As we inch towards the winter months, those with eczema-prone skin are battening down the hatches and preparing for cold weather-induced flare-ups. That means stocking up on cult-favourite moisturisers and exploring new and exciting emollient formulations that promise to protect and support the skin barrier.
It’s an uncomfortable and frustrating condition, especially given that nobody really knows what makes one person more prone to eczema than another. It’s a form of dermatitis of which there are seven different types, meaning that understanding the exact type of irritation that you’re suffering from makes a huge difference when searching for effective treatment.
What are the different types of eczema?
According to the National Eczema Association, these are the seven different types of eczema:
- Atopic dermatitis: typical in small children but can occur at any age, it causes inflammation, dryness and itchy skin.
- Contact dermatitis: brought on by environmental triggers.
- Dyshidrotic eczema: causes dryness, rashes, blisters, and a burning sensation. It often occurs on the hands and feet.
- Neurodermatitis: affects small patches of skin and makes them itchy and scaly.
- Nummular eczema: creates small, rounded legions all over the body, especially arms and legs.
- Seborrheic dermatitis: inflammatory eczema which affects the scalp.
- Stasis dermatitis: presents as skin discoloration which looks similar to varicose veins.
We spoke to CeraVe’s consultant dermatologist, Dr Angela Tewari, for some further insight into what causes eczema flare-ups and the best ways to treat them.
What is eczema and what causes it?
“Eczema is inflammation of the skin characterised by scaley redness and in some cases swelling.”
Where do the symptoms of eczema most commonly appear?
“I think it depends on the type of eczema you have. Childhood eczema tends to be localised to the face whilst eczema from the age of 2 onwards tends to present on the antecubital fossae and behind the knees. You can get adult onset and allergic contact dermatitis.”
What triggers eczema flare-ups?
“Stress, infection and contact allergens are probably the most common triggers. Food is a commonly considered trigger, but I do see that a lot less commonly.”
What are the best ways to soothe eczema flare-ups and why?
“Think about preserving your skin barrier. I like an emollient with urea and ceramides if possible, such as CeraVe’s Ointment.”
What are the best types of moisturisers to use for eczema-prone skin?
“I think it depends on your skin type. If you have dry skin, I prefer more oil-based emollients even for the face - but do try and find one that suits you.”
What should those with eczema-prone skin avoid?
“Be careful with high histamine-containing foods like tomatoes and citrus foods- don’t avoid but definitely be mindful they can cause a local increase in histamine release and cause a temporary itch and swelling.”
Be sure to book an appointment with a dermatologist to understand which eczema you have before looking for topical treatments.
We’ve curated a selection of the best skincare products to help treat eczema below. Keep scrolling for soothing, anti-itch care.
CeraVe Advanced Repair Ointment for Very Dry and Chapped Skin 50ml
One of the newest additions to CeraVe’s already expansive range, the Advance Repair Ointment is a saviour for eczema-prone skin.
The lightweight, non-greasy and gel-like formulation contains three essential ceramides to help boost and maintain the skin’s natural barrier, hyaluronic acid to retain the skin’s natural moisture and petrolatum to lock in moisture and prevent epidermal water loss. When used overnight, the powerful ointment helps the skin to look healthy and plump from the moment you wake up.
Buy now £8.80, Cult Beauty
La Roche-Posay Lipikar Moisturising Body Balm AP+M 200ml
A cult-favourite lotion for a reason, La Roche-Posay’s Lipikar Body Balm is suitable for babies, children and adults.
Powered by thermal spring water and boosted by powerful hydrating ingredients such as shea butter, humectant mannose, glycerin and skin-smoothing niacinamide, the moisturiser immediately absorbs into the skin without leaving you feeling slippery. It’s a versatile, instantly soothing ointment which can be used to treat painful sunburn and cold weather-induced dermatitis alike.
Buy now £17.00, Cult Beauty
Aveeno Dermexa Daily Emollient Cream 500ml
Aveeno specialises in eczema relief formulations which make use of powerful oat complexes. A historically brilliant dermatitis soother, oatmeal is a powerful natural emollient – which is why baths full of the stuff were historically used to treat skin conditions. Suitable for sensitive skin types, this moisturiser includes a pre-biotic triple oat complex which includes oat flour, oat extract and oat oil. It’s also packed full of ceramides which help to lock in all that soothing moisture.
Buy now £16.79, Lookfantastic
Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream
A classic, dermatologist-recommended favourite, Eucerin’s eczema relief cream is packed full of sensitive skin-approved ingredients which help to instantly soothe painful eczema flare-ups. The non-comedogenic and non-greasy formulation includes colloidal oatmeal, ceramide-3, and licochalcone (an anti-inflammatory extracted from liquorice root) to deliver impressive 24-hour hydration. It’s also suitable for children under three months, so long as you ask your doctor first.
Buy now £18.81, iHerb
Avène Cicalfate+ Restorative Protective Cream 100ml
Parisian drugstore favourite Avène’s Cicalfate+ helps to protect eczema-prone skin from environmental triggers. Ingredients include thermal spring water, the brand’s own patented post-biotic known as C-Restore (an active ingredient derived from thermal spring water), and copper and zinc sulphates. It’s described as mimicking the effects of a wound dressing, wrapping the skin in a soothing, moisturising and protective film.
Buy now £16.00, Cult Beauty
Murad Quick Relief Moisture Treatment
Though on the pricier end of the spectrum, Murad’s Quick Relief Moisture Treatment is worth the investment for those who suffer from itchiness, redness, rashes and general skin discomfort. It’s another quick-acting formulation which makes use of colloidal oatmeal and additional oat lipids. Formulated without parabens, sulphates, phthalates, gluten or animal-derived ingredients, it’s an immediate add-to-shelf.
Buy now £46.00, Space NK
Hope's Relief Intensive Dry Skin Rescue Cream
A lesser-known Australian naturopathic ointment beloved by the eczema community, Hope’s Relief Intensive cream is made from solely natural ingredients including hospital-grade organic manuka honey UMF 10+, gotu kola, aloe vera, organic calendula and liquorice root, to soothe itchy, dry skin prone to eczema, psoriasis and dermatitis. It’s suitable even for newborns.
Buy now £18.49, Big Green Smile
Kate Somerville Dry Skin Saver
A luxurious and indulgent dry skin cream which is a treat to use, the Dry Skin Saver by Kate Somerville is formulated with irritation-calming oat kernel flour, a hydrating and skin barrier-protecting lipid complex and a soothing botanical blend of blackcurrant seed oil and balloon vine extract. The addition of wakame also helps to moisturise while maintaining firmness and defending against environmental stress. Apply it to any area in need of a little extra love morning, noon and night.
Buy now £48.00, Kate Somerville
O'Keeffe's Working Hands Eczema Relief Hand Cream
A fan-favourite, wallet-saving ointment formulated (as the name suggests) for working hands, O’Keeffe’s beloved cream helps to soothe painful hand eczema resulting from environmental triggers. It’s completely steroid-free and helps to provide up to 48 hours of itch-free relief. Though it’s dermatologically tested, we’d avoid it if you have particularly reactive skin due to the fact that it’s made with chemical ingredients rather than natural ones.
Buy now £9.49, Amazon
Bioderma Atoderm Intensive Balm 500ml
French skincare brands do eczema relief impeccably well, and Bioderma is no exception. The Atoderm Intensive Balm repairs and restores lipids while working to soothe irritated and atopic sensitive skin. It’s a thick and creamy consistency which absorbs quickly, and the lipid-infused formulation is approved by the National Eczema Association.
Buy now £24.00, Lookfantastic
Verdict
A fabulous, instantly soothing and non-greasy all-rounder, CeraVe’s Advanced Repair Ointment for Very Dry and Chapped Skin is our top pick. Coming in a close second is the ever-versatile La Roche-Posay Lipikar Moisturising Body Balm AP+M. For an all-natural approach to eczema care, we’d go for Hope's Relief Intensive Dry Skin Rescue Cream.
