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My first inkling that I might have more sensitive skin than the average person came as a pre-teen. I had just tried out my mom’s fancy, honeysuckle-scented face wash and was staring in horror at my rashy reflection. I looked like a human tomato, and my skin burned to a nearly unbearable degree.
My confirmation that I have more sensitive skin than the average person came as a teenager when my doctor proclaimed, after looking at my bumpy, irritated hands, that I “definitely have eczema.” Great. The diagnosis wasn’t a complete surprise, though. My mom, sister, and a couple of my aunts are all reluctant members of the eczema club.
It’s an irritating (no pun intended) ailment that can be hard to live with at times, and trying new skincare products can feel a bit like a game of Russian roulette. Through a lot of trial and error, however, I’ve managed to find products that are gentle enough to not cause an eczema flare-up, and in this post, I’m going to share some of them with you.
Before we dive in: I’m not a dermatologist, and everyone’s skin is different. These are products that have worked for my sensitive, eczema-prone skin, but they may not work the same way for you. Always patch test new products, and talk to a dermatologist or healthcare provider if you have ongoing skin concerns or a flare-up that won’t calm down.
Table of Contents
Face Products for Sensitive, Eczema-Prone Skin
When it comes to face products, I err heavily on the side of caution, opting for gentle formulations over brand-name recognition. If my tomato-face incident taught me anything, it’s that expensive doesn't necessarily mean good.
01 - Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser | 02 - Fresh Soy Face Cleanser | 03 - Tower 28 SOS Rescue Spray | 04 - Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer | 05 - Tatcha The Silk Peony | 06 - Alida Pure Unscented Vegan Lip Balm
1. Vanicream Gentle Facial Cleanser
This creamy cleanser is free of many of the most common irritants, including fragrance, dyes, lanolin, and parabens. While it does not lather up to the same degree as more traditional cleansers (by design), it creates a light lather that gently yet effectively cleanses your skin. I love that it leaves my skin feeling fresh without stripping it.
→ Also available for purchase from: Sephora / Ulta
3. Tower 28 SOS Rescue Spray
This hypochlorous acid spray from Tower 28 is a relatively new addition to my skincare lineup. I’ve been using it for a few weeks now, and so far, so good. I use it as a toner, spraying it on my face after cleansing but before moisturizing, and each spritz feels so refreshing. Since adding it to my face care routine, I’ve noticed a reduction in the number of breakouts in my T-zone, which is a win for me.
→ Also available for purchase from: Sephora
4. Vanicream Daily Facial Moisturizer
I swear this post is not sponsored by Vanicream — I just love their products. Their Daily Facial Moisturizer is lightweight, non-comedogenic, and free of any irritating fragrances. Equally as important, it absorbs quickly and does not leave my skin feeling greasy.
→ Also available for purchase from: Sephora / Ulta
6. Alida Pure Unscented Vegan Lip Balm
I’m not a vegan, but I love this lip balm from Alida Pure. I learned the hard way that I have a skin allergy to beeswax, which is unfortunate, considering that nearly all lip balms contain it. If your sensitive skin also can’t tolerate beeswax, then consider trying this.
Shop all of the face products for sensitive skin
Hand Products for Sensitive, Eczema-Prone Skin
While the skin on your hands may be hardier than the skin on your face, you should still treat it kindly and forgo any harsh products. I’ve found that avoiding scented lotions and soaps, as well as staying moisturized, has helped to lessen the number of eczema flare-ups on my hands.
1. Clearly Glycerin Unscented Liquid Hand Soap
My grandma always swore by glycerin hand soap, and for good reason: it’s a humectant that helps your skin lock in moisture. There are scores of glycerin soaps on the market, but this is the one that I’ve been using and liking. If liquid soap ain’t your thing, Clearly Glycerin also makes an unscented glycerin bar.
→ Also available for purchase from: Walmart | iHerb
2. Vermont Soap Simply Unscented Foaming Soap
My other go-to hand soap is this Simply Unscented Foaming Soap from Vermont Soap. It’s made in Vermont using all-natural ingredients, and it leaves my hands feeling soft and clean. As a New Englander, I also love that by buying this soap, I’m supporting a local business.
3. Dawn Free and Clear Dish Soap
I know what you’re thinking: dish soap, really? Yes, really. Just like you should avoid dyes and fragrances in your hand soap, you should also avoid them in your dish soap, especially if you don’t wear gloves while washing your dishes. This is the dish soap I use, and I love it. It removes grease from dishes without leaving my hands irritated.
→ Also available for purchase from: Walmart | Target
4. Mr. Clean Latex-Free Dishwashing Gloves
I’m a big proponent of wearing gloves while dishwashing (if I don’t, I usually end up with cracked, bleeding hands). These are the gloves I use: they’re reusable and latex-free. Please note that I’ve linked to the medium size, but they’re also available in small and large.
→ Also available for purchase from: Walmart
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5. First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Intense Hydration
First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Cream is the G.O.A.T., as far as I’m concerned. I apply it to my hands every night before bed, and during the dry winter months, I reach for it multiple times throughout the day. It keeps what my family affectionately calls my lobster claws (aka my red, irritated hands) at bay.
→ Also available for purchase from: Sephora | Ulta | Target | Anthropologie
6. Cotton Gloves
If you want to level up your hand-moisturizing game, then add these cotton gloves to your skincare rotation. When my hands are especially dry and irritated, I like to slather on First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Cream and then put on these gloves before bed. They might make me look like I’m cosplaying as a footman from Downton Abbey, but they keep the lotion where it should be — on my hands and not on my sheets.
Shop all of the hand products for sensitive skin
Body Products for Sensitive, Eczema-Prone Skin
Finding body products that clean without stripping has been a long journey for me. As a teen and young adult, I gravitated toward scented, sudsy body washes and brightly colored plastic loofahs. To no one’s surprise but my own, those products didn’t do me any favors. They dried out my skin, making it feel tight and itchy. Eventually, I wised up and realized that if I’m avoiding scented, SLS-saturated products on my face, I probably shouldn’t be using them on my body either. I also learned that loofahs, besides being bacterial breeding grounds, can be too abrasive for people with sensitive skin. So, I ditched the mesh neon ball and opted for a washcloth* instead.
*I only use a washcloth once before tossing it in the wash. If a washcloth is too abrasive for your skin, you can also just use your hands.
01 - Vermont Soap Simply Unscented Body Wash | 02 - Naturium The Calmer Ceramide Body Wash | 03 - Gently Soap | 04 - Josie Maran Always Nude Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter | 05 - La Roche-Posay Lipkar AP+Max Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream | 06 - La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen | 07 - Tide Free and Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent
1. Vermont Soap Simply Unscented Body Wash
Vermont Soap doesn’t just make hand soaps; they also make a nourishing unscented body wash. Free of harsh chemicals, it gently cleanses your skin, leaving it soft and moisturized.
2. Naturium The Calmer Ceramide Body Wash
Bearing the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance, this body wash from Naturium leverages the soothing, moisturizing properties of colloidal oatmeal, ceramide complex, and allantoin.
→ Also available for purchase from: Amazon | Ulta | Target | Walmart
3. Gently Soap
If you aren’t a big fan of body washes, then might I suggest Gently Soap? Made famous on Shark Tank and developed by a woman with eczema, these bar soaps are crafted from all-natural, clean ingredients and imbued with herbs and botanicals to support and nourish the skin. My favorite bar of theirs is the Treasures of the Sun.
4. Josie Maran Always Nude Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter
Here’s a simple yet impactful thing you can do to help your skin: moisturize after showering. It’s something that’s had a huge impact on my skin. Instead of dry, itchy post-shower skin, I now have smooth, soft skin. One of my favorite body moisturizers is Josie Maran’s Always Nude (aka unscented) Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter. It’s velvety smooth and feels luxurious on the skin.
→ Also available for purchase from: Sephora
5. La Roche-Posay Lipkar AP+Max Triple Repair Moisturizing Cream
A more price-conscious (but still lovely) body lotion is this one from La Roche-Posay. Featuring shea butter and niacinamide, it’s moisturizing without being overly heavy or tacky.
→ Also available for purchase from: Amazon | Target | Walmart
6. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen for Face and Body
Another La Roche-Posay product I love is their Anthelios Melt-In Milk Sunscreen. It’s lightweight and fast-absorbing, and it doesn’t irritate my skin. I’ve linked to the SPF 60 version, but it’s also available in SPF 100.
→ Also available for purchase from: Amazon | Target | Walmart
7. Tide Free and Gentle Liquid Laundry Detergent
Although often overlooked, laundry detergent bears consideration, especially if you have sensitive skin. Just like you shouldn’t use scented lotions or cleansers, you shouldn’t use scented laundry detergent — after all, your clothes rest against your skin all day. This is the laundry detergent I use, but it’s by no means the only unscented and undyed detergent on the market.
Shop all of the body products for sensitive skin
A Final Note
In this article, I’ve covered everything from face moisturizers to body washes and sunscreen, but there’s one thing I haven’t yet touched upon: stress management. Like so many people living with eczema, stress is one of my primary triggers, so learning to manage it has been crucial for reducing my number of eczema flare-ups. So, whether it’s picking up a new hobby or incorporating meditation into your daily routine (the app Calm is a great tool for this), find something that works for you and brings down your stress levels. And know that you’re not alone; others, myself included, are fighting the eczema fight right alongside you <3
My go-to products for sensitive, eczema-prone skin, including gentle cleansers, moisturizers, and body washes.