What Ingredients Should You Avoid If You Have Eczema?

If you have eczema, choosing the right skincare products can make a big difference. Because eczema is linked to a weakened skin barrier, certain ingredients may increase dryness, irritation, and itching (Langan et al., 2020).

While triggers vary from person to person, there are a few ingredients that are more likely to cause problems for eczema-prone skin.

Fragrance

Fragrance is one of the most common skincare irritants for people with eczema. It can trigger redness, itching, and sensitivity, especially during a flare-up (Wollenberg et al., 2023).

Look for products labeled fragrance-free rather than simply "unscented."

Essential Oils

Many essential oils are marketed as natural alternatives, but they can still irritate sensitive skin.

Common examples include:

Tea tree oil
Peppermint oil
Citrus oils
Lavender oil

If your skin reacts easily, it may be best to avoid products that rely heavily on essential oils.

Harsh Cleansers and Sulfates

Certain cleansing ingredients can strip away natural oils and further weaken the skin barrier.

Ingredients such as sodium lauryl sulfate (SLS) are known to increase irritation and dryness in sensitive skin (Lodén, 2003).

Instead, choose gentle cleansers formulated for dry or eczema-prone skin.

Drying Alcohols

Some alcohols can leave skin feeling dry and irritated.

Watch for ingredients such as:

Alcohol denat.
Ethanol
Isopropyl alcohol

These ingredients can be particularly problematic when the skin barrier is already compromised (Wollenberg et al., 2023).

Strong Exfoliants

Exfoliating acids may be too harsh during an eczema flare.

Ingredients that can cause stinging or irritation include:

Glycolic acid
Salicylic acid
High-strength exfoliating treatments

When skin is inflamed, it's often better to focus on hydration and barrier repair rather than exfoliation.

What Ingredients Are Better for Eczema?

When shopping for skincare, look for ingredients that help support the skin barrier, including:

Ceramides
Glycerin
Hyaluronic acid
Petrolatum
Dimethicone

These ingredients help improve hydration and reduce moisture loss, which is essential for eczema-prone skin (Lodén, 2003).

If you have eczema, avoiding fragrance, essential oils, harsh sulfates, drying alcohols, and strong exfoliants may help reduce irritation and flare-ups.

The best skincare routine for eczema focuses on protecting the skin barrier and maintaining hydration. Choosing simple, fragrance-free products with barrier-supporting ingredients can help keep skin healthier and more comfortable.

Works Cited

Langan, S. M., Irvine, A. D., & Weidinger, S. (2020). Atopic dermatitis. The Lancet, 396(10247), 345–360. Link

Lodén, M. (2003). Role of topical emollients and moisturizers in the treatment of dry skin barrier disorders. American Journal of Clinical Dermatology, 4(11), 771–788. Link

Wollenberg, A., Kinberger, M., Arents, B., Aszodi, N., Avila Valle, G., Barbarot, S., Bieber, T., Christen-Zaech, S., Deleuran, M., Fink-Wagner, A., et al. (2023). European guideline for atopic eczema (atopic dermatitis). Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 37(11), 2209–2322. Link