How I’ve Been Dealing With My Eczema

A few months back, I started experiencing facial eczema, seemingly out of nowhere. Eczema itself isn’t new to me, but it had always been on the soles of my feet, never my face. Growing up, I’d occasionally have flare-ups, but because they didn’t hurt or disrupt my day-to-day life, I learned to ignore them.

Fast forward to about nine months ago, I hit a rough patch. You can imagine my frustration when I suddenly started having severe facial eczema. It was overwhelming—going from doctor to doctor trying to pinpoint the cause, but with no success. Eventually, I discovered I’m allergic to shrimp and various other triggers. However, the list is still inconclusive. What I’ve noticed, though, is that stress or a compromised immune system increases the likelihood of a flare-up.

After one particularly bad episode, a friend suggested focusing on moisturizing products. During a flare-up, my skin feels painfully tight, dehydrated, and cracked. My goal during these times is to restore the health of my skin barrier. Once the barrier is stabilized, I introduce other treatments, like exfoliators. Here’s what I’ve been using to manage my facial eczema, and how these products have worked for me:

Cleansers:

1. La Roche-Posay Cleanser
   I chose this cleanser because of its zinc content, which is known for its healing properties—important when my skin barrier is weakened by facial eczema. It’s gentle and non-stripping, though it does have a slight fragrance, which could bother sensitive skin types. I’m considering switching to another cleanser, though, just to see if I can find one that suits my skin even better.
2. Avène Cleanser
   I picked this up in a pharmacy in Paris because it’s oil-based and fragrance-free—perfect for my neck flare-ups. It’s gentle, but I wish it was a bit fattier so it would glide on more easily. Although it has a mild fragrance, thankfully, my skin seems to tolerate it.

Hydrating Toners:

(Note: I always apply my toners with my hands instead of using a cotton pad, which I find wasteful.)

1. Madagascar Centella Ampoule
   My skin loves this! It feels hydrating without being greasy, and I apply it when my skin is still damp, which helps with absorption. During flare-ups, it helps lock in moisture and keeps my skin feeling soft.
2. Mixsoon
   This is another hydrating product I love. When paired with the Centella Ampoule, it helps calm my skin during flare-ups.
3. Green Tea Serum
   This one is okay, but on its own, I don’t find it very effective. However, during flare-ups, it does reduce the redness. If it weren’t for my eczema, I’d probably skip this product.
4. Propolis Light Ampoule
   I haven’t tried this during a flare-up, but it’s a solid moisturizer. It’s a bit thicker than the Centella Ampoule, but the dropper releases very little product at a time, which is frustrating. I likely won’t repurchase it.

Serums:

1. Niacinamide
   This is a staple in my skincare routine, though I haven’t noticed as much impact recently. I’m considering switching brands or wondering if the formula has changed.
2. Paula’s Choice Serum
   I still like this product, though its effects aren’t as noticeable as they once were. However, it does reduce skin texture and oiliness after use. Please note that when I have a flare up I don’t use this product.
3. La Roche-Posay Serum
   A friend recommended this one. While I don’t see dramatic results, I’m continuing to use it until the bottle is empty.

Moisturizers:

1. La Roche-Posay Moisturizer
   This is hands-down the best moisturizer I’ve ever used. It’s perfect for winter—moisturizing without being oily or heavy, and fragrance-free. The pump dispenser also minimizes contamination. In the summer, I skip it during the day since it can be a bit heavy and leave me looking oily.
2. Avène Moisturizer
   I turn to this moisturizer when I’m having a flare-up because of its anti-itch properties. It’s quite heavy and fatty, but that’s what my skin needs when it’s healing.
3. Isntree Gel Moisturizer
   I use this lightweight gel moisturizer during the warmer months. It absorbs quickly, but when my skin is especially dry, it’s not moisturizing enough on its own.

Sunscreens:

I’m very particular about sunscreens, especially with facial eczema. I need something moisturizing but not too heavy.

1. La Roche-Posay Sunscreen
   I love how absorbable this sunscreen is, and I skip moisturizer when I use it. However, it stings slightly, so I avoid it during flare-ups. Despite its fragrance, I’ve grown to tolerate it.
2. At-Home Sunscreen
   When I’m staying home, I use a cheaper, oilier sunscreen. It leaves me shiny, but since I’m home, I don’t mind.

Eczema Soothing Products:

These two products have been unexpectedly helpful during my facial eczema flare-ups:

1. Zinc-Based Ointment
   Because of its high zinc content, this ointment is incredibly healing. It’s thick and tough to apply, especially during flare-ups, but my skin always feels better the next day. I highly recommend it for compromised skin barriers.
2. Cold Yoghurt
   Believe it or not, yoghurt has been a lifesaver! During a flare-up, I experience redness, dryness, tightness, and itching. Applying cold yoghurt soothes all these symptoms, and its probiotics help restore my skin’s natural biome. I leave it on until it dries and cracks, then wash it off with cold water.

That’s how I’ve been managing my sensitive, eczema-prone skin. If you also struggle with facial eczema, I hope some of these tips and products help you as much as they’ve helped me.