People with eczema-prone or irritated skin may find it complicated to find the right cleanser for their skin as their skin sensitive, easily dried out and over time likely to develop red patches on the skin and using the harsh cleanser on this face can worsen the already weakened skin barrier which makes the skin susceptible to several skin related problems which is why picking the gentle cleanser for their skin becomes an utmost priority.
However most of us are unaware of the key qualities in a gentle cleanser which makes it hard to select the right one out of these many face wash. That’s why having knowledge about these characteristics can certainly help you to get the right cleanser for your skin.
Hence this blog will cover why gentle cleansers are important, what to look for in a cleanser, how to safely use the face wash and what should be avoided will help you to pick the right gentle cleanser for your eczema-prone skin which will help in removing impurities from the pores.
Why Gentle Cleansing is Important?
Individuals with eczema-prone skin often have a weakened skin barrier which means their skin moisture is easily lost and results in irritated and dried skin. On top of that, if you are using a harsh cleanser which even strips away the natural moisture of the skin can severely worsen the skin and make the skin intensively dry.
As a result many experts have suggested going for a face wash which contains gentle formulas for eczema prone skin. In addition, they also focus on cleansers that are fragrance free and contain hydrating ingredients which helps in keeping the skin hydrated. This way it helps in reducing the risk of severe irritation and dryness.
What to Look For In a Cleanser?
You cannot label every cleanser as gentle as many face wash contains harsh chemicals which totally drags out the skin oil which is why you can consider the following points while picking the cleanser which will help you get a gentle cleanser.
Fragrance Free Cleansers
It should be the first thing you should look for in a face wash. As these artificial perfumes and colorants do not offer any skin benefits but can fully cause allergic reactions and skin irritation. That’s why experts have recommended going for a cleanser which is free from synthetic perfumes and colorants which reduces the risk of any unwanted allergic reactions or irritation.
Gentle Formulas
Dermatologists often prefer a face cleanser which contains gentle formulas which helps in removing the excess oil and other irritants without disturbing the skin barrier. They also focus on avoiding cleansers which contain exfoliating acids, harsh ingredients and toxic preservatives which can totally destroy the already weakened skin barrier.
Hydrating Ingredients
People with eczema prone or irritated skin should look for a cleanser that consists of hydrating or barrier friendly ingredients which help reduce water loss during face cleansing and support the skin’s protective barrier.
Gel, Lotion or Mild Foaming: Which is Best?
Face cleansers are available in different textures and using the texture which suits your skin type is important to reduce any skin related issues. You can refer to the following point while picking the cleanser texture.
- Gel Based: It can be a great option for people who are having oily or acne prone skin as it helps in gently removing the excess oil and impurities from the skin without stripping off the skin moisture.
- Mild Foaming: Combination skin have oily T-region and dry cheek region which is why a mild foaming helps in removing the excess oil from the skin without making the skin dry.
- Lotion Based: People with dry skin often notice more dried skin after cleansing their face which is why a lotion based cleanser can be a great choice for them as it helps in reducing the water loss and keeps the skin hydrated.
How to Use the Gentle Cleanser Safely?
Even if you are using a gentle cleanser, it can damage the eczema prone skin if you used it in the wrong way. For that reason, you can implement the following steps while face cleansing:
- Wash the hands before washing the face to remove germs and dust.
- Begin with rinsing the face with water, make sure the water is not hot.
- Gently rub the cleanser on the skin for 1-2 minutes as eczema skin has weakened the barrier and scrubbing harshly can totally cause micro tears on the skin. After massaging, clear off the cleanser with water.
- Put on oil free and soothing moisturizer after washing the face.
What Ingredients Should You Avoid?
Not all ingredients are good for eczema prone skin which is why experts recommend avoiding using these ingredients without the advice of dermatologists. Here’s the list of some ingredients which you should avoid
- Sulphates: Even though sulphates contain cleansing properties, ingredients like sodium lauryl sulphates (SLS) can entirely strip off the skin oil and make the skin more dried.
- Exfoliating Acids: Higher concentrations of glycolic acid face wash can totally dissolve the skin layer which results in intense burning and worsens eczema skin.
- Certain Preservatives: While preservatives are used to increase the shelf life of the product, certain preservatives like formaldehyde-releasers can cause allergic reactions on the skin.
The Bottom Line
Choosing the best cleanser for eczema prone or irritated skin is not that complicated as it seems. Even though eczema makes the skin barrier weaken which results in loss of moisture but a gentle cleanser helps in removing the excess oil and other impurities from the skin pores without disturbing the skin natural moisture and hydrating ingredients help in keeping the skin hydrated.
Knowing about key characteristics of gentle cleanser, picking the cleanser texture as per your skin type and ingredients you should avoid will help you pick the right cleanse for your eczema skin. For proper treatment you can consult with your doctor that will help you with your eczema skin.
