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 Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? It’s easy to create a skincare routine, but knowing how to use it is another thing entirely. In most cases, if you’re not getting the desired skin results, it could be due to the layering of conflicting ingredients. So, is it possible that salicylic acid and vitamin C are such ingredients? Or are these active ingredients the duo that’s been missing from your skincare routine? If you want answers, stick around because today we are going to explain the benefits of salicylic acid and vitamin C and how they can be used in your daily life. What are the benefits of salicylic acid for skin? Salicylic acid is one of the most commonly used beta hydroxy acids and is favored by many people with oily, acne-prone skin. This acid is derived from willow bark, and unlike its water-soluble relatives (called alpha-hydroxy acids), salicylic acid is oil-soluble, which means it can penetrate deeper into the lower layers of the skin. Once it reaches the lower layers, it can help unclog pores of excess sebum, dirt, bacteria, debris, and impurities. This results in clearer skin tones and greater definition. Not only does salicylic acid benefit the underlying layers, but the outer surface of the skin benefits as well. When applied to the skin, salicylic acid removes the buildup of dead skin cells. This is accomplished by breaking the bonds that hold dead cells to the surface. Over time, this can cause the complexion to look dull and prone to acne, blackheads, and other blemishes. If you’d like to learn more about salicylic acid and how it can improve your skin, check out this dedicated blog post from a beauty insider. What are the benefits of vitamin C for skin? Vitamin C is considered one of the most powerful antioxidants, which means it is very effective at fighting free radicals and preventing them from causing further skin damage. Examples of free radicals include pollution, central heating, UV rays and harsh climate. They attack proteins, fats and cell membranes as soon as they come into contact with the skin, causing signs of premature aging such as fine lines and wrinkles as well as hyperpigmentation, flaky patches of skin and loss of elasticity. Many people usually prefer to use vitamin C in their morning routine as this ingredient gives the complexion a radiant glow. You’ll also find that vitamin C can target areas of hyperpigmentation, plumping the skin and reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles. The thing about vitamin C is that there are a lot of outdated studies going back to the 1950s that describe vitamin C as an unstable skin component. Thanks to improvements in modern technology, this is no longer the case as all products now contain a stable form of vitamin C. Visit The Beauty Insider to learn more about vitamin C. So please check out our blog post. Can I use salicylic acid first and then vitamin C? Yes, you absolutely can. In fact, it’s thought that using salicylic acid before using vitamin C ensures it penetrates faster and works faster. This is an efficient way to utilize two power sources, and the reason has to do with pH. For example, the skin’s natural pH is about 4.7, making it slightly acidic. Salicylic acid and vitamin C are also both acidic, and you’ll find that vitamin C is absorbed quickly into the skin. Therefore, using salicylic acid beforehand can increase the acidity of the skin and allow vitamin C to penetrate into the skin faster. While this is considered an effective way to combine two powerful ingredients, you need to be aware of your skin type and how it reacts to certain active ingredients. Even people with perfect, normal skin can experience skin sensitivity and irritation. Therefore, always consult a doctor or dermatologist before using any new products on your skin. It’s also important to follow skin application rules. In this case, you need to use the product correctly to ensure you get the best results for your skin. If you’re not sure what I mean, the basic rule for skin is to start with the thinnest consistency and work your way up to the thickest consistency. This prevents a barrier from forming on the surface, preventing other active ingredients from penetrating the skin. Can I use salicylic acid at night and vitamin C in the morning? Yes, absolutely, this is considered the most effective way to get returns without any adverse side effects. This is because there is enough time between applications to ensure that the skin’s pH levels return to balance. You’ll also find that Vitamin C is rich in antioxidants and is perfect for use in the morning to ensure your skin is protected and looking its healthiest. Due to the small size of salicylic acid molecules, it is an acid that is able to reach the deepest parts of the skin. While this is effective at keeping skin clear, it also increases the risk of irritation and photosensitivity. Therefore, many people prefer to use powerful BHAs in their evening routine without exposure to UV rays, pollution, or harsh weather. Warning: If you avoid using sunscreen every day, none of these ingredients will do what your skin needs. The combination of chemical peels and powerful ingredients increases the risk of further damage to the skin’s surface. Use SPF 50 every day to keep your skin protected and your lipid barrier healthy, even on cloudy days, keeping your skin in top condition.

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