Whether you look at hydrocortisone creams or most lotions marketed for Eczema, the approach they take to give you relief can do more harm than good:

• 1. They thin out your skin

  New research has shown that Eczema happens when the upper layer of your skin becomes too thin. Steroid creams such as hydrocortisone, have a potent anti-inflammatory action but they also make your skin thinner.While they may ease the inflammation for a few hours, when the effect wears off, your skin is much more vulnerable to irritation than before.

• 2. They disrupt your skin cell's oil production

  Most creams and lotions force artificial oils onto your skin in an effort to keep it moist. This causes your own oil production to drop. Remember, if you or your child have Eczema, the problem is not with the oil production of your skin, it is the loss of the shielding barrier. Once this barrier is re-established, your skin is more than capable of producing natural oils and keeping itself moist.

• 3. They increase the pH of your skin

  Your skin has a slightly acidic layer called the acid mantle. In other words, our skin is slightly acidic (pH 5) than water. The acid mantle layer protects your skin from bacteria and common environmental allergens that tend to be alkaline too. Unfortunately most soaps and creams have an alkaline pH and strip away the acid mantle layer. Once you lose the acid mantle layer, the skin becomes extra sensitive and even normal elements can cause inflammation to your skin. It is essential to re-balance your skin’s pH so that this layer is re-established.

• 4. They don't prevent the next flare-up

  Most creams & lotions can only provide a temporary fix at best. However, since they do not help your skin cells rebuild the acid mantle layer, your Eczema becomes a recurring problem that relies on constant application of lotions.

• 5. The skin can't breathe

  Most creams are too heavy and the particles are too big to pass through the top layer of the epidermis. This can clog your pores and prevent the healthy turnover of skin cells. If you want to bring back a healthy glow to your skin, it is important to use a lotion that allows your pores to breathe.

• 6. They don't allow your skin to heal itself

  Our skin has the amazing ability to regenerate itself. In fact, we completely shed our old skin and renew the top layer every 28 days. Unfortunately, most creams come in the way of this process and simply prevent the skin from healing properly. The only way to help your skin heal permanently is to help shield it from irritants without interfering with its natural function.

• 7. They don't bond to your skin cells

  Since lotions & creams rely on thick oily compounds to provide moisture to your skin, they also lack the ability to penetrate the top layer and wash off easy. A good protecting lotion should form a thin layer that bonds to the top of your skin providing all day protection from irritants.