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Your skin care routine can affect your atopic dermatitis more than you think. Some of the most common triggers of atopic dermatitis — the most common form of eczema — include dry skin, stress, and personal care products. Because soap can be irritating to the skin, people with atopic dermatitis have to be careful when choosing products to wash with.
Whether it’s for your hands or your body, you’ll want to find a soap that gets you clean without aggravating atopic dermatitis symptoms such as itchiness, dryness, and inflammation.
But what should you look for in a soap? What should you avoid? Here’s a guide to the ingredients you should pay attention to when purchasing soap, along with tips from MyEczemaTeam members.
Regular soaps can be very drying. This is because of their high pH — which refers to how acidic or alkaline a substance is — or harsh chemicals, such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS). These ingredients can damage your skin barrier and strip away the skin’s moisture and natural oils. “Soaps dry me right up,” shared one MyEczemaTeam member.
As part of your atopic dermatitis treatment plan to protect your skin from flare-ups, choose a gentle cleanser that won’t dry out your skin. Here’s what to look for.
Human skin has a pH level of 4 to 6, while most soaps have a pH of nine to 10. Because of this difference, using regular soap can raise your skin’s pH and worsen symptoms of atopic dermatitis. Although your skin has a natural way of balancing its pH, using very acidic or alkaline soaps may overwhelm this system, leading to dry and irritated skin.
To avoid worsening atopic dermatitis symptoms, try using syndet bars (short for “synthetic detergent.” Unlike traditional soap, syndets have a neutral or slightly acidic pH, making them gentler on the skin. The main ingredient in syndet bars is a nonsoap surfactant. This is a compound that helps liquids spread and penetrate better, making the product more effective.
Syndet bars are mild and hydrating, making them a great choice for dry, eczema-prone skin. Using syndet instead of soap may help preserve your skin barrier, keep it moisturized, and clean it well.
Some syndet bars that may help with atopic dermatitis include:
One MyEczemaTeam member shared, “I’ve been having a good day with no problems and no itching. I’ve been using my Dove soap and body wash without perfume, and that has helped me a lot.”
Glycerin is an ingredient found in some gentle cleansers and soaps. It acts as a humectant, meaning it helps your skin hold onto moisture. Humectants are also used in lotions, soaps, and even food.
Although glycerin is found in many gentle soaps, these are only a good option if they aren’t heavily fragranced.
The National Eczema Association tests products to make sure they’re safe for people with eczema. The NEA’s Seal of Acceptance program guarantees that a product doesn’t contain allergens or irritants found in the The Ecz-Clusion List, which the NEA keeps up-to-date. This seal can help people with atopic dermatitis and other chronic skin conditions choose products that are less likely to cause allergy, irritation, or otherwise worsen their symptoms.
Even if you find a soap that appears to have the right ingredients, it’s a good idea to check to see if it has the NEA Seal of Acceptance. This means it has been tested and approved by the NEA for eczema-prone skin. If you’re having trouble finding the right soap, visit the NEA website for a list of approved products.
If you’re looking for a gentle face cleanser, body wash, or hand soap that will hydrate your skin without aggravating atopic dermatitis symptoms, here are some nonprescription options designed for sensitive skin.
This bar soap from Dove is made with a skin-sensitive formula that’s free from irritating foaming agents and artificial colors and fragrances. The hypoallergenic formula includes moisturizing cream to keep your skin hydrated and prevent flare-ups caused by dry skin.
With a formula designed by dermatologists, CeraVe’s Soothing Body Wash is made to cleanse and calm your skin. Ingredients include three essential ceramides, hyaluronic acid, and omega oils, which CeraVe says are intended to cleanse while protecting the skin barrier. The soap is free from parabens, sulfates, and fragrances and is approved by the National Eczema Association.
Everyone’s skin is different, so it might take some trial and error to find the best cleanser for you. One MyEczemaTeam member found relief with Cetaphil and with a highly hydrating fragrance-free skin cleanser from Aveeno.
One member explained, “Others have found Dove or goat milk soap to work best for them. You just need to experiment and go all fragrance-free, moisturizing with an eczema cream or ointment within three minutes of towel drying after a bath or shower.”
If you’re unsure, ask your dermatology provider for soap recommendations and skin care tips tailored to your skin.
Now that you know what ingredients to look for when searching for soaps for atopic dermatitis, let’s talk about ingredients that might trigger your skin symptoms.
Sodium lauryl sulfate is a common ingredient in soaps, shampoos, and detergents. While it helps with cleansing, SLS can also damage your skin’s natural barrier and worsen atopic dermatitis symptoms like dry skin and irritation. If you have eczema-prone skin, look for soaps labeled “SLS-free.”
Fragrances are made from hundreds of chemicals, but manufacturers often just list “perfume” or “fragrance” on the label. This makes it hard to pinpoint the chemicals in a soap that might irritate your skin.
One MyEczemaTeam member shared, “I have to stick with fragrance-free, and the more natural, the better."
About 1 percent to 4 percent of people are sensitive to fragrances. For people with contact dermatitis (a type of eczema) that number jumps to 8 percent to 15 percent. One MyEczemaTeam member shared, “I’ve found that scented soaps and detergents can be very irritating to my eczema.”
To stay safe, choose soaps with natural ingredients, or ones that list all their ingredients. Avoid products with dyes and fragrances, and stick to simple, unscented cleansers.
Proper handwashing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of germs that can cause infections and diseases. However, when you have a skin condition like atopic dermatitis, frequent handwashing can dry out your skin and increase the risk of flare-ups.
The following tips from the Allergy and Asthma Network can help you keep your skin healthy while preventing infection.
Hand sanitizers contain alcohol, which can dry out your skin if used too often. When you can, wash your hands with a gentle cleanser instead.
After washing your hands, gently pat them dry with a disposable towel or tissue. Rubbing can irritate your skin.
After drying, apply a thick layer of moisturizer all over your hands and fingers. Do this every time you wash your hands. Carry moisturizer with you so you can use it right after washing.
If you’re worried about harsh soaps in public places, carry a travel-sized bottle of soap that works for your skin. Keep the bottle clean to avoid spreading germs.
If you wear disposable gloves, change them often and keep your hands clean. Washing or sanitizing or washing gloves can damage them, and missing a spot while cleaning them could spread germs.
On MyEczemaTeam, the social network for people with eczema and their loved ones, more than 54,000 members come together to ask questions, give advice, and share their experience with others who understand life with eczema.
Have you found soaps that work well for your skin? Are there any soaps that aggravate your atopic dermatitis symptoms? Share your thoughts in the comments below or by posting on your Activities page.
Steven Devos, M.D., Ph.D.
received his medical degree and completed residency training in dermatology at the University of Ghent, Belgium.
Learn more about him here.
Ben Schwartz
is a member of the writing staff for MyHealthTeam.
Learn more about him here.
Jocelyn Solis-Moreira
is a journalist covering health and science. She received a graduate degree in psychology concentrating on behavioral neuroscience.
Learn more about her here.
Is Foaming Hand Soap Ok For Atopic Deratitus
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