by Chauncey Simmons
Who doesn’t love the lovely smell of a nice lotion on your skin? You put it on daily and head out the door, smelling like you just rolled through a fresh bed of flowers. But, wait a minute, can wearing lotion every day damage your skin?
Not necessarily. You can apply lotion once a day after a shower and be perfectly fine. In fact, studies even show Black Americans lose moisture quicker than other races. Lotion is also beneficial for those suffering from eczema.
Eczema is most commonly in the form of atopic dermatitis. It is a debilitating disease that affects millions of people annually.
The typical symptoms are dry, patchy skin that becomes irritated and may produce blood. That is where daily lotioning can become a massive boon for those suffering.
For the rest of this article, we will take a deep dive into what eczema is and its causes. We will also discuss how lotion can help your symptoms and which creams are best.
What Causes Breakouts
Multiple factors trigger eczema outbreaks, including environmental, food, and genetics. The most common environmental triggers are:
- Dry weather
- Damp clothing
- Pet fur
- Pollen
- Mold
If you know you are susceptible to eczema outbreaks, it’s best to stay away from them.
The most common food-related triggers are:
- Dairy
- Soy
- Tomatoes
- Certain nuts
People suffering from a breakout can expect their skin to be itchy and dry. And they will also notice some raised bumps that have gotten red and potentially bloody.
Most of these triggers are easily avoidable if you plan your life accordingly. However, you may not need to worry too much about breaking out thanks to the medicinal effects of some lotions.
How Lotion Helps Prevent Flare-Ups
Studies have found that lotions with a lot of oil can be soothing to people showing symptoms. So bring out that coconut oil and apply it as soon as you see redness.
A lotion or ointment filled with plant oils helps your skin due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Those agents penetrate deep into your skin, hydrating your dermis and starting the recovery process.
So don’t be scared of overdoing it because your skin is the biggest bodily organ. It needs extra care and attention, especially during times when the planet is only getting hotter and drier.
As long as you moisturize every day after a nice cool shower, you will experience less irritation or eczema flare-ups. Although, the choice of lotion you use can affect how effective it is at dispelling your dry, cracked skin.
What Types of Lotion to Use
You can use numerous lotions when combating atopic dermatitis. Keys Soulcare is a moisturizer made by singer Alicia Keys, who has dealt with skin problems all her life. Kreyol Essence has a cream made primarily of natural ingredients.
Those are just two examples, but, in general, you should look for a lotion that is packed with oils so they can repair your skin barrier. As we all know, prevention is the best form of protection.
Another critical feature of good oils you look for is plant-based. Plant-based oils are typically high in antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties.
Try to always check the label for natural ingredients such as shea butter, ceramides, and glycerin because some lotions don’t gel well with certain skin types. That should not be too hard since Black men and women are less likely to use a product If it contains certain elements.
Do You Really Have to Lotion Every Day?
What if you forget to do your daily lotion routine? Do not worry because there are other methods you can use to avoid an uncomfortable breakout.
Such methods include:
- Wearing loose-fitting clothes
- Avoid hot showers
- Don’t use abrasive soap when bathing.
- Stay out of hot and muggy weather whenever you can.
