Best Soap For Eczema? Our 4 Top Picks 2023
When you suffer from eczema, just about anything on this wonderful planet has the ability to trigger a flare up. It’s a right pain in the butt, frankly. And unfortunately doesn’t seem to get any easier.
So the products you’re putting onto your skin, and their ingredients, are SUPER important in ensuring your skin remains cool, calm and collected. And you know what? When it comes to soap for eczema, it ain’t no different!
A product that may seem innocuous, I mean it’s just soap right? Can have serious consequences, especially if you’re washing every day (which let’s face it, we all hope you are).
The internet is filled with advice from any Tom, Dick or Harry so below we cut through the noise and lay out the 4 best soap choices an eczema sufferer can make in 2022.
In this article, you’ll learn:
1) What to look for in a soap for eczema (and what to avoid)
2) Our 4 top picks for 2022
3) How to test a new product
4) Treatment tips if you suffer a reaction
So, what to look for in a soap for eczema? (And what to avoid)
It should be no surprise to you, we’re heading straight to the label.
The key points you want to watch out for are as follows.
- Allergens - First things first, if you know you're allergic to certain ingredients that can be found in cosmetic products, then ALWAYS check the label before you buy. This is especially important if you happen to suffer from contact dermatitis.
- PH - aim for PH balanced cleansers as a minimum (we’re talking 5.5). Alkaline soaps can often harm the skin barrier function.
- Harsh ingredients - there’s a few that particularly stand out here that can be damaging to your skin. Try your best to avoid: formaldehyde, propylene glycol and salicylic acid. In short, hedge your bets by aiming for soap that has been specifically made for allergy-prone or sensitive skin.
- Stay away from surfactants - the main cleaning ingredient in most soaps or cleansers is the surfactant, otherwise known as the surface active agent. In general, cleansers that contain surfactants will contribute to the degradation of the skin barrier - a big no no for eczema sufferers. This can lead to inflammation, red skin and dryness. So avoid at all costs!
- Fragrance - this can act as an irritant to sensitive, over-reactive skin so always aim for a neutral, scent free product (same goes for moisturisers too).
4 top picks
Right then, our 4 top picks on soap for eczema laid out below.
1. Aveeno Daily Moisturising Body Wash
As ever, the lot at Aveeno seemed to have it figured out. Their daily moisturising body wash contains a mix of non-irritating ingredients to cleanse and soothe dry patches. As with the majority of their products, it contains colloidal oatmeal to help moisturise and nourish your skin. Oh and it’s dermatologist recommended too :)
2. Dove Sensitive Skin Unscented Beauty Bar
No frills choice - this simple, PH neutral product is marked down as hypoallergenic and fragrance free, both big wins in our book. ¼ of the bar is also made from moisturising cream, to help nourish inflamed and irritated skin.
This works to cleanse and calm the skin with a formula that’s been designed by dermatologists to restore skin to its natural, healthy self. We give this the personal seal of approval especially as it won’t break the bank.
Yes, you have read that right. And no, we’ve not gone crazy. This goats milk oats soap has started to receive a cult following amongst the eczema community and it’s easy to see why. Soothing, natural ingredients that are soft and kind to the skin. The result? A lovely clean body without the nasty red patches.
How to test a new product
Whenever you buy a new cosmetic or cleansing product, it’s imperative you patch test BEFORE slathering it all over your body.
So squeeze out a pea size amount, and rub it into your upper thigh. Then wait 48 hours, and examine whether or not the product has caused any adverse reaction with your skin. We’re talking itching, redness or inflammation.
If it has, take it out to the backyard and shoot it. Ok that’s dramatic, we’re joking (just throw it in the bin).
Treatment tips if your skin reacts badly
So the patch test went bad (bugger), now what?
As luck would have it, our very own calming spray has you covered :)
Enriched with a blend of 3 traditional Chinese herbs trusted for 1000’s of years in Asian medicine to treat eczema and other inflammatory skin diseases, our unique formula is especially designed to combat itchy, dry, irritated skin.
So if you've self-induced a flare up (we’ve all been there) let us take care of the rest!
Final thoughts
Finding soaps and cleansers when you suffer from eczema is no mean feat - it takes time and patience to find a product that agrees with your skin.
So don’t rush it, take your time and find the right option for you.
Which of your favourite products have we missed? Jump over to our Twitter page and let us know!
With care,
The yan-yee team
Sources
- Atopic eczema. (2019). Link
- Contact dermatitis. (2019). Link
- 8 skincare ingredients to avoid if you have eczema, according to dermatologists. (n.d.). Link
