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Why we made this

When our kids were little, they both had rashes, and we remember the late nights, the second-guessing and the feeling of trying everything at once. Alongside our pediatrician's advice, we started making something in our own kitchen, and that's how Eczema Honey began.

Over the years, so many families have written to us. The most common message isn't about a product. It's a parent asking, "What do we actually do tonight?" This guide and newsletter are our answer: the everyday routine stuff, in plain language.

What's inside the free Calm Skin Starter Guide

  • The 3-minute window: the "soak and seal" bath routine, step by step, with a checklist.
  • Ointment, cream or lotion? How to choose the right thickness of moisturizer, plus how to patch test anything new.
  • A night plan for itchy kids: cotton pajamas, short nails, soft gloves and other small things families swear by.
  • Hidden triggers around the house: sweat, drool, fabrics and laundry habits worth a second look.
  • When to call the doctor: signs that mean it's time to check in with your pediatrician or dermatologist.
  • Printables: a soak-and-seal checklist, a 7-day skin and trigger log, and questions to bring to your next appointment.

What is The Eczema Shelf?

The Eczema Shelf is a free newsletter from Eczema Honey that arrives every Sunday morning. Each issue is short and educational:

  • one practical routine tip you can try this week,
  • one fair look at products across many brands, not just ours, and
  • one real parent question, answered in plain language with sources you can check.

You can read past issues anytime at theeczemashelf.com.

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Start tonight: our free eczema-prone skin routine

A note from our family

Eczema Honey started at our kitchen table. Our kids' skin was cracked, dry and itchy, and so much of what we found on the shelf stung or came with a long list of ingredients we couldn't pronounce. So we started making our own, with honey and a handful of simple ingredients. Today, more than 1 million jars later, we're still a family-run company, and this guide is the routine advice we wish someone had handed us back then.

Every person's skin is different, so please use this as a friendly starting point, not medical advice. Your dermatologist or pediatrician is always your best partner.

With love,
Minesh & the Eczema Honey family 🍯

Your morning routine

  1. Rinse gently. Lukewarm water and a mild, fragrance-free cleanser only where you need it. Skip hot water and rough washcloths.
  2. Pat, don't rub. Use a soft cotton towel and leave skin slightly damp.
  3. Moisturize within 3 minutes. Apply a rich cream or lotion while skin is still damp to lock in moisture.
  4. Protect your hands. Keep a hand cream by the sink and reapply after every wash.
  5. Dress soft. Choose breathable cotton and avoid scratchy wool or tight synthetic fabrics against the skin.

Your night routine

  1. Short, lukewarm bath or shower (5–10 minutes).
  2. Soak and seal (see below).
  3. Moisturize generously right before bed, focusing on the driest spots like elbows, knees, hands and behind the ears.
  4. Cover up if it helps. Soft cotton gloves or mittens can help keep moisture in and fingernails away from itchy skin overnight.
  5. Keep nails short and smooth to reduce damage from nighttime scratching.

The soak-and-seal method

Many families find this simple bath routine makes a big difference in how comfortable skin feels:

  1. Soak: Bathe in lukewarm (not hot) water for 5–10 minutes. A fragrance-free oatmeal bath can feel extra comforting.
  2. Cleanse lightly: Use a gentle cleanser only where needed, and rinse well.
  3. Pat dry: Leave skin a little damp.
  4. Seal: Within 3 minutes, apply a thick moisturizer all over to hold in that water.

Ask your dermatologist how often bathing is right for you or your child, and how to fit any prescribed products into this routine.

Tips for rough, itchy nights

  • Keep the room cool. Heat and sweat often make itching worse. A fan or a slightly lower thermostat can help.
  • Choose cotton. Breathable cotton pajamas and sheets feel gentler than synthetics or flannel.
  • Moisturize right before bed. A fresh layer of cream helps skin feel calmer as you settle in.
  • Try a cool compress on itchy spots instead of scratching.
  • Use a humidifier in dry or heated rooms during winter.
  • Wash bedding weekly in a fragrance-free detergent.
  • Keep a calm wind-down routine. Stress and overtiredness can make itching feel worse.

If itching is keeping you or your child up night after night, that's a good reason to check in with your dermatologist.

Common trigger checklist

Triggers are different for everyone. Keeping a simple diary of flares can help you spot patterns to discuss with your doctor.

  • ☐ Hot showers or baths
  • ☐ Dry winter air and indoor heating
  • ☐ Sweat and overheating
  • ☐ Fragranced soaps, lotions, detergents and dryer sheets
  • ☐ Wool and scratchy or tight fabrics
  • ☐ Harsh cleansers and hand sanitizers
  • ☐ Dust mites, pet dander and pollen
  • ☐ Stress and poor sleep
  • ☐ Chlorine (rinse and moisturize right after swimming)
  • ☐ Certain foods (only ever explore food triggers with your doctor)

Choosing gentle products

Ingredients many people with sensitive skin look for

  • Colloidal oatmeal
  • Honey
  • Shea butter and plant oils
  • Ceramides
  • Glycerin
  • Short, simple ingredient lists

Ingredients many people choose to avoid

  • Added fragrance and perfumes
  • Drying alcohols
  • Harsh sulfates (like SLS)
  • Dyes
  • Strong essential oils on very irritated skin

Tip: Patch test anything new on a small area for a few days before using it everywhere, and check labels for any ingredients you or your child are allergic to, including tree nuts.

For babies and kids

  • Keep baths short and lukewarm, then soak and seal with a gentle moisturizer.
  • Moisturize often, including after diaper changes and naps.
  • Use cotton mittens at night to protect skin from little fingernails.
  • Dress in soft, breathable layers and avoid overheating.
  • Wash baby clothes and bedding in fragrance-free detergent.
  • Talk to your pediatrician or dermatologist before starting new products on babies, and anytime skin looks infected (oozing, crusting, fever) or isn't improving.

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Our family's favorites for your routine

Made with honey and simple, gentle ingredients:

This guide is for general information only and isn't medical advice. Eczema Honey products are cosmetics and are not a substitute for medical care. Please talk to your dermatologist or pediatrician about your or your child's skin.

A few honest notes

The Eczema Shelf is owned by Soothe Holdings LLC, the company behind Eczema Honey. When one of our own products is mentioned, it's clearly labeled, and some links in the newsletter may be affiliate links. Everything we share is general, educational information, not medical advice. Your pediatrician or dermatologist knows your child best, and we'd never suggest skipping anything they recommend, including steroid creams. Please talk with them about your child's skin.