moisturizer and before sunscreen to give each enough time to absorb.
Even if you simply apply moisturizer and topical steroids before going to the beach, take sunscreen. Dr. Chheda recommends wearing sunscreen after 15–30 minutes to let your skin absorb the steroid.
Be Smart About Your U.V. Exposure
Topical steroids in cream, ointment, lotion, or spray form are the best treatments for itching, inflammation, and redness. “In summer, individuals don’t normally want to use a heavy, oily ointment, and we could modify the specific composition to a lighter cream,” Dr. Chheda explains.
Dr. Chheda advises using topical steroids once daily for a few weeks or as required during an eczema flare. She recommends using it after a moisturizer and before sunscreen to give each enough time to absorb.
Even if you simply apply moisturizer and topical steroids before going to the beach, take sunscreen. Dr. Chheda recommends wearing sunscreen after 15–30 minutes to let your skin absorb the steroid.
Opt For A Mineral Sunscreen
This summer, pack a physical or mineral sunscreen with zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide instead of a chemical sunscreen containing oxybenzone, which may irritate.
“Physical sunscreens are ideal for patients with eczema because they sit on top of the skin and reflect the sun’s rays, while chemical sunscreens absorb them and transform them into heat,” Dr. Hartman adds. Dr. Hartman advises sunscreens containing moisturizing components like hyaluronic acid, squalene, glycerin, or ceramides to soothe skin. She recommends avoiding chemical sunscreen for sensitive skin and eczema.
Dr. Chheda says mineral sunscreens might leave a yellowish residue, particularly on darker skin. Tinted mineral sunscreens integrate better with melanin-rich skin. She recommends “sheer zinc” on the label for less opaque application.
Dr. Chheda suggests using micellar water before cleansing to remove mineral sunscreen. “For the body, if conventional soap isn’t