There are many reasons why you might want to go natural to soothe the painful symptoms of varicose eczema, also known as venous statis dermatitis or gravitational eczema; maybe the conventional paraffin-based emollients you’ve tried are aggravating the itchiness and inflammation, or maybe you’re wary of the side-effects of using topical steroids long-term... whatever the reason, we’ve got some handy tips for choosing the best natural emollient for this uncomfortable condition.

Use an ointment rather than a cream

• Your skin needs water to stay healthy: oil-based ointments, salves or balms provide a better barrier against water-loss than water-based (aqueous) creams
• Ointments also provide better protection - like an extra layer of clothing! - over thin or fragile skin
• Ointments likely to stay in place for longer and provide more intensive moisturising than creams
• Oil-based ointments are less likely to sting when applied on broken, scratched or raw patches of skin
• Ointments cover dry or very sensitive skin act to soothe itchiness, preventing further damage from scratching

Use a beeswax-based ointment

• Unlike paraffin-based ointments, beeswax allows the skin to breathe
• Beeswax provides nutrients 
• Beeswax is naturally antimicrobial, and acts like a natural antiseptic barrier against bacteria or yeasts,  protecting against the infections which varicose eczema sufferers are prone to.

Use a 100% natural ointment 

• Go natural and avoid irritants such as perfumes, preservatives, parabens and other artificial additives which can cause further damage to fragile skin
• Natural ointments containing nutritious plant-based oils can feed the skin with the nutrients (minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, EFAs) needed to repair and regenerate damaged skin

Balmonds Skin Salvation ticks all those boxes! It’s had some very positive feedback from customers using it on sores, post-operative scars, ulcers as well as varicose/venous statis dermatitis.

If you prefer to use a softer, more easily-absorbed cream rather than an ointment, our Daily Moisturising Cream or even lighter Cooling Cream both work very well to soothe the itch and keep skin hydrated. However, we'd always recommend using water-free ointment on broken or raw skin.

How to apply emollients on varicose eczema:

1. use a large amount all over both lower legs, not just flared areas
2. apply at least twice a day, and more frequently if skin is very dry
3. don't rub; smooth emollients into the skin in the same direction that the hair grows
4. apply after bathing, gently dry the skin, then immediately apply the emollient while the skin is still moist