Finding the best hand soap for eczema that won’t further irritate sensitive skin is a process of trial & error. Often a frustrating one! And just because something works for me doesn’t mean it is going to necessarily be the answer for you.
I’ve dealt with dry, peeling, cracked skin on my hands for many years. I always assumed that it was because of my over-eager hand washing and use of hand sanitizer. No amount of hand moisturizer could soothe my angry skin. It never occurred to me that the hand soap itself could be making my skin more irritated. But no matter what I tried, my hands never seemed to heal.
When I finally made the connection, I stopped using hand soap completely and started using facial cleanser. Surprisingly, it was much gentler on my hands and seemed to be working but the high price point
After many failed attempts heal my hand eczema, I have finally found a solution. My hands no longer feel sore and look better than they have in a very long time.
THE BEST HAND SOAP FOR ECZEMA (IN MY EXPERIENCE!)
Glycerin Is One Of The Best Hand Soap Ingredients To Heal Eczema
Glycerin is gentle and moisturizing. Those two words are music to the ears of anyone who has experienced painful, itchy skin due to eczema. Gentle products are crucial for keeping sensitive, eczema-prone skin happy and healthy.
Acting as a humectant, glycerin helps to keep dry skin hydrated. It soothes irritation, which, as anyone who has dealt with eczema knows, can be extremely bothersome. Hand soaps containing glycerin typically have a lower pH level that is closer to the natural pH of skin. This helps to prevent the skin from drying out.
Over time, hand soap containing glycerin can actually improve the skin barrier. This, in turn, can help in preventing eczema flares.
French Milled Soap
A couple of months ago, I picked up a liquid hand soap from the brand A La Maison de Provence. To be honest, my expectations were not high. Nothing else had worked, so why would this? Well, to date it is definitely the best liquid hand soap I’ve tried.
Not only has my stubborn hand eczema completely healed, but it has stayed away. I no longer have weeping bubbles on my palms or painful, bleeding cracks on my fingers. And I can’t think of any change to my skincare routine other than this hand soap.
So what makes this soap so special?
A La Maison de Provence soaps are crafted using a traditional French milled recipe and process dating back to 1800s Marseille. The plant-based ingredients are slow cooked and purified. This results in a smooth, glycerin-rich, easy-to-lather liquid soap.
French milled soaps are high quality, hydrating, and gentle on the skin. They are versatile enough to be used on the hands and body. I’ve only tried the liquid soap as a hand wash.
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Is One of the Worst Hand Soap Ingredients For Eczema
Sodium Lauryl Sulfate is a chemical compound found in many personal care products. Unfortunately it can be irritating, especially if you are already prone to sensitivity.
Also known as SLS, this chemical acts as a surfactant. It creates a cleansing agent and foamy lather. SLS is commonly found in products like hand soap, body wash, shampoo and toothpaste.
From personal experience, SLS in toothpaste has contributed to tongue soreness and sensitivity, causing me to switch to SLS-free formulations. So I was already aware of its irritating harshness. But I hadn’t made the association that SLS in hand soap could be contributing to my seemingly never-ending hand eczema.
After many hours of research and lots of trial and error, I’m grateful to have finally connected the dots.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Eczema is a stubborn and frustrating skin condition that is difficult to treat. It can be itchy and/or painful as well as unsightly, especially during a flare. There is no hiding from it when it is all over your hands like it was for me. But, through research and trying different products, relief is possible.
Dermatologist visits over the years often left me feeling confused. Steroid ointments were usually prescribed for the oozing sores on my palms and bleeding cracks on my fingers. While these offered temporary relief, my hand eczema ALWAYS returned. And I didn’t want to rely on a band-aid solution long term.
But I didn’t know how to truly heal. Common sense should have told me to take a closer look at the products I was using regularly. Continuing to use hand soaps that contained irritating ingredients was fueling my eczema and preventing my skin barrier from healing.
After many years of struggling to find a lasting solution, I’m hopeful to have finally figured it out. Now that I know better, I will continue using what I consider to be the best soap for hand eczema!
I also know that eczema is unique to each person. What works for me might not work for you. My advice is to research and try to figure out your personal skin triggers. Pinpoint what ingredients may be harming your skin barrier. Focus on including ingredients that are gentle and soothing. And hopefully through this trial and error, you too will find relief!
Leave a comment below with any tips or products that have helped you find relief from eczema.
