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3 Ingredients you SHOULD & SHOULDN'T Be Using For Eczema
If you’ve experienced consistently dry, red, itchy, and inflamed skin, you might be living with Eczema. There are several types of Eczema that can appear on the skin, some caused by genetics, and others triggered by weather changes or certain foods. Eczema can also appear in different areas for anyone, with some experiencing eczema on their hands, arms, face, or legs. Whether you know it or not, every product you are using ranges from household cleaners, perfumes, soaps, and lotions can be a possibility in causing it to trigger. We’ve gathered 3 ingredients that you should and shouldn’t be using to try and treat your eczema.
What causes Eczema to flare?
Eczema can flare in a person in a snowflake manner, with different triggers for every individual. There is no specific part of the year where you might be more or less prone to experiencing a flare-up. The most common trigger for eczema rashes to start appearing is dry skin, which makes your skin more prone to become red and itchy and turn into eczema patches. Other familiar triggers are irritants, coming in the form of smoke, household chemicals, and fragrances. Steering clear of certain factors can help you in avoiding unnecessary flares.
3 Ingredients You SHOULD & SHOULDN’T Use For Eczema
Should: Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is known for its soothing and calming effects on the skin. Aloe Vera is an antioxidant that is anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, immune-boosting, and speeds up healing. When eczema flares up, the damaged skin is weak and prone to infections. Due to the anti-microbial and anti-fungal properties, aloe vera can ward off nasty infections while promoting the repair of the skin with the ability to stimulate skin growth. Aloe Vera can also increase the moisture levels in your skin, with increased hydration reducing itchy, dry eczema skin. Aloe Vera can be easy to use either in another personal care product or straight from the plant.
Shouldn’t: Artificial Fragrances
Artificial or synthetic fragrances are made up of hundreds of synthetical chemicals. They are one of the most common reactions in most cosmetic products, accounting for 30-45% of reactions (nationaleczema.org). These “fake” scents can irritate the skin, causing rashes and redness. The most common type of eczema that appears from the use of the artificial fragrances is contact dermatitis, which comes in the form or a red, itchy rash that appears in the spots that came in contact with the synthetic fragrance. Artificial fragrances lurk in many cosmetic products, but can be easily avoided if swapped for a naturally made fragrance.
Should: Camel Milk
Camel milk is a shocking but effective ingredient to soothe and treat eczema in a number of ways. It has been used since ancient times to treat different skin conditions ranging from eczema to psoriasis. The lactic acid in Camel Milk works to hydrate severely dry skin, while loosening the bonds between dead and healthy skin cells, removing old skin that may be causing you itchiness. Alpha-hydroxy-acids present in the lactic acid are the most gentle exfoliant to use on sensitive skin with eczema and help to restore the natural skin barrier. The lanolin that is naturally present in Camel Milk can boost the strength of your skins barrier, making it able to lock in moisture while increasing skin cells healing. On top of everything, Camel Milk has anti-oxidative, antibacterial, antiviral, anti-fungal, and anti-aging properties, helping keep your skin at its healthiest.
Shouldn’t: Petroleum Jelly
Petroleum Jelly otherwise known as Vaseline is a greasy mixture of oils and waxes and is made up of Petroleum. While this ingredient can be great at locking in moisture, it doesn’t do any moisturizing itself, meaning if you use it on its own, it will dry your skin out further in the long run. Petroleum Jelly is used in many personal care products but tends to leave behind that greasy feeling on the skin. Slathering this on your skin can cause your pores to get clogged and deter any other products from sinking into the skin properly. Another issue with Petroleum Jelly is that it can be an allergen for many, causing flare-ups as a reaction to using it.
Should: Sweet Almond Oil
Sweet Almond Oil is another ingredient that dates back to ancient times for it’s use in treating eczema and dry, itchy skin. It is an antioxidant that is anti-inflammatory, being effective at calming irritated skin from Eczema flares. The oleic and linoleic triglycerides in Sweet Almond Oil can help in strengthening your skin and boost the cells regenerating process. Using Sweet Almond Oil can protect your skin against getting dehydrated, and it deeply nourishes your skin. You can apply Sweet Almond Oil directly to the skin or find it in a number of cosmetic products.
Shouldn’t: Sulfates
If you have Sulfates lurking in your products, you may find your eczema to be more commonly triggered. Sulfates, otherwise known as SLS, are used in many personal care products to make them lather. SLS can disrupt the natural oils found on your skin, making it weaker and more susceptible to further damage. This can also further cause your skin to loose its ability to hold in water, leading to very dehydrated skin. Sulfates can clog your pores and irritate sensitive skin, causing rashes and redness. Anyone who has sensitive skin or eczema should steer clear of sulfates.
Cammellatte for Eczema
Cammellatte combines powerful hand-chosen ingredients with the superfood camel milk to provide the best care for sensitive skin. All-natural ingredients are gentle on the skin and work at different angles to combat the skin’s dryness, itching, and redness. Along with the beneficial ingredients listed above, Cammellatte contains other natural ingredients that help in soothing eczema-prone skin.
Coconut Oil: Coconut oil really helps in locking in moisture to the skin. It can also soothe inflammation and kill off any bad bacteria on the skin. Using this oil can also make it easier to loosen dry dead skin. Coconut allergies are not very common, so this makes it safe for eczema users to apply.--Tea Tree Oil: Tea tree oil has anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antibacterial, and antiviral properties. It can help relieve dry skin inflammation, itching, and dryness when applied.--Lavender Oil: Lavender oil is typically used in aromatherapy, helping in relieving stress that can trigger eczema. Applying it to the skin can result in relief of itching, soothing the skin through its anti-fungal properties.--Calendula Flower Oil: Calendula flower oil also dates back in time for use. Used during the civil war, it was applied to help heal wounds. It’s antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, and anti-microbial. It can regenerate new skin cells, reduce inflammation, and moisturize and lock in moisture for the skin. The nutrients found in this oil can decrease the effect of many skin conditions including eczema and psoriasis.--Shea Butter: Shea butter has anti-inflammatory properties that help in soothing and relieving the skin’s itching. It is also thicker inconsistency, which helps to lock in the skin’s natural moisture better than typical creams.--Jojoba seed oil: Jojoba seed oil is a skin softener, with anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antioxidant, and healing properties. Applying it can help relieve dryness, flaking, and itching of the skin. Its levels of Vitamin E content can help reduce scarring and acts as an antioxidant, fighting oxidative stress from exposure to pollutants.
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