By Brittany Sciullo

Autumn in New Jersey means the start of cooler weather, packing up the swimsuits and beach towels, and inviting the new school year and holiday season as it approaches. It is also a time during which many people battle an increase in dry skin and eczema symptoms. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases estimates that about 30 percent of the U.S. population experiences eczema (2018). A good foundation to supporting healthy, moisturized skin includes taking quick, cool/lukewarm showers, using a mild, fragrance-free bar soap in the shower, and moisturizing regularly with a cream based, fragrance-free moisturizer. Hot showers often pull moisture from our skin, bar soaps tend to be easier and quicker to rinse off, and avoiding added fragrances in products may diminish the risk of irritation or allergic symptoms.