What Being a Beauty Influencer With Eczema Is Really Like


The flare-ups she experienced in her youth sparked her interest in makeup, which she would use to try and make her skin appear more even. Her efforts weren’t particularly successful, though. “Maybelline had this cushion foundation—and I used the applicator [that came with it] … to cover up my eczema flare-ups, and I would look crazy,” Veloz remembers. She says she didn’t care though, because she was really self-conscious about her eczema and just wanted to hide it. But reflecting back, she recognizes that caking on foundation really didn’t make her skin look any better.

Today, Veloz mainly deals with eczema on her arms, and her routine is all about keeping her skin moisturized and avoiding products that cause triggers. Pinpointing skin irritants or allergens is often a huge hurdle for people with eczema, especially those with deeper complexions who have a higher risk of hyperpigmentation post-flare-up. So, how does she test an endless stream of creams and makeup to share with her followers without any major issues? “I’m pretty good at filtering out the ones that will not work for me,” Veloz says. Fragranced products are a big issue for her, which she says is particularly challenging. “I’m a girly girl, so that’s hard. I can’t even use a detergent with a scent. Everything I use has to be as gentle as possible.”

Despite knowing what she needs to avoid, sometimes there’s a product that makes her skin freak out. When that happens, she happily donates it and moves straight to the healing process, which is no easy task in LA’s dry climate. “I sometimes get a flare-up, and Aquaphor is definitely my go-to when that happens,” she says. Made with petroleum jelly, the thick emollient is masterful at locking in moisture, which helps build a protective barrier so her skin can heal. Veloz has used it since she was a kid. Another remedy she appreciates is Aveeno Baby Eczema Therapy Soothing Bath Treatment, which is a colloidal oatmeal–based product.

She does have a guilty pleasure, though: hot showers, which aren’t great if you’ve got eczema-prone skin or you’re already flaring up. So she can indulge with fewer consequences, she keeps her skin moisturized during and after her showers. “I can’t skip moisturizing my body, [especially when] I shower three times a day: before the gym, after the gym, and at night.” While she’s showering, she uses Hanni’s Splash Salve In-Shower Body Treatment. Once she’s all dried off, she’ll reach for something like Vaseline Cocoa Butter Healing Jelly or Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Body Gel Oil to lock in moisture and ward off flare-ups.

Veloz’s eczema routine proves that the best formula for healthier skin is often the simplest one: learning your triggers and consistently using products that lock in moisture. (Of course, an eczema prescription is also essential if your doctor suggests one for you.) “For the most part, my eczema flare-ups are under control,” she says, adding with a hint of humor: “My acne, on the other hand, has a mind of its own.”


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