Skin Advice from Dr Tim Clayton

Baby & child eczema. The facts, the triggers and how to help.

Paediatric dermatologist Dr Tim Clayton explains what eczema really is, what makes it flare, and how a barrier-first skincare routine can make a genuine difference for your child's skin.

What is eczema?

Eczema — also known as atopic dermatitis — is one of the most common skin conditions in babies and children. Around 1 in 5 children in the UK is affected at some point during childhood. It is a chronic inflammatory condition characterised by dry, itchy, red and sometimes cracked or weeping skin. It is not contagious and is not caused by poor hygiene.

At its core, eczema is a problem with the skin barrier. In children with eczema, the barrier is genetically less effective at retaining moisture and keeping irritants out. This allows water to escape from the skin, and allergens and bacteria to enter — triggering the immune response that causes inflammation and itch. Treating eczema effectively means addressing the barrier itself, not just the symptoms.

Common eczema triggers

What makes eczema flare — and what to look for.

Dry skin

When the skin barrier isn't maintained, moisture escapes and the skin becomes dry — and dry skin is far more prone to flaring. Regular moisturising is the single most important thing you can do.

Soaps & detergents

Conventional soaps and bubble baths strip the skin's natural lipid layer. For eczema-prone skin, this can trigger immediate irritation. Use only soap-free, fragrance-free washes.

Fragrance

Synthetic fragrance is one of the leading causes of allergic skin reactions in children. Avoid it in all products that come into contact with eczema-prone skin — including laundry products.

Heat & sweating

Overheating makes eczema itch significantly worse. Keep bedroom temperatures cool, use lightweight cotton layers, and avoid overdressing — particularly at night.

Seasonal changes

Cold, dry winter air and central heating both strip moisture from the skin. Many children experience their worst flares in winter. Increase moisturising frequency during colder months.

Stress & illness

Emotional stress and viral illnesses can both trigger eczema flares, even when skincare routine hasn't changed. This is a normal part of the condition, not a sign the routine has failed.

Why the skin barrier is everything.

A healthy skin barrier functions like a brick wall — tightly packed skin cells held together by a mortar of lipids (fats). In eczema-prone skin, this mortar is deficient. The wall develops gaps. Moisture escapes, irritants enter, and the immune system activates — causing inflammation, itch and the red, angry skin that parents find so distressing to see.

The good news is that the skin barrier is responsive to treatment. Regular application of the right emollient — one that replaces the specific lipids the barrier is missing — can measurably improve barrier function over time. This is why the ingredients in your moisturiser matter enormously. Paraffin-based products seal the surface but don't replace lipids. Natural plant oils — particularly sunflower oil, rich in linoleic acid — are documented in peer-reviewed research to actively support the lipid synthesis the barrier needs.

Dr Tim Clayton recommends moisturising at least twice daily for children with eczema, and always within a few minutes of bathing — when the skin is most receptive to absorbing the emollient.

Cleanse

Wash gently — without stripping the skin.

Use a soap-free, fragrance-free wash. Our Baby & Child Gentle Oat Wash uses sugar-derived surfactants that lift dirt without disrupting the skin's lipid layer. Avoid bubble baths, conventional soaps and anything with added fragrance. Bathe in lukewarm — not hot — water and keep baths short.

Moisturise

Apply emollient immediately after bathing.

Pat skin dry gently with a soft towel — don't rub — and apply your emollient within 3 minutes while the skin is still slightly damp. This is the most effective time to apply. Our Baby & Child Moisturising Cream is formulated to absorb quickly and deeply, not sit on the surface.

Maintain

Moisturise at least twice a day. Every day.

For eczema-prone skin, moisturising once is not enough. Apply morning and evening as a minimum — and more frequently during flares or in winter. Consistency is more important than quantity. A thin layer applied regularly is more effective than a large amount applied occasionally.

Expert answers from Dr Tim Clayton

Frequently asked questions about eczema

What is eczema?

Eczema — also known as atopic dermatitis — is a chronic inflammatory skin condition. It is one of the most common skin conditions in babies and children, affecting around 1 in 5 children in the UK at some point during childhood. It is not contagious and is not caused by poor hygiene.

At its core, eczema is a problem with the skin barrier. In children with eczema, the barrier is less effective at retaining moisture and keeping irritants out, which triggers the immune response that causes inflammation and itching.

What causes eczema to flare in babies and children?

Common eczema triggers include dry skin, soaps and detergents, synthetic fragrance, heat and sweating, seasonal changes (particularly cold dry winter air), stress, and viral illnesses. Triggers vary from child to child. Identifying and avoiding your child's personal triggers, alongside a consistent moisturising routine, is the most effective way to reduce flare frequency.

Why is the skin barrier so important for eczema?

A healthy skin barrier functions like a brick wall — tightly packed skin cells held together by a mortar of natural lipids. In eczema-prone skin, this lipid layer is deficient, causing moisture to escape and irritants to enter. Replacing these lipids with the right emollient — particularly one containing plant oils rich in linoleic acid such as sunflower oil — can measurably improve barrier function over time. This is why the ingredients in your moisturiser matter, and why paraffin-based products that only seal the surface are not sufficient for eczema-prone skin.

What skincare routine is recommended for a child with eczema?

Dr Tim Clayton recommends a three-step routine: (1) Cleanse with a soap-free, fragrance-free wash — avoid conventional soaps and bubble baths. (2) Moisturise immediately after bathing, within 3 minutes of patting the skin dry, while it is still slightly damp. (3) Maintain — moisturise at least twice daily, every day, not just during flares. Consistency is more important than quantity. Increase frequency during winter or periods of stress.

Is eczema curable?

There is currently no cure for eczema, but it can be managed very effectively. Many children see significant improvement as they get older — a proportion will grow out of it entirely. In the meantime, a consistent barrier-first skincare routine using the right emollients can dramatically reduce the frequency and severity of flares and allow children to live comfortably.

When should I see a doctor about my child's eczema?

See your GP if your child's eczema is not responding to regular moisturising, if the skin becomes infected (signs include weeping, crusting, or increased redness and warmth), if the eczema is severely affecting your child's sleep, or if you are unsure whether the diagnosis is correct. A paediatric dermatologist can provide more specialist assessment and treatment options for moderate to severe cases.

Formulated for exactly this.

The Ovée Baby & Child range was developed by Dr Tim Clayton specifically with eczema-prone and sensitive skin in mind. No parabens. No paraffin. No fragrance. Just ingredients chosen because the clinical evidence says they help.

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