Sali Hughes on beauty: a lotion to cure autumn dryness – and relieve eczema sufferers’ sore skin

I spent much of my childhood basted in crude, heavy-duty emollient creams and grim bath oils. But few patients are as short-changed as eczema sufferers, whose treatments and regimens are not only joyless, but sometimes provide little reward for the trouble.

Although unctuous emollients are necessary to protect a compromised skin barrier, they have a habit of just “sitting” there greasily, refusing to sink in or curtail the itch. The French pharmaceutical brand Bioderma is finally advancing the conversation. Its extensive research into eczema, as well as a recent study of 500 sufferers (about one in five children and one in 10 adults struggle with the condition), were presented as a breakthrough in eczema care at last month’s EADV (European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology) conference in Vienna.

Bioderma believes that eczema-compromised skin does not crave mere generic emollients, but lacks a precise combination of 15 lipids. The brand has sought to replace them with a new product, Atoderm AD Intensive Baume (£26), which is patented and approved for use on babies too. Trial results showed the “balm” (misnomer – it’s a thick lotion) soothed itching from the first second of application, and reduced the urge to scratch by 88%.

Not that one needs to have eczema to feel some benefit. I don’t, but I am as dry as toast and apply heavy body-emollients religiously. I’ve been applying Atoderm daily since late August, and find it instantly comforting and lastingly moisturising. Its texture will please anyone turned off by classic pharmaceutical-type body creams because it feels much more elegant: thick but refreshing and well absorbed, giving skin a supple, rather than slick, sensation.

The lotion felt hefty enough to deal with increased dryness and itchiness from autumn weather, without suffocating me on any residual sunny days, and there’s no fragrance to irritate the supersensitive. The fact that I will probably have to switch to something greasier when a cold snap hits makes me think many of you will find it just right.

While we’re on the subject of robust, problem-solving body moisturisers, I must give a shout out to The Body Shop for relaunching and expanding its dependable Body Butters (from £7) lineup and specifically the Olive variety. This periodically disappears from the shelves despite being very effective for extreme dryness and itching, but it’s back, it’s still brilliant and if you don’t have the energy to rub it into your skin, melt a scoop in your bath.