Over the past few years, patches have established themselves as a go-to skincare step for those dealing with acne—and while people with eczema can use them for flares, the product wasn’t created with them in mind.
Eczema patches recently entered the skincare space, but you can already find a couple options on the market (with more likely to come). If you’re looking for the best eczema patch for you, there’s a lot to consider: from the technology and ingredients to the material and adhesive. It can be an overwhelming process, especially if you’re in the midst of a flare and need relief right away.
While everyone’s skin is different, there are certain aspects of eczema patches that generally indicate if they’ll work for you.
Want to know which patch is best for your skin at this very moment? Our Flare Quiz tells you your stage in 60 seconds.
3 Important Features of an Eczema Patch
This may seem obvious, but the most basic requirement for an effective eczema patch is it’s designed specifically for eczema—not pimples or wounds. The formula should provide targeted support for flare-prone skin, throughout all of its stages. Here are the three most important factors to look for.
Adhesion. When applying on clean, dry skin, an eczema patch should adhere comfortably—providing a layer of breathable protection that’s painless to remove. Because one of the main benefits of using a patch is getting steady support delivered to the spot that needs it most, it should stay securely in place for six to eight hours.
Ingredients. Eczema patch ingredients should work alongside your moisturizer, helping to retain moisture and strengthen the skin. For instance: ceramides to restore the barrier, centella asiatica to calm, and hyaluronic acid for plumping and deep hydration.
Material and technology. You’re likely most familiar with hydrocolloid—this is what pimple patches are typically made of because it retains moisture while protecting the skin from environmental stressors. This is what Surge does, along with calming angry, inflamed Active Flare sites. You can also find eczema patches made with hydrogel (like Signal) to cool and hydrate and microtip technology (like Reset) to deliver barrier-restoring nutrients.
Why the Flare Cycle Matters When Choosing the Best Eczema Patch
The best eczema patches don’t just provide a one-size-fits-all solution. They support the skin barrier throughout the entire Flare Cycle: Pre-Flare, Active Flare, and Post-Flare. From the early signs of tightness and warmth to visible redness to recovery, flare-prone skin has different needs depending on the stage it’s in.
The Flare Kit comes with a pack of patches for each of the three Flare Cycle stages, ensuring when your skin changes, you have support on hand.
Eczema patches shouldn’t act as a regular bandage—they should be designed to offer targeted relief throughout the sleepless nights and days you want to avoid the mirror. For more information on the benefits and how the Flare Kit works to repair the barrier, visit our Science page.
FAQs
What should you look for in an eczema patch? An eczema patch should be formulated specifically for flare-prone skin. It should securely adhere to clean, dry skin, deliver targeted ingredients to the flare site, protect from scratching, and help rebuild the skin barrier depending on the Flare Cycle stage.
Can you use pimple patches for eczema? Yes, but they likely won’t provide the same benefits as an eczema patch, because they’re designed to calm acne breakouts rather than flare ups. Pimple patches typically are made of hydrocolloid, which is most effective during Active Flare, but not during the other stages.
What ingredients should a good eczema patch have? Eczema patches should contain gentle, active ingredients that protect, hydrate, retain moisture, and calm inflammation. For instance: zinc oxide, niacinamide, ceramides, hyaluronic acid, ectoin, beta-glucan, centella asiatica, and more.
Why does the Flare Cycle matter when choosing the best eczema patch? The skin’s needs change throughout the Flare Cycle, so knowing your stage allows you to give it the right support: from hydrating to calming to rebuilding the barrier.