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.
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