10 Tips For Effective Eczema Skincare Routine
Having eczema is like having that one friend who loves giving unsolicited advice; you don’t wanna be around them, but you eventually learn how to live with them. It’s really all about balance. Easier said than done, right?
It takes time and effort to live with eczema. We’ve compiled a list for you, so keep reading!
1. Keep in Short but Sweet.
Take short, lukewarm showers. Wrinkly fingers will dictate if it’s time’s up for you. Taking too long in the shower prevents your skin from retaining moisture. If anything, your main goal would be to lock in moisture, not to deprive the body of it.
2. To Soap or Not to Soap; that is the question.
It’s simple: Use a gentle soap, or no soap at all. Soaps (and shampoos) smell amazing, which seems good on a whim...until you find out how. These products smell so good because synthetic ingredients are added to them. As you know, chemicals can irritate the skin, causing eczema flare-up. We wouldn’t want that, would we?
3. Bid those Squeeze Bottles Good-Bye!
This seems like a weird one, but hear us out. Squeeze bottles excrete product through a thin tube, yes? To be able to release enough product, a certain thinness in consistency should be achieved. We, on the other hand, should be on the lookout for products that couldn’t fit into a squeeze bottle’s nozzle. Why? The thicker the product, the more potent it is. We need mild but effective moisturizers. Yes, it is possible to have those in one package. If we could scoop a certain formula out with our fingers, chances are they will penetrate deeper into our skin tissues as opposed to a thin texture.
Pro Tip: Apply moisturizer as soon as you hop off the shower. The best time for our skin to drink moisture is when our pores are opened i.e., after taking a shower
4. Try Homemade Soothers.
Grandma’s good ol’ home remedies actually have some basis. Perhaps you’ve heard of sprinkling baking soda into your bath to help soothe inflammation. As it turns out, baking soda is a natural alkalising agent, meaning it reverses the effects of acid and inflammation in the body while balancing out the skin’s PH levels.
5 . Check the Label.
This is something we tend to forget when we go skincare shopping. We do background checks on our girlfriends’ boyfriends, why shouldn’t we do the same with our skincare products? You go through so many choices, we get it. But remember: steer clear of synthetic ingredients. Organic skincare is always the way to go, as we are assured of their natural, non-toxic, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties. Just Bee Natural (pun intended).
6. Be a Beach Babe.
A beach trip isn't just an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Taking a dip in the ocean can also solve a good number of skin issues. Swimming in the ocean can naturally heal the skin due to salt water's numerous skin-healing minerals. Sea salt water is also a natural exfoliant – which gets rid of dead skin and supports healthy skin cell production.
7 . Just Keep Swimming.
Swimming is widely known for being an excellent form of exercise, both for the muscles and for the lungs. Studies show that swimming is also excellent for disinfecting the skin due to its chlorine content. Do a few laps and leave the pool feeling relaxed from inside out.
8. Use a Humidifier.
Who doesn’t love humidifiers? They hardly take up any space in your room, they’re super effective, and they’re usually reasonably priced. Humidifiers are a skincare must-have whether you have eczema or not. We’re trying to get the most moisture out of our surroundings, and it’s good to know that we can get it from a small appliance.
9. But first, Sunscreen.
We cannot stress how important sunscreen is. Excessive sun exposure is the root cause of wrinkles, prickly heat, and hyperpigmentation; 3 things of the most bothersome nuisances our skin can experience. Whether you’re going out for 3 minutes or 3 hours, wear sunscreen and re-apply every 2 hours. Make sure to get a minimum of SPF30 to provide adequate protection for your skin. Contrary to popular belief, it is best not to exceed SP50. According to several dermatologists, a certain amount of chemicals are needed to achieve an SPF higher than 50.
Pro Tip: Give your hands some TLC. Apart from applying sunscreen, take a pair of gloves with you everywhere you go. You’ll never know exactly how cool or warm your destination will be. It pays to be safe. Come to think of it: apart from the face and neck, the hands are the most exposed.
10. ALLERGENS = ANGRY SKIN
Okay, we’ve tackled everything there is to know about skincare for eczema...or have we? A great skincare routine requires research, the right products, and something that we take for granted—proper diet. We are avid believers in the saying “You are what you eat”. A huge chunk of what happens to our skin starts from within. Peanuts, milk, eggs, and soy are some of the most common allergens that could trigger eczema.That’s it! Now you have a blow by blow skincare routine list. Good luck, eczema warriors!