Noxzema is a brand for facial skin care. It is not specifically designed for eczema or psoriasis.
What is Noxzema?
Noxzema is a nearly 100-year-old brand of skin care products. Its line focuses on facial cleansers. Unilever owns this iconic brand known for its dark blue packaging.
Noxzema offers cleansing products designed to remove dirt and makeup, target acne, and give your face a fresh look and feel. Noxzema is available over the counter in many grocery stores and pharmacies.
Though Noxzema may be a great product for daily cleansing, it isn’t designed to treat serious skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis. Advocacy organizations focused on these conditions recommend specific brands and products that can help combat symptoms, and Noxzema typically isn’t listed.
Keep reading to learn more about Noxzema and how it may affect your skin if you have eczema or psoriasis.
Noxzema’s products are marketed to treat facial skin.
The skin on your face needs extra care, for several reasons:
- Your facial skin may be different than skin on other parts of your body. Body moisturizer may be too thick or irritating to use on your face.
- Normal, oily, dry, or sensitive facial skin may require products designed for those skin types.
- Harsh products like soap may irritate your facial skin.
- Your face may be more prone to acne or other blemishes than the rest of your body.
- You may use makeup that needs to be taken off at the end of each day.
Currently, Noxzema offers the following five products:
- Original Cleansing Cream (available in a canister or in a pump)
- Moisturizing Cleansing Cream
- Daily Deep Pore Cleanser
- Anti-Blemish Pads
- Anti-Blemish Scrub
These products serve different purposes. The cleansing creams are intended to clean the skin on your face and leave it moisturized. The deep pore cleanser targets dirt and makeup that’s trapped in your pores. The blemish pads and scrub target pimples and serve as a preventative measure against future breakouts.
Eczema is a skin condition that can make skin feel dry, itchy, and inflamed. It can be especially prevalent in the winter months when the weather is cold and dry, but it can also occur year-round.
Oftentimes, eczema can be treated by using gentle skin products and moisturizers. If you choose to use Noxzema products and you have eczema, you should monitor your skin.
Noxzema products aren’t officially recommended for people who have eczema, so their effects can vary. If you notice that your eczema symptoms are worsening, stop using the products.
The National Eczema Association endorses several cleansers that may help treat eczema. Brands on the list include Neutrogena, Cetaphil, and Aveeno. The association recommends checking each product for potential allergens before use.
You should also do a skin patch test before applying any skin care product. To do this, test a dime-sized amount of product on the inside of your forearm. If you don’t experience any irritation or inflammation within 24 hours, it should be safe to use.
You may also consider using Noxzema for psoriasis. Psoriasis, like eczema, affects the skin’s surface and requires regular treatment and preventative maintenance. But psoriasis is more than just skin deep. Psoriasis is an autoimmune condition that lasts throughout your life. It needs to be managed with the help of a doctor, who can help you determine treatment options.
Your doctor may recommend the use of over-the-counter products, though Noxzema isn’t recognized specifically for this purpose. The National Psoriasis Foundation marks several products with a Seal of Recognition for psoriasis treatment. These include products made by CeraVe, Aveeno, Eucerin, and more.
Before you select products for your psoriasis, talk to your doctor. It’s important not to irritate your skin when you’re having a psoriasis flare, because it may cause your skin to become more inflamed.
Noxzema’s products contain a range of ingredients, including:
- water
- stearic acid
- linseed oil
- soybean oil
- fragrance
- gelatin
- camphor
- menthol
Although linseed and soybean oil are considered safe to use on sensitive skin, ingredients like stearic acid and fragrance may cause irritation. Menthol and eucalyptus may also irritate sensitive skin. These ingredients provide the cleanser’s signature tingly effect during use.
When selecting a Noxzema product, be sure to research the ingredients. This can help minimize the risk of potential side effects.
For example, EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database ranks Noxzema’s Original Deep Cleansing Cream as moderately hazardous in terms of overall skin safety. This is mainly because of the added fragrance. Fragrance can aggravate sensitive skin and may be an allergen.
If you have concerns about any skincare product, talk to your doctor before using it. They may be able to offer guidance on products to use or refer you to a dermatologist who can advise you.
You may find that Noxzema products are well matched to your skin type and needs.
Before you settle on Noxzema products:
- Make sure to research the ingredients.
- Read reviews of the product you plan to use.
- Talk to your doctor if you have any serious skin conditions.
Do a skin patch test before using a product on your face. If you develop irritation at any point, stop using the product.