Ultimately, a Cleanser Formulated to Avoid Irritating Eczema Flare-ups Intensely
When you've got eczema, you don't want to take any chances with the products you use on your sensitive skin - so finding a gentle face cleanser that won't trigger or aggravate those annoying, dry patches is a must. Catie Boucher, DCNP, FNP-C, a board-certified dermatology nurse practitioner and the founder of SavvyDerm, tells our site that a bad cleanser can wreak havoc on your skin's barrier, so ideally, you'll want to find a product that's both gentle on your complexion and helps keep moisture locked in.
Navigating the skin care product aisle with eczema-prone or sensitive skin can feel like walking through a minefield, but knowing a few pointers from dermatologists can help you confidently decode labels to find a cleanser that'll work for you. Our top picks include:
- Best Overall: La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Gentle Foaming Cleansing Oil
- Best Budget: Aveeno Calm and Restore Gentle Nourishing Oat Face Cleanser
- Best for Active Eczema: Skinfix Pre-Biotic Face + Body Foaming Oil Cleanser
- Best for Dry Skin: Drunk Elephant Mello Marula Cream Cleanser
- Best for Oily Skin: ETUDE SoonJung pH 6.5 Whip Facial Cleanser
- Best Makeup Remover: One Love Botanical B Enzyme Cleansing Oil
When shopping for a face wash with eczema in mind, dermatologists recommend looking for ingredients that are gentle, moisturizing, and pH-balanced. Glycerin, hyaluronic acid, panthenol, and other humectants that draw water into the skin are excellent to have on the ingredients list, since they help keep your skin hydrated. Ceramides, which reinforce the skin barrier, and anti-inflammatory ingredients like aloe, colloidal oatmeal, niacinamide, and coconut oil are also great to see. According to Ivy Lee-Keltner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and the medical director of Direct Dermatology in California, eczema can cause your skin to look grayish purple or dark brown on deeper skin tones, or red on lighter complexions, so products containing these ingredients can help calm inflammation, soothe itchiness, and even reduce discoloration.
Steer clear of fragrance, which sensitive skin almost always reacts to. Pro tip: Look for a product that says "fragrance-free" and not just unscented, since "unscented" products might use other chemicals to mask the scent. Cream cleansers are usually a good option for those with eczema, since they're less likely to strip your skin of hydration than gels or foams. It's a major plus to pick a cleanser that has the National Eczema Association's Seal of Acceptance, which indicates it's free of irritants that are known to be troublemakers for people with eczema.
It's a good idea to wash your face with a cleanser every morning and night, even if you have dry or eczema-prone skin. Cleansing twice a day can help remove any sweat and residue from skin care products used the night before, and it helps prevent moisture loss, which can make your eczema worse. If cleansing twice a day feels too drying for your skin, you might need to switch up your products to find one that hydrates your skin without leaving it feeling tight. It's rare for a face wash to cure your eczema, but using a non-gentle cleanser on your skin can certainly worsen it.
- In the realm of health-and-wellness and skincare, finding a news article about gentle face cleansers for eczema-prone skin can provide valuable insights for those with sensitive skin.
- Amidst the chaos of selecting skincare products, understanding the importance of ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid, and ceramides becomes crucial for maintaining healthy, beautiful skin that shows signs of women's health, such as the prevention of menopause-related skin changes.
- Mental-health and overall well-being can be positively impacted by adopting a skincare routine that incorporates the use of gentle, moisturizing face cleansers, such as those recommended by dermatologists for eczema management.
- With the rise in popularity of health-and-wellness practices, individuals seeking to improve their mental-health should consider the role safe, fragrance-free skincare products play in reducing stress and promoting relaxation during their skincare routine.