Skincare Eczema Malaysia – What It’s Like To Have A Skin Issue
“Scratch scratch.
What’s that sound?
Scratch scratch.
PAK!
Stop scratching yourself, it’s bad for your body!”*
*An everyday interaction between my mother/my friends/my boyfriend & I
Welcome to the everyday life of people with eczema: a skin condition whereby a person’s skin is severely dry, itchy, inflamed & cracked.
Unfortunately for us humans, it’s a very common condition. It affects over 35 million Americans and 20% of Malaysians (2018) have been found to suffer from atopic eczema!
Including the author of this article (I’m scratching my legs as I type this too).
What’s even worse is Malaysian’s hot & humid weather is an aggravator for eczema. Yay me & the other percentage of Malaysian eczema sufferers out there!
Although it’s a common condition, I still meet people everyday who don’t know about this condition so let’s learn a lil more about this skin infliction.
What is Eczema?
As I wrote earlier, eczema is a skin condition that causes a person’s skin to be super dry, rough, red, inflamed & cracked. Have you ever touched sandpaper? Crocodile skin? Yep, that’s how eczema skin feels like.
Not nice.
Btw I looked up what eczema is in Malay and it translates to ‘ekzema’. Sounds like the name of a rock band. Or an edgy 13 year old’s username on CS:GO. Choose your fighter.
If you noticed I mentioned that 20% of Malaysians suffer from ‘atopic eczema’, well I’m here to tell you, just like any other diseases, eczema comes in many forms!
How wonderful!
Take your pick, eczema comes in:
- Atopic
When your skin barrier is weak in protecting you against natural elements such as dust.
- Contact
Upon coming in contact with certain materials, your skin gets irritated.
- Dyshidrotic
Small blisters on your hands & feets
- Nummular
Meaning coin in Latin, this form of eczema causes coin-shaped spots to form on the skin.
- Seborrheic
Affecting the scalp causing scaly patches, red skin & dandruff.
- Stasis
Happens when fluid from weakened veins leaks into the skin thus causing the skin to be itchy & irritated.
Of course it’s rare for someone to have six but it’s common to have one or more types of eczema affecting a person.
My Life With Eczema in Malaysia
As someone who suffers from eczema since I was a child, I can tell you it’s been a literal hell of scratching, bleeding and more scratching.
Seriously, you’d think I was a dog or cat filled with fleas just by sitting next to me for less than half an hour.
As a child, it was always agonizing pain on bad flareup days. My lips would be cracked like a super-glued broken bowl. Not only aesthetically unpleasing but very very painful.
Opening my mouth wider than 2 cm would caused me to wince in pain. Imagine me at 7 crying because brushing my teeth was as painful as injecting needles into my lips.
I couldn’t speak properly because it hurt so I instead chose to just mumble or mutter (a habit I still carry on today despite eczema on my lips being healed).
Doing the kid thing and licking my lips after a delicious meal or treat would bear dire consequences the next day as that would also cause my lips to crack & blister.
From the age of 7, I was the only girl in my grade to carry a lip-balm in her pinafore pocket. It embarrassed me because If you’re using that lip balm, why are your lips still ugly & cracked? Teachers confiscated them, chiding me for being so vain at a young age until my mom yelled the school down.
Girls making fun of my pale & dry lips during bad flareup days. Granted primary & high school kids are cruel but like… shut up & mind your business (I never asked why your parents got divorced).
Always afraid whenever someone new holds my hands because who likes holding dry, flakey skin? (I am happy to report anyone who is good & kind will not give a damn.)
Growing older and during sexy times, apologizing to my partners for the scars, blisters & bumps covering my body (Again anyone good & kind or y’know with any sort of hormones. will. not. give. a. damn. especially if you’re naked. Especially if you’re naked lol).
Also, my parents having to spend hundreds or possibly thousands of ringgit to find that “perfect” product which won’t work or worse cause a bad flareup.
Most importantly preventing me from competing in sports or exercise. Cause sweat? Yeah no. (Also because I am lazy so let’s just use that as an excuse)
Enough of the sob story, you wanna know solutions for eczema and Woke has ’em for you!
So if you have eczema or know someone with eczema, what can you do about it?
Well, eczema has no cure, sadly. So prevention is key here, folks.
The motto for preventing eczema is this:
There is no such thing as too much moisture.
People with eczema must always keep their skins moisturized however perfume, certain chemicals found in creams, moisturizers, soaps & serums can aggravate eczema even more.
Lucky for you, Woke reader, we have compiled a list of 7 local Malaysian skincare brands with products exclusively for the fight of eczema!
Top Skincare Eczema Brands Malaysia – Cream Based
Honorable Mention:
REMDII®
When you put your first product to the test on yourself, you know where this will be. There you go, REMDII.
UPM’s scientist. Professor Dr Lai Oi Ming is also a mother who decided to create an eczema cream for her four-year-old son. A mother who would find ways to help ease her son’s pain. She slowly then has a group of UPM’s scientists to produce products that cater just for people who suffer from eczema. If that is not a sacrificial act, we don’t know what else is.
REMDII® product has passed the Human Clinical Trial on babies and children aged 1 month to 12 years old with mild to moderate atopic dermatitis. REMDII’s Sensitive Series products are clinically proven to help ease eczema or sensitive skin matters.
Eczema Products by REMDII®: Intensive Moisturizing Cream
REMDII®Intensive Moisturising Cream (RM30/28ml)
REMDII®Intensive Moisturising Cream (RM50/50ml)
REMDII®Intensive Moisturising Cream (RM85/112ml)
REMDII®Intensive Moisturising Cream (RM150/250ml)
REMDII® products are now available through all Caring pharmacies or the nearest stores to you (Clinics and Pharmacies). If you have any further concerns, contact their sales personnel (Ms Tan) at +6017 331 9765. Online delivery is available throughout Malaysia.
1. Claire Organics
What could be more natural than a mother’s love? A mother’s touch? How about a mother’s milk?
After giving birth to her daughter named ‘Claire’, Louise Chu realized how most of the baby products on the market contained harmful & harsh chemicals. Thus, Claire Organics was born.
Claire Organic’s soaps & skincare products are derived from mother’s breast milk, natural essential oils, shea butter, olive oil, oatmeal, and goat’s milk. Those will definitely help any eczema flare-ups.
Sensitive Skin Line by Claire Organics
Soother Balm (RM39/2 pieces)
Yummy Lips Intensive Lip Therapy with Rose Geranium (RM16/6g)
Mother’s Milk Soap (LIMITED)
(RM35)
Avocado Hydrating Soap (RM21/100g)
Luxurious Rosehip Face & Body Oil (RM59/50ml)
Claire Organic’s Flagship Stores & Kiosks are located at Sunway Velocity, The Gardens Mall, Publika & Sunway Pyramid. They also deliver online.
2. Chomel
Eczema is typically diagnosed from the age of babies! So the hunt for suitable products start young. Unfortunately household name baby products still contain harmful chemicals. Don’t even get started on home cleaners & laundry detergents.
The founder of CHOMEL also noticed this problem and so the brand was born, specializing in household & body products catered to sensitive babies.
But don’t let the age thing scare you off, products for babies can sometimes be even better for our skin!
Products by CHOMEL
CHOMEL Baby Daily Lotion (RM34.90/500ML)
CHOMEL Baby Foaming Hand Wash (RM17.90/250ML)
CHOMEL Baby Fabric Softener (RM30.90/1 Litre)
CHOMEL Baby Laundry Detergent (RM30.90/1 Litre)
CHOMEL Baby Hand Sanitizer (RM8.90/55ML)
- 99% Effective against germs
- 100% Plant ingredients
CHOMEL ships throughout the whole Malaysia.
3. Ch33ky
As moms of eczema babies, the founders of Ch33ky certainly know how hard the fight against eczema is. Luckily, they have tried & tested many home remedies to better equip us with the best weapons (products) in this battle.
Again, just because Ch33ky’s products are catered to babies doesn’t mean your adult skin won’t thank you for this all natural goodness.
Products by CH33ky
Miracle Cream (RM45/40g)
Baby Fresh Shower Gel (RM57.50/400ML)
Lavender & Tea Tree Glycerin Soap (RM35)
Chamomile & Mint Deodorant (RM35/40g)
Miracle Shampoo (RM57.50/200ML)
Ch33ky products can be found in selected stores & pharmacies throughout KL & Selangor. Online delivery is available.
4. SoapLab Malaysia
If you’re the type to be skeptical about homemade products, this next brand will surely reassure you. As a pharmacist who has been working with Malaysia’s Health Ministry since 2018, Nisha (co-founder of SoapLab Malaysia) has always dreamed of creating a safe space for the public to learn about skincare… Like, literally.
Well, she has done just that with the creation of SoapLab Malaysia, a place where anyone can now turn their home into a ‘soap lab’ and make their own homemade skin products, Nisha the pharmacist certified!
However if DIY is not your thing, don’t fret because SoapLab Malaysia also carries their own line of au-naturale, freshly made products catered to skin conditions which Woke will be focusing on.
Fresshhh by SoapLab Malaysia
5% Pine Tar Body Cleanser (RM35/250ML)
- Perfect for Eczema & Psoriasis skin
Green Tea Face Oil (RM35/30ML)
Guava Mango & Papaya Body Lotion (RM39)
Rice & Rose Facial Serum (RM39/30ML)
If you’re interested in their finished products or want to create some on your own, head on over to SoapLab Malaysia’s website now for more information!
With many blog posts containing tips & tricks about everything skincare, you’ll definitely leave the website more informed than before.
5. The Soap Cellar
The Soap Cellar was established in 2011 in Penang as a small family business to supply Malaysians with great products for even greater value of money. And they’ve stuck to this notion ever since.
Not just another “homemade” store however as The Soap Cellar prides itself for making products exceeding international standard requirements. Why spend so much for overseas products when you can just sapot lokal?
Body Products & Oils by The Soap Cellar
All Natural Cooling Salve (Relax & Relief) (RM28/30g)
- Nurture and protect sensitive skin
Dark Transvaal Body Wash with Organic African Black Soap (RM23/250ML)
- Helps to heal problem skins such as eczema and psoriasis
Lemongrass & Calendula Handmade Soap with Organic Shea (RM20/100g)
- Recommended for dry skin, relieving itches and discomfort
All Natural Baby Soothing Oil (RM35/50ML)
- Suitable for baby skin and sensitive skin
Orders over RM300 receive free delivery to both West Malaysia & East Malaysia
6. Kopara
Another fellow Malaysian with Eczema, founder of Kopara, Natalie always had to be picky with her skincare products. Unsatisfied with most of the products on the market, she experimented and finally came up with a multipurpose oil.
Multipurpose because not only does it provide moisture to the skin, Kopara’s Golden Jojoba Oil also reduces acne, removes makeup, softens lips and wait there’s more: doubles up as hair treatment.
Kopara might have achieved the holy grail of skincare just yet.
Golden Jojoba Oil (RM88.50/50ML)
Kopara provides free shipping throughout the whole Malaysia.
7. Kinder Soaps
Michelle Ho had just given birth to her lil gorgeous bundle of joy, Andrea when she noticed blotchy-red patches on her daughter’s skin.
Having eczema herself, Michelle immediately recognized those familiar sinister patches. Being a mother, she was determined her daughter would not have to suffer like she had and went on a hunt for natural skincare products.
Unfortunately (or maybe fortunately?), she couldn’t find anything after a long search and thus was born, Kinder Soaps! Everything you see in the shop is free from artificial fragrances, unnecessary preservatives, SLS, parabens.
Also not just focusing on eczema products, Kinder Soaps also makes products for normal, acne prone/oily, dry, hypersensitive skin. Kinder Soap of course has baby & children products too.
Michelle describes her brand best with:
Be Kinder.
Eczema Products by Kinder Soaps
Goat’s Milk and Patchouli (RM23/110g)
- The soap that helped Michelle’s child’s eczema
Baby Bliss (RM70/100ML)
- An unscented oil blend that’s gentle enough for even infants’ skin
Double Duty Balm (RM30/25g)
- Protects and moisturizes your lips
- Smooths over patches of dry skin for instant relief from dryness
- Works as a balm for diaper rash
- Can administer on minor cuts and grazes
Teselli (RM35/100g)
- Teselli means ‘solace’ in Turkish
- Seek solace from troubled, inflamed or broken skin that seems to take ages to heal.
Teselli Body Souffle (RM92)
- Offers more intense moisturization for extremely dry skin
With such an inspiring story to boot, order now from this kickass mom from either selected locations or online now!
Eczema Cream Malaysia
We hope this list of Malaysian Skincare Eczema was helpful to you as it was for us.
Eczema might be an ongoing battle for life (that is until they found a cure) but it’s comforting to know all of us Malaysians with eczema are not alone in this battle.
Stay safe & stay moisturize!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Atopic dermatitis, often known as eczema, is a chronic skin disorder marked by redness, inflammation, itching, and dryness. Atopic dermatitis in babies is frequently characterized by a dry red rash on the cheeks and around the lips that worsens when exposed to saliva. As youngsters grow older, the rash may appear on their arms, legs, or other scratchable places. Eczema is commonly encountered in teenagers on the folds of the arms or folds of the knees, on the hands or feet, and around the eyes.
Atopic dermatitis or eczema is most likely caused by a combination of hereditary and environmental factors. Genetic factors are hypothesized to be caused by variances in the proteins that make up the skin barrier, which when broken causes the skin to lose moisture more rapidly, become dry, irritated more easily, and become hypersensitive.
In addition, the skin is more vulnerable to bacterial, viral, or fungal diseases. The immune system of the skin may be unique and overreact to environmental triggers such as pet dander and dust mites. Besides that, soaps and detergents are the common triggers for eczema too.
Yup. No words can describe the painful experience and suffering of eczema patients. Eczema can be dangerous if when you have eczema and often scratch it, be careful it can open wounds and lead to infection. Eczema skin that is too often scratched, will make the skin area become cracked, open, and make it easier for bacteria or viruses to enter the layers of your skin
The risks of infecting with eczema can be lowered and thus prevented with these few simple steps:
a. Do not take a hot shower.
b. Prevent rapid or excessive temperature or humidity changes.
c. Use hypoallergenic soaps and shampoos wherever possible, and avoid soaps with harsh chemicals.
d. Use only soft materials and avoid using polyester, fleece, or acrylic.
e. When handling detergents or chemicals, use protective gloves.
f. Keep an eye out for foods and allergies that can aggravate eczema flare-ups.
g. Avoid using perfumed beauty products.
In extreme cases of dermatitis, the patient may benefit from medical treatment such as ultraviolet phototherapy and immune system suppressants such as cyclosporine. Another option is treatment with psychodermatology, which is a new branch of study in dermatology that uses psychological techniques such as relaxation and hypnosis to treat skin problems.
According to research, eczema cannot be totally cured and there is no cure for eczema, but the seriousness of this skin disease can be monitored and regulated. Treatment mainly consists of lowering symptoms or stopping the illness from occurring. Eczema can recur at any time in a person’s life as eczema is a chronic condition that can go away and come back unexpectedly.
According to National Eczema Association, here are the skincare ingredients that you should avoid:
· Fragrances
· Essential oils
· Urea
· Lanolin
· Retinoids
· Cocamidopropyl betaine
· Propylene glycol
· Ethanol
Once you have chosen an eczema-friendly skincare product, it will help to repair the skin barrier, minimise itchiness, and improve the appearance of skin.
According to Dr. Weiser, a board-certified dermatologist at the New York Dermatology Group in New York City, here are the ingredients that you should look for in a cream or moisturizer for eczema:
· Petrolatum
· Glycerin
· Hyaluronic acid
· Ceramides
· Fatty acids
· Silicone derivatives (such as dimethicone)
These ingredients are known to moisturize and hydrate your dry and itchy skin and prevent your skin from unpleasant symptoms caused by eczema.
Applying two to three times each day is a good start. The vital main points are that moisturising the skin and ensuring hydration of the skin. If the skin that you have is extremely dry, you may need to increase treatment to every hour. Ointments typically require less application than creams or lotions to achieve the same result.
The answer is yes! One of the steps for controlling eczema, according to Dr. Peter A. Lio, clinical assistant professor of dermatology and paediatrics at Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, is developing and adhering to a regular regimen by maintaining clear skin, taking a daily shower or bath with a gentle cleanser, applying a decent moisturizer twice daily, avoiding known allergens, and get enough rest. Even though everyone has a different daily skincare routine, the most important thing is consistency, even if your symptoms change.
