The 3-Step, Under-$20 Drugstore Routine Dermatologists Swear By for Treating Eczema
Now that fall weather has started to set in, it's officially eczema season. As the temps shift from warm and humid to cold and dry it creates the perfect environment for flare-ups, which means your skin could use a little extra TLC. Thankfully, you can find the perfect, derm-approved solution at the drugstore thanks to Cetaphil's new trio of products that are designed to soothe, repair, and protect eczema-prone skin.
The set features Cetaphil Eczema Restoraderm Itch Relief Gel ($20), Cetaphil Eczema Restoraderm Flare-Up Relief Cream ($20), and the Cetaphil Eczema Restoraderm Soothing Moisturizer ($18), which can be used individually or together as a three-step treatment to relieve itch, calm skin, and prevent flare-ups.
Because eczema is associated with dryness and irritation, the trio is chock-full of hydrating, soothing ingredients. First on the list is colloidal oatmeal, which is present in all three formulas. "Colloidal oatmeal is very calming and anti-inflammatory for sensitive skin," says Julie Russak, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. “It can relieve irritation and itching."
- Anne Beal, MD, PhD, medical researcher and founder of skin-care brand AbsoluteJoi
- Hadley King, MD, board-certified dermatologist and clinical instructor of dermatology at Weill Medical College of Cornell University
- Julie Russak, MD, board-certified dermatologist and the founder of Russak Dermatology Clinic
The cream and moisturizer also include nourishing sunflower seed oil. "I love to use sunflower oil in my skin-care formulations because it offers so many benefits for skin health," says Anne Beal, MD, PhD, medical researcher and founder of skin-care brand AbsoluteJoi. "If you have sensitive skin, this is an oil that generally doesn’t cause irritation or redness and is great for people with mild to moderate reactive skin. It helps to promote ceramide production in your skin and improves your natural skin barrier to reduce water loss for better skin hydration and a healthy youthful glow."
Each item has the Seal of Acceptance from the National Eczema Association, so you know they’re gentle and effective. Eczema-prone skin is very sensitive to certain ingredients, like isopropyl alcohol, lactic acid, and fragrance, and products undergo rigorous testing to ensure they're free of known eczema irritants in order to receive the Seal of Acceptance. But, remember that everyone's skin is different, and while the chance that these products will irritate eczema-prone skin is low, it's not impossible.
What these products do include, however, is eczema-safe ingredients like vitamins E, B5, and B3 and a unique filaggrin and ceramide complex that restores the skin's moisture barrier to help clear up eczema flares while preventing future ones.
"For all ages, moisturizing and supporting the skin barrier is critical for [eczema] maintenance," says Hadley King, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. "That means using moisturizers that contain humectants to hydrate, emollients to support the skin barrier, and occlusives to lock in the moisture—several times daily."
Shop each of the new items in the Cetaphil Eczema Restoraderm line below
The first item in this set, the itch relief gel, is designed to relief discomfort during active flare-ups. It’s made with soothing two percent colloidal oatmeal, hydrating hyaluronic acid, and moisturizing ceramides to quickly calm flare-ups and keep them soothed for up to eight hours.
Next, repair your skin barrier by feeding it ingredients like shea butter, oat kernel flour, and two percent colloidal oatmeal, which moisturize your skin and strengthen your skin barrier. A stronger barrier is better at locking in moisture to slow down your skin’s water loss, which can contribute to eczema flares.
Finish off your routine with this moisturizing lotion that’s made with one percent colloidal oatmeal. It also includes hydrating glycerin, nourishing sunflower seed oil, and soothing niacinamide.
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