The Best La Roche-Posay Products for Eczema
La Roche-Posay is a specialist French skincare brand that prides itself on its simple formulas using its famous Thermal Spring Water, gentle ingredients and practical, science-driven approach to sensitive skin. Their products are suitable for a variety of skin types and conditions, including acne, rosacea and eczema.
We know that having eczema can be uncomfortable at best and painful at worst. This guide explains some of the causes and symptoms of eczema, as well as some of the ingredients in skincare products that can help soothe flare-ups. It also highlights the best La Roche-Posay products specifically designed to soothe eczema and reduce tightness and itching.
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What is eczema?
Eczema is an inflammation of the skin, which tends to flare up from time to time. Eczema can be genetic and research has found that children who have one or both parents with eczema are more likely to develop it themselves. Eczema causes extreme dryness in the skin as it's unable to retain moisture, resulting in itchy, flaky, tight skin.
Eczema is triggered by a number of things, though this can vary from person to person. Common triggers include:
- Irritants—products containing chemicals like certain soaps and washing detergents, washing up liquids, bubble baths, shampoos, etc.
- Food allergies, including common allergens like cow’s milk, soy, wheat, peanuts, shellfish
- Skin infections
- Hormonal changes—it isn’t uncommon for women with eczema to find their symptoms get worse at specific points in their menstrual cycle, or during pregnancy
- Certain materials worn next to the skin can cause inflammation, like wool and some synthetic fabrics
- Environmental factors, such as cold weather and dampness or dryness, or more specific occurrences like pet fur, pollen or dust mites.
People with eczema report lots of other triggers which can lead to flare-ups, like being stressed, sweat, hot weather and dust. If you’re reading this and have eczema, we don’t doubt you know what can set off a flare-up.
When alterations in the skin barrier occur, the result is often very dry, red and itchy skin. People with eczema tend to experience different stages of severity, and during a severe flare-up the skin can blister and weep fluid. For long-term sufferers, the skin can thicken and darken in areas that are repeatedly affected.
It’s important to note that the difference between atopic eczema and dry skin is a necessary distinction to make. The word ‘atopic’ refers to the genetic tendency to develop allergies. Other conditions caused by this include asthma and hay fever.
Skincare ingredients that target eczema
Thanks to years of research, we know of a range of ingredients that improve the symptoms of eczema.
Niacinamide is an anti-inflammatory that protects the skin's natural barrier and reduces redness and swelling. Zinc oxide has long been used to soothe itching and is used in nappy rash cream, calamine lotion and other products. Research suggests that it reduces the secretion of histamine, which can contribute to itching.
If you’re looking to relieve dryness, shea butter is an ingredient that is known to help the skin retain moisture. It is all-natural and melts at body temperature to help the skin retain key fats, and therefore relieve the tightness, cracking and dryness that eczema can cause.
Glycerin is another rich but gentle moisturiser that can help your skin retain fats and soothe dry, cracked skin, while hyaluronic acid acts as a humectant, helping the skin to retain moisture over longer periods of time.
Ingredients to avoid include alcohols, fragrances, parabens and other chemicals. These, along with ingredients commonly found in products for oily skin like salicylic acid and retinol, can exacerbate your symptoms and make flare-ups worse.
La Roche-Posay products for eczema
Endorsed by the British Allergy Foundation, Toleraine Ultra is the top facial moisturiser for eczema-prone skin. Free from preservatives, parabens, fragrances, alcohol, colourants and lanolin, it contains absolutely no triggering ingredients. Enriched with ingredients to combat dry skin, like shea butter and glycerine, it helps to moisturise thirsty skin without causing flare-ups.
For eczema on the body, try the Lipikar Baume AP+M. With its anti-inflammatory, anti-scratching, immediately soothing formula, it’s perfect for use on eczema flare-ups and helps to rebalance the skin's microbiome. Containing a whole host of good ingredients like La Roche-Posay’s anti-irritation Thermal Spring Water, niacinamide, glycerin and shea butter, this cream instantly nourishes sore, cracked skin and helps to protect the natural moisture barrier.
Both the Cicaplast B5 Lavant and the Cicaplast Baume B5 Soothing Repair Balm help to calm the symptoms of eczema. The B5 Lavant is a gentle foaming gel that is safe to use on baby skin for nappy and dribble rash as well as chapped and damaged skin. It is suitable for the whole family. The balm is a hit amongst eczema sufferers as it's packed full of skin-saving ingredients like glycerin, shea butter and Vitamin B5.
Finally, the Kerium DS Cream is a facial moisturiser specifically created to reduce redness and itching and prevent the scaling process. Containing thermal dermobiotic, an active ingredient that helps reduce the scaling rate, and zinc which has anti-bacterial and anti-itch properties, it is a formula that is soothing and conditioning.
Frequently asked questions
What should you not put on eczema?
You will know what triggers your skin better than anyone, but things that seem to be universally troublesome for eczema sufferers are any harsh chemical products. Anything that states it reduces oils should be avoided, as oils are what we want to encourage! Alcohols, sulphates and allergenic natural ingredients like lanolin should be avoided.
How do you stop eczema from spreading?
We know you’re tired of hearing this but try not to scratch it. Gently patting can help relieve the itch but scratching, if infected, can lead to more flare-ups. Your eczema can also be triggered by the ‘itch-scratch cycle’, in which you itch the scratch, it releases inflammatory mediators, and more eczema arises.
Can drinking lots of water cure eczema?
There is no cure for eczema, so while drinking a lot of water may help your body to stay hydrated and healthy, it will not cure it completely. There are more direct ways to restore your body's moisture and protect your skin, like regularly applying emollients and avoiding triggering factors.