Should I moisturise only where the eczema is?

No. Eczema-prone skin is often dry and barrier-compromised across the whole body, not just at visible patches. Whole-body moisturising reduces flare frequency, reduces sensitivity to irritants, and reduces the need for topical anti-inflammatory treatment over time. Moisturiser is treatment, not cosmetic — apply liberally to the whole body, not just spot-treat the rash.

Why does my eczema flare after showers?

Usually the shower is too hot or too long, or moisturiser is not applied immediately afterwards. Hot water and prolonged exposure strip the skin's lipid barrier — leaving the skin drier and more reactive in the hours after the shower. Fixing those two steps (warm-not-hot, 5–10 minutes, moisturise within 3 minutes of patting dry) often helps dramatically.

Are "natural" or "botanical" products better for eczema?

Not necessarily — often the opposite. Essential oils, botanical extracts and 'natural' fragrance are common contact-allergen and irritant triggers in adults with eczema. Bland, fragrance-free products with simple ingredient lists (ceramides, glycerin, petrolatum) are usually safest. 'Natural' on a label does not mean 'safe for sensitive skin'.

How much moisturiser should I actually use?

More than most people think. A general adult uses roughly 500g per week for whole-body application if eczema is widespread — that is a large 500g tub every 1–2 weeks. If you are using a small 100ml tube and it lasts a month, you are almost certainly under-moisturising. The right amount feels generous, leaves a soft sheen on the skin and absorbs over a few minutes rather than being patted on as a thin film.

Should I use ointment or cream?

Ointments (petrolatum-based) provide the strongest barrier and are best for very dry or fissured skin, particularly hands and feet — many people use ointment overnight and a thick cream during the day. Thick creams are the best daily compromise between effectiveness and cosmetic acceptability. Lotions are usually too thin for active eczema. Match texture to severity and to the time of day.

Do I really need to use fragrance-free laundry detergent?

If your eczema is mild and well-controlled, fragranced detergent may not be a problem. If you have ongoing flares, recurrent hand eczema or sensitivity in skin folds, switching to fragrance-free detergent (and skipping fabric softener and dryer sheets) is a high-yield change with no downside. A double rinse can help if flares persist after switching detergent.

Can I use sunscreen on eczema-prone skin?

Yes — and you should. Many adults with eczema tolerate mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) better than fragranced chemical sunscreens. If a sunscreen stings on application, rinse it off when you get home, moisturise, and trial a different product. SPF protection matters for skin cancer prevention and reduces post-inflammatory pigmentation from eczema flares — particularly in melanin-rich skin.

Do I need a referral?

No referral is required. You can book directly via the booking panel in the sidebar. Both clinics — Ivanhoe and Diamond Creek — see adults with eczema. If you have a referral from your GP or dermatologist for our records we welcome it, but it is not required to book or to be seen.

Eczema

Daily Routine for Adult Eczema — Soak + Seal and Hand Eczema Plan

A simple, realistic daily plan for adult eczema — built around consistent barrier care and a clear flare plan. Covers "Soak + Seal", bathing and cleansing rules, choosing the right moisturiser, simple schedules, a dedicated hand-eczema routine, work and laundry exposures, exercise/sweat strategy, and when to step up treatment.

By Dr Christopher Irwin, MBChB, FRACGP, MMed (Skin Cancer), FACAM, MSCCA

Last reviewed 2026-06-06 · 7 min read · Editorial policy

Quick definition

The daily routine for adult eczema is built around two principles: consistent barrier care every day, and a clear flare plan when inflammation returns. The foundation is “Soak + Seal” — a short warm shower (5–10 minutes), pat dry, then moisturiser to the whole body within 3 minutes. Add fragrance-free everything (skincare, laundry, household products), hand protection for wet work, and early flare treatment at the first itch or new redness. Hands need a specific sub-plan because they face constant irritant exposure. Use more moisturiser than you think — ~500g per week is typical for whole-body adult coverage. Consistency beats perfection. ^(1,2,3)

Adult eczema is usually best controlled with two things — consistent barrier care every day, and a clear flare plan when inflammation returns. This page is the practical “how to” guide: bathing, moisturising, hand protection and the small habits that make the biggest difference. ^(1,2,3)

Companion reading: adult eczema condition overview · triggers and patch testing · medications for adult eczema · infected eczema in adults

The Soak + Seal routine — the foundation

Eczema-prone skin loses water quickly. Soak + Seal is the single best routine for barrier repair. ^(1,2)

Step-by-step:

Short warm shower or bath (5–10 minutes)
Use a gentle cleanser only where needed
Pat dry (do not rub) and leave skin slightly damp
Within 3 minutes, apply moisturiser generously to the whole body
If you have active eczema patches, use your prescribed anti-inflammatory treatment on those areas as directed

Bathing and cleansing rules — less is more

Shower temperature and length

Warm, not hot
5–10 minutes is ideal — hot, long showers strip skin lipids and worsen dryness ⁽¹⁾

Cleansers

Choose a soap-free, fragrance-free wash
Use it on: underarms, groin, feet, hands, visibly dirty areas
Skip “antibacterial”, scrubby, exfoliating or strongly scented products

After bathing

Pat dry and moisturise immediately — this is where most people miss the biggest win ^(1,2)

Moisturiser — what to choose and what to avoid

Your best moisturiser is the one you will use often.

Best textures (in order of barrier strength):

Ointments (best barrier, best for very dry skin)
Thick creams (great daily option)
Lotions (often too thin for eczema flares)

Look for:

Fragrance-free
Minimal ingredient list
Barrier-support ingredients (ceramides, glycerin, petrolatum)

Avoid — common adult triggers:

Fragrance, essential oils
“Botanical” blends (even if marketed as natural)
Strong acids (AHA/BHA), retinoids, vitamin C serums on eczema-prone areas
Alcohol-heavy products

If your eczema is recurring on the face, eyelids, hands or neck, contact allergy may be contributing. See triggers and patch testing. ^(4,5)

Simple moisturising schedules that work

Baseline — stable eczema

Twice daily: morning + after shower or before bed

Flare-prone weeks

Increase to 3–4 times per day on active or high-risk areas

High-risk zones (common)

Hands
Elbow creases
Neck
Eyelids
Shins

Hand eczema routine — the most important adult sub-plan

Hands are exposed to irritants all day. Many adults improve dramatically when they change hand behaviour, not just hand creams. ^(2,3)

The 3 rules for hands

Protect from wet work and chemicals
Moisturise after every wash
Treat early at first itch or cracking

Hand washing

Use lukewarm water
Use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser
Pat dry thoroughly (especially between fingers)
Apply moisturiser immediately

Gloves — game-changer

For cleaning and wet work: nitrile or vinyl gloves
If sweating occurs under gloves: wear a thin cotton liner
Avoid latex if you suspect allergy

Night repair

Apply thick moisturiser or ointment
Optional: cotton gloves overnight for severe dryness or fissures

If your hand eczema is recurrent or severe, you may need a stronger structured medication plan and sometimes patch testing. ^(2,3,4)

Laundry, clothing and work exposures

Laundry

Use fragrance-free detergent
Avoid fabric softeners and dryer sheets
If flares persist, consider a double rinse

Clothing

Soft breathable fabrics (cotton, bamboo)
Avoid wool directly on skin
Remove tags and reduce friction over active patches

Work exposures

Common adult eczema drivers:

Wet work (healthcare, hospitality, cleaning)
Hair dyes, adhesives, solvents, fragrance
Gloves and rubber accelerators

If eczema is concentrated on hands, face or eyelids and keeps returning, consider contact dermatitis and patch testing. ^(4,5)

Exercise, sweat and sunscreen

Sweat

Sweat can sting and trigger itch.

Cool down quickly after exercise
Rinse off and moisturise afterwards
Breathable clothing helps

Sunscreen for eczema-prone skin

Many adults tolerate mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) better than fragranced chemical sunscreens. If a sunscreen stings, rinse it off when you get home and moisturise.

When to step up treatment

Step up early if you notice:

Increasing itch (especially at night)
New redness or rough patches
Cracking or fissures (hands)
Areas becoming thickened from scratching

Early treatment usually shortens flares. See medications for adult eczema for the prescribing pathway and infected eczema in adults if you suspect bacterial or viral infection.

If you want a clear plan tailored to your eczema pattern (including hand eczema and facial eczema), book a consultation via the panel in the sidebar. Clinics at Ivanhoe and Diamond Creek.

Frequently asked questions

Should I moisturise only where the eczema is?

No. Eczema-prone skin is often dry and barrier-compromised across the whole body, not just at visible patches. Whole-body moisturising reduces flare frequency, reduces sensitivity to irritants, and reduces the need for topical anti-inflammatory treatment over time. Moisturiser is treatment, not cosmetic — apply liberally to the whole body, not just spot-treat the rash.
Why does my eczema flare after showers?

Usually the shower is too hot or too long, or moisturiser is not applied immediately afterwards. Hot water and prolonged exposure strip the skin's lipid barrier — leaving the skin drier and more reactive in the hours after the shower. Fixing those two steps (warm-not-hot, 5–10 minutes, moisturise within 3 minutes of patting dry) often helps dramatically.
Are "natural" or "botanical" products better for eczema?

Not necessarily — often the opposite. Essential oils, botanical extracts and 'natural' fragrance are common contact-allergen and irritant triggers in adults with eczema. Bland, fragrance-free products with simple ingredient lists (ceramides, glycerin, petrolatum) are usually safest. 'Natural' on a label does not mean 'safe for sensitive skin'.
How much moisturiser should I actually use?

More than most people think. A general adult uses roughly 500g per week for whole-body application if eczema is widespread — that is a large 500g tub every 1–2 weeks. If you are using a small 100ml tube and it lasts a month, you are almost certainly under-moisturising. The right amount feels generous, leaves a soft sheen on the skin and absorbs over a few minutes rather than being patted on as a thin film.
Should I use ointment or cream?

Ointments (petrolatum-based) provide the strongest barrier and are best for very dry or fissured skin, particularly hands and feet — many people use ointment overnight and a thick cream during the day. Thick creams are the best daily compromise between effectiveness and cosmetic acceptability. Lotions are usually too thin for active eczema. Match texture to severity and to the time of day.
Do I really need to use fragrance-free laundry detergent?

If your eczema is mild and well-controlled, fragranced detergent may not be a problem. If you have ongoing flares, recurrent hand eczema or sensitivity in skin folds, switching to fragrance-free detergent (and skipping fabric softener and dryer sheets) is a high-yield change with no downside. A double rinse can help if flares persist after switching detergent.
Can I use sunscreen on eczema-prone skin?

Yes — and you should. Many adults with eczema tolerate mineral sunscreens (zinc oxide, titanium dioxide) better than fragranced chemical sunscreens. If a sunscreen stings on application, rinse it off when you get home, moisturise, and trial a different product. SPF protection matters for skin cancer prevention and reduces post-inflammatory pigmentation from eczema flares — particularly in melanin-rich skin.
Do I need a referral?

No referral is required. You can book directly via the booking panel in the sidebar. Both clinics — Ivanhoe and Diamond Creek — see adults with eczema. If you have a referral from your GP or dermatologist for our records we welcome it, but it is not required to book or to be seen.

Which clinic?