Tori Spelling and Stella McDermott Open Up About Living With Eczema

In the second part of The Educated Patient’s three-part series highlighting the Free to Be Me campaign, actress and television personality Tori Spelling and her daughter Stella McDermott open up about their deeply personal experiences living with eczema and seborrheic dermatitis — and how the chronic condition has affected them emotionally, socially and physically over the years.

For Stella, growing up with visible eczema meant enduring confusion, isolation and bullying. Classmates often assumed her skin was contagious, which made her feel misunderstood and alone. She avoided wearing tank tops and hid her skin whenever possible, feeling self-conscious and ashamed. Not talking about it only added to the stigma, making her condition feel even bigger and more isolating.

That changed after Stella and Tori were introduced to roflumilast (Zoryve) cream 0.15%, a once-daily, steroid-free topical treatment approved for mild to moderate eczema in adults and children ages 6 and older. In clinical studies, 31% of people using Zoryve had clearer skin after four weeks, compared with 14% using an inactive cream. While side effects are possible, both Stella and Tori shared that the treatment helped significantly reduce their symptoms and improve their quality of life.

Most importantly, the improvement in Stella’s skin reignited her self-confidence. She no longer feels the need to hide and instead feels empowered to wear what she wants and live openly. Being part of the Free to Be Me campaign gave her the chance to reclaim her voice and show other people living with eczema that they are not alone — and they have nothing to be ashamed of.

Tori, who developed eczema as an adult during an intensely stressful period in her life, reflected on how chronic stress can trigger flare-ups. She described the confusion and fear she felt when symptoms first appeared and how the lack of effective options at the time left her feeling helpless — especially as a mother trying to help her child.

Now, with better education, awareness and treatment options available, both mother and daughter feel hopeful. By sharing their story, they aim to break the silence around eczema, challenge stigma and normalize conversations around chronic skin conditions.

Their message is simple but powerful: Eczema is a lifelong condition, but it does not define a person — and no one should suffer in silence.