Surfing and Eczema-Prone Skin: A Saltwater-to-Shower Routine
Dr. Arsy Editorial Team · October 25, 2026 · Sports & eczema-prone skin
There is a difference between finishing a surf and finishing your skin-care routine. The board goes away, the wetsuit comes off and the drive home begins. For eczema-prone skin, that transition is a good time to plan a gentle wash, fresh clothing and a familiar moisturizer. Keep those steps distinct from the things that make ocean time safe: sound conditions, appropriate equipment and proper sun protection.
Give the wetsuit transition a plan
Choose a clean place for your towel and dry clothes before entering the water. When you change afterward, keep the inside of fresh clothing away from the sandy surface used for equipment. If a particular wetsuit edge repeatedly matches the outline of a rash, record that pattern and discuss it with a clinician.
A review of swimming and atopic dermatitis describes variable responses to water and limited evidence behind many swimming recommendations. [1] That means a universal promise that saltwater improves eczema would go beyond the evidence. Your own pattern and medical plan matter.
| When | Focus | Practical step |
|---|---|---|
| Before entering the ocean | Check skin, conditions and sunscreen | Postpone water exposure for an open wound and seek guidance. |
| At the change area | Keep a clean towel ready | Separate dry recovery clothes from wet equipment. |
| After your normal wash | Follow your moisture routine | Use #003 as directed with clean hands. |
| Back at home | Review any repeated contact pattern | Note wetsuit seams, timing and products for a clinician. |
Do not use moisturizer as sun or wound protection
Use separate sun protection appropriate for the activity. The AAD recommends broad-spectrum, water-resistant SPF 30 or higher. [2] Follow the sunscreen's directions and water-resistance interval. Dr. Arsy #003 has no labeled SPF and should not be mixed into sunscreen.
CDC advises keeping open wounds out of coastal water where possible. [3] A cosmetic cream does not make an open patch safe for an ocean session. If your skin is open, oozing or possibly infected, get individual advice before surfing.
Make the after-surf moisture step easy to repeat
Keep your personal jar closed and away from sand and seawater; wash your hands before using it. At home, give the wash-and-change routine the same consistent place you give to putting your board away. Follow the current package directions when applying #003.
NIAMS describes moisturization as part of caring for the skin barrier in atopic dermatitis. [4] The #003 findings below add product-specific hydration data to that general principle. They do not show that the formula resists seawater, prevents wetsuit chafing or changes how eczema responds to surfing.
Clinical results: hydration and moisture-barrier support
The eight-hour result was measured in a controlled study, not through an eight-hour surf. Water exposure, sunscreen compatibility and seawater resistance were not tested.
In a Dr. Arsy-sponsored study conducted by SkinScience Analytics, 31 healthy women aged 22–70 completed testing of Moisturizer #003. Average skin hydration increased 55.46% at 30 minutes and remained 37.19% above baseline at eight hours. The product outperformed the untreated site for hydration at both time points (reported p ≤ 0.001). [S1]
| Measurement | Time | #003 | Untreated site |
|---|---|---|---|
| Skin hydration | 30 minutes | +55.46% | +6.04% |
| Skin hydration | 8 hours | +37.19% | +2.78% |
| Water loss (TEWL) | 30 minutes | −63.59% | −55.10% |
| Water loss (TEWL) | 8 hours | −61.50% | −52.75% |
How to read the table: Hydration changes use the pretreatment baseline. TEWL changes use the baseline after controlled tape stripping, which temporarily disrupted the barrier. Lower TEWL means less water escaping through skin. Untreated skin also recovered; the additional reduction with #003 was 8.49 percentage points at 30 minutes (p = 0.029) and 8.74 points at eight hours (p = 0.006).
The findings support the tested cream's cosmetic hydration and moisture-barrier benefits. They do not establish improvement in eczema severity, fewer flares, or protection during exercise. This was a small, short-term, sponsor-funded study in healthy adults, not an athlete or eczema-treatment trial. Individual results can differ.
A simple place for #003 in your routine
Choose a repeatable moment after your usual clean-up for moisture care. Dr. Arsy Hydration Recovery Moisturizer #003, 4 oz (120 g) is a fragrance-free, ultra-rich cream for face, hands and body. Follow the current package directions and your clinician's instructions for any prescribed treatments. It is a cosmetic moisturizer, not an eczema medicine.
Common questions
Can I use #003 instead of sunscreen in the ocean?
No. It has no labeled SPF, and the study did not evaluate sun protection.
Does the study prove eczema improves after surfing with #003?
No. It involved healthy adult women and measured hydration and water loss, not surfing or eczema severity.
Sources and clinical reference
- O'Connor et al. — Pooling the evidence: A review of swimming and atopic dermatitis. Pediatric Dermatology (2023), doi:10.1111/pde.15325.
- American Academy of Dermatology — How to apply sunscreen.
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — Preventing Vibrio infection.
- NIH / NIAMS — Atopic dermatitis: diagnosis, treatment, and steps to take.
S1 — Product-specific clinical source: SkinScience Analytics. A Clinical Evaluation of the Efficacy of a Skincare Product in Improving Skin Hydration and Skin Barrier Repair. Final Report SSA 25-058, July 8, 2025; test article Moisturizer #003, UIN 2110; pages 4–6 and study protocol. Sponsor: Dr. Arsy Skincare. Original report supplied by the brand and held on file. See The Science for brand research information. External sources provide general guidance and do not endorse #003 or substantiate its product-specific numbers.
Sources checked October 25, 2026. Sport-specific routines are editorial applications of general guidance, not validated treatment protocols. Hero image: AI-generated editorial illustration using the brand's jar reference; pictured athletes are not clinical-study participants or endorsers.