Dealing with Sensitive Skin and Skin Issues

Since cold weather here seems to want to hold on (but not for much longer), I thought I'd share some of my skin care tips that our family has used for dealing with skin irritation in the cold months. Both our kids inherited skin sensitivities and issues from me, which are worsened in the cold weather. I've always had dry skin and usually their problems are just rashes now and then (and it's not always easy to identify what the trigger is - it's usually a sensitivity from something coming in contact with their skin.) Jacob has been diagnosed with eczema and flare ups are usually caused by dry weather, sweating and the type of clothing he's wearing. So I'll start with what I do to help with the eczema.

Jacob age 2.5: This photo was taken after a bath and Vaseline had been applied. The redness usually subsided by the morning.

Jacob was about 2 years old when he started getting horrible rashes on his knees and shins, down to his ankles. The physicians diagnosis was eczema. I bought lots of different creams and special soaps and nothing significantly helped. But I needed to figure out first what was triggering the outbreaks. It took a lot of time to research and identify what was causing it and what we could do to effectively prevent and treat it. Looking at where his rash was, and the amount of time he played on the floor sitting on his knees, it made sense to assume it was caused by his clothing. Jenna had a one-time issue with a rash when she was about the same age and it was because the laundry detergent in her clothes didn't rinse properly. I switched her to Tide Free laundry detergent and it worked for her, but this didn't help Jacob. I remember seeing an episode of Dragons Den about a company that sold soap nuts and they started the company for the same reason - they were eczema sufferers. You can read about soap nuts here.

5 whole / 10 half berry husks and cotton sack.

A quick internet search, and I found a local store that sold soap nuts. That was 2 years ago and Jacob's outbreaks have been minimal. The soap nuts are very easy to use: place 5 whole or 10 half berry husks into the small cotton sack (see photo at left) and soak for 1-2 minutes in hot tap water to activate. This is good for up to 4 loads before you need to refill the sack (the berries can go in the compost), and they also work with front loading machines. Additionally, clothes come out clean and with no scent, and seriously, little boys on the farm have stinky dirty clothes. Not only is this product environmentally friendly, but very economical as well. I just bought a second bag of soap nuts for $18. The first bag I bought was 2 years ago for the same price, $18!!

I try to be pro-active and treat his skin before the issues start. When he bathes, it is lukewarm and I wash him with a Polysporin Eczema Care body wash. Pat dry, especially the problem areas, and gently apply plain old Vaseline (petroleum jelly) up and down his legs. I tried once to apply Vaseline on dry skin, and it became very red and painful, so the skin should be damp and better achieved with a bath.

Polysporin wash and petroleum jelly.

In winter on cold days, my hands become so dry, and also with the constant hand washing *germs*, the backs of my hands crack and bleed. It can be very painful. This is one of Jenna's issues as well.

My poor hands.

Aveeno hand cream.

I use Aveeno Intense Relief Overnight Cream (see photo at right,) applying before bed, and usually by the morning my hands have healed. It took me many years to find a product that worked. These brands really need to come together and provide one big sample kit so people like myself can try each one without breaking the bank. And any time my hands are uncovered when the weather is -10 or colder, this is when it gets much worse. I've at least figured out that much - keep hands covered.

I've also struggled, and continue to struggle with acne. I'm 31 and it's still an issue, which seems crazy to me. Aside from going on medication (which I'm not quite ready for yet - mostly because I don't have severe acne), I've started using essential oils to treat my face. I tried Pro-Active many years ago and I think I have now found similar results, but without the harsh chemicals and accidental bleaching of towels and pillow cases (such a small amount is all  it takes to leave a bleach mark.) Has anyone tried Pro-Active? The active ingredient is benzoyl peroxide and it's crazy how many towels I ruined.

Locally grown and produced lavender essential oil.

I received the lavender essential oil bottle for Christmas. The lavender is grown and the products manufactured locally - actually down the road from us and I didn't even know about it! It came with a pamphlet describing the uses and acne treatment was one. It kills the bacteria which in turn reduces acne. You can read more about the uses for lavender here. I never thought I'd be a person to use essential oils. I never saw the use or need after hearing about their popularity over the last few years. My opinion has definitely changed though.

St. Ives scrub.

You cannot apply essential oils directly to skin without a carrier of some kind, so I use it along with St. Ives Blemish Control Apricot Scrub (see photo at left.) I've been using it in the shower in the mornings because it's just easier to rinse the scrub away. I apply a dollop of scrub to my fingers, make a divot (indent) with my finger in the scrub and put one drop of lavender essential oil in that indent. I mix it and gently massage into my face for about 30 seconds then rinse. My face feels tingly while I massage it in and when it's rinsed, it feels very clean.

At night when it's time to remove my makeup, I apply coconut oil with a disposable cotton round pad over my face and let that sit for awhile to help moisturize. Then I wash with Spectro gel and apply Aveeno Positively Radiant toner with another cotton round pad. Before bed I usually apply a thin layer of moisturizer or night cream. I've been using Nivea Pure and Natural soothing day care lately and I like it. I just started using a primer under my makeup too, which I think helps protect my skin by creating a barrier under the makeup. It's always good to find a moisturizer with some SPF and I may switch to that soon (when the sun starts to come out more, anyway).

L to R: coconut oil, Spectro Gel; Aveeno toner; Nivea moisturizer; CoverGirl face primer.

Disclaimer: I do not endorse these products by getting paid to promote them. I'm simply sharing for the fact that they have worked for our family and myself after struggling for a long time to try to find skin care that works. Use caution any time you try a new product on your skin.