Clean Beauty, Natural, Reviva Labs, Skin Care
The Best Skincare Tips for Eczema-Prone Skin
May
Eczema isn’t just about dry, itchy skin. It’s an ongoing battle that can impact confidence, disrupt sleep, and even influence daily routines. According to the National Eczema Association, over 31 million Americans struggle with some form of eczema, making it one of the most common skin conditions in the country. And while there’s no universal cure, the right skincare habits can offer incredible relief – and even help prevent future flare-ups.
If your skin often feels tight, itchy, inflamed, or hypersensitive, chances are you’ve tried multiple products or home remedies to calm it. But not every “moisturizing” or “sensitive skin” label actually delivers what eczema-prone skin needs. So, what does?
Let’s break down the most effective skincare strategies that offer true comfort and support for those living with eczema-prone skin.
Start with a Low-Stress Cleansing Routine
For eczema-prone skin, the cleansing step can make or break your entire routine. Harsh soaps, sulfates, and foaming agents can strip the skin’s natural barrier, leading to more irritation. Instead, opt for a gentle, non-foaming cleanser that respects the skin’s pH and replenishes moisture while removing dirt.
Creamy or milky cleansers, like Reviva Labs’ Cleansing Milk, are particularly beneficial. This formula includes aloe vera, borage oil, calendula, and chamomile – ingredients known for calming the skin while supporting hydration. Choosing cleansers with minimal fragrance and essential oils is key, as even natural scents can be triggering for sensitive complexions.
Water temperature also matters more than many realize. Hot water may feel soothing in the moment, but it worsens transepidermal water loss. Use lukewarm water and limit face-washing to twice daily at most.
Focus on Restoring the Skin Barrier
The skin barrier is your frontline defense against the environment. In eczema-prone individuals, this barrier is often compromised, allowing moisture to escape and irritants to seep in. This is where barrier-repairing moisturizers come in – rich, emollient creams that fill in the “cracks” of damaged skin.
Look for products with occlusive ingredients like shea butter, beeswax, lanolin, or petrolatum-free alternatives. Also vital: humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid to draw moisture in, and emollients such as avocado oil or jojoba oil to smooth and reinforce the skin’s surface.
Reviva Labs’ Nourishing Niacinamide Serum, for example, features niacinamide (vitamin B3), glycerin, avocado oil, and hyaluronic acid – all top-tier choices for restoring skin function while reducing inflammation. Niacinamide is especially important because it helps improve barrier integrity and decrease redness without the sting that often accompanies active ingredients.
Moisturize More Than You Think You Need To
A common mistake for people with eczema is under-moisturizing. Ideally, you should apply moisturizer immediately after cleansing – within the first minute, while the skin is still damp. This “moisture sandwich” technique locks hydration in, preventing evaporation and strengthening the barrier.
For eczema, the thicker the moisturizer, the better. Light lotions may feel comfortable short term, but they rarely provide lasting protection. Instead, use heavier creams at night and apply them generously. If needed, layer a facial oil or balm overtop in areas prone to cracking or flaking.
Don’t forget high-friction areas like eyelids, neck, or hands. These regions are often overlooked but are common hotspots for eczema flare-ups.
Be Smart About Exfoliation
Exfoliation is not off-limits for eczema-prone skin – but it requires a different mindset. Instead of weekly scrubs or aggressive acids, stick with enzyme-based exfoliants or super mild chemical formulations at low concentrations.
Papaya, pumpkin, or pineapple enzymes – found in Reviva Labs’ Gently Exfoliating Fruit Enzyme Mask – can help dissolve dead skin cells without damaging sensitive skin. This type of exfoliation not only reduces buildup but enhances the absorption of moisturizers and serums.
Avoid scrubs with gritty textures, including walnut shell powder or sugar, which can cause micro-tears and trigger inflammation. And skip exfoliation altogether during active flare-ups.
Know Your Triggers and Ingredients to Avoid
Fragrance – whether synthetic or natural – is one of the most common eczema triggers. Even essential oils like lavender or citrus, while soothing to some, can wreak havoc on already inflamed skin. Alcohol-based toners, retinoids, and strong acids (like high concentrations of glycolic acid) are best left out of the routine during sensitive periods.
Certain preservatives like parabens or methylisothiazolinone may also trigger dermatitis, so check labels carefully. Thankfully, many modern skincare lines – Reviva Labs included – exclude these from their formulas.
Keep a running list of what products work for you and which don’t. Tracking ingredient reactions over time can help isolate personal triggers that may not be obvious from one-off experiences.
Soothe with Anti-Inflammatory Botanicals
Nature offers some incredible tools for calming reactive skin. Calendula, chamomile, licorice root, colloidal oatmeal, and aloe vera are all rich in anti-inflammatory properties. These botanicals help reduce redness, itching, and irritation without adding to your skin’s burden.
Reviva Labs’ Calming Rejuvenation Crème, formulated with manuka honey, seabuckthorn, rosehip oil, and calendula, is a good example of how to nourish while calming. This kind of supportive care allows the skin to restore itself gradually.
If your routine already includes calming oils like argan or hemp, you’re on the right path. Just be cautious of purity – choose cold-pressed, organic oils whenever possible and patch test before slathering across the face.
Don’t Underestimate the Power of an Occlusive Night Layer
Overnight is when your skin regenerates and heals. A rich occlusive layer – whether a dedicated night cream or balm – can dramatically improve morning redness and dryness. Look for ingredients like candelilla wax or lanolin alternatives to hold hydration in place.
Reviva Labs’ Ultra Moisturizing Cream, for example, features hyaluronic acid, sunflower oil, chamomile, and licorice extract – all excellent at quelling nighttime flare-ups and keeping skin calm.
Apply this final step after your serum and moisturizer to seal everything in. If you’re unsure if your nighttime product is occlusive enough, try the “shine test”: your skin should look slightly glossy post-application.
Protect Against UV Damage Every Single Day
Sun exposure won’t always trigger eczema directly, but it can dry out the skin and weaken the barrier further. This makes consistent sunscreen use vital. Choose a gentle, broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher that’s free of alcohol, fragrance, and drying agents.
Mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide are typically best tolerated. Chemical filters can be irritating, especially in children or during a flare. Apply sunscreen every morning, even on cloudy days, and reapply every two hours when outdoors.
If you’re sensitive to commercial sunscreens, consider layering a day moisturizer with built-in SPF like Reviva’s SPF 30 Sun Protective Moisturizer. It offers non-greasy protection without the harshness.
Lifestyle Habits That Reinforce Healthy Skin
Skincare doesn’t end with your bathroom shelf. What you wear, eat, and even how you bathe matters. Stick to loose-fitting, breathable fabrics – cotton is ideal. Avoid wool and synthetic blends that trap heat or cause friction.
Short showers are better than long baths. Limit them to under 10 minutes and pat skin dry afterward – never rub. A humidifier can also work wonders, especially in winter or arid climates.
And if you’re managing stress (which is often linked to flare-ups), prioritize calming rituals like yoga, meditation, or walks in nature. Eczema is a full-body experience, not just a surface issue.
Managing Flare-Ups Without Losing Control
Even with the best routine, flare-ups will happen. The key is not to panic. Simplify your skincare immediately – cut back to a gentle cleanser, rich moisturizer, and healing balm. Avoid active ingredients entirely until your skin calms.
Sometimes, over-the-counter hydrocortisone may be helpful, but it should never be a long-term solution. If symptoms persist or worsen, consult a dermatologist, especially if infections are suspected or skin begins to crack and bleed.
Above all, try not to overdo it with products or treatments in hopes of speeding recovery. The best thing you can give your skin during a flare is time, moisture, and protection.
