Moisturisers
What are moisturisers?
Moisturisers are an essential tool in your fight to maintain control over your Eczema. They come in many varieties as either a cream or wax that you apply to your skin to hydrate and soften it. Moisturisers also provide an essential protective barrier for the outermost layer of your skin to help it lock in moisture and oils, and provide a shield so that it can repair if it is damaged.
Choosing a moisturiser
When deciding on a moisturiser, the number one tip is to pay close attention to the feedback your skin is giving you. Moisturisers should never make your skin more itchy. If you feel like your skin is having a reaction (even a mild one) then that moisturiser is the wrong product for you. Make a note of it and try another one.
In general, avoid any products with fragrances or colour additives, and keep in mind that usually, the thicker the better. As a starting point, find the thickest, greasiest moisturiser that you can bear and that your skin doesn’t react negatively to.
You may also want to consider the following:
-
thickness
-
the condition of your skin (when your skin is well controlled you may prefer a lighter moisturiser). You may also find that when your skin is hot and inflamed, you need to use a lighter moisturiser that doesn’t trap the heat in. Having a variety of moisturisers to hand can be a great help here.
-
cost
-
portability
-
availability (in all countries, in what sizes?)
Recommended brands
We’re working on adding some links to recommended products. In the meantime, we suggest checking out:
- Emulsifying Ointment
- Hydromol
- Cera Ve
Instructions for use
-
Apply liberally and frequently. By the time your skin is dry and flaky, you’re already too late.
-
Use as a soap substitute
-
Apply immediately after the shower
-
If your skin is infected, it’s important that you don’t contaminate your moisturiser or containers. In this case, you should consider using a spoon to take out what you need from your tub, and transfer to your hand. If you feel that a tub of moisturiser may have been contaminated, consider disposing of the whole container and starting fresh with a new one to avoid picking up another infection.