Calming eczema and psoriasis (simple skin tips)
Eczema and psoriasis are irritating and sometimes painful skin conditions, which do well from some gentle natural care and no added irritants like essential oils. Learn more on how to help people with eczema.
Coraline Soap was created by the parents of a baby with Down Syndrome, who could not tolerate ‘sensitive skin’ soaps. The chamomile soap has anti-inflammatory ingredients to relieve dry itchy skin.
For 3 months and up only. Check for nut allergies.
Don’t bar soaps dry skin out?
You’ve been reading silly beauty magazines! Real soap (made with caustic soda – don’t try this at home!) is ‘cured’ for weeks. Which results in ‘proper soap’ to clean your skin, but retains moisturising glycerine.
Most commercial soaps (which nearly all contain palm oil, contributing to deforestation of habitats for endangered orangutans) takes out the moisturising glycerine, and sells it to industry.
Or uses it to make fruity ‘transparent glycerine’ soaps for extra profits. Which don’t dry skin out, but won’t clean it either (because they are not soaps!)
So seek out proper handmade soaps to find pure bars that both clean and moisturise your skin. Try using one on your face and nothing else for a month. And notice the difference!
Oatmeal baths are sometimes calming for red inflamed skin. For babies, talk to your GP or midwife (it can be due to dairy allergies in breastfeeding mothers).
NHS has a good 2-minute video by a midwife, on how to safely bathe babies. Never leave babies alone for a second and avoid bath seats, these can quick detach in seconds.
Tips for managing irritated skin
Eczema (atopic dermatitis) and psoriasis (when skin sheds quickly) both involve repairing the skin barrier, reducing inflammation and avoiding triggers. Whereas eczema is an overactive immune response, psoriasis if oten an autoimmune disease, but many soothing tips overlap.
Sknfed Organic Aloe Vera is a whole leaf gel to provide instant relief to dry, irritated and sensitive skin. It’s also good to heal redness and provide relief after sun-exposure. Trusted by over 10,000 users!
If you grow aloe plants, keep them away from pets as they can be toxic (read more on pet plant safety).
To use, just apply a small amount to skin, on problem areas. Keep out of reach of children. For external use only.
- Take short lukewarm baths or showers and leave skin slightly damp, applying thick fragrance-free skin creams to lock in hydration.
- Avoid harsh soaps, beauty and laundry items with fragrances.
- Stress is a trigger, so learn to relax.
- Keep out of the sun.
- Get plenty of plant-based omega 3 acids.
Organic oat body powder (for sensitive skin)
Novapure Naturals Body Powder is made with organic oats, arrowroot, kaolin clay, chamomile and calendula. Ideal to prevent rashes, there are before/after photos of babies whose skin has healed in weeks (sometimes hours).
Keep this powder away from water and open flame. Keep away from pets, as it contains zinc (also found in sunscreens, deodorants and cosmetics – wash off before pets kiss you – same for cocoa butter).
The product was created by a mother (who created her business despite a MS diagnosis). And got incredible feedback from users with psoriasis, eczema, acne and athlete’s foot. It has a shelf life of 12 months, store out of direct sunlight/heat and keep dry. Sold in travel tins with refills.
Vets may wish to look at this. Although zinc oxide is toxic to pets, it’s used in percentages for some topical vet healing creams.
This product does contain zinc oxide, and there’s a before/after healing photo of a canine wound, which vets may be interested in exploring further.
