Kids often like to try different makeup and hair color products once they reach their teen years. If your teen has eczema (atopic dermatitis), they will need to pay extra attention to what’s in these products. Here’s how they can avoid common skin irritants, manage acne alongside eczema and choose makeup, sunscreen and hair care options that won’t trigger flare-ups.
Contact dermatitis: how it affects eczema
Certain ingredients in makeup and hair care products can cause skin irritation or an allergic reaction like a rash. This is called contact dermatitis. Here are tips to help choose makeup and hair care products carefully to minimize the chance of additional eczema flares caused by contact dermatitis.
Eczema-friendly skin & hair care tips for teens
With such a variety of products available, finding eczema-friendly skin and hair care products may seem overwhelming. When choosing products:
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Check the ingredients (see a list of ingredients to avoid below).
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Do a patch test when using new products (apply a small amount to see if your skin reacts).
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Watch for signs of irritation whenever skin and hair care products are used. Stop using products that irritate the skin, and let your teen’s doctor know.
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Check with your teen’s doctor if you have questions before using a new product.
Acne & eczema: how to manage them together
Managing teen acne while treating an eczema flare can be a juggling act. Many products promoted to treat acne can trigger an eczema flare.
While prolonged use of certain eczema treatments can cause acne, proper use of prescriptions and a careful skin care routine can balance both concerns.
To avoid side effects like acne, only use prescribed topical steroid creams, topical calcineurin inhibitor creams or ointments and over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams during a flare as directed by the doctor. Look for products that have “noncomedogenic” on the label. Noncomedogenic products contain ingredients that won’t clog the skin’s pores.
Also, diet changes—especially drinking more water and avoiding sugary drinks—may help reduce acne. For some teens, eliminating cow’s milk and high glycemic foods (breads, cereals and sweets) may also minimize acne flares.
Check the ingredients to avoid eczema triggers
Take time to read the ingredients label of new skin care and beauty products you plan to use. Some ingredients are known irritants and can cause eczema flares. In general, look for products say they are “fragrance free,” “hypoallergenic” and made for “sensitive skin.”
Ingredients that may irritate the skin
Keep in mind that each person may have no reaction, or different reactions, to these ingredients.
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Fragrance (some fragrance-free products have masking fragrances like cinnamic alcohol, cinnamic aldehyde, eugenol, isoeugenol, geranoil (added to essential oils), hydroxycitronellal and oakmoss).
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Essential and botanic oils
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Urea (helpful for some skin conditions but not eczema)
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Lanolin (derived from oil glands of sheep; can be an allergen)
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Retinoids (used for acne but can trigger eczema).
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Cocamidopropyl betaine (foaming agent derived from coconut oil)
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p-Phenylenediamine (PPD), which is added to many hair dyes
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Alcohols like ethanol, isopropanol and propanol.
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Preservatives
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Parabens (methylparaben or butylparaben)
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Methylchloroisothiazolinone and methylisothiazolinone
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Benzalkonium chloride (found in eye care products such as contact lens solutions)
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Sulfates like sodium laureth sulfate and sodium laurel sulfate can strip hair of its natural oils
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Phthalatates (solvent added to help dissolve ingredients in cosmetics, shampoos, soaps, lotions, nail polish and aftershave). May be listed as di-n-butyl phthalate (DBP), deithyl phthalate (DEP), dimethyl phthalate (DMP) or Benzyle butyl phthalate (BzPB).
Learn about gentle skin care routines and products to avoid for teens and tweens, including those with eczema, in this video below. Also listen to the Healthy Children Podcast episode, “Safe Skincare for Tweens and Teens.“
Daily facial care routine for teens with eczema
Cleaning and moisturizing are key elements of a good facial care routine for a teen with eczema. Teens should wash their face at least once a day, but twice a day is recommended.
Cleanser
Oil-or water-based formulas are best when looking for an eczema-friendly cleanser. Use an alcohol-free, nondrying facial cleanser or soap substitute to gently cleanse the face, remove bacteria and prevent clogged pores. Apply the cleanser with your fingertips and gently rinse it off with lukewarm water. Gently pat dry with a towel. Rubbing, hot water or anything else that irritates your skin can cause eczema or acne to flare.
Moisturizer
A moisturized base layer is needed before applying makeup. While skin is still slightly damp from washing, apply medicine, if needed, and then moisturizer. The moisturizer can be cream or lotion. Consider using a moisturizer with sunscreen, which provides extra protection.
How to pick an eczema-friendly sunscreen
Use a sunscreen that has “broad spectrum” on the label. That means it will screen out both UV-B and UV-A rays. Also look for a sun protection factor (SFP) or at least 15 or 30. More research is needed to see if sunscreen with more than SPF 50 offers any extra protection. For sensitive areas of the body, such as the nose, cheeks, tops of ears and shoulders, use mineral-based sunscreens that are broad spectrum and alcohol- and fragrance-free.
Makeup remover
All makeup should be removed before bedtime. Use a gentle water-based makeup remover using a clean cotton makeup remover cloth. After wiping off the makeup, use your regular cleanser and moisturizer. Be cautious with makeup wipes, which can irritate the skin.
Makeup
Eczema flares around the eyes, around the lips, on or around the eyebrows and on the cheeks can be a concern for teens who use makeup. During a flare, it is best to pause makeup use in affected areas and focus on moisturizing, hydrating and repairing the skin. On healthy skin, makeup application should be tailored to individual skin needs and should always start with a clean face.
Eczema-safe hair care tips for teens
Washing, styling and coloring hair can cause eczema flares in areas touched by hair care products. In addition to fragrance, preservatives, parabens, teens with eczema should also avoid PPD. PPD is found in hair dye, henna tattoos and many teens hair products. It is one of the most common allergens and is known to trigger symptoms such as itching and flaking.
More information
The information contained on this Web site should not be used as a substitute for the medical care and advice of your pediatrician. There may be variations in treatment that your pediatrician may recommend based on individual facts and circumstances.
