Eczema is a chronic inflammatory skin condition that affects approximately ¼ of New Zealand’s population. It is characterised by dry, itchy, red and inflamed skin. Eczema commonly appears in elbow and knee creases, hands, wrists, ankles and the face, although it can be found on any part of the body.
Conventional eczema treatments focus on topical treatments including emollients, moisturisers and prescription steroids. Oral corticosteroids and immune suppressant medications are also used. A holistic approach seeks to treat the root cause of eczema by supporting the skin barrier and microbiome, rather than suppressing symptoms.
Understanding the skin microbiome
Eczema is not just a skin-deep issue; emerging evidence suggests a link between eczema development and our skin microbiome. The skin microbiome refers to the community of beneficial and harmful microbes that live on our skin’s surface. A balanced ratio of these microbes is critical for maintaining a healthy skin barrier, regulating inflammation and controlling immune activation. In people with eczema, this delicate ecosystem is often disrupted, leading to flare-ups, dryness, and irritation.
Studies have shown those with eczema have minimal levels of beneficial microbes on their skin and high levels of Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus), which can worsen inflammation and infection. When the skin microbiome is disrupted, the skin’s barrier and natural defence mechanism is compromised, resulting in eczema flare ups.
How to support your skin microbiome from the outside
Scrub a dub dub
Gently cleansing the skin and avoiding over washing is key to supporting your skin barrier. Harsh soaps and antibacterial cleansers strip the skin of beneficial microbes and natural oils essential for a healthy skin microbiome. Avoiding fragranced products is important, as they can trigger dryness and irritation.
Washing with lukewarm water maintains hydration and natural oils and prevents your skin barrier from drying out. Choosing a fragrance and soap free cleanser is a simple way to support your skin microbiome and reduce eczema flare ups.
Quench your skins thirst
After gently cleansing, give your skin a big drink by moisturising right away. It helps rebuild your skins natural barrier, keeps itchiness at bay and locks in hydration. Look for non-irritant and microbiome-friendly moisturisers, with ingredients such as shea butter, vitamin E and hyaluronic acid.
Topical herbal support for eczema
There are many eczema-friendly herbs that can soothe irritation, calm inflammation and support a healthy skin microbiome when applied topically.
-
Kawakawa (Macropiper excelsum) is a popular New Zealand native herb, and for good reason. Its traditional uses have held strong in our modern world, boasting immense benefit for eczema management. When applied topically, Kawakawa soothes irritated and inflamed skin. Its antiseptic properties offer additional protection against skin infection.
Find Kawakawa in Kiwiherb Kawakawa Soothing Balm.
-
Calendula (Calendula officinalis) is highly valued for many skin conditions, including eczema. Topically it reduces inflammation and accelerates wound healing. Its antimicrobial action is beneficial for preventing skin infection.
Find Calendula in Kiwiherb Organic Calendula Balm, Organic Baby Balm and Kānuka Foot & Nail Cream.
-
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita) calms and soothes irritated and inflamed skin associated with eczema. It also supports wound healing due to its vulnerary action.
Find Chamomile in Kiwiherb Organic Baby Balm.
-
Hoheria (Hoheria populnea) is an incredible New Zealand native herb. It is rich in active constituents (polysaccharide hydrocolloids) that function as a natural emollient, creating a soothing and cooling effect when applied topically. Hoheria supports the skin barrier by increasing hydration and moisture retention. Its polysaccharide content encourages wound healing and skin regeneration.
Find Hoheria in Kiwiherb Skin Restore Cream.
-
Koromiko (Hebe stricta) is another superstar New Zealand native herb. Its astringent action reduces weeping and gently constricts tissues to form a protective barrier to support skin healing.
Find Koromiko in Kiwiherb Organic Baby Balm.
How to support your skin microbiome from the inside
Gut health & the microbiome-skin axis
You may not think your gut has much to do with your skin, but the two are closely connected through the gut-skin axis. This is how the digestive system and skin ‘talk’ to each other, mainly via immune cells and the community of bacteria on our skin. An imbalance of helpful and harmful bacteria in the gut or on the skin can disrupt the immune system. As most of the immune system resides in the gut, this can trigger chronic inflammation and increase the frequency of eczema flare ups. A healthy gut is key to supporting the skin microbiome, modulating immune system activity and managing eczema.
Dietary prebiotics and probiotics
Nourishing beneficial gut bacteria through the diet is an effective way to support the gut-skin connection. Including prebiotic fibre from plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds and wholegrains feeds helpful bacteria in your gut. When gut bacteria feed on prebiotic fibre they produce secondary substances such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). SCFAs strengthen the gut lining, reduce chronic inflammation and regulate the immune response; all of which indirectly improve eczema symptoms.
Probiotics are found in fermented foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, miso and pickled vegetables. They contain live microbes that travel to your gut and promote a diverse gut microbiome. The more diverse your microbiome is, the more health benefits you receive. The main takeaway is, probiotics are helpful bacteria that are fed by prebiotics, allowing beneficial bacteria to flourish.
Herbs to support the gut-skin axis
Herbs that nourish the gut and promote skin integrity from the inside out include:
- Hoheria (Hoheria populnea)
- Slippery elm (Ulmus rubra)
- Liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra)
- Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
- Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)
- Kawakawa (Macropiper excelsum)
-
Ginger (Zingiber officinale)
These herbs are soothing to the gut lining, helping to reduce inflammation that drives skin conditions such as eczema.
Tip: Support your gut-skin axis with Kiwiherb Kawakawa Stomach Calm. An herbal blend to reduce inflammation, soothe abdominal discomfort and aid digestion.
Innate immunity and eczema
The innate immune system is the body’s first line of defence, made up of physical barriers including the skin and immune cells that respond quickly to threats. With eczema, many elements of this innate defence are impaired; the skin barrier is weakened, making it easier for allergens, irritants, microbes to enter through the skin. Once the skin barrier has been breached, a stronger immune response is triggered. This leads to inflammation, additional barrier damage and disruption to the skin microbiome. This is a vicious cycle because once the skin barrier is compromised, the innate immune system becomes overstimulated and struggles to ‘turn off’ when it needs to.
Herbal allies for immunity
Herbs that support innate immunity can assist eczema management by reducing inflammation, modulating the immune response and eliminating harmful microbes that disrupt the skin microbiome.
-
Echinacea (Echinacea purpurea) indirectly supports eczema by modulating the immune response, reducing inflammation and supporting skin healing through its antioxidant properties.
Tip: Support you innate immunity with the power of Echinacea. Found in Kiwiherb Echinature®, Children’s Organic Echinature®, Organic ImmuneGuard, ImmuneBerry®, Herbal Throat Spray, Organic De-Stuff, Organic De-Stuff for Kids and Children’s Organic Throat Syrup.
-
Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) indirectly supports eczema by modulating the immune response through its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activity, which may reduce flare ups and support the skin barrier.
Tip: Support you innate immunity with the power of Elderberry. Found in Kiwiherb ImmuneBerry® and Children’s Immune Drops.
Lifestyle habits that protect your skin’s microbiome
- Hydration: Protects the skin barrier and its helpful microbial population. Aim for 1.5 – 2.5 L of hydrating fluids daily.
- Stress management: Chronic stress is known to exacerbate eczema flare ups and can disrupt the gut-skin axis.
- Prioritise sleep: Aiming for 8-10 hours of sleep a night allows the skin ample time to regenerate and heal a compromised barrier.
-
Wear breathable fabrics: Where possible, opt for natural fibres such as cotton, hemp, bamboo and linen. These fabrics promote a healthy skin microbiome as they are breathable and non-irritating.
Eczema can be a debilitating skin condition, yet healing requires focus that goes beyond the surface. A healthy skin microbiome plays a key role in protecting against flare-ups and irritation. By supporting your skin externally with gentle cleansing, moisturising, and topical herbal remedies, and internally through gut health, diet, and immune support, you can restore balance from the inside out.