Makeup & Eczema: How to Make Over Dry Skin | Cosmetics & Makeup

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Makeup & Eczema: How to Make Over Dry Skin

Millions of people suffer from eczema in varying degrees from moderate to severe. And with no cure on the horizon, the only relief is in attempting to control the outbreaks, soothing them when they come, and doing our best to cover them.

What is Eczema?

Eczema is a condition where a reaction in the epidermis causes the keratinocytes to become less tightly held together. When these bonds are weakened, the skin becomes sensitive and vulnerable to many external factors including soaps, fragrances, detergents and even water. Once the process begins and the skin’s natural protective layer is breeched, seemingly anything can become a potential irritant, causing anything from a mild itchy rash to more serious breakouts.

How can I Control Eczema?

The frustrating thing about eczema is that it can manifest itself in such different ways from person to person. If you are prone to outbreaks that you think could be eczema, see your dermatologist for a consultation. There are a variety of prescription and over-the-counter topical creams that can alleviate the itchiness and help clear up a breakout.

In addition to following the advice of your dermatologist, there are some steps you can take at home to help soothe current outbreaks and keep future ones at bay:

· Avoid heavily perfumed soaps, shampoos and moisturizers.

· Use a gentle skincare routine. The fewer ingredients in your cleanser, toner and moisturizer, the better.

· Use products that include anti-inflammatories and emollients to help your skin repair itself naturally.

How Should I Use Makeup When I Have an Eczema Breakout?

When it comes to your makeup, again, the fewer ingredients and the more natural you can go, the better. Avoid cosmetics with long lists of preservatives as well as those that list lanolin as an ingredient. Look for products that are hypoallergenic (won’t cause allergic reactions), noncomedogenic (won’t clog pores) and nonacnegenic (won’t cause acne breakouts).

Using the above guidelines, start with a gentle moisturizer on the whole face including the areas affected by the eczema.

Foundation – In applying your foundation, remember that your goal is to control the redness rather than simply masking it. Applying too much foundation can actually make the outbreak worse and draw attention to it by adhering to the dry skin. Try a foundation in a pale green shade. Green can help mask red by combining with it to form a beige skin-toned color that helps even your skins appearance across your face. Be sure to avoid foindations that promise to be age-fighting, lifting or oil-controlling – these products usually rely on a host of additional ingredients to make good on their claims and only serve to irritate your eczema and make it more noticeable.

Tip: Mix a small amount of pale green foundation in with your moisturizer to help reduce the appearance of redness before you even apply the foundation itself.

Eye makeup – one of the more common areas of the face to be affected by eczema is the sensitive skin around the eyes, so take special care in selecting your eye makeup. Look for water-soluble products so you won’t have to use harsh makeup removers to clean your eyes at night. Use a powdered eye shadow with a matte finish to help reduce irritation.

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