Body wash for adults with eczema

What body wash should you use for eczema?

Start with an emollient suitable for use as a soap substitute. Many leave on emollients can also be used for washing, so a separate shower product is not always necessary. Ordinary soap and bubble bath can dry the skin and make it more prone to irritation. A dedicated bath oil or shower emollient is not a replacement for regular leave on moisturizing or topical corticosteroids when needed.23

Emollient soap substitutes clean effectively without normal soap foam, so the shower does not need to audition for a bubble bath.4

Examples of emollients you can wash with

These are options, not a ranking. You may need to try several emollients to find one you tolerate and will use regularly. If you have reacted to an emollient before, ask a pharmacist to help choose an alternative. Less expensive emollients can be effective, so the receipt is not a treatment plan.3

Look for fragrance free, not just unscented

For a conventional cleanser, choose a gentle, fragrance free, moisturizing product. This is general dry skin guidance, rather than a promise about a particular bottle. Fragrance can irritate dry skin. An unscented product can still contain chemicals that mask the smell of other ingredients, so look specifically for "fragrance free" on the package. Moisturizing ingredients such as glycerin, hyaluronic acid and lanolin can help reduce dryness.5

How to wash without making dryness worse

1. 1Use warm rather than hot water. Hot water removes natural oils and increases dryness.
2. 2Keep the bath or shower short. General dry skin guidance suggests 5 to 10 minutes.
3. 3Mix about a teaspoonful of leave on emollient or soap substitute with a little warm water in your palm, then spread it over the skin.
4. 4Wash gently. Use a soft cloth if needed, rather than a bath brush or buff puff.
5. 5Rinse, then pat dry without rubbing.
6. 6Apply your leave on emollient promptly after patting dry.

How often should you wash and moisturize?

Apply a leave on emollient at least twice daily and continue even when your eczema improves. Smooth it gently in the direction of hair growth. A lighter cream or gel can suit daytime use, while a greasier ointment can suit nighttime use. The wash and the moisturizer have different jobs, even when they happen to share a container.13

Adults in their 60s and 70s with dry, irritated skin do not necessarily need to bathe every day. When you do bathe, leave a little moisture on the skin and apply a creamy, fragrance free moisturizer within 3 minutes. For very dry skin, an ointment holds water in better than a cream. Avoid bath oil if it increases your risk of slipping or falling.5

Can you use it with steroid cream?

If you use a steroid cream or another skin treatment, leave 20 to 30 minutes between the leave on emollient and that treatment. Ask your doctor which to apply first. Separating them avoids diluting the treatment or spreading it onto skin that does not need it.4

What should you expect?

An emollient wash supports eczema care; it does not cure eczema. Symptoms can improve with treatment, but flares can still happen. Continue regular moisturizing and use prescribed treatment as directed rather than relying on a change of body wash to control a flare. Hormonal changes during pregnancy can also make eczema worse.1

What should you avoid?

Avoid ordinary soap and bubble bath if they dry or irritate your skin. Do not choose an antiseptic emollient for routine washing: these can cause sensitivity, and routine use raises concerns about resistance. Aqueous cream is not a good default for eczema because it can irritate the skin and make eczema worse. Keep using your standard eczema care rather than substituting bath additives for it.123

What body wash can you use for eczema and psoriasis?

An emollient soap substitute is a practical option for dry, itchy skin with either eczema or psoriasis. Emollients help manage both conditions, and many leave on products can also be used for washing. Choose a product suitable for washing and retain the treatment plan for your particular condition.34

Seborrheic dermatitis has different washing options: adults can use a fragrance free cleanser or a medicated cleanser recommended by a dermatologist. Rinse thoroughly, because cleanser left on the skin can cause irritation and a flare. Apply fragrance free moisturizer afterwards, and follow the specific flare treatment plan rather than borrowing one from another type of eczema.6

When to change products or get medical help

If stinging after an emollient wash does not settle after rinsing, ask a pharmacist for another product. Use a clean spoon or spatula for tubs. Emollients can make bathing surfaces slippery. Keep emollient contaminated clothing, bedding and dressings away from flames and cigarettes; washing does not completely remove the residue.4

A pharmacist can help with small areas of dry, slightly itchy eczema. See a GP for more severe eczema or when treatment is not helping. Get urgent medical help if eczema becomes blistered, crusty, leaking or pus filled; painful, swollen or warm; or suddenly worse or more widespread. Fever or feeling generally unwell also needs urgent assessment. These can be signs of infection or a more serious condition.1