Eczema is a condition that causes inflamed, itchy, cracked, and rough skin. The most common type is atopic dermatitis which makes the skin extra sensitive and prone to allergic reactions.
Using the right kinds of body washes can help moisturize the skin, reduce dryness, and minimize flares. This article explores what causes eczema, the top body washes to use, their benefits, and tips for using them.
How Is Eczema Caused In Your Body? Signs & Symptoms
Eczema is an inflammatory condition that makes the skin become red, dry, extremely itchy, and scaly. The exact cause is unknown but believed to involve a combination of genetic and environmental factors.
People with eczema lack proper skin barrier function and have a reduced ability to retain moisture. This allows irritants, microbes, and allergens to penetrate and trigger an immune reaction.
Common Causes And Risk Factors:
✔ Family history of eczema, asthma, allergies
✔ Defects in skin barrier proteins like filaggrin
✔ Exposure to triggers like irritants, foods, stress, climate
✔ Immune system dysfunction
✔ Microbial imbalance on the skin
Common Signs And Symptoms:
✔ Extremely itchy, inflamed skin
✔ Rashes that ooze and crust over when scratched
✔ Dry, scaly, thickened skin that cracks easily
✔ Red to brownish discoloration on affected areas
✔ Papules, blisters, pustules, hives, scabs from scratching
✔ Raw, sensitive, and painful skin
✔ Worsened symptoms during flair ups
✔ Most commonly occurs on hands, feet, wrists, folds of arms, neck
7 Best Body Washes For Eczema Explored!
Here are the seven best body washes for eczema which improve and replenish skin nourishment:
1. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser – Extremely mild formula cleanses without stripping moisture, hydrating the skin.
2. Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash – Contains soothing oatmeal and natural colloidal oatmeal to calm itching and irritation. Fragrance-free.
3. CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash – Gently cleanses while restoring the skin’s protective barrier with 3 essential ceramides.
4. La Roche-Posay Lipikar Wash AP+ – Has prebiotic thermal water, niacinamide to reduce flareups and repair the skin.
5. Vanicream Gentle Body Wash – Ideal for sensitive skin, free of dyes, fragrances, and parabens. Helps retain moisture.
6. Eucerin Skin Calming Body Wash – Oat-based formula soothes itching. Licochalcone helps minimize redness and irritation.
7. Aveeno Eczema Therapy Soothing Bath Treatment – Colloidal oatmeal relieves itchiness. Creates a temporary barrier against irritants.
Uses & Benefits Of Body Washes For Eczema
Using the right body washes can benefit eczema in these ways:
? Gentle cleansing without stripping moisture from the skin
? Hydrating and moisturizing effect helps heal dry, cracked skin
? Calms inflammation, redness, and itchiness
? Oatmeal, ceramides, and lipids repair the damaged skin barrier
? Prevents loss of water content from the epidermis
? Balances skin microbiome
? Reduces allergic reactions and sensitivity
? Improves skin’s texture and suppleness
? Cleanses skin without causing irritation or dryness
? Some provide anti-inflammatory relief
? Prevent infections in broken skin, weeping rashes
? Descaling effect gently removes dead skin buildup
Tips to Maintain & Care for Eczema While Applying Body Wash
? Limit bathing time to 5-10 minutes in lukewarm water. Hot water dries the skin.
? Avoid harsh scrubbing, stick to gentle cleansing in affected areas.
? Pat skin partially dry, apply moisturizer within 3 minutes of bathing.
? Use moisturizing, fragrance-free products that complement body wash.
? Wear soft, breathable fabrics like cotton that won’t irritate the skin.
? Watch for product ingredients that commonly trigger eczema flares.
? Apply moisturizer multiple times a day, especially right after bathing.
? Keep showers infrequent during bad flare-ups to prevent drying.
? Manage stress levels which can worsen eczema symptoms.
? Stay hydrated and avoid extreme temperatures that cause flares.
Conclusion
Choosing a gentle, hydrating body wash is key to managing eczema-prone skin. Opt for formulas with colloidal oatmeal, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and lipids to soothe and protect the skin barrier.
Avoiding harsh cleansers, staying moisturized, and protecting skin from irritants can also minimize eczema flares along with using medicated treatments.
See a dermatologist if symptoms persist despite home care. With the right products and care, body washes can help control eczema flare-ups and irritation.
Read More:- Does Skin Fasting Really Help? What Are The Benefits Of The New Trend?
FAQs
Q1: Can I use regular body wash if I have eczema?
People with eczema need to use gentle cleansers without fragrances, preservatives, or chemicals that can worsen flares. Harsh soaps strip moisture from the skin. Opt for an eczema-friendly body wash.
Q2: Should you wash off creams before applying body wash for eczema?
It is not necessary to wash off topical creams before using a body wash made for eczema-prone skin. But lightly rinsing before bathing ensures the body wash can penetrate and properly cleanse the skin.
Q3: How often should you bathe with eczema?
Limit baths to once daily or every two days in cold/dry weather to avoid excess drying of eczema-prone skin. Baths may be taken more frequently in warm, humid climates provided moisture is restored quickly.
Q4: Is Aveeno or Cetaphil better for eczema?
Both Aveeno and Cetaphil make gentle, hypoallergenic body washes suitable for eczema. Aveeno contains soothing colloidal oatmeal while Cetaphil specializes in non-irritating cleansers that retain moisture. Choose based on your skin’s preference.
Q5: Should I moisturize before or after a body wash for eczema?
It is best to apply moisturizer within 3 minutes of finishing a bath or shower while the skin is still damp. This seals in moisture and creates a protective barrier before eczema-prone skin starts drying out.
