Testing beauty products may seem like a dream job, but for Monica Veloz, it comes with a unique set of challenges. The 33-year-old Afro-Latina content creator, originally from Brooklyn and now based in Los Angeles, has built a following of nearly one million across YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok. Known for her bold makeup looks and vibrant personality, Monica also stands out for something much more personal: her openness about living with eczema.
Monica doesn’t shy away from showing her real skin. Whether it’s acne scars or an eczema flare-up, she chooses authenticity over perfection. “It’s more exhausting to pretend these issues don’t exist than to just talk about them,” she shares. Her transparency has helped create a deeper connection with her audience, many of whom also deal with chronic skin conditions.
Eczema, a chronic inflammatory skin disorder, causes itchy, dry, and often painful patches on the skin. For Monica, flare-ups began early. “My skin was super dry when I was born,” she recalls. Her Dominican family turned to natural remedies like oatmeal baths, a tradition she still appreciates today. Dermatologists often recommend colloidal oatmeal for its anti-inflammatory benefits.
The condition worsened in high school. “I had flare-ups on my arms, behind my ears, even above my lip,” she says. This prompted her interest in makeup, which she used to try and mask the condition. Though her early experiments didn’t always yield flawless results, they laid the foundation for her passion in the beauty space.
Now, Monica primarily manages eczema on her arms, and her routine is built around prevention. “Fragrance is a big trigger for me,” she says, noting that she avoids scented detergents and skincare products. Despite this limitation, she regularly tests new products—carefully screening ingredients first. When a product does trigger a reaction, she switches gears quickly and focuses on healing.
In flare-up situations, she relies on trusted solutions like Aquaphor and Aveeno’s colloidal oatmeal bath treatments. LA’s dry climate doesn’t make things easier, so keeping her skin moisturized is essential. She admits to loving hot showers (a known eczema trigger), but balances the indulgence with in-shower treatments like Hanni’s Splash Salve and follows up with ultra-hydrating products like Vaseline Cocoa Butter Jelly or Body Gel Oil.
Though her eczema is largely under control these days, Monica acknowledges that skin issues are ongoing.
“My eczema is managed for the most part,” she says with a laugh, “but my acne has a mind of its own”
Through it all, Monica continues to empower others by showing that beauty isn’t about hiding imperfections—it’s about embracing them with confidence, care, and consistency.
