How to choose the best moisturizer to combat eczema affected dry skin
Are you using the right moisturizer to combat your dry skin? Choosing moisturizer for eczema is the answer may be simpler than you think. Anyone with eczema knows skin care is central to managing their condition, reducing itch, and preventing flare-ups. Atopic dermatitis (AD), the most common form of eczema, is generally treated with appropriate bathing, skin moisturizing, and trigger avoidance. Here we will discuss choosing moisturizer for eczema.
Moisturizers designed to moisturize, soothe, and hydrate skin are a common choice for eczema patients. They come in various forms, including ointments, creams, lotions, and gels. But how do you decide choosing moisturizer for eczema is best for sensitive eczema-prone skin?
A 2019 study found that the effectiveness and suitability of a moisturizing product can vary based on personal factors like disease severity, affected skin areas, climate, and personal preference. The study recommended that patients select a moisturizer they find enjoyable to use after a trial period.
In 2023, another study had participants apply a paraffin-based or ceramide-based choosing moisturizer for eczema-affected skin twice daily. Follow-up appointments occurred at one, three, and six months. The study found that the paraffin-based and the ceramide-based moisturizers exhibited similar effectiveness in improving signs of AD.
Choosing Moisturizer for Eczema
So, how do you choose a moisturizer for managing eczema? ESC’s Seal of Acceptance program reviews skin care products intended for people with sensitive skin and eczema, and products undergo testing and are fragrance-free. Products that have earned the Seal are a great place to start.
Dr. Joseph Lam, a Vancouver-based pediatrician and eczema expert, offers additional guidance: “The best moisturizer is the one you like the feel of, the one you tolerate, and the one you’ll use regularly. I encourage my patients to choose products they like, can afford, and that work for them. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution for eczema treatment, and the same applies to moisturizer options.”
Dr. Lam also helps us understand the types of moisturizers: “Ointments and balms tend to be thicker and more occlusive. The next thickest formula is cream, followed by lotions, which tend to have more water than creams. The choice of thickness of a formula may depend on the weather and personal preference.”
Need help finding products made for people with sensitive skin? Check out ECS’s Accepted Products page, which features products that officially earned our Seal of Acceptance.
Eczema Society of Canada thanks Joseph Lam, MD, FRCPC (Pediatrics), for his volunteer contribution to this educational content.
References:
- Komulainen, J., et al. (2023) Patients with a history of atopy have fewer cutaneous melanomas than those without atopy: a cross-sectional study in 496 patients at risk of skin cancers. Melanoma Research. doi.org/10.1097/CMR.0000000000000887.
- Ridd M J, Roberts A, Grindlay D, Williams HC. (2019) Which emollients are effective and acceptable for eczema in children? BMJ. www.bmj.com/content/367/bmj.l5882.full.
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 the 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 health care needs with a qualified health care professional.
October 2023
