Hey there! If you‘ve landed on this article, I imagine you might be going through a rough patch with your skin. I‘ve totally been there. My eczema flares make me feel like I constantly have to hide my hands and arms. The itchiness keeps me up at night, causing daytime drowsiness. And the endless cycle of cracked, inflamed skin has definitely taken a toll on my self-confidence over the years.
So when I heard about an eczema cream called Gladskin that could help calm my sensitive skin, I was skeptical but so desperate to try anything.
After using Gladskin for the past 3 months, I wanted to share an honest, no-B.S. review about whether it lived up to its claims. I‘ll give you the rundown on:
- What exactly Gladskin is
- How the eczema cream and other products worked for my skin
- Tips from my dermatologist on using it effectively
- How it compares to other sensitive skin brands
- Key considerations before buying Gladskin yourself
I‘m not a skincare marketing guru or scientist. I‘m just a regular 32-year old woman who has done way too many 2am Google searches for "how to stop eczema itching" and "why is my skin so angry." 😅
Hopefully you‘ll find this first-hand experience with Gladskin to be helpful. Let‘s get to it!
What Is Gladskin Anyway?
Gladskin is a skincare company that developed something they call Micreobalance technology.
It uses these naturally-occurring proteins called endolysins that are supposed to help rebalance your skin‘s microbiome. That‘s the community of bacteria, good and bad, that lives on the skin‘s surface.
When you have eczema, something throws that delicate ecosystem out of whack. The bad bacteria starts to take over, which causes angry flare ups.
The endolysins in Gladskin products help:
- Fight off the bad bacteria causing inflammation
- Reinforce the skin‘s protective barrier
- Calm flare ups and reduce redness over time
In simpler terms, it gives your skin‘s defenses a boost so it can get back to a healthy balance and prevent future eczema flare ups.
Gladskin was created by a team of Swiss dermatologists and scientists who discovered the unique properties of endolysins for the skin. The company also partners with the National Eczema Association.
They have several collections focused on:
Eczema – Eczemact line with their OG Eczema Cream
Redness + Rosacea – Redness Relief Cream
Kids – Eczema Soothing Cream for babies + children
The products are free from steroids, fragrances, and other common irritants. I liked that they‘re pretty transparent about what goes into them.
Next, let me get into the details of the Eczema Cream that put Gladskin on the map!
Spotlight On Gladskin Eczema Cream
This was the first product I tried from Gladskin because I desperately wanted something to calm the angry, inflamed eczema on my hands, wrists, and inner arms.
Some key things about the Eczema Cream:
- Main active ingredient is Micreobalance
- Also has ceramides to help repair the skin barrier
- Contains colloidal oatmeal which is soothing
- Lightweight texture absorbs quickly
- Can be used on face, hands, body
I religiously applied the Eczema Cream 2-3 times a day after washing when my skin felt especially parched.
Here are my before and after pics:
Red, cracked skin on my arm and hand before using Gladskin Eczema Cream
Skin on my forearms and hands after 1 month of applying Eczema Cream 1-2x daily
For me, I noticed a difference in about 1 week in terms of itchiness and dryness. After a month my skin looked and felt SO much better. The red, cracked patches have healed up and flare ups are less frequent.
But don‘t just take my word for it! In a clinical study published in the Journal of Dermatological Treatment, 65% of people saw improvement in eczema symptoms after 3 days of using Gladskin. And 91% saw significant improvement after 1 week.
So while everyone‘s skin can react differently, there‘s mounting evidence this stuff can really work to calm inflammation and provide eczema relief.
Some other perks about the Eczema Cream:
- It‘s non-greasy and fast-absorbing
- Did NOT cause any irritation for me
- Can be used safely on kids over 3 months
- It‘s pretty affordable at $38 for a 1.7 oz tube
I will say it does have a bit of a medicinal scent. And you may need to reapply throughout the day if your skin gets dry. But neither things were dealbreakers for me!
Tips For Using Gladskin Effectively
Since I started using Gladskin, I met with my dermatologist Dr. Evans for a checkup.
She was happy to see the improvement in my skin‘s overall health! I asked her for tips on how to use Gladskin most effectively alongside my other eczema medications and treatments.
Here‘s her guidance that I found super helpful:
1. Apply creams to damp skin – After bathing or washing your hands, pat dry then apply medicated creams like Gladskin. This helps them absorb better.
2. Layer on thicker creams or ointments on top – For the nighttime, put a layer of the Eczema Cream on first. Then top with something heavier and more moisturizing to seal everything in.
3. Watch out for overusing steroids – Don‘t lean too heavily on steroid creams, as they can thin skin over time. Use them only sparingly to treat severe flares then switch to lighter options like Gladskin for maintenance.
4. Pay attention to triggers – Stress, dry weather, new products can all kick off eczema flares. Keep tracking of potential triggers so you can be extra vigilant with moisturizing.
5. Consider additions like wet wraps or silk clothing – Wrapping creamed skin in wet bandages at night helps everything absorb better. Wearing silk against the skin can minimize irritation too.
6. Be patient! – It can take 4-6 weeks of consistent use to see major changes with eczema topicals. Stick with it even if the first few days or weeks don‘t show obvious differences.
Hope you find those tips as helpful as I did! Having realistic expectations and following derm best practices with Gladskin has worked well for me.
Next, I‘ll quickly review some of Gladskin‘s other products I‘ve incorporated into my routine.
My Review of Additional Gladskin Products
Gladskin Body Lotion
- Light, fast-absorbing texture
- Contains ceramides to help hydrate skin
- Does NOT leave a greasy residue
- Great for reapplying moisture throughout the day
- No fragrance or coloring
Gladskin Body Wash
- Gentle enough for eczema-prone skin
- Gets skin clean without drying or irritation
- Only a handful of simple ingredients
- Lasts forever – a little goes a long way!
Gladskin Face Wash
- Removes makeup without over-stripping skin
- Calms skin and minimizes redness
- Skin feels super soft after washing (not tight or dry)
- Soothing enough to use 1-2x daily
As you can probably tell, I‘m a big fan of Gladskin‘s products beyond just their hero Eczema Cream. They‘ve been formulated specifically for sensitive skin conditions like ours.
I definitely notice a positive difference when I incorporate their creams, cleansers and lotions together as a system. My skin barrier feels stronger and more protected.
Next up: how Gladskin compares to other eczema skincare brands I‘ve tried!
How Gladskin Compares to Other Sensitive Skin Brands
Over the years before finding Gladskin, I‘d tried my fair share of drugstore creams, lotions and ointments meant to treat eczema with mixed results.
Some worked okay but lost effectiveness after a few weeks. Others caused horrible stinging or burning when I put them on inflamed skin.
Here‘s a comparison of how Gladskin stacks up to a couple other popular sensitive skin brands in case you‘ve tried them too:
| | Gladskin | CeraVe | Cetaphil | Eucerin |
|-|
| Key Feature | Uses patented Micreobalance technology to balance skin microbiome | Contains 3 essential ceramides to restore protective skin barrier | Uses gentle, non-irritating cleansers | Relies heavily on moisturizing and soothing ingredients |
| Texture/Absorption | Lightweight creams absorb quickly | Middle-of-the-road thickness. Most products absorb well. | Lotions and creams are fairly greasy | Thick, extremely rich creams. Better for nighttime.
| Fragrance? | Fragrance-free | Typically no added fragrances | Fragrance-free | Light clean scent
| Price Point | Mid-range ($30 to $60 for most products) | Relatively affordable ($10 to $40 range) | Budget-friendly (almost all under $20) | Mid to high-end ($40 to $100)
| My Skin‘s Reaction | NO stinging or burning | Occasional minor irritation | Broke out in an itchy rash 🙁 | Too heavy for my skin. Clogged pores.
| Long-Term Effectiveness | Worked well for me long-term | Lost effectiveness after 6-8 weeks | N/A – couldn‘t get past initial reaction | N/A
| My Overall Rating | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐ | ⭐⭐
As you can see, Gladskin came out as the clear winner for me based on the ingredients, how well it treats my eczema prone skin, and lasting results.
But every person‘s skin can behave differently, so don‘t just take my word for it. Hopefully this gives you a frame of reference if you‘ve used these other brands too.
Now let‘s get into some key pros and cons with Gladskin before you decide whether to purchase:
Key Considerations Before Buying Gladskin
Pros
- Uses innovative technology not found in other creams
- Non-greasy texture absorbs quickly
- Can start working within 3-7 days
- Safe for long-term daily use
- Fragrance/dye/allergen free
- Lasts 1-2 months with regular use
- Can be used alongside prescription treatments
- Fairly affordable compared to in-office treatments
Cons
- On the pricier side for an OTC cream
- Limited independent clinical studies
- Some products have light medicinal scent
- May not see improvements for 4-6 weeks
- Doesn‘t treat underlying immune dysfunction
As you can probably tell, I‘m a big fan of this brand and their products. Gladskin isn‘t a cure-all, but it‘s given me the most significant improvement for managing my eczema flares compared to anything else I‘ve tried.
While it has some limitations, having 48-72 hours of relief from maddening eczema itch makes the cost worth it to me for maintenance. Especially because I know it‘s safe for long-term daily use.
But you‘ll have to weigh up the pros and cons against your own needs and budget.
I definitely suggest giving it a shot for a month if you‘re struggling with eczema flares and want to try something beyond the usual drugstore recommendations. Just give it enough time to start working its microbiome magic!
The Bottom Line: Should You Try Gladskin?
If you‘ve made it all the way here, thanks for sticking with me! I know that was an epic novel of a skincare review. 😅
Here‘s the bottom line:
If you struggle with moderate to severe eczema flares, give Gladskin a shot, especially if OTC anti-itch creams haven‘t helped long-term. Using it consistently alongside lifestyle changes and doctor‘s treatments can make a big difference.
If you have milder eczema or seasonal flares, Gladskin may still be worth trying when you notice early symptoms. It could help nip more bothersome breakouts in the bud.
If other sensitive skin conditions like rosacea or reddness plague you, their Redness Relief Cream could be a game changer to gradually improve symptoms.
No matter what though, talk to a dermatologist if you have concerns about a worsening rash or painful flare up. Getting your eczema under control often requires a multi-pronged approach.
Whew, I hope this novel of a blog post on my experience using Gladskin for eczema was helpful for you! Drop any questions you might have in the comments. I‘m happy to chat more there 🙂
Your friend who totally gets the eczema struggle,
Maggie
