For a few years now, I've been on a quest to find the perfect moisturizer for my eczema-prone skin. I have used various moisturizers over the years, including those recommended by doctors such as Cetaphil and Alpha Keri thought to relieve itchiness and irritation.
I'll be reviewing some of the moisturizers I've used over the past years, and recommending the ones which have worked well for me. If you would like to know the effectiveness of other moisturizers not mentioned in this blog post, please comment below and let me know.
For any international readers, most of these products can be found at a decent price on the StrawberryNET website. They offer free shipping anywhere around the world.
As a precaution, if you plan on using any of these creams, please test on a small area of your skin before applying generously, or consult your physician.
Macro Natural Vitamin E Cream
PROS:
- Does not irritate the skin
- Moisturizes the skin well (up to 24 hours)
- Natural Vitamin E and Vitamin A
- Reduces signs of aging
- Unperfumed
CONS:
- Expensive
Conclusions:
Macro Natural Vitamin E cream is by the best cream I've used that seemed to relieve my dry itchy skin and lock in the moisture for a long period of time. After using this cream for several months, I can definitely see an improvement in the texture of my skin. I cannot say that this heals eczema, but it definitely relieves it and reduces the irritation significantly. It can be found in Big W stores and most chemists and pharmacies in Australia for approximately AUD$13.00. Now this is quite pricey considering it is only available in 100g but it is definitely worth the money. Currently this is the only moisturizing cream that I am using which has almost completely relieved my skin of dryness, irritation and itchiness. The best by far!
Sugar Crush Body Buttercream
PROS:
- Smells AMAZING
- Moisturizes well (up to ~5 hours)
- Does not irritate the skin
- Relatively cheap for a 300mL container
CONS:
- Moisture is not locked in for a long period of time
- Not readily available in Australian stores
Conclusions:
Unfortunately this product is not widely available in Australia, which meant that I had to purchase this via Ebay here, for approximately AUD$20.65, depending on conversion rates. This product is quite popular in the youtube community, with many great reviews. However if you suffer from severe eczema or irritation, I would highly recommend going for a cream that is not scented or perfumed with natural or organic ingredients. Although this cream did not irritate my skin, it did provide sufficient moisture and I would recommend it to those with normal to combination skin types.
Alpha Keri Dry Skin Repair
PROS:
- Provides sufficient moisture
- Available at most chemists and pharmacists
- Does not irritate the skin
- Inexpensive
- Fragrance-free
CONS:
- Moisturizes up to ~3 hours
- Temporary relief from itch
Conclusions:
Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion
PROS:
- Inexpensive
- Effectively moisturizes skin (~up to 5 hours)
- Facial and body use
- Lanolin, paraben and fragrance free
- Non-comedogenic
- For all skin types
CONS:
- Temporary relief and moisture
Conclusions:
Overall, I would recommend this product mainly because it is inexpensive (AUD$20.99 for 1L pump bottle at Chemist Warehouse). I believe it is more effective than the Alpha Keri lotion, and provides more moisture than most lotions on the market. It is perfect for every day use because it is non-comedogenic, which means that it won't block pores. I cannot say that this is the best for eczema suffers, but it does a good job in maintaining the moisture in the skin on a daily basis. If you're on a tight budget, I'd recommend trying out Cetaphil's eczema skin care range as well, as they have proven effective for me and many other people.
