If you’ve ever dealt with eczema while working outside, you know it isn’t just annoying—it can make every part of your job more difficult.
Gripping tools hurts.
Wearing gloves becomes uncomfortable.
Washing your hands burns.
Even cold wind or dry air can leave your skin feeling raw.
While there isn’t a cure for eczema, protecting your skin barrier is one of the most important parts of managing it. That’s exactly where Shift Shield™ Work Putty was designed to help.
It’s important to understand what Work Putty is—and what it isn’t.
Work Putty is not a medication and isn’t intended to diagnose, treat, or cure eczema. Instead, it’s a protective barrier balm designed to help defend hardworking skin from the everyday conditions that often make dry, irritated skin feel worse.
What Is Eczema?
Eczema—most commonly atopic dermatitis—is a condition that weakens the skin’s natural protective barrier.
Healthy skin keeps moisture in while helping keep irritants, allergens, and bacteria out.
With eczema, that barrier doesn’t work as well.
As a result, skin becomes:
- Extremely dry
- Itchy
- Sensitive
- Easily irritated
- More likely to crack
For many workers, the job itself adds even more stress to already vulnerable skin.
Why Physical Work Can Trigger Flare-Ups
Many common jobsite conditions can worsen eczema symptoms.
These include:
- Constant hand washing
- Harsh soaps
- Degreasers
- Concrete dust
- Dirt
- Fertilizers
- Fuel
- Long hours wearing gloves
- Cold temperatures
- Wind
- Low humidity
- Repeated friction from tools
Each of these can strip away moisture or irritate already compromised skin.
How Shift Shield™ Work Putty Helps Support the Skin Barrier
The goal of Work Putty isn’t to “fix” eczema.
The goal is to help your skin defend itself against the things you face every day at work.
1. Creates a Protective Barrier
One of the biggest challenges with eczema is keeping moisture in while reducing exposure to irritants.
The waxes and oils in Work Putty leave a protective layer on the skin that helps reduce moisture loss while creating a barrier between your hands and the environment.
2. Helps Reduce Moisture Loss
Dry skin often leads to itching.
Itching leads to scratching.
Scratching damages the skin even more.
Ingredients like shea butter, mango butter, jojoba oil, lanolin, and vitamin E help moisturize the skin, which may make it feel softer and more comfortable.
3. Helps Protect Against Friction
Repeated rubbing from shovels, rakes, steering wheels, chainsaws, and hand tools can further irritate sensitive skin.
Applying Work Putty before work creates a layer that helps reduce friction on the skin.
4. Helps During Cold Weather
Winter is one of the toughest seasons for people with eczema.
Cold air, wind, and low humidity all pull moisture from the skin.
Because Work Putty is a thick, long-lasting balm instead of a thin lotion, many workers find it stays on longer during outdoor work.
Ingredients That Support Hardworking Skin
Shift Shield™ Work Putty combines ingredients selected to support the skin barrier.
Shea Butter
Rich in fatty acids that help soften dry skin and reduce moisture loss.
Colloidal Oatmeal
A well-known skin protectant recognized by the FDA in certain over-the-counter products. It helps soothe dry, itchy skin and supports the skin barrier.
Vitamin E
An antioxidant that helps protect the skin from environmental stress.
Zinc Oxide
Known for creating a physical barrier on the skin and commonly used in skin protectants and diaper rash products to help shield irritated skin from external moisture and irritants.
When Should You Apply It?
For eczema-prone hands, timing matters.
Many workers benefit from applying Work Putty:
- Before putting on work gloves.
- Before working outdoors.
- After washing hands.
- Before bed to help lock in moisture overnight.
Nighttime application can be especially helpful because your skin has several uninterrupted hours to retain moisture while you sleep.
When Should You See a Doctor?
If your eczema causes:
- Severe pain
- Bleeding
- Yellow crusting or pus
- Swelling
- Fever
- Widespread rash
- Frequent flare-ups that don’t improve with self-care
it’s important to see a healthcare professional. Prescription treatments may be needed.
Why We Built Work Putty
Shift Shield™ wasn’t created in a laboratory by people who’ve never worked with their hands.
It was built by workers who understand what it’s like to finish a shift with hands that are dry, cracked, sore, and exposed to the elements.
Our mission has always been simple:
Protect hardworking skin from the damage that hard work causes every day.
For workers with eczema-prone skin, that means helping support the skin’s natural barrier so it can better handle whatever the workday brings.
The Bottom Line
If you have eczema, Shift Shield™ Work Putty shouldn’t replace medical treatment prescribed by your healthcare provider.
But it can be a valuable part of your daily skin-care routine by helping moisturize the skin, supporting the skin barrier, and protecting hardworking hands from friction, wind, cold, and everyday jobsite exposure.
Sometimes, keeping your skin comfortable isn’t about finding one miracle product.
It’s about giving your skin the protection it needs—every single day.