1. Start by Moisturizing
Moisturizing regularly is one of the most important things you can do when managing atopic dermatitis. Doing so protects your skin barrier and keeps symptoms like dry, itchy skin at bay.
Here’s how to apply moisturizer properly as the foundation to your skin-care regimen:
- Wash your hands with cleanser and water.
- Rub moisturizer between your hands to soften it.
- Apply to your face and body with your palm, using downward strokes.
- Use more than you think you need, and let it absorb.
You may need to reapply moisturizer throughout the day. “I’m always carrying creams. My bag is prepped with my mini skin-care first aid kit fit to serve any occasion and ensure that I can always prioritize fun with comfort,” says Katie Mackie, who shares her journey with atopic dermatitis on her Instagram accounts, @mackies_moments and @itch_n_bitch.
2. Choose Eczema-Friendly Products
When you have a disrupted skin barrier because of atopic dermatitis, you’re more likely to react to products that come into contact with your skin.
“When it comes to atopic dermatitis and makeup, less is more,” says Steven Daveluy, MD, an associate professor and the program director of the department of dermatology at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit. “Fewer ingredients means fewer chances to trigger your atopic dermatitis.”
It can be hard to know which types of skin-care and makeup products to try. You can ask your doctor if they have any recommendations. But it can also help to focus your search on products that have the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance, which was created to make it easier to find skin-care products that are safe for the sensitive skin of people with eczema. To obtain the seal, products must be free of 18 allergens and irritants, specified by the organization, that can worsen atopic dermatitis symptoms or trigger a flare.
“Read carefully through the ingredients and any other information on any product you’re going to apply to the skin to ensure it doesn’t contain ingredients that you might react to,” says Wan. At the very least, she says, you’ll want to choose products that are labeled fragrance-free and hypoallergenic.
Be careful of products labeled unscented, since they can still contain fragrances to mask scents, says Dr. Daveluy.
He also warns that those with atopic dermatitis should be cautious with shimmery makeup. “The thing that makes it shimmer is tiny flakes of metal — often nickel, since it’s cheap,” Daveluy says. “Nickel is the most common skin allergy, other than poison ivy.”
When the U.S. Food and Drug Administration tested cosmetics for heavy metals, including nickel, it found that any products with them typically contained very small amounts that were not deemed to pose a health risk for the general public. That said, “If metal, like costume jewelry, watch bands, belt buckles, and the snap on your jeans gives you a rash, then avoid shimmery makeup products,” he says.
Choosing the right products can be especially important for people with darker complexions. “A lot of individuals who have darker skin often have much more pigmentation or discoloration as a result of eczema,” Wan says. “So it’s probably even more important for those individuals to make sure they’re picking gentle products that are not going to further irritate the skin, which then can lead to additional discoloration.”
3. Patch Test First
Before using a new makeup product on your face, Wan recommends testing it out on an area like your inner forearm to give you a sense of how your skin might respond to it. “If you don’t react or have much irritation after a day or two, that suggests you could probably tolerate it elsewhere as well,” she says.
4. Clean Your Makeup Brushes Regularly
Makeup brushes collect product residue along with dirt and oil from your skin. As a result, they become a breeding ground for bacteria, which can aggravate sensitive skin.
It’s a good idea to wash your makeup brushes every 7 to 10 days with warm water and gentle shampoo or brush cleaner (soap will dry out natural-fiber brushes), and rinse them until the water runs clear. But some people opt to forego makeup brushes altogether and simply apply and blend products with their fingers (after washing their hands first).
Another good rule of thumb? Don’t share makeup brushes with others.
5. Skip Makeup During an Atopic Dermatitis Flare
“If you have an active flare, be very cautious about putting products directly onto affected skin,” says Wan. “It’s more important to treat the inflammation from that flare first before you apply anything else to it.” Once your flare subsides, it’s safe to start using makeup again.
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