Ingredients to Avoid If You Have Eczema or Rosacea: What to Watch for on Labels
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If you’ve ever struggled with eczema or rosacea, you know how unpredictable and frustrating flare-ups can be. While stress, weather, and diet play a role, one of the biggest triggers hides in plain sight: your skincare ingredients.
At Dr. Lili Fan Probiotic Skincare, we believe healing starts with understanding. That means knowing which ingredients nourish sensitive skin—and which ones can make things worse. Let’s break down the top skincare ingredients to avoid if you have eczema or rosacea, so you can feel confident in what you’re putting on your skin.
1. Alcohol (Drying Types Like SD Alcohol or Denatured Alcohol)
While some alcohols are used to improve texture or absorption, drying types can strip your skin’s barrier.
🔹 Why it’s a problem: They weaken the skin’s protective layer—leading to increased inflammation, dryness, and stinging.
🔹 What to look for: SD Alcohol, Alcohol Denat., Ethanol. (Note: Fatty alcohols like cetyl alcohol or stearyl alcohol are generally safe.)
2. Sulfates (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, SLS)
Sulfates are foaming agents found in many cleansers and shampoos.
🔹 Why it’s a problem: They’re harsh on the skin and can cause tightness, irritation, and barrier damage.
🔹 What to look for: Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS), Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)
3. Exfoliating Acids (Especially at High Concentrations)
Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) and beta-hydroxy acids (BHAs) can be too aggressive for skin already prone to inflammation.
🔹 Why it’s a problem: While helpful for acne and dullness, they can cause burning or worsen rosacea or eczema when overused.
🔹 What to look for: Glycolic acid, Lactic acid, Salicylic acid—especially if in leave-on products
4. Preservatives Like Methylisothiazolinone (MI) and Formaldehyde Releasers
Certain preservatives are known to cause contact dermatitis and allergic reactions.
🔹 Why it’s a problem: MI, parabens, and formaldehyde-releasing agents can irritate compromised skin or trigger rashes.
🔹 What to look for: Methylisothiazolinone, DMDM Hydantoin, Quaternium-15, Imidazolidinyl Urea
5. Harsh Physical Exfoliants
Scrubs with large or jagged particles can cause micro-tears and worsen inflammation.
🔹 Why it’s a problem: They compromise the skin barrier, making it more susceptible to flare-ups.
🔹 What to look for: Walnut shell powder, apricot kernels, pumice
What to Use Instead?
Look for products that are:
✅ pH-balanced
✅ Packed with barrier-supporting ingredients like ceramides, probiotics, oat extract, and panthenol
✅ Clinically tested for sensitive skin
Gentle, Probiotic Skincare That Respects Your Skin
At Dr. Lili Fan Probiotic Skincare, we craft formulas specifically with sensitive, eczema-prone, and rosacea-prone skin in mind. Our probiotic actives work to rebalance the skin microbiome and restore the barrier—without triggering irritation.
Explore our best-selling Probiotic Recovery Cream or Probiotic Eye Repair Cream, both formulated without fragrance, drying alcohols, or sulfates—just clean, calming ingredients that love your skin back to health.