By Hannah Muehlberger
During the winter, dry skin can take the joy out of even the coziest sweater, leaving uncomfortable, rough patches from the cold. For some, it’s a minor annoyance, but for people with eczema or other forms of dermatitis, the discomfort can be overwhelming—sometimes making it difficult to feel comfortable in your own skin, literally.
Actress Tori Spelling, known for her role in Beverly Hills, 90210, recently opened up about her long-standing struggle with eczema and how it has
Tori Spelling and her daughter Stella
affected both her and her daughter, Stella. Over the years, Spelling has hosted her own podcast, written multiple books, become a mother, and—true to her openness—appeared in several reality TV shows centered on her life. Yet behind the scenes, eczema, a chronic inflammatory skin condition, has been a constant challenge. Spelling described some flare-ups as feeling like her “skin was on fire.”
In a recent interview, she recalled dealing with severe symptoms while filming. “I’d be scratching so badly that I had to change my wardrobe because I had scabs all over my arms that were bleeding,” she shared. “I was horrified.” She and Stella are among millions of Americans living with inflammatory skin diseases, and they are now sharing their experiences through Free to Be Me, a national awareness campaign in partnership with Arcutis Biotherapeutics aimed at reducing stigma around conditions like eczema and seborrheic dermatitis.
Actress Tori Spelling
Spelling also reflected the moment she realized her symptoms were more than a stress rash. “At first, it was dry patches, then scales and bumps. I was scratching so much that the pain became outrageous, and we actually had to shut down production. I went to the doctor, and that’s when I was first diagnosed.” Like many, she struggled for years to find effective treatments, trying countless prescription and over-the-counter products for both herself and Stella before discovering a long-term solution with the help of her clinician.
Through the Free to Be Me campaign, Spelling shares how she and her daughter began managing their conditions with roflumilast (Zoryve, Arcutis), a once-daily, steroid-free topical treatment.
“Managing a chronic skin condition like eczema isn’t just about appearance—it’s about how you feel, how you show up for yourself and family, and how confidently you live your life,” Spelling said in a news release. “Both my daughter and I have struggled with eczema, and she has also lived with seborrheic dermatitis, so we know how frustrating and persistent these skin conditions can be. Finding Zoryve…has truly changed the way we manage our skin diseases. And having clearer skin has helped us feel more confident in our own skin every day.”
Dermatologist Adam Friedman, MD, FAAD, professor and chair of dermatology at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences, echoed her message. “Throughout my career, I have seen firsthand how chronic skin conditions like eczema and seborrheic dermatitis can take their toll, affecting not only the skin, but one’s overall quality of life,” he said. “Because these are lifelong conditions, patients need treatment options that are both safe and effective for the long haul. Nonsteroidal topicals like Zoryve give patients and healthcare practitioners confidence that we can manage these diseases continuously without compromise.”
For Spelling, the relief was long overdue. “For years, we didn’t have anything that really worked,” she explained. “Stella has had eczema since she was a toddler, and I didn’t want her on steroid creams. Her symptoms were constant—on her arms, her hands, her face. She also has seborrheic dermatitis, so it was on her scalp, too.” After years of trial and error, a recent visit to a dermatologist led them to try Zoryve, which finally provided meaningful results. “I was really excited because it wasn’t a steroid cream and it really helped us with our condition.”
