Got Eczema? Top Skincare Ingredients You Should Avoid

Our skin is our body's largest organ and is also considered as one of the sensitive ones. With that being said, many people struggle with various skin conditions that could affect their daily routines; that's why it's crucial to protect your skin at all costs. 

The skin is responsible for guarding us against harmful bacteria strains. It is also a gatekeeper that allows oxygen, moisture, and other nutrients to come into our bodies. But for people with eczema, this can be a different case. 

If you have eczema, you need to be extra mindful about what you're putting on your skin and ensure that they are safe, eliminating the chances of triggering inflammation and flare-ups. One of the tried and tested ways to ensure that you keep these triggers at bay is by being mindful of the eczema medicines and ingredients you put in your skin. 

Top Skincare Ingredients You Should Avoid If You Have Eczema

1. Essential Oils

Many people think that natural oils are safe for the skin. However, there are natural fragrances that can cause allergies, just like synthetic fragrances. For example, although tea tree oil has amazing anti-acne, anti-fungal, and anti-bacterial properties, it can still irritate and trigger allergic contact dermatitis. 

For this reason, it's best to avoid this ingredient altogether as it could worsen your skin condition.

2. Urea

Urea is considered a great ingredient for specific skin conditions, like psoriasis, calluses, and corn. But this ingredient, specifically with atopic dermatitis, can cause severe irritation and could damage the acid mantle of your skin. With that, it's best to stay away from this ingredient and consider getting milder options for your skin. 

3. Retinoids

Retinoids are a holy grail for most people as it fights acne and anti-aging. However, they do trigger eczema flares and should be avoided by eczema patients with truly sensitive skin. So before using powerful products, such as retinoids, it's best to speak to your dermatologist if there are better solutions for anti-aging and acne. 

4. Propylene Glycol

Propylene glycol is an emulsifier that's included in most moisturizers and creams. Besides that, it is an ingredient for steroid and anti-inflammatory medications for eczema treatment. But some people are allergic to propylene glycol and experience flare-ups, so it's best to seek your doctor's advice when it comes to choosing products with this ingredient. 

5. Ethanol

Ethanol is often found in gels as they are lightweight and have cooling properties. Besides that, it also evaporates in seconds. But sadly, patients with AD and sensitive skin can experience a stinging sensation, burns, and even dry out their skin, triggering inflammation, which could make your skin susceptible to infection. With that being said, if your skin cannot tolerate ethanol, it's best to stay away from them.

The Bottom Line: Knowing Which Ingredients to Stay Away From Can Help Manage Your Eczema

When you know what triggers your eczema flare-ups, you get to create changes in your skincare routine to ensure that you don't experience irritation, inflammation, and further discomfort. Fortunately, there are effective eczema treatments that you can do to help clear outbreaks and prevent future flare-ups.

How Can Harlan MD Help You?

Finding the best eczema treatment can be difficult. With the mountain of products available in the market today, finding one that works for you can be tricky; that's why you should consider Harlan MD.

Harlan MD is the first-ever prebiotic lotion that guarantees relief and prevents eczema and dermatitis outbreaks. It improves the microbiomes of your skin, reducing bad bacteria and yeast growth. Not to mention, it has low-strength, anti-inflammatory properties that make it perfect for daily use. 

Check out our SmartLotion® today!