If you have eczema, chances are you've tried a lot of skin creams. Moisturizing can reduce the dryness and irritation that come with eczema, but not all moisturizers are eczema-friendly. Some ingredients in skin cream can make your eczema symptoms worse.
- Fragrances. The perfumes that make products smell irresistible are a common skin irritant. Look for products that are labeled fragrance-free instead of unscented. Unscented may still have odor-masking ingredients that irritate the skin.
- Essential oils. Essential oils are highly potent oils distilled from plants. They are likely to cause skin irritation for people with skin sensitivity.
- Urea. Urea is used for treating scaly skin conditions like psoriasis and corns. It's too strong for people who have eczema, though, and might cause skin damage.
- Lanolin. Lanolin is an emollient derived from sheep's wool. It's a very good moisturizer with healing properties, but many people with eczema are allergic to it.
- Retinoids. Retinoids are great for anti-aging but too drying for people with eczema.
- Cocamidopropyl betaine. This detergent is a foaming agent that's used in baby shampoos and other products. It is a well-known trigger of allergic reactions in sensitive people.
- Ethanol. Ethanol is an alcohol used in some skincare products. It's very drying and not helpful for people with eczema.
Keep an eye out for ingredients that you know make eczema worse. Avoiding eczema triggers is the best way to reduce flare-ups.
