Eczema is now Singapore’s most common skin disease, with the National Skin Center seeing more than 18,000 cases of eczema in 2017. A study published in the Straits Times in September 2018 has found that out of 681 people who were surveyed island wide, 21 per cent of children and 11 per cent of adults have eczema. Roughly 1 in 5 school going children suffer from either atopic eczema or chronic eczema.
Singapore’s hot and humid weather aggravates the dry and irritated skin condition causing inflamed, sore and itchy skin. Physical exercise induced sweat and frequent scratching worsens the condition. Since normal soaps rob the skin of moisture, those suffering from eczema must use soap-free cleaning lotion to cleanse the troubled skin. Another important way to protect the skin and mitigate the condition is to moisturize the skin.
Here is a list of popular skin care products in Singapore, including some recently launched that work hard to protect you and your family against eczema and dry skin conditions:
Little Bodies – Steroid free Eczema Products for Children
Little Bodies has introduced a new regimen of steroid-free eczema care specifically formulated for children aged 0 to 12. Their 3 key products- Little Bodies Skin Relief Cream, Little Bodies Skin Relief Wash & Shampoo and Little Bodies Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion have been developed using the highest quality ingredients. These products ensure a healthy skin by preventing flare ups and mitigating the effects of eczema.
The Skin Relief Cream, a non-steroidal treatment has a balanced blend of Colloidal Oatmeal, Aloe Vera, Peppermint Oil and Calendula Tincture which helps soothe irritated skin such as mild rashes and flare-ups.
Skin Relief Wash & Shampoo is a 2-in-1 cleansing product that is soap-free, pH balanced as well as sulphate-free. It is gentle on the skin allowing it to be supple and smooth. It also contains coconut-based surfactant which makes a foaming wash, suitable for a nice bubble bath.
The Skin Relief Moisturizing Lotion is a moisturizing lotion to help restore and maintain the natural moisture balance of skin. It contains emollients which helps to soothe and moisten the skin. The lotion is clinically tested to increase skin hydration by 37% in 7 days and provides 24-hour moisture lock with one application. It is petrochemical-free, making it suitable for daily use and can be applied on young children.
All Little Bodies products are now available in Watsons stores and e-store (watsons.com.sg) in Singapore for purchase and they are going at:
• Little Bodies Skin Relief Cream, 56g, $17.90
• Little Bodies Skin Relief Wash & Shampoo, 210ml, $17.90
• Little Bodies Skin Relief Moisturising Lotion, 175ml, $17.9
Mussvital’s Atopic Range for Eczema-Sufferers
Mussvital, Singapore’s newest dermatological skincare brand, has launched innovative products specifically for those suffering from dry, sensitive or eczema-prone skin. Formulated with naturally active ingredients that moisturise skin and soothe itch and inflammation, Mussvital’s Atopic range promises to bring relief to those suffering from eczema.
Skin specialist Dr Roland Chu advises eczema sufferers use skin care products that are specially meant for them and avoid products that rob their skin of moisture. “ People who suffer from eczema have compromised skin that is unable to protect itself from the environment. It is therefore paramount to choose a cleanser that does not contain soap or chemicals that can trigger skin reactions”.
Mussvital’s Atopic range comprises of a body lotion and a soap-free cleanser. The skin lotion is made up of a special blend of lipid-replenishing emollients, that include plant-based ingredients such as shea butter and caprylic triglycerides and other anti-itch and anti-inflammatory ingredients to soothe irritated skin. Mussvital’s cleanser is gentle on the skin and surprisngly lathers up extremely well even though it does not contain soap.
The Atopic range is proven to be effective because of the inclusion of naturally active ingredients that calm itchiness and redness: Phragmites kaka and Poria cocos. The two products also contain the ingredient xylitol, which regulates microbial imbalance on the skin and targets the S. aureus bacteria that is known to aggravate eczema symptoms.
Mussvital also has a Sensitive range for people with sensitive to normal skin. The Mussvital Atopic and Sensitive ranges are currently available in selected Watsons stores across Singapore and on Lazada. Visit them on Facebook (www.facebook.com/mussvitalsg/) or on Instagram (@mussvitalsg) to learn about promotions and deals.
Eczema Relieving Multi-purpose Balm from Twinkle:
Twinkle is a range of natural and organic skin and hair care products, that are handmade with love for your and your little one’s daily use. The products are made using only high quality ingredients that protect, soothe and moisturize the skin. Twinkle products include hair and body oils and mists, sanitizers and the ubiquitous Twinkle Herbal Multi Purpose Balm.
The Twinkle Multipurpose Balm prevents skin dryness and itchiness by creating a protective layer on the skin that protects from moisture loss. 100% natural and made with organic ingredients, Twinkle Multi-purpose balm can ease the effects of mild eczema and also prevent the occurrence of dry skin conditions by moisturizing and soothing the skin.
The Multipurpose Balm contains ingredients such as organic Shea Butter that support the skin’s natural collagen production to soften and strengthen the skin while preventing dryness; organic pure beeswax that is anti bacterial, anti-inflammatory and provides a protective barrier for the skin without clogging pores; organic calendula oil that softens and moisturizes the skin and is very effective in relieving diaper rash, eczema and related conditions and; grapeseed oil that is also a highly effective moisturiser that tightens skin and restores collagen.
Twinkle products can be purchased online at https://www.twinkle.com.sg/ . The products are also available at leading stores across Singapore such as Robinsons and Mothercare.
Suu Balm- New Eczema products by Good Pharma:
In contrast to the wide prevalence of Eczema here in Singapore, there are very few products in the market to treat its symptoms. Even fewer are products which are specifically designed for the scalp and face. Itch on the scalp and face due to a dry, irritated skin can lead to other skin conditions and needs to be managed as well. Scalp conditions such as seborrheic dermatitis and eczema often cause itchy scalp, dryness and flaking.
To fill in this gap, homegrown company Good Pharma has expanded its product line-up of body moisturisers and washes and has launched a new range of scalp and face care products, under the brand name of Suu Balm.
Suu Balm range of products contain the right balance of menthol and ceramides to relieve itch rapidly while helping to replenish dry skin. These products are also steroid-free and contain hypoallergenic ingredients to prevent scalp and skin irritation. These non-steroidal formulations are designed to free the sufferer from scalp itch. Professor Tey came up with the idea of a scalp spray which could be used easily.
A/Prof Tey Hong Liang, Head of Research and Senior Consultant, National Skin Centre (NSC), who runs NSC’s Itch Clinic and has formulated the Suu Balm range of eczema products, said: “The vicious cycle of itch and scratch commonly leads to a multitude of skin diseases. Further to the Suu Balm body moisturiser, the National Skin Centre has developed itch-relieving moisturising applications for the scalp and face, to enable afflicted to people gain control of the symptoms and regain their quality-of-life.”
Suu Balm Scalp Spray and Suu Balm Facial Care are now available at the Suu Balm website, and at most Guardian and Watsons outlets island-wide.
Suu Balm products are now available in 10 countries including Malaysia, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan, with further regional expansion plans on the anvil.
Suu Balm facial cleanser retails for S$19.90, facial moisturizer for S$39.90 and scalp spray at S$38.90.