14 AUG - 2023
Battling the itch and embracing the glow-up.
Winter is here, and for those of us who suffer from eczema, it's the season of dreaded flare-ups. If you've ever experienced persistently itchy, dry pink patches on your skin, then you know the struggle is real. It's like our skin is throwing a tantrum, and there's no reasoning with it. But to my fellow eczema warriors, I've been there, done that, and I'm here to share my journey and the products that have been game-changers for me.
Let's rewind to 2018, when I was officially diagnosed with eczema. As a kid, I had similar problems, which I fortunately grew out of, but for some reason, the dreaded itching came back, and no matter what steroid cream or vitamin oil I would plaster over my blemishes, I could never tame it. The universe was playing a cruel joke on me. But this past year, with the help of our Editor, Sophie, I decided to take charge of this battle instead of wallowing in itchy misery and onboarding much of Soph’s advice.
Step one was to bid adieu to all the beauty products that were exacerbating my condition. Out went anything with drying alcohols, intense fragrance, and skin irritants. It was time for a complete beauty product overhaul. Step two was looking at what I was consuming and implementing some lifestyle changes to tackle the battle from the inside and out.
Enter the heroes of my eczema-friendly routine:
CeraVe SA Body Wash
A common theme that has run throughout my life is that I have severely sensitive skin. So I have always been pretty hesitant when it comes to body and hand soaps as I know I’ll be paying for it if the blend is bad. So, for my eczema girlies, you MUST say Sayonara to harsh bar soap! This gentle body cleanser became my skin's ride-or-die. Packed with skin-friendly ceramides and exfoliating acids like salicylic and lactic acid, this scent-free body wash cleanses, nourishes, and hydrates my skin.
Body Nutrition Lotion - Your Skin's Bestie
Moisturising is a must, and timing matters. Applying this rich lotion with macadamia and coconut oil within 60 seconds of showering became a golden rule of mine. Not only does it keep flare-ups and irritation in check, but it also maintains my skin's pH levels. This lotion is the holy grail for eczema sufferers. Packed with nourishing ingredients, it's like a feast for your skin.
Sans [ceuticals] Activator 7 Body, Hair & Face Oil
When eliminating dry skin is the goal, you need to simplify your skincare routine. This versatile oil does wonders for your body and is also great for your hair and face. Formulated to optimise your skin’s hydration levels, stimulate cell repair, increase collagen production, and boost skin tone and elasticity.
My mum used to buy bottles of vitamin E capsules, which she’d encourage me to put a hole in it and squirt the vitamin E oil onto my skin, while admin – this was a game changer. Now, I’ve found a product with vitamin E already packed inside, alongside other powerful ingredients all formulated to assist eczema-prone skin.
Tronque Scar Concentrate
Now, with the trusty daily lineup of moisturising powerhouses above, my next biggest battle was to fade the scarring my itching caused. The scars on my legs became a massive insecurity. The biggest tip I learned when trying to heal scars was that consistency is key. Whatever oil or cream I used needed to be applied every day, if not twice a day.
One magic bottle reigned supreme over the many rosehip and tea tree blends I was trialling. Prepare to say goodbye to scars with Tronque’s supercharged scar reduction serum. This oil, packed with 26 bioactive superfruits and antioxidants, promotes collagen production and new tissue formation. While four forms of Vitamin C tackle pigmentation. I did spend an arm and a leg to get one of these bottles, but I genuinely saw such a difference. The bottle lasted about one month of daily application, and I was so thankful to have some scars cleared up in time for a summer trip I had planned.
BePure Three Fish Oil
Omega-3 fatty acids are like superheroes for your skin, especially with eczema-prone skin. This fish oil supplement from BePure is your secret weapon in the fight against inflammation and dryness. I would take 4+ of these daily and saw such a difference in my hair health, skin hydration and overall well-being.
Good Ol’ Water
Good health starts from within, they say. Unfortunately, drinking, high salt diets and smoking can all cause dry skin and eczema. While my eating and drinking habits are a work in progress, staying hydrated has made a noticeable difference. A pretty water bottle is my friendly reminder to reach that daily water goal. They say you need to drink 3.7 litres daily, and I have proudly been knocking that out of the park!
I stand by these products but know this is just one person's journey. Finding the right products for your eczema is like dating—you've got to kiss a lot of frogs before you find your prince(s). But the products I've spotlighted are backed by science and the wisdom of skin geniuses. They are formulated to be gentle on reactive skin types like ours.
Taking that first step towards a better eczema-friendly routine is a leap towards healthier, happier skin. And let's be honest, our skin deserves some love and pampering, even if it occasionally throws a tantrum.
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