What I’ve Learned from My Eczema Journey

For years, I struggled to find products that could calm my eczema without making it worse. If you’ve ever scanned a label hoping for relief — only to be left disappointed — you’re not alone.

But over time, I started noticing a pattern.

The products that worked best for my skin — the ones that actually soothed my flare-ups and helped me feel like I wasn’t at war with my own body — all had one thing in common:
They listed coconut oil, shea butter, or almond oil within the first 10 ingredients.

That small detail made a big difference.

Cold-Pressed Oils = Whole-Plant Nourishment

Cold-pressed oils like shea, coconut, argan, and almond are extracted using a gentle method with no heat or harsh chemicals. This keeps their natural lipids and fatty acids intact — exactly what dry, irritated, or inflamed skin needs.

Why they work:

• Rich in oleic and linoleic acid to nourish and soften skin
• Full of vitamin E, which supports healing and barrier repair
• Create a protective layer that locks in moisture
• Naturally anti-inflammatory and soothing

In my experience, when I consistently used products with these oils high on the ingredient list, my eczema-prone skin felt more supported and less reactive. Not perfect — but definitely better.

Extracts = Targeted Plant Power

On the flip side, plant extracts are created using water, alcohol, or glycerin to pull out specific compounds like antioxidants or flavonoids. These extracts are great for things like:

• Brightening dull skin
• Soothing irritation
• Balancing tone or texture

But here’s the thing: extracts don’t contain lipids. They aren’t moisturizing in the same way — and for me, relying solely on extracts never gave my skin the deep, fatty nourishment it needed during an eczema flare.

So What’s the Takeaway?

If your skin feels tight, flaky, or inflamed, cold-pressed oils are your best friend.

If you’re targeting something like dullness or discoloration, extracts are powerful allies.

And if you’re like me — you probably need a smart combo of both.

Still Searching…

I’m still on the hunt for a truly effective eczema product that’s clean, nourishing, and non-irritating. Maybe I’ll have to make it myself one day. Maybe that’s the next chapter of this journey.

But in the meantime, I’ve learned that understanding how ingredients work is half the battle. Knowledge gives us power — especially when it comes to healing our skin.