Baby oil is considered to be one of the best moisturizers out there and its popularity does not seem to die down at all. Baby oils can be found virtually everywhere, in all the drugstores and supermarkets all over the world. Its many moisturizing benefits have been greatly discussed over the past few decades, but one question always seems to arise: is baby oil good for eczema?
First of all, let us look over what ingredients baby oils usually consist of. Turns out it is quite simple, most baby oils only contain mineral oil and fragrance! As we know, fragrance is not a good friend to an eczema sufferer, so should one use baby oil to soothe this condition or not?
Is Mineral Oil Bad for Your Skin?
Let’s begin with the facts. According to many health professionals, mineral oil is, in fact, not harmful to your skin. Mineral oil that many baby oil brands contain is regulated by the FDA and it is most commonly highly refined and purified, making it safe for the skin.
Nowadays, there is a lot of bad rep given to baby oils. Some claim that oil clogs pores, causes aging, and even cancer! This, of course, is not true. Baby oil is affordable and easily obtained, and is a good skin care product and an excellent moisturizer.
So Does it Help With Eczema?
According to many patients, using baby oil as a step in their hygienic routines helps with eczema. It is important to remember that people that suffer from eczema should take extra precautions when bathing and showering as hot water can dry out the skin and cause a breakout. Always make sure to use a gentle soap and warm instead of hot water, and after you pat your body dry (not rub or scrub, only pat with a soft towel), you can definitely opt for baby oil as a moisturizer. Naturally, as with everything else, you should use it moderately. Do not pack your skin with oil as it can lead to a completely opposite result!
Adding a bit of baby oil to the bath can also help with the hydration of the skin. Again, make sure you don’t fill your tub with hot water and do not stay inside for too long. After a relaxing bath, use some baby oil as a moisturizer as it has more staying power than the regular moisturizers do.
Popular Choices
There are numerous brands of baby oil on the market, and, even though they are all more or less the same, as an eczema patient you should take the time to read the ingredient list and make sure you get one that will not irritate your skin in any way. Of course, these products are made for babies so they are not harmful, but eczema skin requires special care and should not be packed with unnecessary ingredients.
One of the most popular baby oils on the market is definitely Johnson’s Baby Oil. There are a few variations of this product, but what’s important to know is that it is safe for use and that it contains pure mineral oil which is not harmful to your skin. Apart from that, you will usually find other ingredients such as Vitamin E and Aloe Vera, both very good for the skin.
Another good option is Aveeno oil with a naturally active colloidal oatmeal formula. This oil can be added to your bath as well, and we all know how beneficial the oatmeal baths are. As with others, this product is also very good for eczema prone skin, and it is completely fragrance-free.
Of course, one should not forget nature’s very own baby oil – the trusty, amazing, simple coconut oil. It can be used for everything from cooking to makeup removing, but coconut oil is also very good for the treatment of eczema, providing that one is not allergic to it. Coconut oil has many antibacterial, antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-fungal properties that all help the skin soothe during flare ups.
Apart from being anti-everything-bad, coconut oil also contains lauric acid which can be found in mother’s milk and is often used to treat various viral infections. It is also loaded with vitamins E and K, as well as capric acid and caprylic acid.
You can apply organic virgin coconut oil directly to eczema affected areas a few times and after your shower. You can literally consume it as well to help with your skin problems. Take two to four tablespoons of coconut oil a day or drizzle it over your salads, cook with it, or put some in your daily smoothies. Finally, you can make a mask out of it by combining the coconut oil with rosemary oil and vitamin E oil and applying the mixture to eczema affected areas and leaving it on for about ten minutes.
Leave a Reply