Skincare Routine for an Eczema Sufferer
By Bonnie...
Is it just me or has ‘skincare routines’ become the new crazed buzz? My Instagram and Facebook pages are flooded with advertisements featuring beauty influences sprouting ‘fancy’ skincare products. The new hot conversation with my friends has turned from ‘what foundation do you use’ to ‘what face oil are you wearing.’ It is great to see skincare has become a top priority. As a wise lady once told me (probably my Mum) all the makeup, blow dries, and handbags in the world don’t mean much if your skin is unhappy.
Us eczema warriors will often have a very different looking skincare routine to others. We are very wary of the ‘fancy’ anti-aging oils, exfoliates, and creams, concerned that those long lists of ingredients are bound to inflict absolute havoc on our delicate, sensitive, and fragile skin. Growing up my friends would paint their faces and bodies with colorful makeup, shimmer body butter, and Veet hair removal cream and those spray tans! I always felt like an outsider never being able to use these products as they would send me straight to an eczema flare (of course now I’m grateful as I avoided subjecting my body to unnecessary harmful chemicals). Sensitive eczema-prone skin requires the gentlest of products and ingredients to soothe, calm, and hydrate the skin. We often need to patch-test first!
Having suffered from eczema for many years and always searching for the perfect topical solution turned me into an insufferable skincare lover (and pest)! Although I rarely suffer from eczema now since doing The Eczema Detox, I still rely on my natural, calming skin care products to keep my eczema away and my skin glowy and healthy.
These days, even people with eczema have more access to more brands and products than ever before. This can become very noisy and overwhelming. Some skin care brands may label themselves as ‘sensitive,' ‘natural’, or ‘organic’ however when you dig a little deeper, you’ll discover they are full of synthetics and chemicals that can potentially inflame the skin. I always recommend researching the ingredients in the product, don’t always be fooled by the buzz words on the packaging.
NOTE: If you do suffer from a skin condition it is usually symptomatic of something else: environment, diet, stress, or allergies, and this shouldn’t be ignored. Karen Fischer’s book ‘The Eczema Detox’ is a practical 'how-to' which details how to clear up many specific skin complaints including eczema, psoriasis, hives, red skin syndrome, dandruff, dermatitis and more. It is important for us to understand what causes our skin issues so we can educate ourselves and choose more wisely. This book also offers delicious recipes that support the changes required.
So, from one eczema sufferer to another, it’s time to see a skincare routine that is suitable for us!
Step 1- Wake up!
After hitting snooze for the 8th time it’s time to start the day! I like to start each morning with a motivational quote so here’s one for today. You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great
Step 2- Cleanse
I like to wash my face in the morning, mainly to remove any bacteria or impurities accumulated during the night, and to prep the skin. This also wakes me up!
I lightly splash it with some lukewarm water and then use our Skin Friend Oat and Zinc bath powder. Although titled as a bath powder this multi-talented friend can be used to cleanse, calm, and protect the skin as a face wash.
It contains:
- Oat Powder which has cleansing saponins and beta-glucan, helping form a protective barrier to soothe and hydrate skin
- Bicarb Soda which contains antibacterial and exfoliating properties
- Zinc Oxide to soothe the skin
Our bath powder is suitable for all skin types and ages (including children), sensitive skin and skin prone to itching, so if you have eczema on your face it is a great option.
Place a teaspoon amount in your hand or in a small bowl and mix with a teaspoon of water to form a running paste.
Gently rub all over the face for about 30 seconds. Sometimes if I have a little more time in the morning I'll leave it on for a minute for a mini face mask. Head to our Instagram (@eczema.life) for a full video under our Highlight 'Skincare' to see a full 'how to.'
I always get such a beautiful glow after using this powder to wash my face and it leaves me feeling clean but not stripped as some face washes can.
If you don’t have Skin Friend Oat and Zinc bath powder (umm why not, it rocks), stay away from harsh foaming cleansers as these will irritate eczema-prone skin. Always look for something containing natural ingredients (no big scary words).
If you like to shower in the morning never put your face under the shower. The water is too hot for the skin and it can become irritated. Cleanse when you get out of the shower.
Step 3- Moisturise
Nothing hydrates eczema-prone skin more than our 24-hour Rescue Balm. It’s a creamy, whipped balm perfect for super dry, flaking, cracked, and rough skin, working for at least 24-hours.
This balm is ideal for sensitive skin, scars, itchy skin, and wrinkly bodies. After application, my skin instantly feels soft, hydrated, and smooth.
It’s packed with high-quality ingredients including Evening Primrose Oil, Refined Shea Butter, refined cold-pressed Castor Bean Oil, Apricot Oil, and dreamy Organic Camellia, and Seed Oil.
Apply 24 Hour Rescue balm, or your moisturizer of choice all over your face, neck, decolletage, and any other dry, irritated eczema spots.
Even though I work at Skin Friend I truly believe in these products as I have seen first hand on my skin, through my baby niece who has eczema, and from many customer testimonials how they can really soothe bitchy skin.
Step 4- SPF
You’ve heard it once, and now you’re going to hear it again…WEAR SPF! If you receive any sun exposure at all, you need sunscreen. According to the Eczema Association, people who suffer from eczema are more vulnerable to the sun's damaging rays.
For eczema sufferers, it’s not as easy as grabbing the cheapest bottle at the Chemist because of our delicate skin. To keep itchy and inflamed skin protected, The Eczema Association of Australia recommends using mineral-based sunscreens that are alcohol-free and SPF 30 or higher.
Also, look out for words like ‘broad spectrum’ on your products, but like the word ‘organic’ it is increasingly being used incorrectly, so it is really important to check the ingredients thoroughly.
Here are some recommendations for my favorite natural, eczema friendly sunscreens. Always remember to patch test.
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Moo Goo Natural SPF 40
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Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Moisturizing Sunscreen Lotion with Broad Spectrum SPF 30
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WOTNOT Sunscreen SPF 30
- Itchy Baby Co Natural Sunscreen SPF50
Apply sunscreen about 30 minutes before sun exposure to allow the ingredients to fully bind to your skin and reapply every 2 hours.
Step 5- Final touches
If you are someone who likes to add a little more sparkle to your final look chuck on some mascara or some eyebrows and you are ready for the day, and looking fabulous I might add.
Step 6- Eczema friendly diet and supplements
You really are what you eat, so the final (and most important) step in your skincare routine should include a healthy diet. Try to incorporate the best foods for eczema into your diet, as well as Skin Friend AM and PM supplements as they include powerful ingredients to support skin, hair, and nail health.
What's your skincare routine with eczema? Got any tips or products we should know about? Tag us @eczema.life on Instagram.
Much love (and happy skin)!
xx Bonnie
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At Eczema Life, we recommend following a low food chemical program based on nutritionist Karen Fischer's 'The Eczema Detox' book. Along with our additive-free supplements for skin health and wellbeing.
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