When Sarah walked into her local pharmacy for the third time in a month, she looked frustrated. Her eczema cream had stopped working, and the over-the-counter alternatives either stung her skin or caused redness. She’d tried everything – brand names, natural products, even switching soaps – but nothing gave her lasting relief.
Sarah’s story is more common than you might think.
Eczema and psoriasis affect thousands of Canadians, and while commercial treatments exist, they don’t always work for everyone. That’s where compounding steps in – offering solutions when nothing else seems to help.
Why Off-the-Shelf Isn’t Always Enough
Most creams and ointments you find at the drugstore are made for the general public. They’re designed in standard strengths, with base formulas that may contain preservatives, alcohol, dyes, or fragrances. These can be irritating – especially for people with sensitive or damaged skin.
But not all eczema or psoriasis is the same. Some people deal with constant itchiness, others with painful cracks, or flare-ups triggered by weather, stress, or allergens. So, why should everyone get the same one-size-fits-all treatment?
That’s the gap compounding fills.
What Is Custom Compounding?
Compounding is the process of creating personalized medications. Instead of pulling a product off the shelf, the pharmacist prepares a cream, gel, or lotion tailored specifically for you.
Need a steroid cream in a gentler base? Want it fragrance-free and alcohol-free? Need two active ingredients combined into one? A compounding pharmacist can do that.
And it’s not just about what’s in the formula – it’s also about what’s left out.
How It Helps People Like Sarah
Back to Sarah. When her doctor suggested a compounded version of her eczema treatment, her pharmacist prepared a low-dose corticosteroid blended with a soothing ceramide-rich moisturizer. No alcohol, no artificial scent – just ingredients designed for her skin.
Within a week, her skin started to calm down. No burning. No flare-ups. Just steady healing.
This isn’t a miracle cure – it’s the power of customizing treatment based on real-life needs.
Why It Works for Eczema and Psoriasis
For chronic conditions like eczema and psoriasis, compounding makes a difference by offering:
- Custom strengths: Not everyone needs the strongest dose. Some need just a hint of medication mixed with barrier-repairing agents.
- Multi-ingredient formulas: Combine anti-inflammatories, antibiotics, antifungals, or moisturizers into one product.
- Sensitive skin bases: Avoid alcohol, lanolin, parabens, or preservatives.
- Unique application forms: Creams, ointments, sprays, foams, or even gels – whatever works best for your skin type and lifestyle.
Compounding is also helpful when commercial drugs are out of stock or discontinued. Your pharmacy may be able to replicate similar formulations based on your prescription.
What to Ask Your Pharmacist
If you’re struggling with over-the-counter or standard prescriptions for eczema or psoriasis, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about compounding. You don’t need to suffer through side effects or poor results just because the mass-market solution isn’t made for you.
Ask:
- Can my medication be made in a non-irritating base?
- Can we adjust the strength or combine medications?
- Are there alternatives that avoid my known triggers?
Sometimes, the answer to clearer, calmer skin isn’t found on the shelf – it’s created just for you.
At SanoMed Compounding Pharmacy, we specialize in industry-leading, customized compounded medications – right here in the heart of downtown Toronto. Whether you’re managing eczema, psoriasis, or another chronic skin condition, our expert pharmacists work with your doctor to create treatments that suit your skin, your sensitivities, and your life.