2. Choose Eczema-Friendly Products
When you have a disrupted skin barrier because of atopic dermatitis, you’re more likely to react to products that come into contact with your skin.
“When it comes to atopic dermatitis and makeup, less is more,” says Steven Daveluy, MD, an associate professor and the program director of the department of dermatology at Wayne State University School of Medicine in Detroit. “Fewer ingredients means fewer chances to trigger your atopic dermatitis.”
It can be hard to know which types of skin-care and makeup products to try. You can ask your doctor if they have any recommendations. But it can also help to focus your search on products that have the National Eczema Association’s Seal of Acceptance, which was created in 2008 to make it easier to find skin-care products that are safe for sensitive skin. In order to obtain the seal, products must be free of various allergens and irritants, many of which can worsen atopic dermatitis symptoms or trigger a flare.
“Read carefully through the ingredients and any other information on any product you’re going to apply to the skin to ensure it doesn’t contain ingredients that you might react to,” says Wan. At the very least, she advises, you’ll want to choose products that are fragrance-free and hypoallergenic.
“Be careful of ‘unscented’ products, since they can still contain fragrances to mask scents,” adds Dr. Daveluy.
He also warns those with atopic dermatitis to be cautious with shimmery makeup. “The thing that makes it shimmer is tiny flakes of metal — often nickel, since it’s cheap,” Daveluy says. “Nickel is the most common skin allergy, other than poison ivy. If metal, like costume jewelry, watch bands, belt buckles, and the snap on your jeans, gives you a rash, then avoid shimmery makeup products,” he advises.
Choosing the right products can be especially important for people with darker complexions. “A lot of individuals who have darker skin often have much more pigmentation or discoloration as a result of eczema,” Wan says. “So it’s probably even more important for those individuals to make sure they’re picking gentle products that are not going to further irritate the skin, which then can lead to additional discoloration.”
3. Spot-Test First
Before using a new makeup product on your face, Wan recommends testing it out on an area like your inner forearm to give you a sense of how your skin might respond to it. “If you don’t react or have much irritation after a day or two, that suggests you could probably tolerate it elsewhere as well,” she says.
4. Clean Your Makeup Brushes Regularly
Makeup brushes collect product residue along with dirt and oil from your skin. As a result, they become a breeding ground for bacteria, which can aggravate sensitive skin.
The American Academy of Dermatology recommends washing your makeup brushes every 7 to 10 days with warm water and gentle soap. But some people opt to forego makeup brushes altogether and simply apply and blend products with their fingers (after washing their hands first).
5. Skip Makeup During an Atopic Dermatitis Flare
“If you have an active flare, be very cautious about putting products directly onto affected skin,” says Wan. “It’s more important to treat the inflammation from that flare first before you apply anything else to it.” Once your flare subsides, it’s safe to start using makeup again.
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