One of the very reasons why we decided to design the ViaBuff Exfoliating Buffs is because one of our dear friends suffered from eczema and had a difficult time finding skincare products that worked well on her skin. One of her biggest hurdles was finding exfoliating products that were gentle on her sensitive skin but powerful enough to remove flakes of dead skin. While we absolutely recommend using the ViaBuff Level 2 Exfoliating Buff for those with eczema, we also wanted to share some of our other favorite products for exfoliating eczema. So without further ado, may we present our favorite products for exfoliating eczema:
ViaBuff Body Exfoliator and Facial Mini Buff
The ViaBuff Level 2 Body Exfoliator and Facial Mini Buff were designed specifically to meet the needs of those with eczema – gentle enough to not cause further irritation, but strong enough to remove stubborn flakes of skin. These dermatologist-tested and cruelty-free buffs were designed from a special open-cell polyurethane foam that limits water retention so that your buff won’t become soggy. This special design also keeps your exfoliating scrub on the outer layers of the buff so that it will be massaged into your skin, not the crevices of your buff. Better yet, the ViaBuff Exfoliating Buffs last for an average of 90 days, which is three times longer than the life of your standard loofah and exfoliating puff. Combined with a surface area that is 60% larger than that of your standard exfoliating buff, the ViaBuff Exfoliating Buffs are a great way to exfoliate eczema without having to break the bank or accustom your skin to a new treatment every few weeks.
Pai Kukui & Jojoba Skin Brightening Exfoliator
We absolutely love the Pai Kukui & Skin Brightening Exfoliator for many reasons: it’s 100% detergent-free and alcohol-free, doesn’t contain artificial colors or fragrances, and is devoid of GMOs, toxins, synthetics, and fillers. As if that was spectacular enough already, it eschews rough granules and grains in lieu of a special Microsphere system that employs 100% jojoba beads to exfoliate skin. Not only do these beads gently glide over the skin and remove dead skin and other buildup, but jojoba oil is a known hydrator that can enhance other ingredients’ ability to penetrate the lower layers of skin (Journal of the American Oil Chemists’ Society, Journal of Dermatological Science). But jojoba oil isn’t the only wonder ingredient in Pai Kukui & Skin Brightening Exfoliator; this formulation also contains vitamin E and several awesome natural extracts. For example, the avocado oil in this formulation has been shown to increase the soluble collagen content in the skin which can lead to healthier and fuller-looking skin, whereas research has suggested that sunflower seed oil may preserve the integrity of the stratum corneum and enhance hydration (Connective Tissue Research, Pediatric Dermatology). Tocopherol (vitamin E) is a potent antioxidant whose benefits range from enhancing wound healing and treating photo-inflammation(Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, Journal of Investigative Dermatology). This formulation’s kukui oil is a fabulous moisturizer for those who have comprised skin barrier, or who need something a little stronger than your standard moisturizing serum. For example, research published in the Journal of the Society of Cosmetic Chemists found that kukui oil forms a semipermeable barrier of lipids and saturated and unsatured fatty acids on the skin, thus protecting the skin from drying and allowing dry skin to heal itself naturally. Kukui oil has also been shown to be an effective treatment for psoriasis (International Journal of Dermatology), although it is not unreasonable to believe that kukui oil’s healing powers could translate to treating eczema as well.
CeraVe Renewing SA Cream If you have eczema, dry skin, or even just rough skin, then your skin will love CeraVe Renewing SA Cream. We at ViaBuff are particularly fond of salicylic acid, one of the best exfoliating treatments in modern-day skin care. Salicylic acid is a keratolytic agent, which means that it exfoliates the skin by breaking down intercellular bonds between dead or hardened skin cells (Archives of Dermatological Research, British Journal of Dermatology). It is essential to use an ingredient like salicylic acid in addition to a ViaBuff Exfoliating Buff because salicylic acid is able to reach those cells farther beneath the skin’s surface that our buffs simply can’t touch. So what does this mean if you have eczema? Given salicylic acid’s ability to break apart bonds between dead and hardened skin cells, it will help to alleviate the scaly lesions and dry patches that characterize eczema-ridden skin. But if you are looking to Research has indicated that salicylic can also work to treat several symptoms of acne. For example, research published in the journal Clinical Therapy suggests that salicylic acid may be more potent than benzoyl peroxide (a common acne-fighting ingredient) when treating breakouts, but is generally far less irritating than benzoyl peroxide. Even better, there is some evidence that salicylic acid can treat postinflammatory hyperpigmentation, which may sometimes result from having frequent or severe outbreaks (Dermatologic Surgery).
Even better, CeraVe Renewing SA Cream also contains fabulous ingredients like glycerin and niacinamide. Glycerin is commonly used a humectant and is believed to help the skin by enhancing the stratum corneum’s water-holding capacity (Archives of Dermatological Research). Glycerin has also been shown to maintain skincare penetration in dry skin, which can subsequently help other nourishing and healing ingredients to reach dry, eczematous skin (European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences). Even better, glycerin and niacinamide-containing treatments have been shown to improve xerosis (dry skin) by enhancing stratum corneum barrier functioning, thus suggesting that they may be able to help to heal eczema by strengthening the skin barrier (Journal of Drugs in Dermatology). If you are looking to treat other conditions in addition to eczema, then niacinamide is one of the best ingredients out there. Research has suggested that topically-applied niacinamide can help to improve the appearance of redness/blotchiness, skin sallowness, hyperpigmented spots, fine lines and wrinkles, and skn texture (Dermatologic Surgery, International Journal of Cosmetic Science).
Honey Skin Face & Body Microdermbrasion Gentle Exfoliating Formula
Designed specifically for those with eczema, rosacea, psoriasis, and sensitive skin in mind, Honey Skin Face & Body Microdermbrasion Gentle Exfoliating Formula is a great exfoliating serum free of sugars, salts and nutshells that can damage the skin, in addition to being free of fragrance, gluten, mineral oil, petroleum, sulfates, and parabens. This exfoliating serum makes use of walnut shell powder to exfoliate the skin, which is seen as a much more gentle alternative to using nut shell fragments and granules for exfoliation (Cosmeceuticals: Procedures in Cosmetic Dermatology Series). The Honey Skin Face & Body Microdermabrasion Gentle Exfoliating Formula also contains Manuka honey, an antibacterial agent that may help sensitive eczematous skin to defend against infection by external bacteria (Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine). Honey’s humectant and antibacterial properties make it a great topical treatment for treating conditions such as psoriasis, diaper dermatitis, and even wound healing (Journal of Cosmetic Dermatology). Acting in perfect complement to this exfoliating serum’s Manuka honey, aloe vera is a multifunctional ingredients whose skin-healing properties truly are amazing. Topically-applied aloe vera has been shown to hydrate the skin, help with wound healing, and exhibit antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, among numerous other benefits (Ayu, Australasian Medical Journal), making it a wonderful topical treatment for sensitive skin riddled by dry, eczematous lesions.
Bottom Line
Exfoliating eczema can be tedious and involve a lot of trial error, but fortunately there are a lot of great products out there to help you out. The ViaBuff Level 2 Body Exfoliator and Facial Mini Buff were both designed to specifically cater to eczematous skin, and form the perfect marriage between gentle-to-the-skin but tough-on-dried-skin to deliver thorough exfoliation. If you’re in the market for a new exfoliating serum we would also recommend trying Pai Kukui & Jojoba Skin Brightening Exfoliator, CeraVe Renewing SA Cream, or Honey Skin Face & Body Microdermbrasion Gentle Exfoliating Formula , all of which combine varying soothing and exfoliating ingredient to treat eczematous skin. Questions? Comments? Please let us know in the “Comments” section!