From Itchy to Soothed: A Parent's Guide for Eczema

If you’re considering what type of body wash to use on your child, one fact to consider: over 31 million Americans have eczema. Eczema is a chronic irritation and inflammation of the skin with flare-ups happening at any time of the day.

Eczema looks and feels like dry and itchy patches and can be quite uncomfortable without proper corrective measures. As a parent, it’s difficult to see any of your family affected by this skin condition, and it’s important to know common household items and personal care products that can trigger it. Treatment can include lifestyle modification, medication, and skincare regimens.

With the help of your dermatologist, you can reduce inflammation, relieve symptoms, and prevent eczema flare-ups with the right body wash and skin care regimen. Unfortunately, not all skincare products are made equal, especially body wash. Some may even cause more irritation on the skin.

How Does Eczema Manifest and What Are the Triggers?

There is strong evidence that suggests eczema is rooted in genetics, environmental factors, immune system imbalance, stress, or a combination of these.

The National Eczema Association (NEA) says atopic dermatitis is the most common form of eczema. When our body and irritants in the environment interact, the body overreacts and produces inflammation to fight the foreign body and heal the skin.

Another form of eczema is contact dermatitis. It is caused by touching specific things, like chemical products, cleaning products, and personal hygiene products like body wash.

What Happens to My Skin When I Have Eczema?

Eczema causes damage to your skin barrier functions and lipid layers, which increases your sensitivity to irritants and allergens that can be present in body wash. When it comes to skin in general, we want to achieve stratum corneum homeostasis, which means both layers of the epidermis and dermis are properly functioning.

If you're overshowering or using body wash with harsh ingredients, you can disrupt the skin barrier and further irritate your skin. Maintaining stratum corneum homeostasis with eczema and other skin sensitivities can be difficult, but one good place to start is by using gentle, natural shower products that won’t disrupt the balance of your skin or wear down your skin barrier functions. 

What Key Ingredients in a Body Wash Are Good for Eczema?

If you’re looking for a gentle, soothing body wash for eczema that will protect your lipid layers and keep your skin barrier intact, keep an eye out for natural, plant based ingredients that will boost your skin’s moisturization when it needs it the most.

Colloidal Oatmeal

Colloidal oatmeal is ground oatmeal that serves to protect your skin. It’s a perfect ingredient in your body care product for people with dry to very dry skin types. Puracy products use Avena sativa, known as oatmeal extract, which is a gentle abrasive and a great dermal moisturizer for dry skin.

Ceramides

Ceramides are fatty acids found in skin cells. With skincare products, ceramides strengthen the integrity of the skin and hold hydration.

Glycerin

The power of glycerin is in retaining moisture in the skin to prevent dryness and irritation. At Puracy, we use a coconut-derived version called Vegetable Glycerin that keeps skin soft and supple. In our Natural Body Wash, this ingredient keeps skin moisturized and provides essential nutrients.

Shea Butter

Shea butter is derived from the fat of shea tree nuts. It acts as a moisturizing ingredient in your skincare product. Our Organic Baby Lotion features shea butter to infuse skin with Vitamin E, as well as soften it and lock-in moisture.

Hyaluronic Acid

Helps to attract water molecules to prevent dryness. It’s naturally found in your eyes and joints, which means its material can help skin stretch and flex to reduce wrinkles. You find this ingredient in the form of aloe vera in Puracy products, which moisturizes skin and binds moisture to the epidermis using skin-softening amino acids.