FAST ANSWER
Eczema is caused by a combination of genetics, a weakened skin barrier, and an overactive immune response. These factors make the skin more sensitive to irritants, dryness, allergens, and environmental triggers, leading to inflammation and flare-ups.
What is the main cause of eczema?
Eczema is mainly caused by a weakened skin barrier combined with genetic and immune system factors that make the skin more sensitive and reactive.
Eczema can feel confusing because it does not have a single cause. Instead, it develops due to a combination of internal and external factors that affect how your skin protects itself. For many, these factors result in sensitive skin that reacts aggressively to substances or environments that wouldn't normally cause a problem.
If you understand these causes, it becomes much easier to manage symptoms and reduce flare-ups over time.
Many people feel frustrated because eczema flare-ups can seem unpredictable, but understanding the underlying causes often makes symptoms easier to manage over time.
If you would like a complete overview of eczema, including symptoms, triggers, and treatment, see our complete guide to eczema causes, symptoms, flare-ups, and treatment.
How does eczema affect different areas of the body?
Although the underlying causes of eczema are similar, symptoms can appear differently depending on where the condition affects the skin.
For example, eczema on the face may be triggered by skincare products or environmental exposure. Eyelid eczema is often linked to sensitivity and irritants. In babies, eczema is commonly linked to a developing skin barrier, while dyshidrotic eczema tends to affect the hands and feet with fluid-filled blisters.
If your eczema affects a specific area, these guides may help you better understand your symptoms:
• Facial eczema
• Eyelid eczema
• Infant eczema
• Dyshidrotic eczema
What causes eczema?
Eczema is not caused by one single issue.
It is usually the result of:
• A weakened skin barrier
• Genetic factors
• An overactive immune system
These factors work together to make the skin more sensitive and reactive.
Why We Became Interested In What Causes Eczema
When we first began researching snail mucin and skin barrier repair, one thing quickly became clear. Many people living with eczema were focused on treating symptoms without fully understanding what was causing those symptoms to occur in the first place.
Over the years, we have spoken with hundreds of people dealing with eczema, dry skin, irritation and recurring flare-ups. Although every person's experience is different, many describe the same pattern of sensitive skin, repeated flare-ups and frustration at not knowing why symptoms keep returning.
This understanding has shaped the way we approach eczema education at Bragan Skincare. Rather than focusing only on flare-ups, we believe it is important to understand the underlying causes that make the skin more vulnerable in the first place.
Lillie's Story: Wearing Summer Dresses Again
One of the stories that touched us most is Lillie's. At just 9 years old, Lillie from Preston had been struggling with eczema on her hands and knees. The constant irritation, redness and discomfort made everyday life more difficult, but it was the impact on her confidence that her family found hardest to see.
Nine year old Lille shared her Eczema story.
Like many children living with eczema, Lillie became self-conscious about the appearance of her skin. Her eczema was so noticeable that she no longer wanted to wear her favourite summer dresses, choosing instead to keep her skin covered whenever possible.
After using Bragan Skincare's Atopic Cream, Lillie's skin began to improve, and with that improvement came something even more important: her confidence. Today, she is back wearing her summer dresses and enjoying being a child without worrying about her skin in the same way.
While every child's skin is different and no product works for everyone, stories like Lillie's remind us that improving skin comfort can sometimes help restore confidence, happiness and freedom.
Real People. Real Reviews. Real Results.
The reviews, photographs and video testimonials featured throughout our website come from genuine Bragan Skincare customers who have chosen to share their experiences.
Over the years, we have worked with hundreds of people dealing with eczema, psoriasis, dermatitis, sensitive skin and scalp irritation. Many have kindly allowed us to share their stories, photographs and videos to help others understand that they are not alone in their skin journey.
Unlike many skincare brands, the vast majority of the videos featured on our website were not filmed in professional studios or created by marketing agencies. Most were recorded by customers themselves using their own mobile phones at home, in their kitchens, living rooms, workplaces, or wherever they felt comfortable sharing their story.
We are proud of that. While these videos may not always have perfect lighting, professional editing or polished production, they represent something far more important to us: real people sharing genuine experiences in their own words.
While no skincare product works for every person, the vast majority of our customers report positive results. Because every skin type is unique, we always recommend carrying out a patch test before introducing any new skincare product into your routine.
Our goal has always been to provide honest information, realistic expectations and gentle skincare designed to support sensitive skin over the long term.
A Weakened Skin Barrier
The skin barrier is responsible for keeping moisture in and irritants out.
Eczema can affect different parts of the body in different ways, and facial eczema is often especially sensitive because the skin is thinner and more exposed to environmental triggers. Areas such as the nose, mouth, cheeks, and chin may all react differently during flare-ups. You can explore these areas further in our guide to **facial eczema by location**.
In eczema-prone skin:
- Moisture escapes more easily
- Irritants can enter the skin
- The skin becomes dry and inflamed
This is why eczema often appears as dry, cracked, and irritated skin.
These symptoms often appear as an eczema rash, which may range from mild dryness to severe inflamed flare-ups.
Is eczema genetic?
Yes. Eczema often runs in families, especially in people with a history of eczema, asthma, hay fever, or sensitive skin conditions.
This is linked to how your skin barrier functions and how your immune system reacts.
Does the immune system cause eczema?
Yes. In eczema, the immune system reacts too strongly to minor irritants, leading to inflammation, redness, itching, and flare-ups.
How causes and triggers work together
It is important to understand the difference between causes and triggers. While eczema causes make the skin prone to irritation long-term, eczema triggers are the things that actively worsen symptoms and cause flare-ups.
• Causes make your skin prone to eczema
• Triggers make symptoms worse
For example:
- A weakened barrier is a cause
- Cold weather is a trigger
To explore triggers in more detail, see our guide on eczema triggers and how to avoid them.
What is the difference between eczema causes and triggers?
Eczema causes are the underlying factors linked to the condition itself, while eczema triggers are things that worsen symptoms and lead to flare-ups.
Common factors that make eczema worse:
Although they are not root causes, these factors often worsen symptoms:
• Dry skin
• Harsh skincare products
• Weather changes
• Stress
• Allergens
Managing these factors helps reduce flare-ups.
Managing these factors helps reduce flare-ups, especially when combined with strategies that help calm eczema flare-ups fast during periods of irritation.
Ongoing irritation and scratching during flare-ups may also cause symptoms to affect larger areas of skin over time. We explain this further in why eczema rash spreads during flare-ups
These factors can affect the skin in different ways depending on where eczema appears. Repeated irritation and dryness, for example, can weaken the skin barrier and lead to cracked hands over time.
Can stress cause eczema flare-ups?
Stress does not directly cause eczema, but it can increase inflammation and trigger flare-ups in many people. Understanding how stress can trigger eczema flare-ups can help reduce recurring irritation.
Stress-related inflammation can sometimes resemble hives or irritated skin reactions. Our guide to stress rash vs eczema rash explains the differences in more detail.
Why supporting the skin barrier matters:
Since the skin barrier plays such a central role, supporting it is key.
A strong barrier helps:
- Lock in moisture
- Protect against irritants
- Reduce sensitivity
These causes can appear differently depending on where eczema affects the skin. For example, irritation and dryness may contribute to an itchy face at night, while repeated barrier damage can lead to cracked hands.
For daily support, a gentle option like our Atopic Cream can help soothe irritation and maintain hydration.
For a full range of suitable options, you can explore our eczema treatment collection.
How do you manage eczema long-term?
Managing eczema is about consistency.
Many people feel frustrated because eczema flare-ups can seem unpredictable, especially when they are unsure about how long eczema flare-ups last or why symptoms suddenly worsen.
Focus on:
• Keeping skin hydrated
• Avoiding known triggers
• Using gentle, fragrance-free products
• Supporting the skin barrier daily
To understand how to treat eczema effectively, see our guide on eczema treatment and long-term care.
Can eczema go away permanently?
Eczema is usually a long-term condition, but symptoms can often be managed successfully with consistent skincare, trigger avoidance, and barrier support.
Can adults develop eczema?
Yes. Although eczema often begins in childhood, many adults also develop eczema later in life due to genetics, skin barrier dysfunction, environmental triggers, and immune system sensitivity.
Final Thoughts
Eczema is caused by a combination of internal factors that make the skin more sensitive and vulnerable.
While you cannot change genetics, you can:
• Strengthen your skin barrier
• Reduce exposure to triggers
• Build a simple, consistent routine
Over time, this leads to calmer, healthier skin.
FAQs About What Causes Eczema
What is the main cause of eczema?
Eczema is mainly caused by a weakened skin barrier combined with genetic and immune system factors.
Is eczema hereditary?
Yes. Eczema often runs in families and is commonly linked to asthma and hay fever.
Can stress trigger eczema?
Yes. Stress can increase inflammation and trigger eczema flare-ups.
Can weather cause eczema?
Cold weather, dry air, heat, sweating, and sudden weather changes can all worsen eczema symptoms by weakening the skin barrier and increasing irritation.
Does dry skin cause eczema?
Dry skin does not directly cause eczema, but it can weaken the skin barrier and worsen symptoms.
About The Author
Kieran Corley is the founder of Bragan Skincare, an Irish skincare company based in County Monaghan specialising in products for sensitive, eczema-prone, psoriasis-prone, and irritated skin.
Bragan Skincare began after Kieran noticed significant improvements in old scarring on his own skin while working with snails on his farm. That experience led to years of researching snail mucin, developing products, and working closely with people dealing with eczema, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, scalp irritation, dryness, and reactive skin conditions.
Over the years, Kieran has spoken directly with hundreds of customers and families struggling with sensitive skin concerns, helping shape Bragan Skincare’s philosophy around gentle skincare, realistic expectations, and supporting the skin barrier without unnecessary irritation.
The articles on this website are based on product development experience, customer feedback, ongoing research, and years of working with people dealing with sensitive and easily irritated skin.
Our Goal
At Bragan Skincare, our goal has never been unrealistic promises or aggressive
skincare routines. Our focus has always been on creating gentle products designed
to support sensitive skin and help people feel more comfortable and confident in
everyday life.
