Dealing with skin conditions (Eczema)
- Harriet Short
- Feb 7, 2015
- 3 min read
For the past three/four years I have been dealing with eczema. I have sensitive skin as it is, but after a stressful time in my life my face, hands and scalp have become more sensitive and resulted in the condition which is eczema. I wanted to write this blog if there is anyone out there who has either sensitive skin or is dealing with eczema. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!
Although my eczema has not completely gone I have been able to manage flare ups. But most importantly, having the condition has made me more aware of WHAT I am putting on my skin. You would be surprised by what is in our products if you look carefully!
FIRSTLY eczema is NOT CONTAGIOUS! I can't tell you how many people would look at my hands and ask could they catch my eczema if they touched me. Not only that but the day to day products I used I had to completely change! From soaps, face wash, body creams and sadly for me my beloved FAKE TAN!!!! The most simplist of things would make my skin flare up!
However it is managable and like me if stress has caused it, being able to control stress or anxiety helps. But I also found having the knowledge of what I was putting on my skin (i.e. chemicals) would cause my skin to flare up, blister and crack. It seems strange how suffering with eczema you are prescribed steroids to put onto your skin. With chemicals that thin the skin it doesn't seem to have much benefit. For me it became apparent that NATURAL was the only way to go!
Tips on dealing with Eczema
1. Find what starts your flare ups this could be diet, stress, products with certain chemicals
2. Wash with cool water, hot water can aggravate the skin more
3. Keep moisturised!!! even when you think the skin has settled keep moisturising
4. Check for chemicals like parabens etc, this can agrovate the skin more
Products that work for me, have you tried them yet???...
Make up remover- Liz earle cleanse and polish
This is amazing, natural, gentle and smells great! Use the cloth to buff away makeup and dead skin cells.
Hand soaps- Body shop hemp handwash
This is the only soap I can use that doesn't bring my hands up. Gentle on the skin and doesn't dry the skin out (to be honest all the hemp range is great).
Hand cream- Body shop hemp cream
This is the only cream thick and oily enough to keep my skin moisturised for ages. Absorbs into the skin easily and nourishes the skin for hours. (I can't seem to use the body lotion as this brings my hands up... strange).
Body lotion- E45 Cream
Simply pure and mouistruising, perfume free and dermatologically tested.
Facial creams- Coconut oil or Pai hydrating cream
I always rub coconut oil into my skin at night. Natural, chemical free and moisursing! keep a tub in the bathroom and in the cupboard for cooking!
Pai facial cream, I have just started using this as recommended by THE GLOW GETTER! (Be sure to check out her page) absorbs into the skin straight away leaving no greasy oily feeling and smells beautiful. Lots of great natural ingredients to boost and hydrate the skin.
Shampoo- Aveda
I use the pure abundence range. Again natural ingrediants that cleanse the hair and add volume. What's not to love!
So there you have it, products which help lower the risk of my flare ups! But it is about finding products that work for you! Check the ingredients and aim to use as much natural products as possible. If any itching or patches of dry skin appear stop using immediently!
I hope that helps... I am still looking for the perfect facial wash and of course FAKE TAN that doesn't bring my skin out! If anyone has any suggestions please leave a comment below!
AND don't forgot to tune in for my later blog where I will be testing out Lush's body conditoner for the shower and a new shampoo that claims to make your hair look thicker. Tune in to see how I get on!
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