Make up and other cosmetics for eczema-riddled skin

[ScienceRocks]

Hoping someone can help me.

I have horrible eczema on my neck and around my eyes. It is going through a particularly bad patch (though this patch has now lasted over a year) and my skin is dry, flaky and sometimes bleeding (lovely).

I have become increasingly self conscious and wonder that covering it up might make me feel a little better. I wear a little eye make up (eyeliner and mascara) but am starting to wonder that tinted moisturiser or foundation might be a good idea, or even concealer for the worst bit, But obviously I don't want to use anything that irritates my skin any further. Am I asking the impossible?

Any ideas for creams or lotions that might help my poor skin are also welcome.

Some people have found aveeno cream really good for eczema, I would not aggravate it with makeup.

Get your gp to refer you to a dermatologist

I find when my eczema flares up I am best not using any make up on my face and it tends to clump on my dry patches and highlight them even more. When my skin is good I use bare escentuals mineral powder foundation as it is the only foundation that doesn't irritate my skin.

When my face is particularly bad I do resort to hydrocortisone cream as that tends to help it get better in a few days.

I found out accidently about 5 years ago that I was gluten intolerant. At that time my eczema was hoorendous and I was very self concious about it. When I cut out gluten within a week my skin was much improved and after 4 months my face was eczema free for the first time in 15 years. I do still get eczema on my hands (due to soaps) and I get eczema on my face when I have accidently eaten something containing gluten, even miniscule amounts are enough to do it. But now when I have a flare up I can usually pin point what has caused it.

Are you aware of what things can make your eczema worse?

Tutu I could of written that post... My eczema turned out to be a gluten intolerance too, 10yrs on I am still having slip ups (it's in EVERYTHING!) but wow what a revolution it was to be diagnosed. Changed my life...

AF, I am under the gp and think a dermatology referral is probably the next on the plan as antibiotics haven't helped.

Tutu, I had a reaction to a new shampoo last year won't buy Herbal Essences again, no matter how cheap it is and I just haven't managed it really get it under control since. I have noticed that certain products make it worse, but not my diet. A food diary is a good idea. How long after excluding gluten did you notice an improvement?

Theoldhag, I have been using Aveeno, but it disappears in minutes so now I am on my DD's epaderm, which lasts a little longer.

I second epaderm which I wash in when having a flare up.

I would also chase for a referral

My DD and I both use the A-Derma range and find it is the best yet for keeping the sore patches away.