There is nothing wrong with wanting to enhance your beauty with the latest makeup trends. But when you have eczema, many common ingredients found in makeup can irritate and inflame the skin. Suffering with this condition doesn’t doom you to a life without makeup, it simply means you have to be selective about the types of products you use.
The Right Ingredients Matter
Shea butter, coconut oil and glycerin are moisturizing ingredients that are gentle on the skin and can improve the way it looks. When you head out to buy your makeup, look for products that have at least one of these ingredients listed first or second on the ingredient list.
Moisturizing your skin with products that contain hyaluronic acid before applying your makeup can enhance moisture and help manage the flakiness that plagues eczema sufferers. If you apply a vitamin B-3 serum or cream to your face before you put on your cosmetics, it strengthens the skin’s barrier and helps reduce redness.
Even when all the ingredients are considered ideal for sensitive skin, it is impossible to tell whether a product will cause an allergic reaction. So to be safe, test new products on an inconspicuous area of the skin such as behind the ear for two or three days before you put it on your face.
What Not to Use
Ingredients that are off-limits to eczema sufferers include:
- Glycolic acid
- Retinol
- Salicylic acid
- Fragrances
- Preservatives
- Gluten/oat
Preservatives can cause inflammation in skin that is sensitive to harsh ingredients. Mineral powders are typically preservative-free, so they are good options for people with eczema.
Read the Labels
Makeup ingredients vary from product to product. For this reason, it’s best to stick with brands that are labeled, hypoallergenic. These kinds of products contain ingredients that are less likely to cause irritation to the skin.
Keep in mind though, just because a product is labeled hypoallergenic does not mean it won’t cause skin issues. There are no across-the-board guidelines governing the requirements for labeling a product with this term. So always read the labels to make sure the products don’t contain ingredients that can trigger eczema flare-ups.
Sensitive skin can become overwhelmed by too many substances, so the shorter the list of ingredients, the better off your face will be. In addition, keep your everyday routine simple by sticking to only a handful of products.
When you have eczema, knowing what kind of makeup to use for sensitive skin is important. If you stay away from certain ingredients, read the labels carefully and opt for products formulated for sensitive skin, you can find products that help you look great without triggering nasty flare-ups.
Author Bio
+Dr.Lee Eberting is a board certified dermatologist and is a past fellow of the National Institutes of Health, who blogs regularly at cherylleemd.com
