Moisturiser Withdrawal in TSW & Eczema

Many people living with eczema, especially those going through topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) are told to moisturise constantly. For some, that advice can actually seem to make things worse.

Moisturiser withdrawal is a term people use when skin struggles to regulate moisture after long-term reliance on creams or emollients.

In this post, I’ll explain what may be happening to your skin during moisturiser withdrawal, why it can feel worse before it improves, and gentle ways people choose to support their skin.

What Is Moisturiser Withdrawal in TSW and Eczema?

Moisturiser withdrawal (MW) is when the skin appears to depend on moisturisers to stay hydrated and struggles to maintain balance on its own. This can happen after years of using thick emollients, especially with eczema-prone skin or during TSW recovery. Over time, the skin can adapt to constant external hydration.

Why Moisturiser Withdrawal Happens

People with eczema or TSW are often encouraged to use emollients frequently. For some individuals, certain heavy creams may start to feel uncomfortable over time.

Common experiences people report include:

• Feeling hotter or itchier after applying thick creams

• Needing to reapply more and more often

• Creams sitting on the surface rather than absorbing

• Skin reacting quickly when moisturiser is reduced

Some people feel that very heavy or occlusive creams can leave the skin warm and constantly damp, which may create conditions where bacteria can build up more easily on the surface especially when the skin barrier is fragile. In some cases this can contribute to irritation and occasionally infection, which is why it's important to let the skin breathe at times.

When you try to stop or cut down moisturisers, this can feel similar to an eczema flare, which is why many people assume their condition is worsening rather than adjusting. Your skin can initially feel drier or more irritated. Many people then start applying creams again, continuing the cycle.

Signs You Might Be Experiencing Moisturiser Withdrawal

If you have eczema or are recovering from TSW, you might notice:

• Increased dryness, even with the same amount of moisturiser

• Flaking or peeling

• Irritation, redness, or burning sensations

• Skin feeling hot, tight, or shiny

If this sounds familiar, it may be your skin adjusting and trying to rebalance.

How to Support Your Skin During TSW & Eczema

Reduce Gradually

Stopping all moisturisers at once can feel too harsh. Some people reduce them slowly.

For example, trying no moisturiser on half of one leg or one arm and comparing it after about 10 days can help you understand how your skin responds. This is what worked for me and has helped others, but everyone’s skin is different.

At one point I was using a full tub of Doublebase every week just to stay comfortable. Over time I gradually reduced this and eventually didn’t need it on my body.

That moment, when my skin slowly began producing its own oils again, was a huge turning point for me. I describe that experience in more detail in my article “Will my skin ever heal?”.

 

Choose Simpler Formulas

If you still need some hydration, many people prefer simpler ingredients such as:

• Unrefined shea butter

• Cold-pressed rosehip oil
  

• Tallow

The aim is reducing variables while the skin adjusts.

Be Patient

There’s often a mental barrier, moisturising feels like safety.

You may experience dryness or tightness at first. Over time many people find their skin begins to settle and regulate itself more comfortably.

Final Thoughts

Every TSW and eczema journey is different. Moisturiser withdrawal can feel daunting, but many people see it as part of restoring their skin’s balance.

Make small changes and go at your own pace. Recovery also rarely follows a straight line. In my own experience it felt more like cycles of improvement and flare-ups, something I explore further in “Topical Steroid Withdrawal – Healing in Waves.”

If you’re reducing moisturisers and want to keep skin comfortable, I created the bath soak after going through eczema and TSW myself to make this stage easier to manage.

This article is based on personal experience and shared experiences within the TSW & Eczema communities and is not medical advice.

Moisturiser Withdrawal in TSW & Eczema — Common Questions

Can moisturiser make TSW worse?

Some people going through topical steroid withdrawal feel certain moisturisers increase heat, itching, or irritation. Others find them helpful. Skin responses vary widely, so changes are usually done gradually while observing how the skin reacts.

How long does moisturiser withdrawal last?

There isn’t a fixed timeline. Some notice changes within weeks, while for others it can take longer depending on skin sensitivity, previous treatments, and environment.

Should you stop moisturising if you have eczema?

Not everyone benefits from reducing moisturisers. Some people prefer fewer products, while others need regular hydration. It’s about finding what your skin tolerates best.

What helps skin feel comfortable during moisturiser withdrawal?

Gentle routines, minimising product changes, and avoiding irritation triggers are commonly used approaches. Many people focus on comfort rather than trying to force rapid change.

About the Author

I’ve lived with eczema since early childhood, including long periods where my skin was clear. After prolonged steroid use, I later went through topical steroid withdrawal (TSW), a long and often horrific process that I eventually recovered from

Since then, I’ve connected with hundreds of adults and parents of children navigating TSW and difficult eczema, sharing practical approaches that may help them better understand and manage their skin and make informed decisions around steroid use.

Pheeal was created from that lived experience. Everything is designed for extremely sensitive, reactive or recovering skin, focused on comfort and making skin easier to live with rather than treatment, although many people tell me it’s made a big difference for them.

The approach is deliberately simple. It took a long time to find the right ingredients and process, adjusting ratios and removing anything that didn’t seem to make a real difference. It was originally based on what worked for me during TSW, and over time others found it comfortable to use as well.

The bath soak ended up as four ingredients, refined through repeated use and how my skin felt. I didn’t add unnecessary extras, once diluted in a full bath they increase cost and the chance of sensitivity without improving how it feels on the skin.