How to combat aging with eczema-friendly skincare tips
The symptoms of atopic eczema are all too familiar—dry, itchy skin, irritation, and rashes. Skincare is at the cornerstone of eczema care, including choosing gentle skin care products formulated for sensitive skin and using a moisturizer to combat dryness and itch. But where does anti-aging skincare fit into the picture? Many in our community have asked ESC about anti-aging products, wondering which ones are safe for sensitive or atopic eczema-prone skin.
ESC spoke with Toronto-based Dermatologist Dr. Marisa Ponzo, who addressed some of our community’s top anti-aging skincare questions. Dr. Ponzo shares, “Atopic eczema is an inflammatory skin condition, and patients with this condition already have challenges with their skin barrier, sensitive skin, and are prone to irritation. The dry skin of atopic eczema can impact skin anywhere on the body and commonly impacts the face and the sensitive area around the eyes. Understandably, patients may have concerns about the appearance of their skin. Atopic skin can be prone to appearing dry and to fine lines.”
So, what can patients with atopic eczema do to improve the appearance of their skin? Dr. Ponzo says, “Patients with atopic eczema want to be careful about the products they put on their skin, opting for moisturizers and cleansers that are gentle and less likely to be irritating for sensitive skin. Patients with atopic eczema should avoid exfoliants that can irritate the skin. Regarding anti-aging products, moisturizers and sunscreens can be great options, as skincare doesn’t have to be complicated. Sunscreen can protect the skin from photoaging (where the sun prematurely ages the skin and causes fine lines and wrinkles), and moisturizers can relieve the dryness and itch of eczema and temporarily improve the appearance by hydrating dry and flaky skin.”
We asked Dr. Ponzo about common anti-aging products. “Wearing broad-spectrum sunscreen daily is an excellent anti-ageing tool and the first line of defence I share with all my patients. Products with Retinoids, a vitamin A derivative treatment available by prescription, can be very irritating for the average person, let alone someone with sensitive skin or eczema. Retinol is a relative of retinoids, but retinol products are sold over the counter in most drugstores. Those can also be irritating, and I caution my patients against using these if they have sensitive skin or atopic eczema.”
So, what can patients with eczema do? “Speak to your dermatologist. Having atopic eczema is quite a balancing act, and the last thing you want to do is trigger a flare or worsen eczema.”
Eczema Society of Canada thanks dermatologist Dr. Marisa Ponzo, MD-PhD, FRCPC, for her volunteer contribution to this educational content.
This blog was developed as part of our Life with Eczema program, and funding support for this initiative has been provided by AbbVie, Pfizer Canada, and Sanofi.
References:
Canadian Dermatology Association, Photoaging, 2024. https://dermatology.ca/public-patients/skin/photoaging/ Accessed 24 October 2024.
American Academy of Dermatology, 11 Ways to Reduce Premature Aging. https://www.aad.org/public/everyday-care/skin-care-secrets/anti-aging/reduce-premature-aging-skin Accessed 24 October 2024.
Disclaimer: Information provided in this resource does not constitute medical advice and is not intended to be used as a diagnostic tool. The information is up-to-date at time of publication. All medications, interventions, and treatment plans have risks and benefits, and it is important that individuals discuss their or their child’s specific healthcare needs with a qualified healthcare professional.
October 2024
