SoapNSkin Blog » eczema

• Calming Eczema this Winter

  Posted on November 23 2018

  Whether it’s feeding our skin from the inside with nutrient dense food or switching up our skincare and body care routines during the winter, we take prepping our skin for winter VERY seriously over here at sNs HQ. Those of you who are regular visitors of our blog will know this very well.

  But sometimes adapting your skincare routine and watching what you eat just isn’t enough especially if your skin is easily inflamed and eczema prone. The trials of eczema are all too familiar here and winter is THE season where flare ups tend to get out of control.

  So, we thought we’d share our own personal tips on how we calm the eczema itch in our homes during the winter months…

   

  HUMIDIFY

  When the temperature begins to plummet, the first thing we tend to do is crank up the heating in our homes. Unfortunately keeping our toes toasty on those cold winter evenings simply dries up the air in our homes. And a dry environment inevitably leads to dry, cracked and itchy skin which often exacerbate dry skin conditions like eczema. Using a humidifier in the home/office replaces the lost moisture in the air and helps to prevent the skin from drying out. Placing a bowl of water in every room works equally well, just be mindful that this can breed bacteria so clean the bowl and change the water daily.

   

  USE SULPHATE FREE SOAPS & WASHES

  Conventional soaps and body washes contain harsh synthetic ingredients like SLS which strip the skin of its natural oils. If you’re susceptible to dryness and eczema you should phase such products out of your cleansing routine regardless of the season. Opt for gentle products such as sulphate free soaps and natural body washes which gently cleanse.

   

  USE A RICH OIL BASED MOISTURISER

  Oil rich moisturisers protect the skin against moisture loss. Choose products rich in pure plant butters and oils and use frequently to keep your skin hydrated, supple and protected. Our all over body butters are made with shea, cocoa and mango butters which provide intense relief to dry, cracked skin. Products which contain natural anti-inflammatory ingredients such as neem oil can also help to calm flare ups.

   

  LAYER UP

  One of the most common itch/scratch cycle triggers is sweating and overheating. Whilst it's totally understandable that you want to dress warmly during colder spells, try layering up so that you can remove items of clothing when you feel warm.

   

  ALOE VERA

  An aloe vera plant has become a staple over at sNs HQ… not only do they bring colour and interest into our studio, but they provide soothing relief for a multitude of skin complaints. We find rubbing the cooling gel over eczema flare ups works wonders in relieving the itch. If you can’t get hold of a plant, purchase some pure aloe vera gel from a good natural supplier.

   

  GLOVES ON

  Our hands are the most exposed part of our body so protect them from the harsh elements when you’re out and about and get those gloves on. Keep some good quality hand cream with you at all times and slather your hands every time they feel dry.

   

  NATURAL FIBRES

  As you know we’re huge advocates of all things natural. We love natural skin care, good wholesome food and of course, clothes made of natural fibres – well more specifically fair-trade cotton! As you know, eczema prone skin needs to breath and wearing super soft, fair-trade cotton allows the body to do just that! Breathe…

  Ah… we can feel the itch relief already. Winter, bring it on, we’re so ready for you!

   

• Combat Dry Winter Skin, Naturally...

  Posted on November 14 2017

  

  Winter is fast approaching and before the speculative forecasts of 'the coldest winter yet' start to circulate, we thought that we'd bite the bullet and share some basic skincare tips which should help you stay moisturised and 'itch' free during the coldest time of the year.

  In the midst of any cold spell, your skin is exposed to extreme elements, cold icy winds and central heating indoors can dry out the most robust of skin types. Flaky, dry patches not only look unsightly, but can sometimes lead to more severe conditions like eczema and dermatitis. Beat the discomfort and the winter itch by following some very simple steps.

  Use a rich natural moisturiser

  We know it sounds obvious, but the moisturiser that you use during the autumn and winter months should be richer than what you'd use throughout spring and summer.  A moisturiser with a high content of natural oils and butters will not only give you that youthful glow (yes, even in the winter!), but will also act like a barrier, protecting your skin from drying out. When your skin is stripped of its natural oils it becomes more susceptible to infections and inflammation like eczema.

  Try finding moisturisers that have a high content of shea or cocoa butter. Natural oils like jojoba not only moisturise but also provide a protective barrier for the skin. Our body butters are 100% natural and have a very high content of shea, cocoa and mango butters. They're perfect all over moisturisers, gentle enough to be used on the face and rich enough to target rough, dry patches. If you're looking for something highly effective, intensely moisturising and oh so luxurious, then perhaps opt for richer facial oils. Our award winning argan and orange blossom elixir is a firm winter favourite. A few drops of this nourishing oil on a cleansed face morning and evening provides that intense moisture hit that your skin craves during the winter months. A potent blend of natural oils the elixir is packed full of natural anti-oxidants, omega fatty acids and vitamins A & E,  helping to repair and protect against environmental damage.

   

  Moisturise when your skin is still damp

  It's worthwhile to take time to moisturise while your skin is still damp. Keep the bathroom door shut after your shower to maintain the humidity while you moisturise. This way you can seal moisture into your skin as it dries, keeping it hydrated for longer.

   

  Avoid long hot showers & baths

  We know that when the temperature plummets a long hot soak in the tub seems very appealing. The truth is that hot water is very harsh and drying, so is best avoided in general. Switch to short warm showers. They're not only better for the environment and less wasteful, but far kinder to your skin.

   

  Switch to gentle natural soaps

  Go for a natural vegetable based glycerin soap that won't strip your skin of its oils. Many mainstream soaps on the market claim to be gentle but are still laden with chemicals and artificial fragrances and colours. Our castile hand wash is made using organic sunflower and coconut oil and is a nourishing and indulgent alternative for dry hands. 

   

  Hydrate from the inside

  Drink water!! Not only does your skin need its 'outer layers' to be looked after and moisturised, but you need to tackle the deeper layers. Drinking water helps to keep you skin hydrated 'from within', admittedly this isn't as easy to do when its freezing outside! Try substituting some of your daily cups of tea for hot water with slices of lemon and some grated ginger.

   

  You are what you eat

  As with drinking plenty of water, the food we eat can help combat dry skin. Make sure you incorporate plenty of healthy fats & oils into your diet. This doesn't have to be costly or elaborate, including simple things like avocados, oily fish, olive/coconut oil and unsalted nuts into your diet can really help to combat dry skin through out the year. 

   

  Sunscreen

  Yes, you've read correctly. Just because it's cold outside doesn't mean that the sun's rays can't damage your skin. Its easy to overlook the importance of adequate sunscreen in the winter when the sun isn't always glaring at you. Be mindful and make sure you've got sunscreen on when your out and about.

   

  So there you have it, simple steps that should help you achieve a flake and itch free winter!

• Sulfates? - No Thanks!

  Posted on May 12 2016

  

  Sulfates (or sulphates), are common in many cosmetic & household cleaning formulations. Commonly known as surfactants, they are a synthetic cleansing agent often added to products to encourage a rich lather when added to water, effectively breaking down oil and dirt.

  It is the ingredient of choice for many companies because it is incredibly cheap and effective. You will find it on the ingredients list on a multitude of budget shampoos, shower gels, bubble baths and soaps, as well as in washing up liquid and floor cleaner. You will often find them labelled as SLS (sodium lauryl sulfate) or SELS (sodium laureth sulfate). The primary ingredient used to make sulfates is petrolatum. Enough said we think!

  Consumers are now beginning to wise up to the adverse effects of using these ingredients on skin & hair. While we agree that claims of sulfates causing cancer are ludicrous, we've made the conscious decision not to use them in ANY of our products. Other companies are also adopting the sulfate free ethos by removing both sodium laureth & sodium lauryl sulfates from their formulations altogether and replacing them with natural alternatives derived from coconut oil.

  It has recently become clear that sulfates can irritate sensitive skin and scalps. Although they are effective in 'cleaning', when used over time they actually strip the skin of the natural and much needed oils which form a protective defense against harsh environmental factors. A study conducted by Bath University's Pharmacology and Pharmacy Department found that the use of sodium laureth sulfate increased water loss from skin over a three week period. Thus leaving the skin significantly damaged and more susceptible to irritation. In light of this, and countless other studies, it's no wonder that those with sensitive or eczema prone skin will find sulfates worsening their condition further. For such instances it is often recommended to use sulfate-free shampoos, body washes and even hand washes!

  Not that we want to blow our own trumpet, but we have never used sulfates in any of our products and nor do we plan to! Our products are made with completely natural ingredients by hand in England. By making products based on demand and in small batches, we are able to give our customers fresh natural ingredients which contain all the benefits nature has to offer.

  So, what can you expect from switching to sulfate-free formulas?

  You will find that many of our shampoos, soaps and body washes do not lather as much as conventional products and the reason is simply because they don't contain synthetic ingredients like sulfates! They key is to remember that you don't need more product because of the lack of lather. It's about being mindful that although there aren't vast amounts of bubbles, your skin and hair is STILL being cleansed effectively but, most importantly, gently! Most of our products contain organic bases consisting of vegetable and essential oils, so you're not only cleansing but also giving your hair and skin an extra moisture boost.

  So, yes, SULFATE-FREE is the new hype in the industry, but for good reason. Why would you want to strip your hair or skin of its natural oils when there is an affordable alternative that works? 

   

   

   

• Shhh... A little secret known as neem oil

  Posted on September 11 2015

  

  I first stumbled on neem back in 2003, after the birth of my beautiful baby boy. After about two months he was diagnosed with eczema, and what should have been routine sleepless nights, (if there is such a thing!) turned into stressful sleepless nights, and days which were worse! His eczema progressively worsened, and frequently turned blistery and painfully sore. We tried pretty much everything from Aqueous Cream and Oilatum to the harsh steroid based creams, the latter, I’ll admit, I must’ve only used a handful of times when things got really bad. We all know of the health implications of long term use of steroid creams, and although they usually work like a treat, I wasn’t keen on using it on my baby.  That’s when my mother in law suggested using neem.

  The neem tree has been used in the sub-continent for several centuries and is seen as a miracle cure for a multitude of ailments. Traditional Ayurvedic medicine originating from India revers the neem tree because of its unique properties. It is considered to have both anti bacterial and anti fungal properties, with every part of the tree having a use and purpose. It is used in many rural villages to treat a host of conditions; malaria, ulcers, sores, dandruff and various skin complaints. There have been countless academic papers and journals in recent years that have researched the properties of neem, with findings that confirm the reasons for its popularity in that part of the world.

  I’ll be lying to you if I told you that I wasn’t sceptical. How could the leaf of a tree I’ve never heard of bring any relief to him? I was desperate, and ready to try anything, after all, there was nothing to lose…it was all completely natural.

  So started the process of hunting down Neem here in the UK, this was not an easy task, I couldn’t even get hold of its bottled oil…things weren’t looking great until we had someone visiting us from the Subcontinent, and they agreed to bring the dried neem leaves.

  So began the process, under my mother-in-laws guidance, of steeping the leaves in water, boiling them, straining them, and letting the water cool, before adding to my little one’s bath…laborious I’ll admit, but it worked like a charm!! You could see the expression of relief on his little face when you’d dip him in his neem infused bath, and the relief had a lasting effect. The bath ritual coupled with lashings of oatmeal cream meant we were able to control is eczema, and I happy to say, that we moved away from having to rely on steroid creams.

  I could barely contain my excitement when I realised that we were able to create a collection which could harness the use of neem oil. Our Rose & Sandalwood with Neem Oil range blends the medicinal properties of neem with the beautifully scented Moroccan rose, known for its emollient properties. It is a truly unique combination with numerous benefits for skin, hair and scalp. A wonder treat that has been blended to help repair, nourish and hydrate – without the fuss of having to source, steep or crush the neem leaves yourself.

   

   

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