“Ultimately the wrong cleanser can make eczema worse, contributing to dryness, irritation, and inflammation,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, the director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology and an associate professor at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

While the wrong cleanser can do more harm than good, “the right cleanser can actually leave the skin hydrated,” he adds.

Read on for our experts’ recommendations for the best cleansing methods for atopic dermatitis, so you can feel your best even if you’re experiencing a flare-up.

If you love a classic soap, here’s the bad news: Traditional soaps can be too harsh for people with atopic dermatitis, because they strip the skin of natural oils that help retain moisture.

“When you wash away these oils, the skin dries out, which can make you prone to eczema flares,” says Benjamin Ungar, MD, the director of the rosacea and seborrheic dermatitis clinic and an assistant professor at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.

If you have eczema, grabbing any old nonsoap cleanser at the drugstore won’t do. “Because people with atopic dermatitis have sensitive skin that can be dried out and irritated easily, it’s important that the cleansing products used are directed toward sensitive skin,” says Dr. Ungar.

You’ll want to steer clear of cleansers with added fragrance, too. “People with eczema are often sensitive to fragrances, so it’s generally advisable to select products that are fragrance-free when possible,” Ungar notes.

Bottom line: Look for a fragrance-free cleanser designed for sensitive skin. “This doesn’t guarantee that it will be the right product, as everyone is different and should see how their skin responds, but it’s a very good starting point,” says Ungar.

In addition to red flags like fragrance, people should be mindful that a cleanser may contain ingredients that trigger allergy symptoms on the skin or elsewhere in the body. “If someone notices that a product worsens the eczema, then it may be worthwhile to see a dermatologist to assess whether further testing for allergies to certain ingredients might make sense,” Ungar says.

• Tea tree oil
• Urea
• Retinoids
• Lanolin
• Cocamidopropyl betaine
• Propylene glycol
• Ethanol

Also beware of super-sudsy cleansers. “Lathering or foaming cleansers generally are more drying than hydrating,” Zeichner notes.

• Nonsoap cleansers can reduce the risk of dryness and irritation for people with atopic dermatitis, as soaps can strip the skin of moisturizing skin oils and their alkaline pH can disturb its outer layer.
• Choose fragrance-free cleansers without foaming action derived from sodium lauryl sulfate, formulated for sensitive skin to avoid worsening your eczema.
• Always patch test new products to confirm they’re not irritating to your skin, and consult a dermatologist if you’re responding poorly to certain products.