Skin cleansers

For most people with dry skin conditions and certainly for those who have eczema, using soap is not recommended. Soap works by removing natural oils from the skin and with those oils go the debris that builds up on the skin over a day. This will cause those with a dry skin to become even drier. Therefore, skin cleansers should be used instead of soap. Rather than stripping the skin off their natural oils, skin cleansers (also known as soap substitutes) help to trap moisture in the skin, whilst removing the surface dirt.

Method of application
As mentioned earlier, many of the bath additive products can be used as skin cleansers. However, proprietary substances like aqueous cream and emulsifying ointment can also be used as soap substitutes. They should be applied to the skin using the hand or a washcloth and then rinsed off.

Whilst cleansing the skin there are certain practices that should be avoided:

1. Using soaps and bubble baths as they remove natural oils from the skin;
2. Soaking for prolonged periods (over 15 minutes) in the bath as the skin can become waterlogged and this will effect the barrier function;
3. Excessively hot water in the bath as this will increase the level of moisture lost from the skin;
4. Vigorous drying and rubbing of the skin after a bath as this too will compromise the skin barrier function and may also make the skin more irritated.