You moisturize consistently and generously, just like your dermatologist suggested. During a bad flare though, it still doesn’t provide the relief your skin craves. That doesn’t mean you’re doing it wrong.
If moisturizer alone is not calming a flare-up, that’s expected. It’s essential for hydration across the whole cycle. But during Active Flare, the skin usually also needs targeted support, which is different from general hydration.
The root of the problem: One product is being asked to do two jobs.
Not sure what your skin needs right now? The Flare Quiz tells you in 60 seconds.
Why Moisturizer Alone Isn't Enough During A Flare
Moisturizer has an important yet broad function: It adds and holds hydration across your skin. It’s essential, and nothing can replace it. But broad hydration is not the same as targeted support on an inflamed, itchy flare site.
During Active Flare, that spot needs more than moisture. It needs the itch-scratch cycle to break and the area to be protected while the barrier is under load. That’s a targeted job—sitting on top of your moisturizer, not instead of it.
How to use Surge with moisturizer
Think of both of these steps as two essential layers. Continue moisturizing for all-around hydration, the foundation you never drop. Then add targeted support right on the flare when necessary.
Surge sits on the site to calm the inflammation with gentle ingredients and physically block scratching. Once it comes off, you can just carry on with your usual routine. Moisturizer along with targeted support covers what neither can do alone. Get an in-depth explanation as to why on our Science page.
Surge adds the targeted layer during Active Flare, working with your moisturizer rather than replacing it.
Frequently asked questions
Why is moisturizer not calming my eczema flare? Because moisturizer hydrates broadly. Active Flare also needs targeted support on the site, which is a different job. Your moisturizer isn’t wrong, your skin just needs more in that moment.
Should I stop moisturizing? No. Moisturizer is essential throughout the whole Flare Cycle. Add targeted support on top of your moisturizer during a flare.
Can I use a patch over moisturizer? Apply the patch to clean, dry skin, then go back to your normal routine once it comes off.
What does a flare site actually need? For skin to calm, it needs the itch-scratch cycle to break and for the area to be protected while the barrier recovers. This goes beyond general hydration.
Moisturizer not being enough is a clue to the state of your skin, not a failure. Keep hydrating, and add support right on the flare. Find your stage.