If you’re looking for tips on how to relieve eczema, you’ve come to the right place. I’ve suffered from eczema on my hands, feet, arms, and legs for as long as I can remember, and while I’ve seen a drastic improvement in my skin as I’ve gotten older, I’m still prone to eczema flare-ups throughout the year, particularly during the dry winter months. I’ve tried heaps of tips and products to keep my eczema under control over the years, and today I’m teaming up with The Eczema Company to share 15 of my best skin care ideas, including clothing for eczema that will not only protect your sensitive skin, but also give you greater freedom and flexibility with your wardrobe this season!
These tips go beyond the obvious, like avoiding environmental allergens, harsh detergents, and cleaning products, eliminating gluten, dairy, and soy from your diet, and investing in a good probiotic. While I firmly believe all of these strategies are important and effective when it comes to eczema relief, they often aren’t enough, and I want to equip you with some other products and ideas you can keep at the ready to prevent and treat eczema flares.
The ideas and products included in this post are safe, effective, and suitable for kids and adults, providing relief for the entire family!
How to Relieve Eczema: 7 Tips [and 4 Skin Products] I Swear By
1. Prioritize your skincare routine. If you want to know how to relieve eczema – and how to prevent flare-ups from occurring in the first place – my number one tip is to put your skincare routine first. As a working mom to a feisty 7-year-old, I know firsthand how difficult it can be to find time for self-care, but if you suffer from dry and cracked (or weeping and red) eczema on your hands, feet, arms, and/or legs, it’s time to stop making excuses. Eczema can be extremely painful, making basic tasks like cooking dinner, bathing our children, washing the dishes, and writing with a pencil uncomfortable. And whether we like to admit it or not, we often take those feelings out on the ones we love the most.
Skin care for eczema doesn’t need to be complicated, nor does it require a huge time commitment. An extra 5 minutes in your morning and evening routine coupled with regular application of the right moisturizer can make a HUGE difference.
Of course, knowing which products to invest in can be challenging, and if you’re anything like me, you probably want to avoid medicated products and stick with natural eczema remedies wherever possible. I’ve tested tons of different eczema products in my lifetime with varying levels of success, and it wasn’t until I stumbled upon The Eczema Company and their line of natural eczema relief that I started to see noticeable results. Here are 4 natural eczema products for kids and adults I swear by:
- Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream to reduce inflammation. The combination of organize manuka honey and organic tree nut-free oils and beeswax make this a gentle, nourishing formula that soothes and calms irritated skin and reduces inflammation without causing a stinging sensation. Top with a pair of Remedywear Gloves for Hand Eczema at night for added protection and to prevent nighttime itching. Learn more about Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream HERE, Remedywear Gloves for kids HERE, and Remedywear Gloves for adults HERE.
- Emily Skin Soothers for Itchy Eczema to reduce redness. Suitable for babies, kids, and adults, this soothing cream is a dream come true for those who suffer from angry, itchy skin. Made from all-natural ingredients – olive oil, beeswax, and 3 Chinese herbs – you will be amazed at how quickly this product soothes skin and removes redness. Learn more about Emily Skin Soothers for Eczema HERE.
- Emily Skin Soothers for Red Eczema Rashes to relieve inflamed and oozing skin. If you or your little one are plagued by red, oozing, inflamed, and angry-looking eczema, this product is a must-try. It heals weeping dermatitis and can also relieve irritation in skin folds such as armpits, elbows, and behind the knees. Learn more about Emily Skin Soothers for Red Eczema Rashes HERE.
- EczeHerbal #2 Itchy Skin Rash Treatment to relieve dryness and itching. If your eczema causes dryness, flaking, and itching, this is another of my favorite eczema remedies. It uses different herbs, which isn’t for everyone, but having grown up in South East Asia, I’m a big believer in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). Learn more about EczeHerbal #2 Itchy Skin Rash Treatment HERE.
2. Avoid hot water and artificial heat. If you enjoy unwinding with a hot bath or shower at the end of the day and/or like to blast the heat during the winter, you probably won’t like this tip for preventing and relieving eczema, but it’s an important one as heat can be very drying on the skin. Use lukewarm water whenever possible when bathing, be careful not to scrub your skin, pat yourself dry with a towel, apply a thick moisturizer, and turn the heating down in your home. Your skin will thank you! Oh! And if you’re one of those people who feels cold all the time, and the idea of turning down the heat gives you goosebumps, you can now buy protective clothing for eczema that soothes skin while also providing a buffer against fabrics that cause irritation. We’re share 4 of our favorite items below!
3. Keep moisturizer on hand at all times. We’ve already touched on the importance of prioritizing skin care when it comes to preventing and treating eczema, but an important tip I find helpful in keeping my hand eczema under control throughout the year is to keep a bottle or tub of moisturizer in my car, purse, gym bag, and next to every sink in our house. I realize this may sound like overkill to some, but I’ve learned the hard way that if I don’t moisturize my hands immediately following any and all exposure to water, my skin quickly begins to crack and bleed on my knuckles and the tips of my fingers. It can be extremely painful and once my skin cracks it can take ages for it to heal, so I find prevention is key.
Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream is my go-to cream year-round as it’s the only cream I’ve found that helps prevent my skin from getting dry and chapped in the winter months, and I find a little bit of the product goes a long way, making it last a lot longer than other creams I’ve tried in the past.
Pro Tip: If you suffer from eczema on your hands and/or feet, a great natural overnight remedy for eczema is to apply a generous portion of Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream to the affected area, and then cover with Remedywear gloves and/or Remedywear socks to help lock moisture in. Remedywear also sells eczema bandages for other areas of the body that are prone to eczema, like behind your knees and in the creases of your elbows. This is my go-to remedy when my skin is dry, itchy, red, and inflamed, and it works like a charm every single time.
4. Invest in a humidifier. Adding moisture to the air in your home during the winter months and while you have your air conditioning running during the summer is a must if you or someone in your family suffers from eczema as it helps add moisture into the air to relieve dry, itchy, and cracked skin. We used to have cool mist humidifiers (cool mist is safer than hot mist when you have small children) in all of our bedrooms and in our living room, but after a very chilly winter last year, we decided to install one directly into our furnace. Either option works, and you will notice such a different in how your skin feels.
5. Stay hydrated. We all know adequate water intake can flush toxins out of our bodies, aid in weight management, decrease headaches, backaches, and muscle cramps, make us more alert, and improve our immunity, but few people realize drinking the recommended amount of water for your weight and height can also improve your complexion and reduce dry skin. If you struggle to drink an adequate amount of H2O each day, consider purchasing an infuser so you can naturally flavor your water with your favorite fruit blends (cucumber and mint is my favorite combo!).
6. Keep stress at bay. The jury is still out about whether or not there is a direct correlation between stress and eczema, but many suffers (myself included) experience an increase in their symptoms during periods of stress. If this sounds like you, make it a point to prioritize self-care each week. Meeting a friend for coffee, taking up yoga, reading a good book, and meditating are all ways you can help keep stress at bay when life gets overwhelming.
7. Protect your skin from irritating fabrics. Many people with sensitive skin find wool and synthetic fabrics very difficult to tolerate, and while loose-fitting cotton clothes are a great option for eczema-prone skin, this can impose some pretty severe fashion limitations, which isn’t always ideal. Check out 4 clothing for eczema options below, which can be worn as a barrier to protect your skin against irritating fabrics.
Clothing for Eczema: 4 Picks for Sensitive Skin
Did you know there’s clothing for eczema you can buy to prevent eczema flare ups, offer soothing relief when your eczema symptoms are active, and protect your skin when wearing fabrics that irritate your skin? Remedywear offers a lot of different options for kids and adults and I’m so excited to tell you about the brand and why I love it so much!
Remedywear combines soft silky TENCEL™ with anti-bacteria zinc oxide for eczema to create the best clothes for eczema that can be worn for comfortable, soothing relief 24/7. In a clinical study [1], the ratio of TENCEL and Smartcel™ Sensitive in Remedywear garments was proven to:
- reduce the severity of atopic dermatitis
- reduce itchiness
- improve quality of sleep (!!!!) when worn overnight for 3 consecutive nights
Here are 4 of my favorite Remedywear clothes for eczema!
1. Remedywear Gloves for Hand Eczema. If you suffer from hand eczema, psoriasis, and/or cracked hands, these gloves are about to change your life. I’m serious! Anyone who suffers with hand dermatitis knows how difficult it is to treat, and how difficult and painful daily tasks can become when your hands are red, raw, chapped, cracked, blistered, and bleeding. These form-fitting gloves are unlike any other I’ve ever tried in that the material contains a bit of [latex-free] elastic, giving them a bit of stretch to help them stay firmly in place so you can treat specific areas of your hands, like your fingers, cuticles, and palms. The stretch also helps the gloves stay on overnight, which is a huge win for me.
Whenever my hands are inflamed and/or cracked during the cold weather months, I apply a generous layer of Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream before bed and then pop a set of these on my hands for overnight relief, and I love that the gloves stay put all night long. If your hands are particularly sensitive, you could wear these beneath your winter gloves for added daytime protection.
CLICK HERE for Remedywear Gloves for Adults.
CLICK HERE for Remedywear Gloves for Kids.
CLICK HERE for Remedywear Mittens for Babies.
2. Remedywear Socks for Foot Eczema. Oh, how I wish these had been available when I was in high school! I suffered through ~3 years of dry, scaly eczema on the bottom of my left foot from grade 10 through grade 12, and nothing I did offered me any relief.
These ultra-soft TENCEL/lyocell socks have exceptional stretch and fit like a glove, offering cooling comfort day and night. The toe and heel are both reinforced, and you can wear these socks to sleep and throughout the day for soothing relief that lasts. If your feet are dry, itchy, and/or peeling, apply a layer of Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream first, and if your feet are red, inflamed, and oozing, a layer of Emily Skin Soothers for Red Eczema Rashes will really help.
CLICK HERE for Adult Remedywear Socks for Adults.
CLICK HERE for Adult Remedywear Socks for Kids.
3. Remedywear Bandages. If you suffer from eczema or psoriasis on your elbows, knees, arms, and/or legs, these hypoallergenic bandages are embedded with zinc oxide and not only provide soothing relief, but they also help reduce the urge to itch sensitive, dry skin. They come in 2 lengths so you can cover a small area or an entire arm or leg.
CLICK HERE to choose the appropriate Remedywear Bandage for a baby, child, or adult.
4. Remedywear Long Sleeve Shirt and Remedywear Pants. While it’s relatively easy to find stylish clothing for kids made out of breathable, non-irritating fabrics, it can be a lot more challenging for adults, particularly in the cold weather months. Thankfully, Remedywear makes moisture-wicking long-sleeved tops and pants for adults, which can be worn as pajamas and under clothing for all-day comfort and relief.
CLICK HERE for Adult Remedywear Long-Sleeved Tops.
CLICK HERE for Adult Remedywear Pants.
CLICK HERE for Kids Remedywear Long-Sleeved Tops.
CLICK HERE for Kids Remedywear Pants.
Whether you and/or your children have extremely dry skin or full-blown eczema, I hope this collection of natural skin care tips and ideas helps reduce the itching and inflammation that comes with an eczema flare-up, while also preventing future flare-ups from occurring. Remember to prioritize your skin care routine, stay moisturized and hydrated, avoid triggers, and invest in clothing for eczema to soothe and protect your skin from irritating fabrics.
This is a sponsored post. All opinions are my own.
This post contains affiliate links.
References:
[1] Wiegand, 2013, Skin-protective effects of a zinc oxide-functionalized textile and its relevance for atopic dermatitis. Clin Cosmet Investig Dermatol; 6: 115–121. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3656624/
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