Best Natural Soaps for Eczema Sufferers - Gentle Formulas That Won't Irritate Skin

Understanding Eczema and How Soap Can Help or Hurt

Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a common skin condition characterized by irritated, inflamed, and itchy rashes. Flare-ups can be triggered by many factors, including stress, weather changes, and using harsh soaps or detergents.

When shopping for the best soaps for eczema relief, it's important to understand the properties that make a soap gentle and non-irritating for sensitive skin. Natural soaps without harsh sulfates, fragrances, and preservatives are ideal options to try.

Common Causes and Triggers of Eczema

The exact causes of eczema are not fully understood, but contributing factors include:

• Genetics
• Overactive immune system
• Environmental conditions like cold, heat, and humidity
• Stress and emotions
• Irritants like chemicals, fabrics, soaps, etc.

Avoiding personal triggers is key to preventing flare-ups. Using gentle, natural soaps can help minimize eczema irritation for many sufferers.

Benefits of Natural Oils in Soap

Natural soap made traditionally contains saponified oils like coconut, olive, sunflower, and shea butter. These oils have moisturizing properties that soothe dry, itchy eczema-prone skin. The oils' fatty acids help reinforce the skin barrier and reduce water loss.

Essential oil ingredients like chamomile, lavender, tea tree, and aloe vera also have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and healing benefits. When chosen carefully, natural soaps with beneficial oils can be a great way to gently cleanse sensitive skin.

Choosing the Most Effective Natural Soaps

With an array of natural soap options available, it can be tricky finding one that will provide eczema relief versus irritation. Here are some tips for choosing the best soap for your sensitive skin:

Avoid Harsh Ingredients

Check the ingredient list carefully and avoid soaps containing:

• Sulfates like sodium lauryl sulfate
• Preservatives like parabens
• Artificial fragrances and dyes
• Chemical detergents or surfactants

These can strip away natural oils, dry out the skin, and cause stinging and inflammation.

Seek Out Soothing Oils

Seeking out soaps enriched with oils like:

• Coconut
• Olive
• Sunflower
• Shea butter
• Hemp seed
• Avocado
• Castor
• Almond

Can help moisturize and nourish the skin barrier. Essential oils like chamomile and aloe vera also have anti-inflammatory properties.

Consider Creamy Oat Soaps

Look for soaps containing colloidal oatmeal, which is finely ground oat grains. The natural oils and antioxidants in oats create a creamy, gentle soap that relieves itchy and inflamed skin.

Choose Unscented Varieties

Fragrances, whether natural or artificial, frequently cause skin irritation. Opt for a soap advertised as "fragrance-free" or "unscented" to avoid this common trigger.

Test a Small Amount First

Even natural ingredients can provoke unexpected reactions. Try a little bit of the soap on your inner wrist first to check for irritation before using it on larger areas.

Reviews of the Top 5 Natural Soaps for Eczema

Based on healing ingredients, gentle formulations, and effectiveness for sensitive skin, here are 5 top choices:

1. Dr. Bronner's Pure Castile Soap

Dr. Bronner's is one of the most popular natural soap brands. Their unscented baby formula contains just a handful of ingredients like water, saponified olive oil, coconut oil, and hemp oil. It's gentle and non-irritating for eczema-prone skin.

2. CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash

Developed with dermatologists, CeraVe uses ceramides to repair the skin barrier and hyaluronic acid for deep hydration. The fragrance-free formula cleanses without stripping sensitive skin.

3. Aveeno Skin Relief Fragrance-Free Body Wash

Aveeno uses colloidal oatmeal as the key soothing ingredient in their fragrance-free body wash. Natural oils like sunflower and coconut also help hydrate dry, itchy skin.

4. Vanicream Cleansing Bar

This gentle bar contains no dyes, fragrances, masking fragrance, lanolin, or formaldehyde. Mild cleansers derived from coconut oil keep the formula non-irritating for those with eczema and allergies.

5. Cetaphil Restoraderm Soothing Body Wash

Specifically formulated for eczema-prone skin, this wash contains lipids, ceramides, and soothing botanicals to repair the skin barrier as it gently cleanses. It's free of fragrances and harsh soap ingredients.

Lifestyle Tips for Controlling Eczema Flare-Ups

While gentle soaps can help prevent irritation, lifestyle measures are also important for eczema management. Some tips include:

Moisturize Immediately After Bathing

Apply thick creams or ointments while skin is still damp to seal in moisture. Choose products containing ceramides, hyaluronic acid, colloidal oatmeal, or petroleum jelly.

Watch For Irritants

Avoid scented laundry detergents, fabrics like wool, exposure to cigarette smoke, harsh chemicals in cleaners, and extreme temperatures.

Keep Skin Hydrated

Drink plenty of water, run a humidifier, and apply moisturizer multiple times per day to prevent dry, itchy skin.

Reduce Stress

Adopt relaxation techniques like meditation, yoga, deep breathing, and aromatherapy to lower daily stress levels that can trigger flare-ups.

Wear Soft, Breathable Fabrics

Choose loose, lightweight cottons and linens. Tight clothing can rub and chafe the skin.

Talk to Your Doctor About Treatments

Prescription topical steroids, immunomodulators, and phototherapy may be options for moderate to severe cases if lifestyle changes and natural soaps aren't providing enough relief.

Creating a Gentle Soap from Scratch at Home

For those who want total control over ingredients, it's possible to make a custom soap at home specially formulated for eczema-prone skin. Here's a simple recipe to try:

Ingredients

• 4 ounces olive oil
• 4 ounces coconut oil
• 2.5 ounces colloidal oatmeal
• 2.5 ounces raw honey
• 2.7 ounces lye (sodium hydroxide)
• 5.5 ounces filtered water
• Essential oils like chamomile or lavender for scent (optional)

Instructions

Important: lye is caustic so wear gloves and eye protection.

1. Add the lye to water in a glass or stainless steel bowl; stir until dissolved. Set aside to cool.
2. In a separate bowl, melt oils together over very low heat. Remove from heat and mix in colloidal oatmeal and honey.
3. When lye water and oil mixture have cooled to around 110°F or when you can comfortably keep a finger in each for 10 seconds, carefully pour lye water into oils.
4. Stir continuously for 2-5 minutes until trace, where mixture is creamy and leaves trails.
5. Mix in 5-10 drops of essential oils if desired.
6. Pour into silicone soap molds and cover loosely.
7. Once hardened after 24-48 hours, remove soap from molds and allow bars to finish curing for 4 weeks.

This gentle homemade soap contains soothing, nourishing ingredients perfect for sensitive eczema-prone skin. Feel free to tweak amounts or add other skin-healthy oils to customize the recipe.

When to See a Dermatologist

Mild eczema can often be managed at home with lifestyle measures and natural soaps. But if symptoms like itching, redness, and scaling become severe or the condition covers large areas of the body, make an appointment with a dermatologist.

A doctor can help identify potential triggers through allergy testing. For moderate to severe cases, they may prescribe topical steroids, immunomodulators, phototherapy, or systemic medications for short-term relief of flare-ups and to prevent further attacks.

Working closely with a dermatologist while also being diligent about using only the gentlest natural soaps and moisturizers can help gain control over eczema through a multipronged approach.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.