Atopic dermatitis and care: what is atopic skin?

Atopic skin, or more precisely, skin prone to atopic dermatitis, is a chronic dermatosis (skin inflammation) that worsens over the years. Atopic dermatitis is characterized by very dry and sensitive skin, particularly reactive to irritants. Furthermore, it is estimated that 40% of people with atopic dermatitis also have eczema. Atopic skin is also often associated with allergic rhinitis, asthma, and sometimes food allergies.

Atopic skin is caused by a genetic predisposition. A 2001 study* showed that a child with one parent affected by atopic dermatitis had a 30% chance of developing it as well. This figure rises to 70% if both parents are affected. Researchers also believe that an overactive immune system may be responsible for the inflammation observed in atopic skin.

Finally, there may also be an accentuation of the phenomenon linked to skincare habits: too frequent cleansing of the skin will dry it out more, as will the use of overly detergent products, which destabilize the skin ecosystem.

In atopic skin, the following symptoms may be observed:

• Often dry skin
• Itching of varying intensity
• Occasional eczema flare-ups: dry or oozing red patches, depending on the form, with small water blisters or scabs.
• Pronounced discomfort with sensations of pulling, irritation, and burning.

The patches caused by atopic dermatitis can appear on the cheeks, especially in children, but also on the arms, wrists, and legs. Most commonly, the patches develop in the creases of the elbows or knees, where friction promotes their formation.

Did you know that?

💡 All atopic skin is sensitive, but not all sensitive skin is atopic.

💡 The skin is atopic all over the body, even if the eczema flare-ups do not affect the face.

The main challenge in managing atopic dermatitis is to minimize the frequency of eczema flare-ups. To achieve this, we encourage you to adopt a few daily habits: after each facial cleansing, rinse your skin with thermal water or floral water to remove limescale residue, which dries out the skin. Also, avoid showers and baths that are too hot (36 degrees Celsius maximum).

Learn to recognize the main allergens and components that pose a risk to atopic skin:

• Perfumes
• Parabens
• Formaldehyde
• Lanolin
• Methylisothiazolinone (very common in cosmetics and liquid laundry detergents)
• Salicylic acid
• Glycolic acid
• Retinol
• AHA
• Metals (especially nickel)

Pay close attention to the ingredient labels of the products you use. Opt for powdered laundry detergent and avoid soaps and detergents containing Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (SLS).