How to Dress for Outdoor Winter Fun if You Have Eczema

Running, skiing, snowboarding, sledding — there are countless fun, outdoor winter activities to keep you active and moving in the colder months of the year. The key to enjoying these cold weather activities, especially when you have eczema, is selecting the right fabrics and layering clothes in a way that keeps you warm, dry and comfortable.

To avoid an eczema flare, it’s important to avoid damp clothing or prolonged exposure to sweat. For winter layering, you need layers that manage moisture from both the inside (meaning your body’s sweat) and outside (meaning weather like rain, sleet and snow). In general, a good rule of thumb for winter layering is to plan for three layers: a moisture-wicking base layer, an insulating middle layer that traps in your body heat, and then an outer layer that protects from rain and snow.

Layer 1: Base layer

The main goal of the base layer is to move wetness away from the skin and to dry quickly. This is a key layer for people with eczema because it sits on the skin so you want it to do its job without triggering a flare. Here is a breakdown of fabric options for the base layer and key things to consider.

Silk. If you have eczema, silk is a good fabric choice for a base layer. Silk is soft and naturally nonirritating. It is also generally effective at wicking away sweat, retaining warmth when wet and drying quickly. 

Cotton. Cotton is often recommended for people with eczema because of its natural, soft, nonirritating fibers, but it is not a great choice for active outdoor winter activities. Cotton can easily become saturated with sweat and it is slow to dry, which can irritate the skin.

Merino wool. Merino wool is more functional than silk but it’s not for everyone. “Merino wool base layers can work for some people with eczema because they have ultrafine fibers, which are less likely to irritate the skin,” said Dr. JiaDe (Jeff) Yu, a board-certified dermatologist at Massachusetts General Hospital. If you can tolerate merino wool, it’s a great choice because it insulates, wicks away sweat and stays warm even when wet. 

Polypropylene. Polypropylene, also called polypro, is probably the most affordable and common fabric in base layers. Designed to wick moisture and used for a lot of lightweight activewear, polypro is an effective fabric for sweat management. It is breathable and quick-drying, but it does not stay warm when wet. Dr. Yu also noted that you should be careful because some dyes, especially blue, in polypropylene products can cause allergic contact dermatitis. If you’re worried about dyes, Dr. Yu recommended choosing white or light colors for polypro base layers.

Other textiles. There are other innovative textiles hitting the market that some people with eczema have tried. For example, Uniqlo makes HEATTECH “innerwear,” which Daniel Boey, a fashion producer and director with eczema, likes because it has ultrafine fibers and doesn’t irritate his skin.

Another way to look for a good base layer is to look for clothing with the OEKO-TEX certification. This certification means the garment is free of harmful and potentially allergenic chemicals. On the flipside, you should avoid clothing labeled “wrinkle-free” or “stain-resistant” as they typically contain chemicals. 

Overall, it’s going to take some trial and error to find your base layers. “If a fabric feels rough to the touch, it’s likely to cause irritation, especially after longer wear,” said Dr. Yu. In general, look for the softest and finest weaves because they are least likely to cause a flare.

Layer 2: Middle layer

Your middle layer (or layers) is where you store most of your warmth. Often this will be a fleece of varying thickness or loft. The higher the loft, the more insulation you can expect. 

For exercising outdoors, down is not the best choice for a jacket fill. Down does not retain warmth when damp. Plus, some people with eczema are sensitive to down. Synthetic fills for jackets, like PrimaLoft, keep you warmer in wet or sweaty conditions. 

When it comes to your eczema, you have more wiggle room with your middle and outer layers as they are less likely to be in direct contact with your skin except at the neck, waist and cuffs. For these trouble spots, consider adding a soft, silk layer like a glove liner or neck gaiter.

Layer 3: Outer layer

Your outer layer is your protection against the elements. Depending on the weather and your activity, you’ll want this layer to protect you from cutting wind as well as from wetness. Make sure outerwear is breathable, too, so that you don’t trap sweat, snow melt or rain inside your jacket. Another good fabric to look for is GORE-TEX, which is waterproof and breathable.

Try your layers on at home first 

When you’re shopping for winter layers, look for high-quality products, made with minimal chemicals and are built to last. Check the zippers, cuffs, seams and tags. Do they look like they will be irritating to your skin? For example, for middle and outer layers look for “zipper garages” that keep zipper edges from rubbing. 

Ideally, wear the product (without removing the tags) indoors for a little while to see if it’s going to work for your skin. If you feel confident in the product, wash it gently as per its instructions with 100% fragrance-free detergent, said Dr. Yu.

Remove damp layers quickly

Finally, after a great day in your winter wonderland, remove your layers and take a shower. Wet clothes can aggravate or trigger eczema and perspiration can be irritating to eczema-prone skin. Moisturize and put on dry clothes right away. Then, pop base layers in the wash and you’ll be ready to go again!