Make sure you’re choosing the right personal care products.
Personal care products are used every day and can be a primary source of daily, repetitive exposure to harsh chemicals and xenoestrogens – chemicals that mimic the effects of estrogen and compromise normal hormone function.
Because products used in the shower can have a significant impact on the skin, it is important to be aware of the products that eczema patients are using and the ingredients they contain. The more organic and moisturizing a product is, the less irritating it will be on eczema-prone skin.
Product Recommendations
— Avoid anti-bacterial and deodorant products, as these can be extremely drying.
— Avoid shower gels, shampoo, conditioners, and soaps with synthetic dyes and perfumes – they usually contain harsh chemicals that are known hormone disruptors (xenoestrogens), can irritate sensitive skin, and are drying.
— Avoid products that contain sodium lauryl sulfate, a foaming agent found in most soaps and shampoos. Sodium lauryl sulfate can be highly irritating and drying, especially in atopic patients. It also breaks down the skin’s natural proteins, making skin more vulnerable to outside contaminants.
— Avoid products with methylparaben or propylparaben preservatives, penetrants, abrasives, and volatile solvents, which are known to cause skin irritation and pose multiple other health risks.
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