Eczema is a skin condition that affects a huge number of people, and
understanding how it works is the key to keeping it under control and
dealing with it on a long term basis. Eczema is a condition which
affects the barrier function of the skin which controls the skins
ability to keep moisture in and keeps unwanted items from soaking into
the deeper layers of skin.
The skin looses water and natural oils, and this can leave the skin
extremely dry and can lead to cracking and flaking. Although you might
think that water would be good for dry skin, as it moistens it, the
reverse is true as the drying process draws moisture from the skin,
leaving it dryer than before. In addition to this hot water can lead to a
loss of natural oils in the skin, leading to further drying out. There
are ways of reducing the impact of this drying effect such as softly
padding the skin dry instead of vigorously rubbing, and moisturizing
soon after drying, and there are plenty of places to find advice on
dealing with eczema. The type of soap that you use can also play an
important role in moisture retention and overall skin health.
Suggested Best Soaps for Eczema
Goat’s Milk Soap
Goat and Coconut Milk
Golden Blossom Honey
Oatmeal – Mango Butter Soap
Brazilian Oil Soap
Soap Basics
Before going into any details in which soaps are the best ones for
your particular skin, or which ones come most recommended by users, it
is important to establish a very basic understanding of the difference
between most mainstream soaps that you buy in the supermarket, and the
kind of soaps that are going to help you out best.
Chemical additives are best avoided at all costs as these are harmful to sensitive skin and can cause you all sorts of problems.
You may think that a nice smelling soap from one of the mainstream
brands has to be the best soap available, but this is simply a marketing
myth. Look at the ingredients on the soap, and if it has perfumes or
harsh chemical ingredients in it, leave it on the shelf as it is likely
to cause more irritation than good. These chemicals do not react well
with damaged skin, and on eczema patches the chemicals will be getting
underneath the top layers of skin and causing irritation and damage.
Natural Soaps
Natural soaps are definitely the way forward when it comes
to finding an eczema friendly way to wash.,
and as a general rule, the less ingredients the better. Here are some
of the best natural soaps for eczema: Oatmeal – One of the best natural
ingredients for your skin is oatmeal, and a bar of oatmeal soap comes
highly recommended for those with eczema. The oatmeal has numerous
properties which are especially beneficial for damaged skin. Oats become
gelatinous in water due to the high concentration of polysaccharides in
them, and this leaves a protective layer on the skin. They also contain
many natural fats, which help to moisturize the skin naturally, and the
proteins help to mend the skins natural barrier, keeping moisture in
and unwanted chemicals out. As well as all of this, they contain
saponins which help to clean out the pores, leaving you clean and fresh.
Coconut Oil – This is an excellent natural moisturizer, and a coconut
oil soap bar can leave your skin feeling softer and smoother than ever
before. Unlike many other oils, coconut oil is not greasy and it can
actually be absorbed by the skin extremely well without clogging the
pores. Some people use it in soap whilst others simply rub it straight
onto their skin after washing. Shea Butter – This is yet another natural
ingredient that has incredible healing and moisturizing properties, and
a natural soap containing this ingredient is ideal for those with
eczema. It is renowned for healing dry and cracked skin, as well as
leaving a protective layer than can fight the affects of sun, ageing,
and harsh weather conditions. If your skin problems flare up during the
cold wet winter months, shea butter soap will be a good addition to your
bathroom. There are plenty more natural ingredients to look out for
when purchasing soap for eczema, and some of these include almond oil,
aloe vera, chamomile, and even apple cider vinegar.
