What is Eczema? [1]

Eczema, or atopic dermatitis, is a chronic skin condition characterized by dry, itchy, inflamed skin. It affects roughly 10–20% of children and 1–3% of adults worldwide. People with eczema typically have a compromised skin barrier and are more susceptible to environmental irritants, allergens, and microbial imbalances.

This weakened skin barrier allows moisture to escape, a phenomenon known as trans epidermal water loss (TEWL), while allowing harmful substances to penetrate in more easily. The result? A chronic cycle of dryness, inflammation, and itching that can be made worse by everyday personal care products, including the soap you use.

Causes of Eczema and the Role of Soap [2]

Eczema is driven by a complex cocktail of genetics, the body’s immune response, gut and/or skin microbiome imbalance, and various environmental factors. One major trigger is the daily use of skin care products that can disrupt the skin’s pH, strip essential oils, or introduce allergens.

Can Soap Cause Eczema?

Soap doesn’t directly cause eczema, but the wrong kind of soap can certainly trigger or exacerbate symptoms. Traditional soaps are alkaline (pH 9–10) while your skin’s natural pH is slightly acidic (around 4.7–5.5). High-pH soaps have been shown to:

• Disrupt the skin’s acid mantle (the skin’s first line of defense against the environment)
• Strip away natural oils (sebum)
• Damage beneficial skin microbes (disrupt the skin’s natural microbiome)

This is why dermatologists recommend gentle, pH-balanced, non-soap alternatives.

Symptoms and Identification [3]

If you’re unsure whether your cleanser is making your eczema worse, look for these common symptoms:

• Redness or rash after cleansing
• Burning or stinging sensations
• Dry patches that become scaly
• Increased itching or flare-ups in areas cleansed with conventional soaps

Skin that's freshly washed should feel clean—not tight, itchy, or irritated. If your symptoms appear and/or worsen after cleansing, your soap could be part of the problem.

Treatment Options for Eczema-Prone Skin

Managing eczema requires a holistic approach:

• Topical therapies: Corticosteroids, calcineurin inhibitors, and newer biologics prescription creams; it should be noted that prolonged use of corticosteroids can lead to a condition known as topical steroid withdrawal (TSW)
• Systemic options: Immunosuppressants or injectable biologics in severe cases
• Supportive skincare: Choosing the right cleanser, moisturizer, and clothing
• Dietary supplementation: Orally consumed supplements containing l-histidine which have been clinically shown to mitigate symptoms associated with eczema if taken consistently, or more newly emerging pre- and pro-biotics to address gut dysbiosis and/or leaky gut

Dermatologists emphasize a focus on the use of “gentle” skincare routines to help preserve the skin barrier. That begins with what you use to wash your skin. Switching to a non-soap cleanser for eczema is often their first-line recommendation – but not all soaps are equal!

Prevention Strategies

Preventing eczema flare-ups is all about consistency and skin barrier protection. Helpful strategies include:

• Shower with lukewarm water, never hot
• Use fragrance-free, hypoallergenic products
• Apply a moisturizer specifically formulated for those with sensitive skin within 3 minutes of towel-drying
• Avoid foaming cleansers and harsh exfoliants

Using a an eczema-specific cleanser can make a major difference in skin comfort and barrier health.

Myths and Facts

Let’s clear up some confusion about soap and eczema:

• Myth: Antibacterial soap helps with eczema
• Fact: Most antibacterial soaps contain harsh ingredients that disrupt the skin microbiome and worsen inflammation. So, if you're wondering, is antibacterial soap good for eczema?—the answer is usually no.
• Myth: All-natural soap is automatically safe for eczema
• Fact: Natural soap for eczema must still be free from common allergens like essential oils and citrus extracts.
• Myth: Bar soap is always harsher than liquid soap
• Fact: Some soaps or cleansing bars are formulated specifically for eczema and are pH-balanced, ultra-gentle and, in the case of BIA® UNSCENTED SOAP, microbiome friendly as well.
• Myth: Cleansers don’t matter if you moisturize
• Fact: Moisturizing is important, but starting with a skin and microbiome friendly cleanser is an important pre-moisturizer first step.

Eczema Soaps vs. Cleansing Bars

Below is a comparison to help you choose between traditional and eczema-specific soaps or cleansing bars:

If you’re seeking the best cleanser for eczema, look for products that check these boxes:

• pH-balanced
• Fragrance-free
•  
• Enriched with emollients and skin-soothing agents
• Microbiome friendly

Recommended Products from Codex Labs

Codex Labs’ BIA® UNSCENTED SOAP is an eczema-focused cleansing solution with science-backed ingredients:

• Shea & Cocoa Butters: Moisturize and soften the skin and are converted by cold process into salts of fatty acids (Sodium Cocoate, Sodium Shea Butterate)
• Castor oil: helps reduce inflammation and promote wound healing (converted to salt of fatty acid: Sodium Castorate)
• Sunflower oil:  helps retain moisture and soothe irritated areas (converted to salt of fatty acid: Sodium Sunflowerate)
• Carrot & Calendula: provide anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits
• Balanced pH: Helps maintain skin barrier integrity and skin microbiome health/balance

Codex Labs’ BIA® UNSCENTED SOAP is not only microbiome-friendly certified, but also clinically proven (in a 2020 study at Eurofins, France on 34 women with dry skin) to not strip moisturize or sebum (natural skin oils) from the skin.  Having a non-drying cleanser is key to maintaining the skin barrier in eczema-prone skin and minimizing flare-ups or infections.

Also consider Codex Labs’:

• ANTU® SKIN BARRIER SUPPORT SUPPLEMENT: Contains L-histidine which has been clinically shown to restore and fortify skin barrier integrity and promote moisture retention
• BIA® ECZEMA RELIEF LOTION: Locks in hydration, helps shed dead skin layers, and strengthens the skin barrier while calming the symptoms associated with eczema such as itch and burn

Shop the entire eczema-support line here: CODEX LABS ADVANCED ECZEMA RELIEF COLLECTION

FAQ

1. Is bar soap better than wash for eczema?
• It depends on the formulation. Eczema-specific bar soaps are often gentler than liquid washes with sulfates.
2. Do dermatologists recommend bar soap or body wash?
• Dermatologists recommend gentle, pH-balanced cleansers—regardless of form—as long as they’re free from irritants.
3. What kind of soap is best for eczema?
• Fragrance-free, sulfate-free, pH-balanced cleansers enriched with moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, oat or shea butter.
4. What is the best cleanser for eczema?
• Microbiome-friendly cleansers, like Codex Labs’ BIA Cleansing Bar.
5. What is the best thing to clear eczema?
• A consistent routine of gentle cleansing, deep moisturizing, and avoiding triggers, as well as supplements and dermatologist guidance.

Conclusion

Eczema is more than just dry, itchy skin. It’s a condition that requires a special care regimen. Choosing the right cleanser is a foundational first step of that special care regimen. Traditional soaps or harsh cleansers can worsen symptoms, while eczema-specific bars help maintain hydration, reduce irritation and, in the case of BIA® UNSCENTED SOAP, preserve the skin microbiome.

If you’re looking to upgrade your skincare routine, do your skin a huge favor and consider switching to a scientifically formulated, skin nurturing, microbiome-friendly cleansing solution like Codex Labs’ BIA® UNSCENTED SOAP.

Call to Action

Sensitive skin deserves sensitive care. Discover the Codex Labs BIA® line of dermatologist-recommended solutions for eczema-prone skin which includes:

• BIA® GUT BARRIER ADVANCE ECZEMA RELIEF SYSTEM: An inside & out advanced 30-day system designed to improve weak gut and skin barriers while providing itch, irritation, and dry skin relief
• BIA® SKIN BARRIER ECZEMA RELIEF SYSTEM: This inside & out advanced 30-day system is designed to reinforce the skin barrier, combat oxidative stress in the body, and provide relief to itchy, compromised skin.
• BIA® ECZEMA ESSENTIALS DUO: Clinically proven to significantly relieve symptoms associated with eczema in only 8 weeks!

Visit Codex Labs today and start your journey to calmer, healthier skin.

References:

1.      https://acaai.org/allergies/allergic-conditions/skin-allergy/eczema/

2.      https://www.healthline.com/health/soap-for-eczema

3.      https://www.aaaai.org/tools-for-the-public/conditions-library/allergies/skin-care-tips-atopic-dermatits