The Best Eczema Cleansers

Cleansers, face washes and body washes play an import role in treating eczema and atopic dermatitis because they have a big effect on the skin barrier. Eczema cleansers should protect and repair the skin barrier with fatty acids and soothing and calming the skin with anti-inflammatory ingredients. They should not have strong detergents that hurt the skin barrier.

In this blog I will share the same information about how to properly cleanse eczema-prone skin that I give my dermatology patients.

Knowing your Baumann Skin Type is the best way to shop for a facial skincare routine, so if you have not taken the skin care routine quiz- you should.

Eczema Soap, Cleansers, and Washes

Good eczema cleansers should protect and repair the skin barrier, decrease harmful bacteria, and deposit soothing lipids on the skin. Eczema safe cleansers can help prevent skin dehydration, irritation and inflammation, and hyperpigmentation.

There are several types of eczema cleansers which I will discuss in this blog. I have eczema myself so I will share what I have learned over the years of battling eczema myself and treating patients with eczema.

Face Washes for Eczema

Creamy Eczema Cleansers

The best facial cleansers for eczema are creamy cleansers that deposit lipids (fatty acids) on the skin. These cleansers often contain oils that give them a creamy texture.

Here are some of best creamy cleansers that are safe for eczema prone atopic skin and help protect the skin’s moisture barrier:

Meder Beauty Nrj-Net Revitalising Cleansing Mask- helps stabilize you rmicrobiome while protecting the skin barrier. This is vegan.

CeraVe Hydrating Cream to Foam Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin- This is the most affordable eczema face and body wash.

VMV HYPOALLERGENICS Red Better Deeply Soothing Cleansing Cream-This is the best eczema wash if you have allergies because it is free of formaldehyde, fragrance and allergenic preservatives. Wonderful for babies with atopic skin.

Zerafite Soothing and Calming Cleanser is barrier safe and deposits soothing lipids on the skin.

Gel Eczema Cleansers

I personally prefer the creamy cleansers to treat eczema on the face, but if you prefer a gel like consistency, here are some cleansers with minimal detergents or skin safe surfactants that can be used when you have atopic dermatitis:

PCA Skin Daily Cleansing Oil

$46.00

Add to Cart

Medature Plantract Cleansing Gel

$11.67

Add to Cart

Replenix Green Tea Gentle Soothing Cleanser

$38.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Gentle Cleansing Lotion

$50.00

Add to Cart

CeraVe Hydrating Cream to Foam Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin

$5.49

Out of Stock

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin

$5.49

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo Milky Cleanser

$25.99

Add to Cart

Murad Renewing Cleansing Cream

$42.00

Add to Cart

Neocutis NEO CLEANSE Gentle Skin Cleanser

$40.00

Add to Cart

Obagi-C FX System C-Cleansing Gel

$49.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Daily Cleansing Oil

$46.00

Add to Cart

Medature Plantract Cleansing Gel

$11.67

Add to Cart

Replenix Green Tea Gentle Soothing Cleanser

$38.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Gentle Cleansing Lotion

$50.00

Add to Cart

CeraVe Hydrating Cream to Foam Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin

$5.49

Out of Stock

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin

$5.49

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo Milky Cleanser

$25.99

Add to Cart

Murad Renewing Cleansing Cream

$42.00

Add to Cart

Neocutis NEO CLEANSE Gentle Skin Cleanser

$40.00

Add to Cart

Obagi-C FX System C-Cleansing Gel

$49.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Daily Cleansing Oil

$46.00

Add to Cart

Medature Plantract Cleansing Gel

$11.67

Add to Cart

Replenix Green Tea Gentle Soothing Cleanser

$38.00

Add to Cart

Revision Skincare Gentle Cleansing Lotion

$50.00

Add to Cart

CeraVe Hydrating Cream to Foam Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin

$5.49

Out of Stock

CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser for Normal to Dry Skin

$5.49

Out of Stock

La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo Milky Cleanser

$25.99

Add to Cart

Murad Renewing Cleansing Cream

$42.00

Add to Cart

Neocutis NEO CLEANSE Gentle Skin Cleanser

$40.00

Add to Cart

Obagi-C FX System C-Cleansing Gel

$49.00

Add to Cart

Fragrance-free Eczema Cleansers

Many people with atopic skin have allergies to fragrance. Sometimes fragrances such as limonene are not listed on the label as fragrances because they may be called a “fragrance mix” or a preservative. These are fragrance- free cleansers safe for eczema- prone skin:

Body Wash for Eczema

This eczema body wash was developed by dermatologists who recognized that many eczema suffers end up with skin infections. The ingredient sodium hypochlorite is an antimicrobial that helps kill skin bacteria but is gentle enough to be used in atopic skin.

Best Natural Soap for Eczema

Despite my best efforts, I could not find any natural eczema soaps that I would recommend. The problem is that many botanical ingredients that are in natural and organic products cause skin allergy. Most soaps are irritating to eczema prone skin. If you want a natural option, consider a cleansing oil.

There are many causes of eczema, but one cause I often see in my patients using the wrong soap or cleanser for the Baumann Skin Type. The best soap for eczema is not a soap! Many soaps damage the skin barrier further and worsen eczema. Instead of soap- choose a non soap eczema cleanser that has soothing fatty acids and soothing and calming ingredients.

Best Cleansing Oils for Eczema

Cleansing oils can also be used for eczema, and are extremely beneficial when used as part of a double cleansing routine as they lift away dirt and impurities without drying the skin. Cleansing oils are a better eczema cleanser than soaps because oils are full of soothing fatty acids.

Look for oils like argan oil, glycine soja oil, grapeseed oil, almond oil, safflower oil and coconut oil, which are all highly moisturizing, and each offer unique additional skin benefits:

Argan oil soothes the skin and heals infection and wounds

Glycine soja oil protects the skin from damage and promotes the growth of healthy skin cells

Grapeseed oil helps to improve the skin’s elasticity

Almond oil is a well-known treatment for dry skin and also reduces the appearance of scars

Safflower oil prevents flaking

Coconut oil reduces inflammation and provides antimicrobial properties.

Here are some choices:

Bioderma Atoderm Shower Oil

$8.99

Add to Cart

ISDIN Essential Cleansing Oil

$40.00

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Gentle Foaming Cleansing Oil

$17.99

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Cleanse Daily Vitamin-Infused Cleanser

$47.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Daily Cleansing Oil

$46.00

Add to Cart

Nuxe Very Rose Delicate Cleansing Oil

$27.00

Out of Stock

Bioderma Atoderm Shower Oil

$8.99

Add to Cart

ISDIN Essential Cleansing Oil

$40.00

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Gentle Foaming Cleansing Oil

$17.99

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Cleanse Daily Vitamin-Infused Cleanser

$47.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Daily Cleansing Oil

$46.00

Add to Cart

Nuxe Very Rose Delicate Cleansing Oil

$27.00

Out of Stock

Bioderma Atoderm Shower Oil

$8.99

Add to Cart

ISDIN Essential Cleansing Oil

$40.00

Add to Cart

La Roche-Posay Lipikar AP+ Gentle Foaming Cleansing Oil

$17.99

Add to Cart

ClarityRx Cleanse Daily Vitamin-Infused Cleanser

$47.00

Add to Cart

PCA Skin Daily Cleansing Oil

$46.00

Add to Cart

Nuxe Very Rose Delicate Cleansing Oil

$27.00

Out of Stock

What lipids are and why they are in dermatologist recommended eczema cleansers:

Lipids are the skin’s natural fats is an umbrella term for a few kinds of fats. When discussing the skin barrier, the relevant lipids are fatty acids, ceramides, and cholesterol. Maintaining a good ratio of these lipids is crucial for treating eczema.

Fatty acids help to maintain the strength of the skin barrier

Fatty acids lock in moisture while locking out allergens, irritants and bacteria

Unsaturated fatty acids have skin soothing abilities while saturated fatty acids are hydrating.

I have eczema which is why I am so interested in skin barrier research and finding the best skin care products for atopic dermatitis. To keep my eczema under control, I use one of these face washes to prevent eczema flares:

Cera Ve Hydrating Facial Cleanser

La-Roche Posay Toleriane Dermo Milky Cleanser

PCA Skin Daily Cleansing Oil

Zerafite Creamy Cleanser

Why Does The Cleanser You Choose Matter When You Have Eczema?

Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is a skin disease caused by an injured skin barrier, causing the skin to become red, itchy and inflamed. In eczema, the skin barrier is impaired and does not hold on to moisture and water properly, usually as the result of genetics or environmental issues such as using the wrong body wash or face wash. The detergents in soaps and cleansers can strip important fatty acids from the skin leading to dehydration and inflammation of the skin.

Once inflammation gets started, it turns on many different inflammatory pathways and is hard to turn off. If you have a darker skin type, then inflammation can cause pigmentation leading to post inflammatory hyperpigmentation.

Can I Use Essential Oils For Eczema?

I do not advise using essential oils for eczema as they contain only the fragrance from the oil and not the essential, hydrating fatty acids. Essential oils do not have fatty acids.

In fact, essential oils often cause an allergic reaction when used in skin conditions with an impaired skin barrier, like eczema, rosacea or psoriasis. I recommend using a real oil like argan oil or safflower oil if you want an organic cleanser for your eczema, and avoid essential oils entirely.

There are a couple of specific essential oils that happen to be decent for eczema treatments because they contain barrier repairing fatty acids like linoleic acid.

Rose oil is actually considered anti-inflammatory and antioxidant in some concentrations. It cannot in isolation repair your eczema because it needs to be combined with cholesterol and ceramide containing barrier moisturizers.

What Cleansers Should You Avoid If You Have Eczema?

In addition to essential oils, I do not advise using foaming cleansers that have a lot of bubbles and suds. The detergents that cause the foaming will strip essential fats from the skin that protect the skin barrier and keep the skin hydrated.

I also do not recommend using bar soap or any heavily fragranced soaps, as these will strip the skin of moisture and further irritate the skin.

Also avoid mechanical exfoliants like facial scrubs that can irritate the skin.

What Laundry Detergent Should I Use to Clean My Clothing If I Have Eczema?

The most suitable laundry detergents for sensitive skin like eczema are Tide Free or All Free detergents, or any other laundry detergent that is fragrance-free. All heavily fragranced detergents should be avoided, and while organic laundry detergents may seem like the best option, their ingredients can actually be an eczema trigger so we advise that you use organic detergents with caution.

Closing thoughts

Selecting the best cleanser for eczema can be easy to do provided you follow our dermatologist advice to avoids suds and bubbles. Creamy cleansers are the preferred choice for eczema because they are gentle, moisturizing, and help to protect the important lipids in the skin barrier. Always pair your eczema cleanser with a barrier repair moisturizer.

Let us help you find the best eczema face and body cleansers for your Baumann Skin Type!

DQH Knowledge drop: In your 20s, your skin cell turnover decreases. (Cell turnover is a key component in keeping your skin youthful.) You know what else slows down? Your collagen production. Starting in your 20s, collagen decreases by about 1 percent per year. Should you want to prevent fine lines and wrinkles, start by eliminating behaviors that contribute to premature aging. “If it’s bad for you, it’s bad for your skin,” says dermatologist Michel Somenek. “Cigarette smoking reduces blood flow to the skin and causes premature wrinkling and a dull skin texture. Making the repeated pursed motion to inhale can also cause smoker’s lines. Alcohol and recreational drugs are toxins for the skin that damage its cellular structure and DNA,” Somenek tells us. “The faster you eliminate vices while you are young, the better chance your skin and body have to recuperate.” Also, adopting an anti-aging routine in your 20s is key. After all, the best offense is a good defense. We spoke to Somenek and experts Joshua Ross and Audrey Kunin to find out more. Keep reading for the best anti-aging products for your 20s, according to skincare professionals. Sunscreen “We all know that the sun is the number one cause of skin aging and starting the prevention in your 20s is very important,” Ross says. “The majority of your sun damage won’t start to appear until you’re in your 30s, so don’t wait until you see it surface or you’ll be behind the curve. Stay ahead of it with a good-quality zinc-based sunscreen worn daily.” Farmacy Green Defense Daily Mineral Sunscreen An invisible sunscreen with SPF 30, plus botanical extracts meant to protect skin with tons of antioxidants. Bonus: It’s clean and fine to use under makeup. Bareminerals Complexion Rescue™ Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 30 Although we recommend you use your SPF and moisturizer separately, we also understand moments when you don’t have time or energy for that extra step. For those times, this bareMinerals moisturizer is a great thing to have on hand. Vitamin C Serum “A great introduction to anti-aging is to start with a vitamin C serum in your morning skincare routine,” Ross says. “It’s a powerful antioxidant that will neutralize free radicals and brighten the skin.” He adds that it’s a great way to counteract the effects of the sun’s harmful rays, which, as previously mentioned, are among the biggest causes of premature aging. Drunk Elephant C-Firma™ Vitamin C Day Serum The Drunk Elephant C-Firma is a lightweight serum that promises to give skin a glow by combining the brightening powers of vitamin C with ferulic acid, l-ascorbic acid, and vitamin E. The included sodium hyaluronate is meant to replace hydration loss, so you shouldn’t have to deal with any irritation. Sunday Riley C.E.O. Rapid Flash Brightening Serum This potent serum is jam-packed with vitamin C (15 percent, to be exact), which means it’s a potential superstar at both brightening skin and dousing it in antioxidants. Peptides Using peptides on your skin has many benefits, says Somenek. “The skin barrier is what defends the body against pollution, UV rays, bacteria, and toxins. It can be damaged by several everyday factors. Using topical peptides aids in building a stronger barrier,” he says. “Peptides comprise elastic fibers, which are a type of protein. These fibers help to make skin appear taut and firm. Peptides can also help repair damaged skin, relieve inflammation, and even out skin tone. Some peptides can kill acne-causing bacteria that is common in 20-somethings.” Kunin agrees, saying, “Peptides are an excellent entry point for supporting collagen.” She recommends looking for face and eye treatments that contain these collagen-boosting powerhouses. Charlotte Tilbury Magic Eye Rescue Cream This Charlotte Tilbury super-emollient eye cream has a base of coconut oil and shea butter (read: it’s incredibly hydrating). Botanicals plus peptides are meant to help reduce dark circles and boost collagen, respectively. This creamy moisturizer serves up potent collagen-boosting peptides and pycnogenol, and antioxidant-rich vitamin C. “Instead of sitting on top of the skin, peptides penetrate the outer layer so they go deep. The ‘signals’ they send tell the cells to produce elastin and collagen, which are needed for youthful-looking skin,” explains Somenek. At-Home Peel Pads Remember that skin cell turnover fiasco we talked about earlier? One way to help support it is by exfoliating. “Exfoliation is important to help keep skin fresh and luminous,” Kunin says. She recommends using at-home peel pads as an easy and effective way to exfoliate. “The goal in your 20s is to fight the slowing pace of cell turnover. It is wise to use products that gently exfoliate, yet still remove oil and other impurities. Products that have Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHA) or Beta Hydroxy Acids (BHA) are a good choice.” According to Somenek, you should only exfoliate two to three times a week. “People of all ages are guilty of over-exfoliating and that can be too much of a good thing,” he says. Dermadoctor Kakadu C Intensive Vitamin C Peel Pad A few swipes of this Derma Doctor powerful peel pad promise to leave your skin glowing and smooth, thanks to the seven (yes, seven) types of chemical exfoliants, including AHA and BHA. It also contains vitamin C via Kakadu plum extract for added brightening and antioxidant protection. KEY INGREDIENTS Kakadu plum extract is sourced from the Kakadu plum, a fruit grown in northern Australia. It contains vitamin C, which restores the skin’s natural barrier, increases collagen production, and soothes irritation. Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel Pads These are the gold standard of peel pads, with a cult following and over 900 five-star reviews on Sephora. They’re easy to use and contain a blend of anti-aging exfoliating acids. Emollient Night Cream “In your 20s, you need to start upping the hydration in your skincare routine. You may have been cautious of over-moisturizing because of acne in your teens, but as you enter your 20s, your skin transitions and becomes drier,” Ross says. “I recommend an emollient night cream added into your evening skincare regimen.” “Twenty-somethings need to make sure that they are not using creams that will clog their pores and cause excess oil production,” says Somenek. Opt for non-comedogenic products. Cerave Skin Renewing Night Cream One great choice is the CeraVe Skin Renewing Night Cream, which is a non-comedogenic night cream that leaves skin soft and glowy. It combines the moisturizing powers of ceramides and hyaluronic acid. RoC Retinol Correxion Max Hydration Creme “The best night cream ingredients contain retinol, benzoyl peroxide, and/or salicylic acid or hyaluronic acid. The goal is to moisturize, yet remove excess oil,” says Somenek. This Roc Retinol Correxion cream fits the bill as it contains both hyaluronic acid and retinol so it promises to moisturize while also being non-comedogenic.

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