Finding relief with eczema-prone skin: a South African study

Follow the six-month trial journey and progress of patients dealing with eczema-prone skin while using the Eau Thermale Avène skincare routine

The skin condition is often characterised by excessive dryness, itching and skin discomfort – but the effects have a profound impact on quality of life, often impacting self-confidence, sleep quality and it can cause physical and emotional scarring.

At Eau Thermale Avène, they understand how living with eczema-prone skin can affect quality of life and they endeavour to provide skin with soothing relief. Avène partnered with South African medical specialists; Dr Bonolo Mushiana; Dr Bhavna Singh and Professor Claudia Gray to recruit South African patients with eczema-prone skin. Each patient, with the guidance of their medical specialist, embarked on an Eau Thermale Avène skincare journey while journaling their progress over six months.

The dedicated skincare routine:

Meet James

James (32) was feeling the impact of eczema on his quality of life with his self-esteem being affected when he presented Dr Mushiana with severe atopic dermatitis. Before starting his journey with Eau Thermale Avène, Dr Mushiana reported that her patient was struggling with lichenified eczema involving the whole body and that she was treating him with emollients and topical steroids but considering systematic therapy.

Feedback from James after one month of using the XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Balm:

 He also reported that after just one month he could feel that the Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray really helped to re-moisturise his skin after bathing instead of him feeling like his skin is dried out. 

After his six months journey, Dr Mushiana had the following feedback:

After struggling with eczema-prone skin since childhood, James found more relief than ever before, stating that “the past 6 months I’ve noticed my skin getting clearer and smoother and the texture is just amazing, it's hardly even itchy”.

Meet Nerissa

Nerissa (26) started developing hand dermatitis which later progressed into chronic eczema especially over her hands, arms and legs, according to her dermatologist, Dr Singh. Nerissa is a physiotherapist, which requires repeated hand-washing after every patient, which only worsened the condition of her skin and weakened her skin barrier.

“The patient really enjoyed the products. There were no adverse reactions and they were well tolerated especially in our humid climate (Durban). Her profession involves using her hands a lot with certain oils and frequent washing, and that contributed to occasional flare-ups,” says Dr Singh, giving feedback after six months of Nerissa following her dedicated Eau Thermale Avène skincare routine.

Meet Mckenzie 

Since Mckenzie was six months old, she has been battling with “diffuse chronic excoriated eczema”, which was present all over her body. Mckenzie (now 2) started her journey with Prof Gray and Eau Thermale Avène when she was 17 months old. Prof Gray nominated Mckenzie to partner with the study to find a sustainable, long-term maintenance programme after having been on a cortisone and emollient mix to manage flare-ups.

Mckenzie started using the XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Oil morning and evening with a fine mist of the Avène Thermal Spring Water Spray after cleansing and to soothe flare-ups. To replenish her skin’s protective barrier and relieve itching, she used the XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Balm on her body and face.

After one month of her new skincare routine, Mckenzie’s mom, Shayna-Lee, said:

Shayna-Lee found XeraCalm A.D Lipid-Replenishing Oil especially helpful as she could add a few pumps of the oil to Mckenzie’s bath and let the product do the work, gentle on her whole body while Mckenzie could be a little girl again and play in the bath.

After six months of using the skincare routine, Mckenzie had softer and smoother skin; her skin was less irritated; and as a result, she was less irritable and unhappy.

Get in contact:

The Avène range can be purchased via selected:

• Clicks
• Dis-Chem
• Dermastore
• Superbalist
• Woolworths

This article was produced by Create Studio with information and findings shared by Pierre Fabre.