Eczema and Itchy Skin Solutions

I never used to have issues with eczema until I gave birth to my first child, and it wasn't until then that I knew what eczema was to make my skin itch like crazy! It started off with just a few patches on the insides of my thigh, and I already couldn't stand the itching - it disrupted my sleep and it was so embarrassing when I had to itch in public! I went to see a doctor, and he prescribed me with medications containing steroid to take orally and to apply to the itchy patch. I recovered in no time, but soon again, the patches came back, this time taking up a larger area of my skin and also in other places over my body. I realised that it was nearly impossible to get rid of them completely as it was the rainy season in HK, and every time it rained, the eczema would appear again, and things became even worse when there was a rainstorm. I also tried taking Chinese medicine, but the effects were too slow.

In the meantime, I tried a few things to help relieve the itchiness...

1) Taking a teaspoon of flaxseed oil every morning

The oil tasted pretty disgusting, some describe it as "like rotten fish with a bitter aftertaste", and I would completely concur with it. The longer you keep the oil for, the more bitter the taste. Despite saying this, I did manage to finish the entire bottle of 250mL.

2) Taking flaxseed powder with my oatmeal every morning

As I don't have a grinder at home, I bought the flaxseed powder, and I added it into my oatmeal. I also tried adding it into rice, but it was too dry to swallow. The powder on the other hand, does not have much of a taste.

I didn't find flaxseed to be too effective in helping with eczema, but the flaxseed did help with constipation. Since the flaxseed oil didn't taste very nice, I abandoned flaxseed out of my diet completely.

There are many different products on the market that claim they are suitable for sensitive skin or for eczema. I even tried products the Johnson's Baby Bath for sensitive skin, but it was still too dry on my skin, and when I read the ingredients, I was surprised to see "alcohol" contained in my baby bath!!

So, here are some of the products that I have tried (I don't have the bottle for some of the products I used anymore as they have been thrown away):

1) PHYSIOGEL Shower Cream with DMS

Physiogel Shower Cream with DMS is a mild, hypoallergenic shower cream specially formulated for the gentle, daily cleansing of dry and sensitive skin.

Specially formulated with mild and gentle ingredients for sensitive skin in mind, the unique DMS (Derma Membrane Structure) lipids hydrate the skin even during cleansing, replenishing your skin with essential moisture. It contains no colourants, perfume and preservatives.

Personal Experience:

This is the one product that I must recommend if you are suffering from eczema, dry, itchy or sensitive skin!!! The shower cream itself is not very thick, with no scent, and creates foam when added with water. This did not irritate the eczema on my skin, and it also helped relieve the itchiness. The downside is that it finishes quite quickly as the 150mL tube is the only size available, and it is quite a pricey shower cream to use daily.

Price:

Around HK$100 for 150mL

Conclusion:

I would definitely repurchase again despite the expensive price tag!

2) DERMAVEEN Everyday Soap Free Wash pH5.5

A unique formulation with natural colloidal oatmeal to soothe, protect and hydrate skin - pH balanced - Won't clog pores - Ideal for all over body use - Ideal for infants, children and adults - No lanolin, parabens, dyes or fragrances

It is suitable for skin prone to dermatitis/eczema, nappy rash, rashes, environmental insults and minor burns.

Personal Experience:

The Wash is slightly thicker than the Physiogel Shower Cream with DMS, with an oatmeal smell (it reminded me of the smell of almond drink), and creates foam when added with water. This product didn't irritate the eczema on my skin, and it is quite moisturising for the skin, but it didn't help to relieve the itchiness. The upside is that this product comes in two sizes - 500mL and 1L, and has a pump dispenser. It has an oatmeal smell that I'm okay with, but not everyone may like it. I used to use this on the rest of my body, whilst using the Physiogel Shower Cream on the areas which have eczema, and it helped prevent further patches of eczema on my skin. If you want moisturised skin, this product is for you, but if you want to help relieve the itchiness of your skin, then Physiogel would be the better option, but I use them both together as the Physiogel is really quite expensive to use for the whole body daily.

Price:

Around HK$150 for 1L

Conclusion:

I would repurchase again to use as a daily body wash for sensitive skin or dry skin.

3) QV Gentle Wash

This gentle wash is a soap-free cleanser for cleansing dry and sensitive skin. It is pH balanced, low-irritant formulation, free from fragrance, colour, lanolin, and propylene glycol. It is suitable for sensitive skin types, including infants and the elderly. It is also suitable for sun-damaged skin and conditions such as dermatitis, eczema and psoriasis. It comes in three sizes: 250mL flip-top bottle, 500mL pump pack, 1L pump pack

Personal Experience:

I purchased one bottle after my friend recommended it to me, but I didn't like it. To me, it was just like using any other shower gel on the supermarket shelf. The texture of the Gentle Wash was quite like the Physiogel Shower Cream, not very thick, has no scent, and creates foam when added with water. It wasn't very moisturising, and it did not help relieve the itchiness from the eczema. It may be suitable for sensitive skin, but definitely not for eczema!

Conclusion:

I will not repurchase even as a daily wash.

4) JOHNSON'S Baby Bath for Sensitive Skin

Personal Experience:

I purchased one bottle from the supermarket after my friend recommended it to me, but I didn't like it. It was a blue shower gel, with a fragrant, and creates foam when added with water. Perhaps I got the wrong perception that products made for babies would be very gentle on the skin and would not dry out the skin, but this was definitely not the case with Johnson's baby bath products. The Baby Bath was too dry for my skin, and led to more itching. I stopped using it as a shower gel, instead used it as a hand wash to finish up the product. I was also surprised to find that it contained sulfates, alcohol, and fragrance inside!

Conclusion:

I will not repurchase again. My son uses another brand of baby products which are free of sulfates, parabens or synthetic preservatives, phthalates or BPA, is vegan and pediatrician confirmed, and is formulated for sensitive skin.

If you have eczema on your face...

5) PHYSIOGEL Cleanser

Personal Experience:

This Cleanser is very mild, has no scent, and it is not foamy even when mixed with water. My face did not feel tight after cleansing with this product, and it cleanses okay. It comes in two sizes - 150mL and 300mL.

Price:

Around HK$80 for 150mL, around HK$130 for 300mL

Conclusion:

I would definitely repurchase if I had any problems with my skin, but luckily I seldom get eczema or even acne on my face!

6) CETAPHIL Gentle Skin Cleanser

Personal Experience:

This cleanser was too mild and did not clean very well, and I knew that because when I wiped my face with toner, the cotton pad ended up very dirty. There is no scent to this cleanser, and there is no foam even when mixed with water. I found that it was also too dry for my face as my face felt tight after cleansing with it.

Conclusion:

I would not repurchase, although hubby likes using it, probably because he has normal/oily skin and it is okay for him, but when I wipe his face with toner, the cotton pad usually turns brown. This product is usually popular amongst those with acne prone skin.

As for things to apply to itchy skin...

7) VIRGIN COCONUT OIL (any brand)

Personal Experience:

During the warmer days, the coconut oil is in a liquid form, but in cooler weather, the oil solidifies. For hygiene reasons, I use a spoon to scoop out the oil onto my palms for application. In cooler weather, scoop out the solidified oil and place into your palms. As you rub it into your skin, the oil will melt and become "oil" again.

Virgin Coconut Oil works GREAT with itchy, sensitive, and dry skin, as well as eczema or insect bites etc. It's so natural that anyone could apply it, and I have found that it really does help relieve itchy skin! I have two jars - one for eating, and the other for applying onto my skin. When the weather is really dry, I apply it all over my body like a body lotion. It smells so yummy too! It takes a few minutes for the oil to absorb into your skin completely, but it doesn't feel too oily or greasy on the skin, but if you really don't like that feeling, you can apply it at night and sleep in it.

I have seen virgin coconut oil come in jars as well as bottles, but I would definitely recommend jars, as coconut oil tends to solidify when it's cold, and will only look like oil in its liquid form when the weather is warmer, so if you have a bottle of it, it would be quite troublesome for you to take the coconut oil out in cooler temperatures.

If you do some research on coconut oil, they say you can do heaps of things with coconut oil too, as coconut oil has antibacterial properties and a whole bunch of other benefits too!

Conclusion:

I would definitely repurchase, but one jar goes a long way already!

8) SUDOCREM

This is an over-the-counter medicated cream aimed primarily at the treatment of nappy rash, but it can also be used to treat eczema, bedsores, acne, minor burns and sores, and minor wounds. Sudocrem contains a water-repellent base (consisting of oils/waxes); protective and emollient agents; antibacterial and antifungal agents; and a weak anesthetic.

Personal Experience:

It is a very thick cream/ointment that smells like lavender. I find that it helps relieve itchiness at times. I've also tried applying it to acne, and that works also.

Price:

HK$68 for 125g

Conclusion:

I would definitely repurchase, but as you can see from the photo, I haven't even used 1/4 of it yet!

9) PHYSIOGEL AI Cream

The AI Cream helps protect skin from free radicals, regenerates skin's protective barrier, helps relieve redness in dry, sensitive skin, and it is non-comedogenic.

Personal Experience:

This is another cream that has antibacterial properties and can be applied to help relieve itchiness, although it did not always work for me.

Price:

HK$130 for 50mL

Conclusion:

I would not purchase again as it is quite expensive and was not really effective.

10) ORONINE H OINTMENT

This ointment is suitable for acne, eruptions, minor burns, chapped skin, chilblains, minor cuts, dry athlete's foot ringworm.

Personal Experience:

I have been using this ointment since a child. I use it on itchy skin and it works wonders. Although it says on the website that the ointment should not be applied to eczema, but I have tried it and it helps relieve the itchiness for me.

Conclusion:

I would repurchase as it's so multifunctional and useful, but I've had this for a few years and I still haven't needed to repurchase yet.

11) SEBAMED Body Milk for Sensitive Dry Skin

This Body Milk is highly moisturising and nourishing. The cream has a fresh and lightweight texture which glides smoothly on your skin, pampering each and every inch of your skin. Your skin can be renewed, refined, resilient and radiant upon using it.

Personal Experience:

The Body Milk is very lightweight and non-greasy, thought it does have quite a strong fragrant smell. Since it is very lightweight, it is not moisturising enough if you have really dry skin. I realised that it did help to relieve itchiness in dry skin, but not eczema related itchy skin. It also helped relieve itchiness on some insect bites too. Hubby used to use it as a moisturiser for his face, before I interfered and started using proper skincare products on his face.

Price:

Around HK$80.00 for 200mL

Conclusion:

I would repurchase as it's not expensive, and I apply it when I'm too lazy for other things.

12) LA ROCHE-POSAY Lipikar Balm AP

The lipid-replenishing moisturiser is used to replenish and soothe severely dry and itchy skin, with a 24-hour anti-scratching efficacy. It claims to provide long-lasting relief with only one application per day.

Personal Experience:

I received a sample of the Lipikar Balm AP as well as the Lipikar Syndet (shower cream-gel) when purchasing other skincare products from Vichy.

Lipikar Balm AP (moisturiser): It was more of a cream rather than a lotion, leaving a slightly sticky residue. I didn't like the texture nor the feeling it left on my skin afterwards. The balm has no scent, and it didn't help relieve the itchiness as claimed.

Lipikar Syndet (shower cream-gel): It was very mild, with no scent, and created some foam when added with water. It did not relieve the itchiness as claimed.

Conclusion:

I would not repurchase as they didn't help relieve the itchiness, and they are also quite expensive products to buy. I recall they are even more expensive than my Physiogel products, so it's a big NO.

13) CETAPHIL MOISTURISING LOTION

This lotion has a non-greasy formulation that is mild, non-irritating and long lasting. It contains emollients and humectants that bind moisture to the skin. This fragrance-free moisturiser contains no lanolins or parabens.

Personal Experience:

The texture is quite light, though not as light as the SebaMed Body Milk, and with a very chemical smell that I personally find disturbing. It does not absorb into the skin as quickly as the SebaMed Body Milk, and does not help relieve itchy skin. It may be a good moisturiser, but I really do not like the smell, which is why the bottle is sitting there, unused.

Conclusion:

I would not repurchase.

Despite the expensive price tag to the Physiogel Shower Cream, I still use it daily, and it's the only shower cream that I can use now, since I have very sensitive skin due to pregnancy - hubby's Dettol shower gel makes my skin itchy, and my Palmer's shea butter shower gel causes breakouts on my back and chest. I only just found the bottle of DermaVeen in my room, and will probably try that again. I've also read online that some people use almond oil to help relieve itchiness too, but I haven't had the chance to try it yet.

Thank you for reading this far, and if you did, you're going to be a lucky person, because...

.....DID YOU EXPECT THERE TO BE A "CURE" FOR ECZEMA?

This is something I read in a Chinese magazine a while ago, and so I decided to try it, and it worked for me! I also posted it on my Facebook before - it's a really easy way, but you really need to follow it everyday!

THE RAISIN DRINK

All you need...

raisins

hot water

Place 15-20 raisins into a cup and add hot water.

Leave the raisins to soak in the hot water for 20-30 minutes.

After 20-30 minutes, mix with a spoon, and drink the water & eat the raisins. You will see a layer of "oil" floating on the water and it's normal. The water will taste a little sweet.

Drink this every morning and evening, for 2 weeks.

You can increase the amount of raisins over time, but start with around 15 raisins first. The maximum number of raisins you can use is 30 raisins.

I also tried this with green raisins, but they didn't seem to be as effective as the traditional brown raisins, and the drink didn't have much taste.

If you are feeding this to babies, you need to mash up the raisins first before feeding. You can also boil the raisins in hot water to make the raisins softer too, and it will have the same effect.

PLEASE NOTE:

During the first few days of taking this drink, your eczema will suddenly "pop out" and may even worsen, but don't worry as this is completely normal - these new patches will go away after a few days! It is very important to continue taking the drink even though the eczema "worsens" during that time. I suggest that you only try this drink when you won't be seeing many people, as you don't know how bad it will get.

I don't know the science behind all of this, but I did try it, and it seemed to have helped my eczema; I ate duck meat and mangoes, both considered to be very "poisonous" in Chinese Medicinal terms, and normally, those itchy red patches would appear nearly instantly that night, but after taking the raisin drink, I had no issues with eczema since then.

I don't know if it's just a temporary cure or a permanent one, but since it's so easy to make, I intend to take this drink before the rainy season to prevent any serious eczema situations from happening again. If you're really out of options, you may want to try it too - there's no harm in trying! :)

In addition, just snacking on raisins is beneficial too!

I hope these suggestions will help you in finding the right products for you, and feel free to suggest any other products that you've used and found useful. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment below!

Have a nice day everyone, and let's all have an itch-free life!

The DRY Months of the Year...

I currently live in Hong Kong, and the winter season is particularly dry. You'll know when you need to change your skincare products to a more intense one when your skin feels tight after you cleanse, and if your foundation looks flaky when applied to your face. Winter is coming to an end and spring is nearly here, but I'd still like to share with you all what I loved using during the super dry months of the year:

I absolutely LOVE the following products from Clarins, but I only use them during the winter, as they are too oily for me to use during the humid summer months in HK. Of course, Clarins has many other products too that I love, but I shall talk about those in other posts...this post is mainly for my fav products during the winter months :)

1) CLARINS Double Serum

 

The product claims to make your skin look firmer, reduce wrinkles, more even skin, and pores less visible.

Outlook:

It comes in a bronze coloured plastic bottle with a pump dispenser, and you can only see one side of the bottle. It's a double serum because there are actually two serums inside the bottle, so when you pump out the serum, an oil along with the orange serum will be pumped out, and that is why you need to mix the serums together in your palms before applying it to the face.

Personal Experience:

I started buying this product in Dec 2012, and I am currently into using my third bottle (I have the 50mL jumbo size bottle now). I only use this during the winter - 1 pump for the morning and 2 pumps at night. I bought the 50mL bottle at the beginning of winter, and the bottle has lasted me for an entire season. The results have not been so obvious for me, apart from having moisturised skin, but it has proved great results on my mother-in-law's face the first time she used it. She has always had very dry and flaky skin, but upon the first use of the Double Serum, her face became very soft again. I also find that my skin is more firm and soft after prolonged use of the product. There is a slight scent to the product but it's not very strong. It absorbs into the skin fairly quickly so your face won't feel sticky for too long.

How to use:

Pump the amount that you need onto your palms (1 or 2 pumps in the morning, and 2 pumps at night), and mix it in your hands ("warm up" the product) before pressing it down gently onto your face and neck every morning and evening before your usual cream.

For more information, please see:

http://www.clarins.com.hk/Double-Serum-jumbo-size/C010408021,en_HK,pd.html?start=2#sthash.RuayxKj7.dpuf

Price:

HK$630.00 for 30mL, HK$880.00 for 50mL

2) CLARINS HydraQuench Intensive Serum Bi-Phase

The product claims to bring a youthful vitality to extra dry, devitalised skin - even in the most extreme climates.

Outlook:

It comes in a blue matte glass bottle with a golden lid and a pump (looks quite posh). After shaking the bottle, the liquid inside becomes white as you mix the oil and the serum together. Despite the serum having oil inside, it is surprisingly not sticky at all.

Personal Experience:

I started buying this product in Dec 2012, and I am currently into using my second bottle. Unlike the Double Serum, I don't use this everyday unless my face needs an extra boost, and I tend to only use this at night after using my Double Serum. I also use it after I've done a home facial. Again, it has a slight scent, but it's acceptable and quite nice also. When you pump the serum out onto your palm, it actually turns out to be a slightly blue colour. It is not sticky or oily in anyway after applying it to your face.

How to use:

Gently shake the bottle to mix the oil together with the serum. Apply morning and/or evening to thoroughly cleansed face and neck. Gently press down on skin, working from the middle of the face outward.

Price:

HK$525.00 for 30mL

3) CLARINS Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil

This product claims to be an anti-aging care for dehydrated skin, and will help prevent moisture loss and the formation of fine lines.

Clarins has three types of face treatment oils:

Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil for dehydrated skin

Santal Face Treatment Oil for dry skin

Lotus Face Treatment Oil for oily or combination skin

Outlook:

It comes in a glass bottle with yellow oil inside. The sample only comes with a white lid, but the full size bottle comes with a glass pasteur pipette/dropper.

Personal Experience: 

I received a few of samples of the Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil from my previous purchases (the samples are 2mL bottles), so I have yet opened my full size bottle yet. I don't use this oil everyday unless my face is very dry, and when I do use it, I will use a small drop and mix it with toner in my hand, or apply it after applying my toner when my face is still wet - this helps the product absorb better and also so that it won't leave any stickiness to your face. If you apply it in the right way, it does not leave an oily nor sticky feeling to your face, and will definitely not cause breakouts, in fact, it balances out your skin's oil.

How to use:

In the evening, after thorough cleansing, apply a small amount to the face and neck still damp with Toning Lotion, avoiding the eye contour. Gently dab face with a soft tissue to remove any excess product.

Price:

HK$420.00 for 30mL

4) CLARINS Toning Lotion With Camomile

Outlook:

It comes in a plastic bottle with a lid that clicks when it's fully closed, which ensures that it is closed properly and avoid any spills.

Personal Experience:

Clarins has a few different types of toning lotions, but I use this one which is for normal or dry skin. The thing I love about it is that it is alcohol-free (perfect for the pregnant me), and it has a very faint chamomile scent. It also softens, soothes, and smoothes irritations. I've finished using the full size bottle, so the photo is showing a smaller size of 50mL. It's not drying for the skin and it makes my skin feel relaxed, especially when I use it at night.

How to use:

After cleansing, soak a cotton pad in the Toning Lotion and smooth over the face and neck.

Price:

HK$230.00 for 200mL

5) JURLIQUE Lip Care Balm

"A soothing moisturiser for chapped lips. This rich balm conditions and softens the lips, keeping them moist and supple."

Outlook:

The lip balm comes in a metal tube. The balm itself is yellow in colour and the texture is quite thick.

Personal Experience:

Unlike other lip balms, this product does what it claims to do - condition and soften the lips! I've always had really chapped and flaky lips, especially during the winter and when I'm pregnant, and none of the other lip balms helped to resolve this problem, except this one. It's quite expensive to use all the time, and there's no applicator on the tube, so I only use this before bedtime, like a lip mask, so I don't get my hands sticky all the time. There is a very faint scent of beeswax, but hardly noticeable when applied to the lips. The balm is great, but the design of the tube is not great - I've used around 2/3 of the tube, and I find it quite difficult to squeeze the balm out of the hard metal tube. I've rolled up the bottom of the tube to make things easier, but it also got quite messy when the end of the tube popped open. This lip balm always runs out of stock (I had to order my first one), so I've stocked up recently to ensure I don't run out!

How to use:

Apply to lips throughout the day, using cotton bud or fingertip. Apply under and over lipstick as required.

Price:

HK$275 for 15mL

6) DIOR Addict Lip Glow

"A made-to-measure lip balm that beautifies and durably enhances the lips' natural colour. A customised colour result: thanks to its Colour Reviver technology, Dior Addict Lip Glow reacts directly with the unique chemistry of each woman's lips before releasing its colour ingredient. Lips seem revived from within, amazingly fresh, full and radiant. In addition, its formula enriched with wild mango and luffa cylindrica continuously protects and moisturises. A universal balm for all lips."

Outlook:

This lip balm comes in a very pretty silver tube inside a transparent pink casing. The lip balm itself looks light pink, but don't go applying layers of it on your lips just because you can't see the colour well enough - when applied to your lips, the colour will change according to how dry/moist your lips are, and it may change throughout the day too.

Personal Experience:

This is absolutely the BEST lip balm I have ever used. It's a very moisturising lip balm that comes with a customised colour result, and I just love how the colour changes every time I put it on. I seldom put on makeup, and even when I do, it's just very light makeup, so this is perfect for a natural look yet with a glow! It's a great gift too!

Price:

HK$250.00

7) PAUL AND JOE Moisturising Foundation Primer N

 

Outlook:

The primer comes in a transparent matte glass bottle with a lovely design. The pink colour of the lid represents that it is the moisturising version, as opposed to the Protecting Foundation Primer that comes with a white lid. It also comes with a pump dispenser for easy and hygienic access.

Personal Experience:

I never used to use primers until I started purchasing the primers from Paul & Joe. I also have the Protecting Foundation Primer from P&J (with a white lid) for the summer months. I have fairly white skin, so I use shade 01 dragee. Shade 02 miel is slightly darker in colour, and shade 03 creme does not consist of any foundation and does not have any SPF properties. The primer is very light and moisturising, and it does not sink into dry wrinkles. It has a slight scent but it's quite a nice one. There aren't many problems with my skin, so this is the only makeup product that I normally use during the day to help minimise the size of my pores and also even out my skin tone. Unfortunately, they only have two coloured shades, so if neither suit you, you may have to use the transparent one (shade 3 creme), but some people prefer to use a colourless primer anyway, especially if they're going to be applying foundation and other makeup to their face after.

How to use:

Pump the right amount onto the back of your hand and gently spread out before applying it to your face. Always use a makeup remover to remove the primer before cleansing your face with a cleanser.

Price:

HK$300.00 for 30mL

I used the Double Serum, HydraQuench Serum, and Blue Orchid Face Treatment Oil in my Egypt trip in 2013, and I had no issues with dry skin or flaking skin throughout my trip, and it was VERY VERY DRY in Egypt during the winter! One of my friends brought aloe vera masks to apply during the trip, but it still wasn't hydrating enough, and she ended up having flaking skin on her face. Please note that Clarins has their own special way of applying their products, and in order to receive the best results from your products, please do follow their guidelines! You can visit your local Clarins store for a leaflet.

These are the products that I have bought over and over again for use in the dry winter months. I hope these suggestions will help you in finding the right products for you. If you have any questions, please feel free to comment below!

Have a nice day everyone!