Navigating through all the moisturizers out there to find the right one for your baby can be a nightmare.
My baby Marcie has tried various lotions and creams (I remembered when the household budget burst due to many trial and error purchases and our cabinets stacked full of different moisturizers) and finally settled on using Physiogel AI cream, Physiogel body lotion and QV body lotion. As you are figuring out which moisturizer to use, it is important to remember the one advice that I had from Marcie’s doctor, “You Can’t Moisturize too Much”.
The Undecipherable Information out there on Moisturizer
Whether over the internet or on product labels, I have this conclusion after trying to no avail to sum up the pros and cons of different moisturizers – We, as parents and layman, can’t figure out from reading the information available. I have tried at least 3 times to make sense of all the information out there, including comparing all the ingredients, and given up (all three times). I can only let you know that Physiogel and QV work for Marcie which are also recommended by Marcie’s doctor (I didn’t accept any advertising fees from these two brands and neither do I see these brands sold at the clinic that Marcie’s doctor works in).
What Moisturizers worked for Marcie’s Eczema
Physiogel AI cream works quite well but due to its high cost, S$35 for 50ml, I only use it on her face and after swimming. Physiogel AI cream is able to neutralize free radicals which when produced in excess, damages skin cells. Physiogel body lotion also works for Marcie but also due to its cost, I use when her rashes are affecting her badly (on top of using mild steroid). On a daily basis, liberal amounts of QV body lotion is slathered on Marcie and her infant care teachers have also been reassured not to worry about slathering too much.
What has not worked for Marcie’s Eczema
Aqueous cream which contains emulsifying ointment, paraffin and preservatives – I tried this as it was recommended by a friend’s dermatologist but it hasn’t worked for Marcie. She scratched the area and was crying with frustration the two nights we applied for her. Also read that some doctors say this cream will cause thinning of skin over long period of use.
California Baby – no improvement and my hubby who has eczema felt that it stung on his eczema skin
Gaia Natural Baby – no improvement and too expensive to use liberally
Both the organic cream, California Baby and Gaia Natural Baby, are gifts from friends. Read that organic does not necessarily mean non – allergenic as some people can still be allergic to the organic ingredients. Also the use of the word ‘organic’ is not regulated.
Calamine lotion – not suitable as told by a doctor whose kids have allergies. I think it’s because one of the key ingredient, zinc oxide, absorbs moisture and that’s why it doesn’t help to moisturize the skin but helps to dry up weeping wounds.
Prickly heat powder– not suitable as told by same doctor above. My own guess is that it doesn’t have any moisturizing function.
Some common items to look out for in labels
- Hypoallergenic – means less chance of developing allergy
- Suitable for eczema baby or child
- Free of fragrance and perfumes
- Free from dyes, colors, conventional emulsifiers, preservatives, mineral oils, paraffin
In general, lotions are more easily absorbed but not as long-lasting as creams. For me, I prefer lotion as Marcie is too fidgety for me to have the time to get the cream from the tub (and ensuring no contamination) and apply over her body.
Do persevere in moisturizing as dry skin leads to itching and do so liberally all day and immediately after your baby’s shower.
Update: Almost a year after writing this post, I’ve interviewed a dermatologist Dr Verallo-Rowell for a 13-part Sensitive Skin Product Series, and in this post, she provides the list of ingredients and their different names to avoid.
67 replies on “Help! What moisturiser to use on your eczema baby?”
My 4-year daughter started to have eczema at the sole and spread to the whole body thereafter. Tried QV, eczerra, emu oil, TCM cream, cetaphil and ceradan. Only the last works. It’s available at CGH, KK for $43.30 @80g. May try physiogel A1 cream as cheaper (available at TTS for $43.13@100g).
Thanks Alvin for your sharing, and understand trying different creams, been through the same. We tried a sample of Ceradan cream and seems to work quite well but it has a bit of a smell that my daughter doesn’t like. Did a post comparing different creams, it’s quite hard to figure it all out but I kind of concluded that Physiogel is quite ok, on balance for its pricing, (less) number of ingredients and (less) number of irritants.
http://eczemablues.com/2015/09/selection-of-moisturizer-ii-moisturizer-and-ingredients/
Thanks and good weekend!
Mei
Hi, my son uses Physiogel too. Just fyi, to save $, I order from Qoo10. It’s european version and it’s actually the same. Much cheaper and sometimes buy 1 get 1 free! Do explore. 😉
Thanks! I shall explore Qoo10 too; have always bought when they package their creams together in a bundle of 3. That work out cheaper than other offers they have like 2nd for 50% off.
Thanks again, have a good day,
Mei
thanks mei for your reply. appreciate it!
Welcome! I’m using the QV intensive too, ever since my K2 gal protested against moisturizing, so figured use a longer lasting one for her. Nothing special about the cream, just that it has no water, so last longer. Hugs!
Hi I’m using Physiogel n Atopiclaire on my child
Has anyone heard of Curel? Saw a article on its body foam- claimed to be good. Any comments? Thx
Hi Rachel!
Thanks for dropping by my blog. Heard of Curel, it belongs to ceramide/lipid ‘replenish’ (don’t know what’s the right term for it!) but basically similar to the more expensive category of creams that work on improving the skin structure rather than just moisturizing. I heard positive feedback on it but I’ve not used it. As long as it’s within your budget because no matter how good the cream, it’s no use if you use too sparingly due to budget constraint. Or you can use both an expensive cream with a basic moisturizing one, which is what I do. Given how dry eczema skin is and how much lotion/cream/ointment is required, it’s impossible for our family budget to just use the expensive ceramide/lipid-type cream.
Hugs,
Mei
hi, how about physiogel (hypoallergenic) cream? does it work as well as physiogel al? also, how about ceradan? anyone has any experience with this? thanks!
I do use both the normal physiogel and the AI version. Both works as a moisturizer. The AI is more expensive as it has ceramides/lipids that is what dry skin lacks. Ceradan belongs to the same category as AI cream, works too. So, it’s more of a matter of affordability. Paying more to get a cream that works to rebuild the skin structure, but any cream that is used non-regularly is not going to help.
For me, if my child’s skin is dry/itchy, I may intensively use an expensive, ceramide cream and when is ok, switch back to normal good quality cream but not ceramide-type.
Dry skin needs lots of moisturizer – not sustainable to my household to use only ceramide cream in that ‘abundance’.
Hugs,
Mei
I think currently there’s a Group Buy offer in http://www.qoo10.sg for Physiogel AI Cream, for parents who needs some 🙂
Thanks for the heads up!
Hi :
I use QV flare-up cream on my 5 years old son when he got a flare – up. Is it safe to be used?
Hi Pey Pey, thanks for dropping by my blog 🙂 I looked at the ingredients of QV flare-up, and it doesn’t look very different from the normal QV cream so I suspect it could be a higher % of glycerin which had been studied in certain articles to be more moisturizing. I don’t think there is thus un-safety to the flare-up cream, as long as your son is not hypersensitive to any of its ingredient (e.g. there is paraben in the QV flare-up cream, in low %).
Is your son’s eczema serious? If it’s mild and more intensive moisturizing can calm the flare-up, then that’s the best. However, an angry flare-up does need more than just moisturizing to bring down the inflammation.
Take care!
Mei
One question, is it ok to apply Physiogel AI on raw eczema? Because when I put yesterday, he cried so I guess its painful.. Thats the reason why I prefer to put like Unicity Green tea oil, its easier to put on his raw skin..
I think it’s ok. Oil doesn’t protect the skin, though it relieves the itch. Moisturizer has the function of trapping moisture within skin and protecting the skin barrier, and I think oil doesn’t do that function that well. Is he scratching bad? Distracting him helps?
Take care,
Mei
My son is only 4 months now so too young for allergy tests.. Is it recommended to received immunizations during flare up? When I ask poly, one says yes, one says no.. I nearly felt irritated..
Hi Pinkshadow, not too sure about immunization and flare-up – don’t think there’s much connection. The only thing is (my own guess) immunization that triggers fever may worsen the rash because increased temperature frequently causes eczema to flare-up. My daughter at that age had constant eczema on whole body, we just went through the immunization but was prompt to give fever med and to cool her body down.
Take care, and don’t feel frus k,
Mei
My son started to have Eczema 3 weeks ago.. GP ordered Hydrocortisone and Physiogel.. Doesn’t seem to improve.. Went to see poly and prescribed Aqueous cream, didn’t improve.. Eczema seems to get worst each day.. As of today, he has it all over his body but worst mainly in neck and face area.. Heard about Unicity products and last Sunday, started on Super Chlorophyll and Green tea oil. It dries up a bit and seems better than past few days but still eczema all over his body.. And starting to be very itchy for him.. i also changed his soap to California baby Super sensitive.. Hope I can find a more suitable products for my boy.. It pains to see him suffer in this eczema.
Hi Pinkshadow, sorry to hear of the persisting eczema. Any allergy test taken? And keep up with the moisturizing, quite a lot has to be used.. and also consider swimming (click the tag on ‘staph bacteria’ 🙂
Are you in Singapore? Do join me on the 22 Feb for wet wrap session, chat soon,
Mei
Hi,
Very interested to learn about wet wrap.. From SG.. Where is the place?
http://eczemablues.com/2014/02/eczema-support-group-feb-2014-session-on-wet-wrap/
at National Skin Centre, Mandalay Road 🙂 Let me know if you can make it, will then pass your email for RSVP to be confirmed (as per above post), cheers!
Hi, my 4.5mth old son has eczema too. Been using QV bath oil? Physiogel AL and QV lotion and sometimes Aloe Vera jelly. Sometimes his skin ok, sometimes bad. Dunno what’s d irritant..
Anyway, I heard Atopiclair (can but fr Guardian) is effective. Have u tried? Thx for sharing soooo much!
Hi Rachel,
I haven’t tried Atopiclair and eczema comes and go, so it is difficult to figure out based on observation as there can be various factors triggering the flare, environmental, food, his own body like fever.
Moisturizing (all the brands you using I’ve heard docs mentioning), within 3 minutes after shower, if really dry – try wet wrap. Swimming – can try that, read under tag – staph bacteria for why. Allergy testing at 6 months, so now can book appointment for consultation at hospitals/clinics with allergy testing – skin prick test for a start.
Meanwhile, house dust mites (wash weekly in 60 deg C), pets, as for diet, unless you did note any very clear relationship of flare-ups, best wait till allergy test.
Take care!
Mei
Thx for replying. I bought Atoiclair yesterday from Guardian. $37 for a small tube! Anw, I’ll reply here if its good. My relative said its d only cream that’s works for her daughter.
Btw, QV n Cetaphil products can be bought cheaper at shops like Venus and Beauty Language. Can save a few $$.
Oh ya, I bought a Air Purifier for my son. Hope the lesser-dust air helps.
Good to know 🙂 Yup, these creams seem kinda ex! Watch the humidity level.. I actually have a humidifier cos the air-con is too dry. Purifier seems not to really help my gal’s skin, in any case, she’s not allergic to anything so maybe that’s why!
Take care!
Mei
Thanks Jennifer for your sharing 🙂 I think Singapore’s pharmacy hasn’t started stocking honey cream yet, interesting choice!
Christmas blessings,
Mei
We use Calendulis Cream for flare ups, Manuka Honey Skin Cream for daily moisture, and Nablus soap for washing. It’s what works best for my son.
Hi LLynn,
You can take allergy tests in hospitals, normal GP or PD can’t prescribe such test. More importantly, after the allergy test, it will be followed up with doctor’s consultation. So, it’d be more of a question on where you would like to bring your bb gal to see her doc (someone you feel you can trust and within your budget).
If she’s not allergic to cow’s milk, then my guess is not to do with the upgrade in milk powder. This can be tested via skin prick test. My girl doesn’t like milk powder, so we’ve been feeding her healthy diet since she can start solids, rather than rely on milk powder for nutrition.
Take care 🙂
Mei
My bb gal also suffering from eczema, it seems to have gotten worst after upgrade her to 6mth+ milk powder. She was prescribed with Fucidin, Zaricort and Physiogel AI cream. Sometimes these medication helps to control it but sometimes out of sudden, it flares up again. I’m so desperate to find out the root cause now that i’m switching her to Isomil. I’m not sure if i’m doing the right thing. If this doesn’t work, i will bring her for test to determine what is it she’s allergic to. Any recommendation on where to do this allergy test?
Glad you’ve found something that works for your child, Andrea! I checked out the website, looks very retro 🙂
I have been using Irish Eyes by Lorena on my 6 month old for a few months now and it has taken away his eczema completely. I put it on him after every bath. I also use it for myself. I looked them up and their products are made in the USA! In Indiana. I live in New Mexico and have not been able to find their products in stores but their shipping is quick (like 3 days) They are very affordable too.
Thanks for leaving me a comment in Filipino language 🙂 I used Google translate and it broadly meant “I also use physiogel to my baby since we were given a sample of our boss and I think that turned into beautiful baby … and physiogel cleanser as my wife and I have been using the physiogel narin cream and lotion …”
just to help you translate the anonymous comment 🙂
“i also use physiogel for my baby since my boss gave me a sampler and i thought that the physiogel cleanser will be a good product to use on a baby. now, me and my other half are also using physiogel cream and lotion.
——
my comment:
i live in the Philippines and i have tried physiogel a1 cream on my 3month old daughter that has eczema, after almost finishing the whole 50ml tube i didn’t get any improvements but the rashes didn’t worsen either so i tried cetaphil moisturizing cream and i see instant improvement after 3 application. i apply cream on her body and face a minimum of 4x a day. my cousin in hong kong tells me that they have one kind of physiogel that is for extra sensitive skin that will be more suitable for my baby but is not sold here in the Philippines. Im still waiting for her next trip here so she can bring me some to try on my daughter 🙂
im curious, would our baby really grow out from their eczema? around what age would this typically happen?
Thanks Javvy with the translation! Children without allergy seem to have a higher chance of outgrowing eczema. The exact mechanism of how one can outgrow is not entirely known, likely due to immune system strengthening. Age wise, I think in grade school, and hopefully not recur in secondary school but happens to some teens due to hormones (having effect on eczema).
Hugs!
Mei
i also use physiogel to my baby since binigyan kami ng sample ng aming boss at na pag isip ko na maganda pala sa baby ang physiogel cleanser…at ngaun pati asawa ko at ako ay gumagamit narin ng physiogel cream at lotion….
Thanks Tammy 🙂 Are you based in Singapore? I haven’t heard of Lorena/Irish Eyes but am glad that you’ve found something that works for you! Take care :))
You should try Irish Eyes by Lorena body lotion and facial cream. It’s amazing. It has taken care of my eczema and extreme dry skin. It’s also much cheaper than QV lotion. I use the Milk Drench facial cream on my baby’s face to help with eczema and it works great.
Thanks Bh!
I still have a few bottles at home, but if anyone contact me after reading your posting, I’ll let you know. Cheers!