Last week, I shared with you some of my favourite affordable creams for eczema-prone skin. Those are great options if you have dry skin like me and are prone to bouts of painful and itchy flareups. Continuing with this eczema series today, I’ll be sharing with you my favourite eczema cleansers from local pharmacies!

Make the itching stop!

Why can’t I use regular cleansers for eczema?

Because many regular cleansers contain harsh chemicals that strip the skin of its natural moisture. For instance, sulfates are a common foaming agent in cleansers but are incredibly harsh for the skin. Another potential irritant is artificial fragrance, which is basically a deadly cocktail of toxic chemicals, alcohol and preservatives. As a rule of thumb, dermatologists like Dr. Andrea Suarez recommend to avoid cleansers that contain artificial fragrances or perfume as they are most likely to irritate the skin.

Top 10 affordable eczema cleansers at local pharmacies

So without further ado, here are 10 of my favourite face and body cleansers for dry and eczema-prone skin! Personally, I have been loving these cleansers as they have been a great help in soothing the skin and managing my eczema flareups. Some dermatologists also recommend some of these cleansers because they are both gentle and effective. But of course, it’s always good to do a patch test before committing to a new product as it’s possible to be allergic to anything. So my advice is to always check the ingredients and do your research beforehand.

1. DermaVeen Soap Free Wash pH5.5

The first on our list is this soap-free pH-balanced one by Australian skincare brand DermaVeen and it’s my personal favourite. It contains natural colloidal oatmeal to gently cleanse and soothe dry, scaly and sensitive skin. It smells like plain oatmeal and doesn’t contain any artificial perfumes or sulfates. Plus, it’s suitable for both your face and body and comes in a substantial 500ml bottle.

Available in 500ml for RM52.98 at Watsons.

2. QV Face Gentle Cleanser

Next up, we have this gently creamy face cleanser by QV. Besides being soap-free and vegan, it’s enriched with nourishing Vitamin E and safflower oil to deeply moisturize and protect your skin from transepidermal water loss. This cleanser is very rich and can feel a little heavy on the skin if you’re not used to a cream consistency. To cleanse your face, take a 10 cent coin amount and massage it onto damp skin. Then, wet your hands to turn the cream into a mild lather before rinsing it off thoroughly with water.

Available in 250g for RM37.95 at Watsons.

3. Derma365 Sensitive Skin Solution Gentle Cleanser

Australian skincare brands are well-known for their effective and soothing formulations for eczema and sensitive skin. And this gentle cleanser by Derma365 is yet another shining example of this. Approved and tested by dermatologists, this cleanser is incredibly gentle on the skin and ticks all the boxes of a good eczema cleanser. On top of being pH-balanced, soap and fragrance-free, it contains oat kernel flour, coconut oil fatty acids and glycerin to soothe redness and inflammation.

Available in 500ml for RM50.61 at Guardian.

4. Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

Who hasn’t heard of Cetaphil, am I right? A favourite amongst dermatologists, Cetaphil is currently the number 1 dermatological skincare brand in Malaysia. And for good reason. Their iconic Gentle Skin Cleanser has garnered a cult following in recent years as it is affordable, gentle and effective. Because it’s so incredibly mild and low in potential irritants, it’s even suitable for a baby’s delicate skin. I have friends who swear by this stuff, but I personally like the texture of the DermaVeen one better. However, this is a great option if you like your cleansers mild and lightweight.

Available in 500ml for RM49.80 at Watsons.

5. Physiogel Hypoallergenic Daily Moisture Therapy Dermo-Cleanser

I am a huge fan of Physiogel moisturizers especially for the evenings since they feel really rich and hydrating. So it comes as no surprise that I enjoy their cleansers too! This Dermo-Cleanser by Physiogel uses BioMimic Technology to create lipids that closely mimic those that occur on the skin. Additionally, it’s free of soap, silicone and artificial dyes to minimize any chances of irritation.

Available in 500ml for RM49 at Shopee.

6. Sebamed Liquid Face & Body Wash pH5.5 For Sensitive Skin

When I’m in the mood for a cleanser with a gel-like consistency, I tend to reach for this environmentally-friendly one by Sebamed. Firstly, I like that it comes in a hygienic squeeze bottle and cap as it makes it convenient for travel. Second of all, it contains a nourishing blend of vitamins and allantoin to soothe inflammatory skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. And thirdly, it gives the skin a thorough clean without stripping it of its natural moisture.

Available in 200ml for RM28.30 at Watsons.

7. Garden Of Eden Gentle Milk Cleanser

I’m always on the lookout for homegrown brands offering affordable natural skincare products that actually work. So when I came across local skincare brand Garden Of Eden, I couldn’t help but stock up on their cleansers and skincare oils. Their cruelty-free milk cleanser is free of sulfates, parabens and artificial dyes. Moreover, it contains soothing aloe vera, allantoin, glycerin and mild lactic acid to gently exfoliate and hydrate the skin.

Available for RM21.70 at Watsons.

8. Aveeno Skin Relief Body Wash

Recently, I have been really loving skincare products by Aveeno. Aside from their tasteful packaging, most of their formulations contain natural colloidal oatmeal to soothe dry and itchy skin. In addition, this body wash contains coriander leaf extract, cardamom seed extract and wheat proteins to lock in moisture and fortify the skin’s natural barrier against environmental aggressors.

Available in 354ml for RM49.29 at Watsons.

9. Hada Labo Moisturizing Cleansing Oil

Okay, this isn’t exactly a cream or gel-based cleanser. But it’s an excellent oil-based option for eczema-prone skin that you can incorporate into the first step of your double cleansing routine. It contains olive oil of high purity which is extremely effective for moisturizing dry and sensitive skin. Besides its ability to remove waterproof makeup, it also contains hyaluronic acid to hydrate the skin throughout the cleansing process.

Available for RM50.07 at Watsons.

10. Cosrx Low pH Good Morning Gentle Cleanser

If you haven’t heard of Korean skincare brand Cosrx, I suggest that you check them out! They have some of the best AHA and BHA treatment toners out there for glowing skin. But if you have sensitive skin that’s prone to eczema and atopic dermatitis flareups, it’s always best to exercise caution when incorporating acids into your skincare routine. If you’re looking to try out Cosrx without jumping straight into their acid-based products, this one’s for you! It contains coconut oil fatty acids, Japanese cedar and evening primrose flower extract to soothe inflammation and refresh the skin as soon as you wake up in the morning.

Available in 150ml for RM44.10 at Watsons.

Author Clara Siew | Date 8th Oct 2020