Every October, Eczema Awareness Month shines a spotlight on one of the UK's most common skin conditions. Affecting people of all ages, eczema can have a significant impact on daily life, with symptoms often including dry skin, itching, irritation and sensitivity. According to the National Eczema Association, eczema affects 10-20 percent of children and 2-10 percent of adults worldwide. Eczema often starts in early childhood, with around 80 percent of people affected developing symptoms before the age of six.
While experiences vary from person to person, maintaining a gentle skincare routine is an important part of supporting overall skin health. At Prof & Doc, we focus on natural, science-led skincare for dry and sensitive skin, developing products which support everyday skin comfort through mild cleansing, hydration and skin barrier care.
For Eczema Awareness Month, we’ve written a handy guide from our Prof and Doc to help you to understand what is eczema and how to better understand your skin.
What is eczema?
Eczema is a condition which causes the skin to become dry, itchy and inflamed. Symptoms can range from occasional patches of dryness to more persistent periods of discomfort.
Although there is no single cause of eczema, research suggests a combination of genetic, environmental and skin barrier factors can contribute to its development and severity.
What causes eczema flare-ups?
For many people, eczema symptoms can be influenced by everyday environmental factors. Changes in temperature, periods of stress and exposure to allergens such as dust mites or pollen may affect the skin. Certain soaps, detergents and heavily fragranced products can also be irritating for some individuals.
Because triggers are often personal, keeping a simple record of products, environments or situations linked to flare-ups can help build a better understanding of individual triggers over time.
How to support eczema-prone skin
Anyone concerned about eczema should seek advice from their GP, particularly when symptoms are persistent or worsening.
Alongside professional guidance, many people find a consistent skincare routine helps support overall skin comfort and hydration. Choosing products that cleanse gently and help maintain moisture can contribute to a healthy skin barrier, which plays an important role in protecting the skin from external stressors.
Building a gentle skincare routine
As interest in skincare science continues to grow, consumers are becoming more aware of the ingredients and formulations they use every day. Prof & Doc is part of this movement, creating science-led skincare powered by watercress-derived ingredients and focused on nourishment, simplicity and skin barrier support. A gentle skincare routine does not need to be complicated. Start with a mild cleanser that removes impurities without stripping the skin. Follow with regular moisturising to help maintain hydration and support skin comfort. Consistency is key, as is paying attention to how your skin responds to different products and environmental factors.
Every person's skin is unique, so finding the right routine may take time. Choosing simple, fragrance-free formulations with carefully selected ingredients can help minimise unnecessary irritation for those with dry or sensitive skin.
Eczema Awareness Month is an opportunity to encourage greater understanding of skin health and the challenges many people face every day. While everyone's experience is different, learning more about your skin, seeking professional advice when needed and following a gentle, consistent skincare routine can help support long-term skin comfort and wellbeing.
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