soap that is free of fragrances, dyes and synthetic chemicals. Look for a soap that's non-sulfate, hypoallergenic and has the NEA Seal of Acceptance.
4. Sulfates
Sulfates are a known irritant that can cause problems for anyone, but they are especially bad for those with eczema. They tend to dry out skin and make it itchy, which can trigger a flare-up.
Sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) is commonly used as a foaming agent, but it can be very harsh on the skin and is a common trigger for eczema sufferers. It is also found in engine degreasers, floor cleaners, car wash soaps, shampoos, toothpastes and shaving foams.
Try to use a mild and gentle cleanser that is fragrance free. After bathing, avoid rubbing your skin with a towel and instead pat or blot dry. This will help preserve your natural lipid layer and prevent it from being stripped. Try CLn BodyWash, which has been awarded the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance and contains ingredients that are skin-friendly.
5. Parabens
While everyone's triggers are different, daily routines such as bathing can remove the skin's lipid layer. When used too frequently, this can cause dryness and itching triggering an eczema flare-up. To protect against this, choose a soap for eczema that is fragrance free and contains ingredients that nourish the skin.
A soap that is formulated with shea butter, glycerin, sunflower seed oil, willow bark extracts and coconut oil is ideal for those who are suffering from eczema as it keeps the skin moisturized. This soap is also gentle enough to be used as a daily preventative treatment against the irritation and itching that can be caused by mild eczema flare-ups.
This soap is completely free from any of the ingredients that trigger eczema and has a higher superfat (the extra oils in a soap recipe that won't turn into soap) at 7 or 8% to ensure it is gentle enough for sensitive skin.
