Healthy Skin, Greater Comfort: Looking After Your Skin During Continence Care
When managing continence, it’s natural to focus on finding the right absorbency, choosing a product that fits well, or preventing leaks.
But one part of continence care is often overlooked: your skin.
Healthy skin plays an important role in everyday comfort and wellbeing. Looking after it can help reduce irritation, support your skin’s natural protective barrier, and make wearing continence products more comfortable.
Why skin health matters
Our skin acts as a protective barrier, helping keep moisture in and irritants out.
For people living with continence concerns, the skin may be exposed to moisture more frequently than usual. Combined with regular cleansing or friction from clothing and continence products, this can sometimes lead to dryness, irritation, or discomfort.
If left unmanaged, prolonged exposure to moisture may contribute to incontinence-associated dermatitis (IAD), a common form of skin irritation associated with bladder or bowel leakage.
A simple daily skincare routine can help keep your skin healthy and comfortable.
Five simple ways to support healthy skin
✓ Cleanse gently with mild products
✓ Keep skin clean and dry
✓ Moisturise regularly
✓ Change continence products promptly
✓ Choose products with the right fit and absorbency
Start with gentle cleansing
Keeping skin clean is an important part of continence care, but it’s equally important to choose products that are gentle on sensitive skin.
Harsh soaps and heavily fragranced products can remove the skin’s natural oils, leaving it feeling dry or irritated.
Using gentle cleansing products and soft wipes designed for personal care can help cleanse the skin while supporting its natural moisture balance.
Choose products that fit well
Leaving wet or soiled continence products on for longer than necessary can increase the skin’s exposure to moisture and irritants.
Healthy skin isn’t just about cleansing and moisturising.
A product that fits well is less likely to move during everyday activities, helping reduce rubbing against the skin while maintaining effective absorbency.
Products that are too small or too large may not perform as intended, so finding the right size is just as important as choosing the right absorbency.
If you’re unsure which products are right for you, our Product Finder can help match options to your individual needs.
TRY OUR PRODUCT FINDERSupport for carers
Good skincare is just as important for people supporting others with personal care.
Whether you’re caring for a family member at home or working in a professional care setting, using appropriate hygiene products, gloves, wipes, and cleansers can help maintain comfort while supporting good infection prevention practices.
Simple routines and the right products can make everyday care easier for both carers and the people they support.
When to seek advice
If your skin remains red, sore, itchy, broken, or uncomfortable despite good skin care, it’s worth speaking with your GP, continence nurse, or another healthcare professional.
Early advice can help prevent minor irritation from becoming a more significant skin problem.
Looking after your comfort every day
Looking after your skin is just one part of effective continence care.
Alongside our range of Advance® continence products, ContinenceCare also offers skincare, hygiene essentials, and practical advice to help you stay comfortable and confident every day.
If you’re unsure which products are right for you, our Product Finder and friendly team are here to help.
REFERENCES
For more information about skin health and continence, speak with your GP, continence nurse, or healthcare professional.
You may also find these resources helpful:
Medline Plus
Skin care and incontinenceNational Association for Continence
Caring for your skin when you have incontinenceNational Incontinence
Tips & advice: Incontinence HygieneEveryday Health
What is Incontinence-Associated Dermatitis (IAD)?