Last Updated on Tuesday, 09 March 2010 21:59

Moisturizers and Emollients for Eczema

Soaps and harsh detergents should not be used on skin affected by eczema as they tend to strip the skin of natural oils.

Moisturizers are helpful in restoring the skins barrier and providing a protective layer on the surface of the skin. This helps to trap water and ‘keep out’ harmful irritants and allergens. Moisturizers also help replenish natural oils in the skin. It’s very important that the moisturizer doesn’t irritate the skin and should be perfume and preservative free.

Eucerin is a very good choice and has been used successfully for a long time. It moisturizes with petroleum and mineral oil. It comes in both a crèam and lotion and the manufacturer recommends it for mildly flared skin. Eucerin lotion or cream may also be helpful with itching

Moisturizers containing alpha hydroxy acids can also be helpful for scaly skin and mild eczema as alpha hydroxy acids are exfoliants. Again it’s important to ensure that they do not contain any perfumes.

Generally the drier your skin the oilier the moisturizer or emollient should be. Lighter creams may not work as well as ointments on severely dry skin. Creams are easy to apply and are quickly absorbed into the skin. They do however need to be applied more frequently. Ointments containing less water tend to stay on the skin for longer but can be messy to apply. The best moisturizer for you will depend on how dry and flaky your skin is.

When choosing a moisturizer look for the following ingredients: Petrolatum, mineral oil, silicone (protect), glycerin, panthenol, hyaluronic acid, propylene glycol, butylene glycol (rehydrate), stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, tocopheryl acetate, prolipids (restore).