Dry skin eczema: 4 natural solutions

Eczema creams, balms and dry skin solutions

Dry skin is skin that lacks water and fatty substances. It no longer fulfills its mission to retain water in the epidermis because it lacks lipids. The epidermis is covered by the hydrolipidic film. It constitutes a natural barrier against external aggressions such as pollution or dirt and helps retain water by preventing excessive and rapid evaporation of it (1). This film is made up of sebum produced naturally by the sebaceous glands of the face.

When the skin is dry, it does not secrete enough sebum to preserve the water it contains. Consequence: the skin lacks water, it is very dry. This is why it is necessary to use appropriate care such as Rich moisturizing and anti-itch cream. Discover our tips for taking care of your dry skin and the good habits to adopt to combat dry skin.

Symptoms of dry skin in eczema

When you have dry skin, different skin disorders appear. Several symptoms of eczema can appear. Like a feeling of discomfort with dry skin that tends to feel tight or even tingle or How to choose the right cream for itching eczema? .

In terms of touch, dry skin is generally rough, it is far from soft “baby” skin. Extreme dryness can even cause scales and redness. Other bad news is that dry skin shows age lines or expression lines more easily. Finally, dry skin can be responsible for a dull complexion.

While certain products aim to dry out the skin by destroying the hydrolipidic film (products against acne or oily skin), it must, on the contrary, be preserved and maintained for optimal maintenance of the skin's balance. In the case of dry skin, it will sometimes be necessary to give it a boost Understanding and relieving eczema with the right attitudes and actions , especially in winter, thanks to suitable creams.

Where does dry skin and eczema come from?

It is important to specify that dry skin is one of the different skin types: dry, normal, combination and oily skin. In dermatology, dry skin is called “xerosis” (2). Having dry skin is often a genetic criterion. But dry skin can in some cases be due to a skin disease (we will come back to this).

Dry skin can result from several factors, internal and external. Among internal causes, aging and genetic conditions can affect sebum production, thereby reducing the skin's natural hydration. Thyroid imbalances and other medical issues can also contribute to dry skin.

Additionally, certain medications, such as diuretics, can reduce skin hydration. It is therefore important to understand the multiple factors contributing to dry skin in order to adopt a suitable skincare routine and, if necessary, consult a health professional.

It is good to note that certain environmental or physiological elements will play a role in the severity of dry skin:

Climate: a change in climate is very often the cause of dry skin. Climates that are hot and dry or cold and dry are generally conducive to dry skin.
Exposure to the sun and wind: these two elements attack the skin and can therefore harm the skin's hydration.
Hormones: hormonal changes can explain episodes of severe dryness. This is often the case in women during or after menopause, skin aging and hormonal changes lead to dry skin.
Changes in lifestyle (diet, place of residence) or stress can in certain cases explain an episode of dehydrated skin.
The use of unsuitable, drying or irritating cosmetic products.

All skin can be subject to dryness at some point. Indeed, a skin type is not valid for life, you can very well be a very young child with dry skin to turn into an adult with oily skin.

Difference between dry and dehydrated skin

We would like to make an important clarification. Dry skin is a skin type. For a person who has dry skin, skin dryness will therefore manifest itself chronically.

On the other hand, dehydrated skin is a one-off condition; it often happens following a change in the environment (winter period, exposure to the sun or wind). This explains why oily skin can experience a period of dehydration. For acne-prone skin, for example, the use of aggressive and overly stripping cosmetic products can also cause an episode of dry skin.

How to take care of dry eczematous skin?

The needs of dry to very dry skin
To summarize, dry skin needs to be hydrated (water supply) and nourished (fat/lipid supply) on all parts of the body, the back, hands, face, legs, etc.
If the skin is too dry it does not produce enough sebum and therefore cannot retain water in its tissues.
Dry skin and eczema: good habits to adopt
In order to protect your dry skin and have a better quality of life, it is good to follow our advice:
- Use gentle, suitable cleansers with a neutral PH.
- Hydrate your skin well, use treatments with moisturizing and soothing active ingredients (aloe vera, sweet almond oil, shea butter) to avoid excessive dehydration.
- Avoid cosmetics that contain alcohol (drying effect).
- Protect your skin from wind, cold or sun (always apply a sunscreen before exposure).
- Drink plenty of water (minimum 1,5 liters of water per day).
- Prefer showers to baths (neither too hot nor too cold so as not to attack the skin).
- Opt for a diet rich in trace elements (oily fish, dried fruits, cold virgin oil), possibly supplement with a course of evening primrose or borage food supplements.
- Choose a skincare routine suitable for dry to very dry skin.

How do you know if you have eczema or psoriasis?

Eczema and psoriasis are two distinct but common skin conditions. Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a chronic inflammation of the skin. The symptoms of eczema are: itching, redness, dry and flaky skin. Often linked to genetic and environmental factors, eczema can be exacerbated by allergens, stress and other irritants. Psoriasis, on the other hand, is an autoimmune disease characterized by thick, red, scaly patches, mainly on the elbows, knees, scalp and back. These plaques result from accelerated production of skin cells. Although both conditions can be uncomfortable and sometimes painful, they are usually manageable with appropriate treatments.

How can you be sure it's eczema or psoriasis?

Dry skin is sometimes a manifestation of skin diseases such as psoriasis or eczema.

Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that causes an overproduction of skin cells. Psoriatic skin is generally very dry and prone to scales, redness, plaques and itching. In the case of psoriasis, it will be necessary to take care of the skin with very rich hydration, but also to treat the lesions with a suitable treatment. However, if no natural treatment works, we advise you to make an appointment with a health professional in order to improve your quality of life.

The symptoms of eczema are the appearance of a skin condition which manifests itself as inflammation and dry skin, as with psoriasis, it will be necessary to provide strong hydration to the skin and to calm the inflammations.

Effective natural solutions exist to treat psoriasis and eczema such as Pso Natura Regenerative Complex as well as the Rich Restructuring Cream LM Natura.

Other skin diseases such as ichthyosis can also explain having very dry, rough and scaly skin, continually drying out (3). However, if you have severe acne and cannot treat it naturally, it is essential to consult a doctor.

How to treat psoriasis on dry skin?

After cleansing, applying thick, nourishing moisturizers is essential. These products should contain ingredients like glycerin, hyaluronic acid or shea butter, which help retain moisture in the skin and soothe itching.

For more severe cases, healthcare professionals may recommend corticosteroid creams or ointments to reduce inflammation and irritation. Topical treatments with vitamin D or vitamin A analogues may also be effective. It is important to note that each person responds differently to treatments, so a consultation with a healthcare professional is recommended to determine the exact causes and put the best personalized treatment plan in place.

Finally, avoiding known triggers, such as high stress and certain foods, can help reduce the frequency and severity of psoriasis flare-ups and improve quality of life.

Cleansing dry skin suffering from eczema

In the evening: we advise you to choose gentle cleansers (neutral PH) because, above all, you must not attack dehydrated skin. We strongly advise against cleaning your skin with soap or cleansing gels that rinse with water. The latter two are far too harsh for the skin.

For Eyelid eczema: causes, symptoms and treatments, you can opt for cleansers/make-up removers with a fluid texture such as micellar water, cleansing oil or make-up remover milk. To wash the body, we advise you to choose soap-free dermatological bars or shower oils. These are good practices to put in place in order to have healthy and clean skin.

In the morning: be gentle with your skin. Clean it delicately with chamomile or rose floral water.

How to moisturize and soothe skin prone to eczema?

In the morning : After cleansing the skin, apply a rich moisturizer that contains hydrating and soothing agents. This cream will help calm your itching. Be sure to always apply sun protection before exposure. See 5 creams for atopic eczema, moisturize, nourish and smooth the skin to cleanse it and soothe itching.

Evening : choose a richer and more nutritious treatment which will act throughout the night and which will help avoid incessant scratching.

Once or twice a week, apply a moisturizing mask to your face.

We advise you to choose cosmetics with natural ingredients with moisturizing, nourishing and soothing powers. There Rich Restructuring Cream LM Natura contains very hydrating, soothing and nourishing natural ingredients. Formulated for use on the face and body, this cream is ideal for dry to very dry skin.

This moisturizing cream contains vegetable oils and natural ingredients:

THECarapa procera oil is a vegetable oil that helps nourish, soothe and regenerate the skin. It is recommended in the treatment of very dry and scaly skin. Carapa procera oil is used in the formulation of our treatments.

Sweet almond oil is essential for dry and sensitive skin. This oil helps restore the skin's hydrolipidic film.

Aloe vera gel helps soothe redness and inflammation of dehydrated and irritated skin.

Shea butter is a natural ingredient with strong nourishing power.

Marula oil helps strengthen the skin barrier and limit water loss. It also has anti-aging properties.

Apricot kernel oil has moisturizing benefits and brightens the complexion.

This cream is also good for infants and their skin problems.

Make up dry skin in case of eczema

To avoid the plaster effect, choose light textures, suitable for dry skin which will maintain the skin's hydration. Please note that if you do not hydrate your skin with appropriate care before applying makeup, your skin will bleed through your makeup/foundation. In addition to being bad for the skin, your makeup will not last... It is better to apply makeup when there is low humidity than the opposite. In fact, the higher the humidity, the more your pores will dilate, which will damage your makeup and your skin.

For foundation, choose liquid textures suitable for dry skin.

For blush and blush, you can choose cream textures which will also be suitable for dry skin.

Finally, don't forget to remove makeup from your skin in the evening...

What are the risks of not treating dry skin?

Untreated dry skin can lead to several potential complications.

Excessive dryness of the skin disrupts its protective barrier, making it more vulnerable to bacterial, viral and fungal infections because pathogens can more easily penetrate cracks in the skin.

Additionally, dry, cracked skin can become painful, hindering daily comfort and potentially leading to intense itching. This repeated scratching can cause skin damage, inflammation and sometimes scarring or pigmentation changes. In severe cases, deep cracks may bleed, increasing the risk of infection.

Additionally, unhydrated skin can accelerate signs of skin aging, like wrinkles and loss of elasticity. It is therefore crucial to take care of your skin, particularly in cases of dryness, to maintain its integrity and its protective barrier function.

In the most serious cases where even by moisturizing your skin etc. you have the impression that it is not getting better, it is crucial to go see a doctor. The doctor will be able to give you a complete diagnosis and advise you on treatment.