The Ultimate Skincare Routine for Eczema, According to Dermatologists

Here’s the best skincare routine for eczema:

1. Take shorter, lukewarm showers
2. Use a gentle cleanser
3. Shave carefully
4. Pat dry with a soft towel
5. Apply topical eczema treatments
6. Moisturize daily
7. Apply sunscreen
8. Use a humidifier
9. Understand your triggers

Every respectable adult should build a good skincare routine. That’s pretty simple for most people, but if you’re among the millions of people dealing with eczema, figuring out what skin care products you need (and don’t need) can feel intimidating AF. 

Lucky for you, we’re here to cut the jargon and keep things simple. 

Eczema—AKA atopic dermatitis—messes with your skin barrier, causing symptoms like dryness, scaly patches, itching, and sores. Accordingly, your routine needs to accomplish 3 things:

1. Lock in moisture
2. Soothe irritated skin
3. Avoid triggers

We hit up our resident dermatologist at PrettyBoy to develop this easy eczema skincare routine. Stick to these 8 steps to keep your face flake-free.

1. Take Shorter, Cooler Showers

Hot water strips away your skin’s natural oils, which can worsen eczema symptoms. You don’t need to go David Goggins mode with a freezing cold shower. The temperature of your shower should be about 84 degrees—about the same as a heated pool.

Speaking of showers, excessive water contact can cause eczema flare-ups. That’s why most dermatologists recommend 5-10 minute showers for optimal skin health.

2. Use a Gentle Cleanser

When washing your face, use a mild cleanser that’s made for sensitive skin. Or better yet, one that’s formulated for eczema. Here are some must-haves when you check the label:

• Fragrance-free
• pH-balanced
• Alcohol free
• Dry free
• Oil-free
• Dye-free
• No exfoliants

Be gentle when massaging the cleanser into your skin. You’re nourishing the most sensitive parts of your body, not sanding down a deck. 

In terms of frequency, it's best to wash your face every evening, or after exercise, or swimming. 

3. Shave Carefully

As you might imagine, dragging a razor across your face isn’t exactly ideal when you’re trying to combat an inflammatory skin condition like eczema. That said, you can’t walk around looking like a caveman. Here are some tips for shaving your face with eczema:

• Shave after showering when your hair and skin are soft
• Choose a fragrance-free shaving gel formulated for sensitive skin
• Use a clean, sharp razor to minimize irritation and reduce the risk of nicks and cuts. 
• Don’t use traditional aftershave products, since they often contain alcohol and artificial fragrances (peep this list of aftershave alternatives).

3. Pay Dry with a Soft Towel

After showering, gently pat your skin dry with a soft towel. Don’t get too aggressive with the rubbing, since it can irritate your skin and trigger flare-ups.

4. Apply Topical Treatments (If You Have Them)

If your dermatologist prescribed topical steroids or other eczema medications, apply them to clean, dry skin. Always follow your dermatologist's instructions carefully and use them only as long as necessary.

5. Moisturize with Hyaluronic Acid

Moisturizing your face is a crucial part of any skincare routine, but it’s even more important to combat dry skin caused by eczema. The key is applying moisturizer ASAP after showering. The National Eczema Association notes that the water in your skin will evaporate if you don’t immediately apply moisturizer after bathing.

There are countless moisturizers that claim to be safe for eczema and sensitive skin. But Revival is the first male-focused brand to get the prestigious Seal of Acceptance by the National Eczema Association. That’s because we prioritize ingredients over influencers. Here’s a quick rundown of our formula:

• Proprietary hyaluronic acid blend to hydrate your skin from the inside out
• Ceramides to support your skin barrier
• Niacinamide to reduce redness

Snag a bottle and see why Revival is loved by derms and dudes alike.

6. Apply Sunscreen 

Baking out in the sun is basically asking for an eczema flare-up. That doesn’t mean you have to hunker inside all day. Just lather up with a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher when you go outside on a sunny day.

Pro tip: Sunscreen goes on after moisturizer. 

7. Use a Humidifier

If you notice your eczema getting worse in the winter months, it’s not a coincidence. Dry air can easily zaps the moisture from your skin cells. That’s why it can help to use a humidifier to hydrate your skin, especially when you sleep.

Using a humidifier during low-humidity months can help prevent eczema flare ups, according to a study from Clinical, Cosmetic, and Investigational Dermatology.

8. Take Note of Your Triggers

There are a bunch of potential eczema triggers, but the National Eczema Association notes a few of the most common ones:

• Stress: When you’re stressed, your body releases hormones that can inflame your skin and make it harder to fight off eczema symptoms.
• Allergens: pollen, pet dander, mold, and dust mites are all common allergens that can exacerbate eczema symptoms.
• Irritants: Funky ingredients in laundry detergent, soaps, and cleaning products may trigger eczema flare-ups.

Revival Provides Eczema Relief in 10 Hours or Less

Anybody with an internet connection can get a white label moisturizer formula, slap on a fancy label, and push it to people with eczema-prone skin. We took the opposite approach, spending years in the lab (literally) to make the best moisturizer for eczema—and we got the Seal of Acceptance by the National Eczema Association as proof.

Thanks to a proprietary blend of hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramides, Revival reduces symptoms of eczema in as little as 10 hours. We could sit here and spit game all day, but we’ll let the pics do the talking: