Soap substitutes
Soap is an alkaline and is very drying to skin, even more so for sufferers of eczema. It is essential therefore to find a soap substitute that works for you.
Certain skincare products can remove your skin’s surface layer of natural oils. These include:
- soap
- shampoo
- ordinary bubble bath
- shower gel
Detergent and liquid based soap-substitutes together with perfumed products should also be avoided as they tend to irritate eczema prone skin.
Soap-substitutes can be applied before or during bathing, showering or washing.
 |
Emollient soap-substitutes do not foam but are just as effective as cleaning the skin with soap. Emollient soap substitutes may take a little while to get used to. It is not essential to have bubbles to clean the skin and emollient washing creams are very effective at cleaning the skin.Naturally based soap substitutes can be made from a variety of ingredients including plants with high saponin levels. Plants with high saponin levels are believed to contain saponins in sufficient quantities to produce lather to aid washing. |
There are a number of soap substitutes with active ingredients available over the counter to buy or some can be prescribed by your doctor. Most are light, non-greasy and provide a layer of oil on the surface of the skin to prevent water evaporating from the skin’s surface.
Information written by the talkhealth medical panel
Last Reviewed: 21 January 2011
Next Review Date: 21 January 2013
