Steroid “Skin Addiction”: Why Flares Happen and How to Truly Heal

For anyone living with eczema or psoriasis, topical steroid creams are often the first treatment offered. They can calm severe inflammation quickly—but over time, many people notice a troubling pattern: the skin becomes thinner, more reactive, and prone to intense flare-ups when the steroid is stopped.This cycle is sometimes called “steroid skin addiction” or topical steroid withdrawal (TSW). It’s frustrating, painful, and can feel never-ending. But why does this happen, and what can you do about it?

Let’s explore the science—and how barrier-focused, natural care can help calm and restore your skin for the long term.

Why the Skin Flares After Steroid Use

2. Blood vessels “rebound” Steroids constrict blood vessels and reduce redness. When they’re stopped, those vessels widen again—often excessively—causing burning redness, sensitivity, and flare-ups.

2. The skin barrier is weakened: Long-term steroid use can thin the skin and damage its natural lipid barrier. A weak barrier means more water loss and more irritants sneaking in, which keeps inflammation going.

3. Nerve endings go into overdrive: When the barrier breaks down, skin nerves become hypersensitive. They release a chemical messenger called Substance P, which increases itch, redness, and that burning feeling. Think of it as your skin’s “volume dial” being turned up way too high.

Long-Term Side Effects of Steroid Overuse

While steroids are useful when prescribed appropriately, overuse can cause:

• Skin thinning & fragility
• Visible blood vessels & stretch marks
• Delayed wound healing
• Rebound flares when treatment stops
• In rare cases, even hormonal (adrenal) suppression

This is why many people seek steroid-sparing alternatives for everyday management.

Healing Beyond Steroids: A Barrier-First Approach

At Born of Necessity, we take a scientist’s approach: if the skin barrier is restored, inflammation naturally quiets down. That’s exactly what our Heal & Restore Cream, formulated for eczema- and psoriasis-prone skin, is designed to do.

Two key ingredients lead the way:

🌿 Tamanu Oil

• Contains calophyllolide, shown in studies to reduce inflammation and speed wound healing.
• Supports scar repair and calms irritated skin.
• Natural antimicrobial properties to help keep skin balanced.

🌿 Ucuuba Butter

• Exceptionally rich in myristic acid, a fatty acid that strengthens the skin barrier.
• Deeply moisturizing, helping restore softness and elasticity.
• Supports the skin’s protective film to reduce water loss.

Research has shown tamanu oil improves wound closure and reduces scarring in lab and preclinical studies, while ucuuba butter provides strong barrier reinforcement and hydration. While they don’t “replace” prescription steroids in severe flares, they are promising long-term alternatives for daily care and prevention.

Calming & Restoring: How Our Cream Works

✔ Calm today: Tamanu oil helps reduce redness and discomfort naturally.

✔ Heal tomorrow: Ucuuba butter and other botanicals replenish the skin barrier.

✔ Restore confidence: healthier skin isn’t just physical—it helps you feel comfortable and confident in your own skin again.

Over time, supporting the skin in this way may reduce reliance on steroids, giving your skin space to truly heal.

The Bigger Picture

Healing eczema and psoriasis is not just about soothing symptoms—it’s about rebuilding resilience. By restoring your skin barrier, you break the cycle of flare, cream, flare, cream. Instead, you nurture skin that is stronger, calmer, and better able to protect itself.

hat’s the philosophy behind Heal & Restore:

👉 Calm the storm. Repair the barrier. Support long-term confidence.

References & Further Reading

Here are some key studies that support the role of natural ingredients like tamanu oil and ucuuba butter in skin healing and barrier repair:

• Tamanu oil (Calophyllum inophyllum):
  
• Vardhan P, et al. Calophyllolide: Anti-inflammatory and wound-healing activity in experimental models. [Frontiers in Pharmacology, 2018].
• Lin C, et al. Pharmacological activities of tamanu oil relevant to atopic dermatitis. [Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2022].
• Suryanto E, et al. Antimicrobial and cicatrizing properties of tamanu oil in skin models. [Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Medicine, 2017].
  
• Ucuuba butter (Virola surinamensis):
  
• Silva A, et al. Composition and fatty acid profile of ucuuba butter for cosmetic applications. [Brazilian Journal of Pharmacognosy, 2019].
• Patent filings reporting moisturization and hydration effects of ucuuba-containing formulations.
• Early consumer studies suggesting hydration benefits at certain concentrations.
  

✨ Important note: Natural skincare can be a powerful ally, but if you’re considering tapering or replacing steroids, always do so under medical guidance. Our role is to support your skin’s strength and comfort—so you can feel good both inside and out.