Cleansing and Moisturizing is a Critical Daily Task to Manage Eczema

I sat down to begin writing a blog about eczema, and as I started looking for information, I found something very surprising: a LOT of people have eczema (30 million in the US), a lot of people have tried many things, and a lot of people are still suffering. Eczema is, in a word, complicated.

For starters, the medical community can't really pinpoint what causes eczema. There is a huge list of contributing factors, and those factors are all very clearly different for everyone.

The atopic dermatitis condition called eczema can be caused by:

• genetics
• allergies
• sensitivity to irritants
• sensitivity to temperatures
• photosensitivity
• "thin" skin that does not produce enough fats/oils to create a protective layer
• an immune response

Symptoms of eczema:

• itching, often intense
• red, dry patches
• severely sensitive skin
• rough texture or welts
• itching that leads to scratching and damage to the skin
• damaged skin may be raw, wound-like and might crust over
• pus filled blisters may form

Treatments are also diverse. Everything from over the counter, prescription topicals, diet changes, meditation, wet wrapping, medications such as antihistamines and steroids, even uv light therapy.

Cleansing and Moisturizing Every Day Is Critical

Cleansing and moisturizing are the first steps to take when treating eczema, and they should continue to be part of an eczema treatment routine. Bathing should be done with luke warm, not hot, water. Allow the skin to damp dry, patting, and not rubbing with a towel. Apply moisturizer immediately after bathing, and continue to apply moisturizer on eczema flare up sites throughout the day.

Moisture Therapy Derma Soothing Body Wash
Soothes dryness with vitamin E, aloe and chamomile.

Moisture Therapy Derma Soothing Body Lotion
Light cream moisturizes like an ointment. 

Moisture Therapy Derma Soothing products have been accepted by the National Eczema Association and carry the acceptance seal.

I have had bouts of eczema on my hands. The itching makes me crazy! I have itched my skin to the point of bleeding. I have sensitive skin that damages easily, sunburns easily, and a light fingernail scratch will leave a red mark on my skin for several minutes. I have tried everything from Aveeno to Cetaphil to hydrocortisone. The only products I have been able to use on my hands are the St Ives oatmeal lotions, and Avon's Intensive Healing and Repair. That Aveeno that is supposed to be for itchy skin, seriously makes my skin BURN when I use it. I threw it out.

Margo Young is an Avon representative in Missouri. She has been using the Derma Soothing on her young child's eczema, and shared this BEFORE/AFTER photo. This was from using the Derma Soothing body wash and body lotion for just a few days.

Photo courtesy Margo Young

Everyone who suffers from eczema has a unique situation. Different products are available, but everyone may respond to them differently. The Derma Soothing products may or may not work for you, but I have been seeing very honest reviews from many people with eczema that state these cleansing and moisturizing products work for eczema skin. What I can suggest is to try them out, and if they do not work for your eczema skin, Avon does have a 90 day return policy! But from everything I have seen, Moisture Therapy Derma Soothing is an excellent solution for the daily skin maintenance required for eczema, and at an affordable cost.

Summer Skincare Workshop

This is information archived from my Summer Skincare Workshop Facebook event on June 28th. 

My Skin Story

For a long time, I never did anything for my skin. Like, I would clean my face of course, but I never wore moisturizer or makeup. Then I realized that my skin was getting damaged.

Everyone was always yelling at me to wear sunscreen in the summer (which I did!) but it didn't matter. I would burn to a bright lobster red anyway... it didn't matter how much sunscreen, what SPF or how frequently I reapplied it... Red. And after the burn and the red... peeling. Not fun.

My face wasn't much better. That was also red all the time. I would flush (it sort of looks like blushing) but it was more than just embarrassment; my face would flush red in reaction to almost anything: cold, heat, changes in temperature, alcohol, and, yes, adrenalin. So I started wearing makeup to cover the red. I actually would shop for a concealer with a green tone and slather that on my cheeks and neck to cover the red. (Color theory: green and red are opposite on the color wheel and green neutralizes the red.) After I realized that product (!) could actually help my appearance and confidence, I started paying more attention to my skin.

7 Things That Damage Skin

Skin Type Tissue Test

SPF and Photoaging

SPF stands for Sun Protection Factor.  For basic protection, SPF 15 is ideal. Higher SPFs only offer a small percentage more of protection. And here's a dirty secret: SPF only protects against UVB. UVA also causes sun damage and skin cancer.

Ultraviolet light from the sun is categorized based on wavelength. UVA is long wave, UVB is short wave, and UVC doesn't penetrate the ozone.

In order to be protected from UVA rays, you have to see one of these phrases on your sunscreen product: multi spectrum, broad spectrum or UVA/UVB protection. These products will contain either a chemical UVA protective ingredient (like a somethingbenzone - there are several - or Ecamsule) or a physical UVA protective ingredient, like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide.

Photoaging is the lifetime accumulation of skin damage as a direct result of sun exposure (or tanning UV rays). There is actually a really fascinating anecdotal evidence of a truck driver who has photoaging effects clearly visible on the left side of his face. So, his face is significantly damaged and wrinkled, dry, and rough as a direct result of being exposed to sun on the left side of his vehicle because he spent so much time in the driver's seat! Crazy, right? Google "Bill McElligott".

UVB rays can penetrate the epidermis, is what causes sunburns, initiates the skin to produce melanin and can contribute to skin cancer.

UVA rays can penetrate deeper, into the dermis. Here, the skin's collagen and elastin can be damaged, and over time the dermis thins, causing the epidermis layer to droop and sag.

Sunburns are the initial clue that the sun has damaged the skin. However, signs of early photoaging can also include melanin production in spots (think freckles), the new presence of spider veins, and wrinkles that form around the eyes and mouth. Long term photoaging effects are seen more visibly as deep wrinkles, spider veins around the nose, rough skin texture, and most frightening, the presence of skin abnormalities that could signal skin cancer.

Sun is a significant contributor to skin aging: wrinkles, dry skin and age spots (increased melanin). Most skin damage from the sun happens during the summer. A single, simple way to prevent sun damage is sunscreen. SPF of 15 or higher, apply a lot, reapply frequently especially if you are sweating or swimming, choose one with broad spectrum protections (which has chemical or physical ingredients to protect from UVA as well as UVB). Use lip balm with an SPF. Wear hats, sunglasses and UV reflecting clothing. Make sure ears, neck, elbows and knees are covered. Men, women AND children/ white, ruddy, brown AND black skin all need sun protection (while darker skin have more melanin which acts as an SPF, and dark skin tans more than burns, sun damage is still occurring and skin cancer still is a risk!).

Skincare Solutions

How do you find solutions to your skincare problems? Well, you can:

1. Try your local drugstore, 
2. Look in Ulta, 
3. Browse high end department stores, 
4. See a dermatologist (especially important if you think you have something that might be skin cancer), 
5. Ask a friend about skincare products she recommends!

Simple Skincare for Men

Skincare shouldn't be complicated for anyone. Cleanse, Moisturize, Treat... right? Men face (heh.. face) some unique challenges when caring for their facial skin. Namely, HAIR!

Facial hair requires shaving, or maintenance. Shaving can cause irritation, dry skin, and other annoyances. Anew men will help avoid those annoyances!

Shave
Shave gel with aloe and vitamin e keeps shaving smooth. After shave with aloe helps the shave feel great.

Cleanse
2 in 1 gel cleanser keeps the oils and dirt away.

Moisturize
Lotion with SPF 50 focuses on the number one factor for aging skin in men: SUN! UVA causes damage to the skin, and this lotion with SPF and antioxidants is a true fighter. For dry skin, men can choose the moisturizing cream.

Treat
Even men's eyes need some TLC sometimes. This will help dark circles, crow's feet or other skin concerns that make you look a little older than you need to.

Incredible new skincare options for men!

Eczema Relief

Eczema is skin that is chronically red and itchy. It can be so itchy that scratching makes it worse and the skin develops secondary infections. While it is difficult to identify the causes of eczema, certain triggers might cause eczema flare ups,  like specific products, allergic reactions, and stress.

Eczema can happen to anyone, from babies to the elderly. Red, patchy skin can itch like crazy. Of course, in the process of trying to relieve the itch, the skin can be further irritated. The result is raw skin, that swells, has little red bumps, can be scaly and tough, and might even have fluid oozing out. 

Skin issues like that can take over your life. It’s constantly hurting, embarrassing to look at, and trying to find solutions can be frustrating.

There are so many possible solutions for eczema. Benadryl, cortisone creams, moisturizing, even taking a diluted bleach bath! In fact, there are so many options it can truly become overwhelming. Trying every single option without relief can quickly become agonizing. 

However, two key things can help alleviate symptoms of eczema: washing with a gentle soap using warm (not hot) water, and moisturizing dry skin to reduce flare ups.

AVON Moisture Therapy DERMA is a mild, gentle formula to provide soothing relief for eczema. 

• STEP 1: Cleanse with scientifically formulated soothing body wash. The body wash cleanses while soothing dryness associated with eczema-prone skin and has vitamin E, aloe and chamomile.
• STEP 2: Moisturize with soothing body lotion. The lotion is a light cream enriched with Skin Lipid Complex. 

AVON’s DERMA products have been accepted by the National Eczema Association. 

 

Eczema is a skin condition and is not contagious. If you have symptoms of eczema, you should see a physician or a dermatologist. There has been and still is a lot of scientific research regarding eczema.