Interesting Sensitive Skin and Eczema-friendly Products

People with eczema don't have time to waste messing around with products that irritate our skin, while looking for relief.

We have an innate tendency for our skin not to function as the durable barrier it should, then we heap on washing of hands or showering, the environment, clothing and hats.

If you're dealing with eczema - I hope one or more of these will help you - or inspire other solutions. Obviously - follow your doctor or dermatologists' recommendations, first and foremost.

This post contain affiliate links for which I may receive a small commission when clicked, at no cost to you, and revealing none of your personal information to me.

Tell me how much you love collars, eczema friends!

We have nerves in our skin that may become hypersensitive to pressure or friction and that alone can trigger more inflammation in our skin as the nerves shout, "something's wrong!" and our immune system shows up to investigate the complaints. 

Because of that inherent vulnerability and reactivity - the microbial community on our skin has access to things it wouldn't on less-vulnerable skin. And that can cause some more-inflammatory microbes to move in and be bad neighbors. Your skin microbes ideally make your skin stronger. But not so much when you have eczema. 

The top layer of your skin (left). The uppermost layers (right) with sebum/oils, bacteria, yeasts, viruses, water, "natural moisturizing factor."

If eczema-skin is irritated or exposed to allergens, it can cause a change in the microbial community on skin. Irritation and allergies activate the immune system too. Both of those actions can cause problems - which cause more problems.

I think most people with eczema are aware of oatmeal-containing products like Aveeno lotion.

> Oats are not just a "natural additive" marketing gimmick, they're the real deal, delivering anti-inflammatory effects for your skin via skin's microbial communities - by discouraging Staph bacteria. 1% oatmeal creams can improve skin's barrier function too, which tends to get a little dysfunctional with eczema. That results in a less-inflammatory microbe community and better lactic acid production to maintain your skin's natural, slightly acidic pH. Aveeno makes richer and less-rich lotions. If you shop sales - keep an eye out for "BOGO" sales at drugstores like Walgreens or CVS (in the US) and stock up on Aveeno - or the generic store-brands.

This is one of my favorite Aveeno products for eczema maintenance where you need it most. It's more expensive than their "daily moisturizer," but it's loaded with humectants (moisturizers) and oat kernel oil that give it an extra anti-inflammatory and hydrating boost. 

> Gladskin is another amazing product I've found in the last few years. It contains compounds produced by bacteriophages - microbes that eat / destroy bacteria. This is absolutely not weird.  😉 Bacteriophages or "phage therapy" is one potential means of treating antibiotic-resistant infections: "If you can't beat them, eat them." 

Bacteriophages are important parts of many ecosystems, including our bodies. Gladskin's active ingredient can reduce inflammation, redness and itching by reducing inflammation-promoting Staph bacteria. Staph are a normal bacteria to have on our skin, but eczema-skin may have too many - and Staph is not the best neighbor. It can cause irritation and inflammation in vulnerable skin - and in wounds.

Gladskin makes a treatment cream (thick and rich) and a flare-gel (light, cooling), along with non-medicated body wash, face wash and moisturizer. This has been a game-changer in my family for some itchy or flaky spots that don't respond to steroids or anything else. By addressing the more-inflammatory microbes that may overpopulate vulnerable eczema skin, the skin gets a chance to heal and a less-inflammatory skin microbial community might have a chance to get established.

Gladskin may help with facial redness, seborrheic dermatitis, acne and rosacea. 

Use the code, SHB10 to get 10% off Gladskin products.

> Dove -  "Hyper-Reactive Skin Balance" cleanser is really nice. I've been using it as a shampoo, too. No fragrance or masking fragrance and while concentrated, it's pretty gentle. Unless your skin is very oily or you're washing off sunscreen, you can dilute this a little with water without losing the nice foam and cleansing. 

Besides the gentler surfactants (detergents) - this product is designed to perform well in hard water. Hard water can be tough on eczema. The minerals can be drying on our skin - but where it really gets us is the way that minerals bind to anionic detergents. That complex is difficult to rinse off. So we're left with a little detergent residue on the skin - causing more water-loss from the skin after washing in people with eczema. 

That's irritating! When our cleansers don't have that reaction, it may be less irritating to the skin.

Let's cruise the ingredient list, there are some notable mentions: 

Water (Eau), Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Sodium Methyl Lauroyl Taurate, Sodium Chloride, Glycerin, Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid. Hydroxystearic Acid, Cocamide MEA, Sodium Benzoate, Citric Acid, Sodium Gluconate.

•  Cocamidopropyl Betaine - Amphoteric, low-irritation. A gentle cleanser. Cleaning and foaming is not affected by hard water.

• Sodium Methyl Lauroyl Taurate - Anionic. Foams and cleans well in hard water. Makes other detergents behave in a more-gentle way. Non-irritating.

• Glycerin - humectant for hydration 

• Stearic Acid, Palmitic Acid, Hydroxystearic Acid: Emollients to restore some lipid to skin surface.

• Sodium gluconate - chelating agent to prevent hard water interacting with the product.

And just in case they've already decided to change the bottle and name (because this product claims to be released shortly after I'm writing this) I'll show the other bottle - which might be the "new" version - ingredients are similar. This photo-link (right) is click-able.

>Triderma

Triderma brand has an oatmeal Fast-healing cream. It is very thick and rich. It has not only oatmeal, but skin-soothing aloe, urea (part of skin's natural moisturizing factor), a few other powerhouse humectants (Zinc and Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Sodium hyaluronate), and shea butter. 

If your skin isn't bothered by herbal ingredients and you need a nice, occlusive cream - it's a good choice. Fair warning - it's sort of tan-colored and not 100% smooth. For that seriously natural oatmeal-y feeling. Very good stuff.

This new Vaseline with Vitamin E is amazing for lips that crack and peel and bleed and hurt in windy, dry or cold weather. It almost feels less greasy than regular Vaseline. 

I've always used plain Vaseline on my lips. This is so much better. It's good for cuticles and hangnail situations too.

This stuff is going to be going everywhere with me.

I know some folks are turned off by Vaseline. For some of us with skin issues - butters and oils are not an option because we react to them too.

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