Owner of Active Dermatology in New York City
When you’re a child with eczema like my daughter, it’s easier for life to pause because you’re itchy. As an adult with eczema, it’s almost impossible. You still have to check things off your to-do list, and the itchiness adds tremendously to your day-to-day anxiety. That’s my biggest challenge: the sometimes-unrelenting discomfort. I always say that if you’re not moisturizing, you’re not properly managing your eczema. I personally spend a lot of time throughout the day monitoring my hands and keeping them moisturized because, as a doctor, I’m constantly washing them, which dries them out. I keep samples of moisturizers everywhere—my coat pockets, my purse—so I’m never without it.
It’s not just what you do, but also how you do it. Cleansing and moisturizing are already part of our daily rituals. I just encourage everyone to do it very intentionally and wisely. It’s best to moisturize when your skin is damp, like after a lukewarm shower. (Hot water is a no-go when you have eczema.) When I lotion up I use moisturizers packed with lipids, emollients, and humectants to keep my skin barrier strong. Eczema tends to weaken that barrier, making it easier for things like allergens and bacteria to get in. That’s why I give myself a little extra TLC at certain times. In the evenings I reach for a heavy moisturizer, and during cold months I use a humidifier to add moisture to the dry air. I also use short-term courses of topical steroids to treat my eczema.
Onyeka Obioha-Lolagne, MD
Owner and Founder of Boutik Dermatology in Beverly Hills, California
For the past 10-plus years, I’ve been using Dove Original Beauty Bar, Cetaphil Moisturizing Cream, and Eucerin Eczema Relief Cream. For occasional flares, I’ll turn to prescriptions like topical steroids or topical JAK inhibitors, both of which reduce inflammation and itching, but these over-the-counter products are my main skin-care routine. It may not sound exciting, but it’s the gentle routine those with eczema need. Unfortunately, many people don’t know what that really looks like. For example, scrubbing with loofahs and washcloths can make your skin feel cleaner, but it can also unintentionally remove essential lipids and natural protective oils, leaving your skin more inflamed and vulnerable. Using your hands is just fine.
