How to Build an Eczema Skin Care Routine: Tips and More – Healthline

If you or a loved one is living with eczema or atopic dermatitis, you probably know the importance of having a good skin care routine.

Eczema is a chronic condition that can flare when youre exposed to environmental triggers. Atopic dermatitis is a type of eczema characterized by dry skin, scaly patches, itching, and sores.

Keeping the skin moisturized can help prevent eczema flares and provide some relief when flares occur. By developing a routine that works for you, you can help ensure that you keep the skin moisturized and protected against future flares.

Keeping your skin moisturized can help to prevent itching, irritation, and thickening of the skin. In fact, in mild cases, dry skin is the primary symptom of eczema, and a good skin care routine can help keep symptoms suppressed.

In other cases, managing symptoms may require additional precautions and treatments. Whether your eczema is mild or more severe, the starting point for most routines focuses on:

One of the most important steps you can take is getting into the habit of moisturizing your skin immediately following a shower or bath.

According to the National Eczema Association, if you dont immediately apply moisturizer after bathing, the water in your skin will evaporate. This will then cause it to dry out.

During a bath or shower, you should avoid hot water. Lukewarm water helps your skin absorb some of the moisture.

You should also avoid scrubbing or using harsh soaps on your skin. Then, apply moisturizer within 3 minutes of getting out of the shower to help create a barrier to lock in the moisture, per the National Eczema Association.

The American Academy of Dermatology Association doesnt fully discourage baths, especially for children. They state that bathtime can provide an opportunity for parents and children to bond and can remove bacteria and dead skin cells.

However, you should keep baths and showers short. According to a 2018 review, researchers recommend daily bathing or showering that lasts between 5 and 10 minutes.

Eczema can get worse when you come in contact with irritants or triggers. One part of a good skin care routine should be taking active steps to avoid contact with known triggers.

If you dont know what triggers you have, you may want to keep a journal to help you determine the possible cause of your flares. This way, you can potentially avoid them in the future.

Also, keep in mind that not all triggers come from chemicals or irritants.

For example, the National Eczema Association states that cold, dry air can trigger an eczema flare. During the winter, you may need to change your routine a bit to help keep your skin protected.

No two cases of eczema are exactly alike. As a result, what works for some people may not work as well for you, and vice versa.

In an article for the National Eczema Association, dermatologist Margaret Lee notes that you may find relief with products not specifically designed for eczema care. For example, you might find that vegetable shortening or petroleum jelly helps to rehydrate and relieve the pain and itchiness associated with a flare.

Once youve established a routine with one or more products that work, you should consider writing down the routine to help keep it going.

If youre caring for a child with eczema, having the routine recorded can help in case someone else needs to take over responsibility for the routine.

Moisturizers are one of the most important parts of a skin care routine. But not all moisturizers are created the same way, and some provide better benefits than others.

According to the National Eczema Association, ointments and creams are the most effective moisturizers you can use for treating eczema. The reason is that ointments and creams have a higher oil content than lotions.

Oil has two effects on the skin. The first is that it keeps moisture in. The second is it helps keep irritants out.

Several brands, like Aveeno, offer moisturizers designed specifically for eczema. When looking for moisturizers, you should avoid ones that have added fragrances, dyes, or other ingredients that may irritate your skin.

You also want to include gentle cleansers, like CeraVe, in your routine. Keeping your skin clean will help prevent dry, cracked areas of skin from getting infected.

Finally, if youre seeing a dermatologist for treatment, you should discuss which medications may be best for you and ensure that you use them according to the prescribed instructions for the best results.

Certain substances can make eczema worse. The National Eczema Association recommends avoiding skin care products with the following ingredients:

When buying skin care products, check the labels to look out for the ingredients listed above. You can also look for a product with the National Eczema Association Seal of Acceptance on it. This will help you avoid products that contain these known irritants.

Outside of skin care, other substances you might come in contact with may make eczema worse. The National Eczema Association recommends avoiding the following common triggers:

While it helps to avoid topical substances and chemicals, remember these arent the only triggers. You may also want to avoid:

Your routine will vary based on your triggers and what youre planning to do each day. For more specific guidance, talk with your dermatologist to see what they recommend for you.

You should aim to moisturize your skin 2 to 3 times per day.

One of the most important parts of eczema care is keeping your skin moist. You should also take steps to avoid triggers, which can help you prevent flares.

Your skin care routine should consist of plans for when youll moisturize your skin as well as ways to help protect it. Your routine will likely differ from that of other people, depending on your current needs.

If you have trouble developing an effective routine, you should work with your doctor. They can provide you with more specific recommendations that may help your individual situation.

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How to Build an Eczema Skin Care Routine: Tips and More - Healthline