Odele’s Ultra-Sensitive Body Wash Healed My Eczema Flare-Up

Eczema is one of the most common skin conditions around. It appears differently on varying skin tones and can vary in texture. Dry, scaly patches, tiny rash-like bumps, flaking skin and areas of redness are all common forms—and if you’ve dealt with eczema your whole life, as I have, you’ve probably experienced this variety. As an adult, my eczema appears as a rashy flare-up during the summer when temperatures and humidity rise. Treating it used to be a tricky situation, until I found Odele’s Ultra Sensitive Body Wash ($12).

Having a strict body-care routine, I’m used to swapping out heavy body oils and creams for lightweight glosses come summer. However, this year’s heat waves have caused my eczema to flare up more frequently. Switching to a fragrance-free wash was meant to be the first step in soothing the flare-ups. But Odele’s formula nipped the issue at the source. It’s pH-balanced, which is ideal for sensitive skin, but that doesn’t always translate to relief when it comes to eczema. As a kid, treating an itchy rash or flaky patch meant soaking in a colloidal oatmeal bath to settle the discomfort. Odele’s body wash delivers the same effect in a more grown-up way.

The Benefits

Reactive skin has special needs. During a flare-up, the last thing you want is to exacerbate the issue. As the name states, this formula is designed to handle ultra-sensitive skin. Along with being pH-balanced to stabilize your skin barrier, it has a host of natural ingredients, such as oat flour and fermented radish root, to soothe irritation and hydrate your skin. The result is a gentle wash that leaves you squeaky clean without stripping your skin. For eczema-prone skin, it soothes irritation without the greasy film you’d get from a traditional oat bath or lotion.

After weeks of flare-ups, each one claiming a bigger space than the last, I put this body wash to the test. I’m particular about my shower routine, but was pleasantly surprised to find that this gel cleanser lathered up as good as any luxe body wash and felt silky, not streaky. It only took a few daily washes for my eczema to subside. While I typically rely on moisturizing body bars to soothe my skin during a flare-up, this body wash hydrated my skin and was lightweight, making it perfect for summer.

For me, eczema looks different each season. During the colder months, my flare-ups appear as dry patches, but require just as much attention. Odele’s Ultra Sensitive Body Wash isn’t rich, but it is hydrating, so I’m confident it will be an asset to my winter skin as well.