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I’m A Beauty Editor With Eczema — These Are The Products I Swear By
From make-up to deodorant and everything in-between, this is every skincare-loving, eczema-prone beauty lover's cheat sheet for products that really work.
There is one truth universally acknowledged by the beauty industry as it pertains to eczema, and it is that there are few ingredients that eczema-sufferers can use without irritating their already sensitive skin. The other truth acknowledged by few but known by almost all is that with eczema, as with most skin conditions, there is almost never a one-size-fits-all approach to healing.
I say this as somebody who’s had eczema since I was born, and so too have many of the 15 million people who are estimated to have it in the UK. Once the clocks go back and the temperature drops, my skin becomes tight and irritated without fail every year. 'In the winter, the mix of cold weather and central heating can contribute to a greater loss of moisture, leading to dehydration and increased sensitivity, which could present as redness, itchiness, flaking, chapping, and even eczema,' facialist and aesthetician, Sarah Chapman, tells ELLE.
The eczema I had experienced since birth’s severity ebbed and flowed during my childhood and adolescence but last summer, during a period of work-induced stress and a general sense of bubbling anxiety, my skin exploded.
My face ballooned and I bled through thick scales of skin that, just days previously, had been perfectly glowing. On the flip of a coin, I was covered in thick scales of flaking eczema from head to toe. I tried everything; I cut out dairy, which is often treated with suspicion in skincare circles; I stopped drinking; I stripped everything potentially inflammatory out of my skincare regime but nothing worked. That is until I was finally diagnosed with contact dermatitis — a form of eczema caused by direct contact with a substance or an allergic reaction to it — by my GP and referred to a dermatologist for patch testing.
After being covered with 73 different substances known to irritate skin when in contact with it, I was informed that I was allergic to two: linalool, the base of most fragranced products, which is present in approximately 80% of personal care products and benzophenone-3, a chemical sunscreen agent that absorbs UVB and short UVA rays. Both ingredients are prolific in beauty products that span the price gamut from accessible to expensive.
So began my journey of establishing a healthy relationship with my healing skin, which I have now accepted will never be truly perfect or free of flaws. I don’t drink as much as I used to; I drink three litres of water a day and I eat a probiotic, leafy green and protein-rich diet that helps my skin to heal itself from within. Lifestyle changes are part of the solution, Chapman maintains, to long-term eczema relief. 'I have always advised my clients to take a 360 approach to skincare, supporting their skincare routine with a daily dose of supplements,' Chapman says. 'They work at a cellular level to actively strengthen, revitalise and boost the quality of the skin from within. Omegas, such as flaxseed oil, keep the skin hydrated, moisturised and smooth, while their natural anti-inflammatory properties also help to minimise redness and speed up skin recovery.'
Part of my journey has also meant establishing my own fragrance-free, eczema-proof skincare, bodycare and make-up regime that works without upsetting my oh-so sensitive skin. It’s been a process of trial and error but I have finally found an arsenal that my eczema-prone skin loves and while nobody’s skin is exactly the same, these are the products that have made their way into my daily line-up.
La Roche-Posay La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser
La Roche-Posay La Roche-Posay Toleriane Dermo-Cleanser
A skincare star for a reason, La Roche-Posay's Toleriane range is beloved by beauty buffs. Free of fragrance, parabens and preservatives, it promises to slough off even the toughest of make-up without irritating sensitive skin.
I have tried almost every moisturiser the world over but this hard-working, hydrating hero takes some beating. Not only is it purse-friendly, but its fragrance-free formula means that it won't further irritate skin and can be used from head to toe.
Supergoop! Unseen Sunscreen SPF 30
Benzophenone-3 is a chemical sunscreen agent that absorbs UVB and short UVA rays. It's a common ingredient in SPF products, but it's also a known sensitive skin irritant for many. Supergoop!'s Unseen Sunscreen is free of the agent and leaves skin protected and, most importantly, calm.
Tower 28 SunnyDays Tinted SPF
Take the stress out of sunscreen with Tower 28's SunnyDays tinted SPF. It covers without caking and is now the only skin make-up I use. Just add a sweep of blush, a slick of gloss and you're good to go!
La Roche-Posay La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Lips
La Roche-Posay La Roche-Posay Cicaplast Baume B5 Lips
Despite much of the marketing surrounding them, lipbalms and lipglosses contain a slew of hidden nasties that can only further irritate sore, eczema-prone lips. La Roche-Posay's lipbalm is the best of the bunch; it leaves lips soft and oh-so supple.
One of the first things that had to go when I was told I had contact dermatitis was one of my great loves, fragrance. Through trial and error, I've found that one of the best British brands for fragrance that doesn't irritate sensitive skin is Maya Njie. I keep a small bottle of its Nordic Cedar scent in my handbag at all times and my skin doesn't mind at all.
Avène Extremely Gentle Cleanser
Avène's products are a no-brainer for those with sensitive skin. On days when I've forgone make-up, I emulsify a pea-sized amount of this on my face and remove with a hot flannel. Sensitive skincare made easy.
Byoma Balancing Face Mist
On WFH days when skin feels extra parched from central heating, damp air and just the general cold, Byoma's fragrance-free face mist is a dry skin dream. Spray liberally onto your face either on a cotton pad and finish with an extra slick of moisturiser.
La Roche-Posay La Roche-Posay Lipikar Syndet AP(+) Shower Gel 400ml
La Roche-Posay La Roche-Posay Lipikar Syndet AP(+) Shower Gel 400ml
One of the biggest culprits of skin irritants is shower gels, which are often filled with hidden nasties. La Roche-Posay's Lipikar Syndet Ap+ Wash Cream was recommended to me as a shower gel by a dermatologist and I haven't used anything else since.
Vichy 48HR Soothing Roll-On Anti-Perspirant
Vichy 48HR Soothing Roll-On Anti-Perspirant
The world of natural deodorants might seem alluring, but for many with eczema, naturally-occurring essential oils can be as irritating as those that are synthetically-made. Vichy's sensitive skin deodorant is fragrance-free and genuinely keeps the smell of body odour at bay.
Tower 28 Beauty BeachPlease Luminous Tinted Balm
I use a slick of Tower 28's tinted balm, which is made for eczema-prone skin, on the apples of my cheeks, my eyelids and my lips for an easy pick-me-up during the day.
Malin + Goetz Lip Moisturiser
The irony is that, for a brand known for its innovative scented products, Malin + Goetz's fragrance-free lipgloss is the stuff of lip puckering dreams.
Rudolph Care The Classic Hint of Summer Bright Self Tanner
Since learning what causes my contact dermatitis to flare, I've been on the hunt for a glow-getting tanning product for both my face and my body that doesn't spark a reaction.
These tanning drops are the real deal, and are yet to irritate my skin. I mix three drops into my Doublebase moisturiser at nighttime and wake up every time looking far more rested and relaxed than I inevitably am.
Briogeo Aloe + Oat Milk Ultra Soothing Shampoo And Conditioner
Briogeo Aloe + Oat Milk Ultra Soothing Shampoo And Conditioner
Fragrance and fuss-free, Briogeo's aloe and oat milk-filled shampoo and conditioner tame my natural curls without irritating my scalp.
Drunk Elephant Beste™ No. 9 Jelly Cleanser
I keep a big bottle of this in my shower for tiring days when I want to melt make-up off in the shower.
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