What is your skincare routine like?

I've had dermatitis (perioral dermatitis and eczema) many times in my life.


I think a big component of managing eczema is understanding how the skin works.
1) Your skin is naturally acidic (that's why it's called the acid mantle).
2) Your skin has a microbiome (when you have eczema you have an imbalance in the microbiome) and this can lead to secondary skin infections or bacterial infections.
3) Your skin barrier is your skin's natural defense against the elements; a compromised skin barrier means increased inflammation.
4) Anti-inflammatories are a big part of eczema treatment (steroids are synthetic anti-inflammatories--you can find natural ones).
As an eczema sufferer, you want to make sure to pick your skincare knowing all of the above and especially be mindful of your cleansing routine. You want to treat inflammation and repair your barrier at the same time.
Here are a few resources to help understand this better:

https://barrierskincare.com/blogs/news/how-does-cleansing-affect-your-skin


https://barrierskincare.com/blogs/news/the-multifaceted-role-of-skin-ph-in-dermatological-health-and-disease

I wash with dove soap. Moisturize with Aveeno stress relief. If skin partially itchy I apply calamine lotion. I apply hydrocortisone to wounds but do so sparingly. Sometimes apply petroleum jelly to especially tender areas.

From someone who's suffered with cystic acne since 18, and im in my 30s now one thing ive noticed that has worked for me is a simple routine with simple products. I've used everything under the sun literally everything and i got to a point where i went back to basics and my skin has improved tremendously. To the point i dont get anymore spots and the only thing im working on is my scarring which has faded and fine lines.


I would say start off with the basics and then focus on what specific problems youre having and incorporate products slowly. For example this is my routine (my main focus is hyperpigmentation but i also want to target fine lines, and focus on keeping my skin firm and plump); double cleanse, tone, moisturise and SPF (for the day). In the night I, cleanse, exfoliate, use a facial oil/serum, moisturise and use retinol. The next morning all i do is rinse my face with water and spray a generous amount of rose water, use SPF and go about my day.


Ive started incorporating red light therapy and gua sha in my night time routine maybe 2/3 times a week which has helped tremendously and i randomly stumbled across the product on TikTok, its called LED gua sha tool by Vitality and Vanity.


But the key takeaway is not to use so many things at once, keep it simple but consistent and also DONT STRESS! Aging gracefully is completely fine and im here for it 😀

For me, keeping it simple but consistent has been key. I focus on gentle cleansing, moisturizing well, and never skipping sunscreen during the day. Also, finding products that really suit your skin type makes a big difference. It's all about trial and error, but once you find what works, it's worth it.