WHAT IS ECZEMA?
I have suffered from eczema for years. I was first diagnosed in 2016 and the doctor told me it was a flare up due to stress. I am terrible at managing my stress and anxiety (hence the birth of Cosmic Calm, but we’ll talk about that another time) so that didn’t surprise me. My eczema claims the lower part of my face and the entirety of my chest and also likes to wrap itself around my neck too for good measure.
Eczema is a skin condition characterised by inflamed patches of skin that can be itchy. There are many different types of eczema, including but not limited to neurodermatitis, contact dermatitis, nummular dermatitis, and dyshidrotic dermatitis. The most common form of chronic eczema is atopic dermatitis. The symptoms of atopic dermatitis include intense itching, red or brownish-gray patches, small, raised bumps,crusty patches, and thickened, scaly skin.
When it comes to suffering from eczema, it’s an everyday thing. Every time I look in the mirror and see scaly patches of thick skin I myself get a bit grossed out. It’s not great for my self esteem, I will admit. I was prescribed a steroid cream and that kind of worked for a little while but I didn’t like the way it applied and made my skin feel, and it definitely didn’t moisturise it. One day I ran out of steroid cream and didn’t refill my prescription. I had stopped for a while before I noticed my eczema getting worse than it had ever been.I remember thinking “Is it possible for my skin to get withdrawal symptoms?”. After realising the answer was a resounding yes, I started making my own skincare products made exclusively of natural ingredients.
WHY USE NATURAL TREATMENTS FOR ECZEMA?
After learning that topical steroid cream withdrawal is a real thing, and I knew I was not the only one who experienced this, I made it my mission to create products that were appropriate for all skin types, including those with eczema. Well, I didn’t go into it thinking about selling them, but I knew I had to create a body butter and moisturiser that was appropriate for my skin type as well as my friends and family’s skin types. This opened my eyes to the validity and effectiveness of utilising Mother Nature to heal and moisturise not just my skin but the skin of those around me. As I used my whipped shea butters I began to realise that I could treat my eczema and chronically dry skin with 100% natural ingredients. I was shocked! I was not entirely prepared for that. I was a sceptic. But the proof was in the pudding. I had done it, I had become my own skin doctor. Not to say I don’t listen to my doctors, but I had found a solution that I created and I was ecstatic. No withdrawal, no irritation, no inflammation. It was Pure Magic!
If you are looking for a healthy long-term treatment for your eczema that won’t cause withdrawal, look towards nature. Our ancestors were using pure natural products on their skin and conditions like eczema were not born yesterday. Why use natural products to treat your skin? Because they are effective. Ingredients like lavender, tea tree and coconut oil all contain incredible antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-fungal, antiviral and other properties that have amazing healing abilities for eczema. There is no need to feel stuck in the trap of steroid cream withdrawal when there are healthier alternatives.
WHAT ARE THE NATURAL ECZEMA TREATMENTS?
Lavender Essential Oil
Lavender essential oil is a magical flower. It’s an effective treatment for dry skin, eczema, psoriasis and other skin conditions. Lavender essential oil, one of the most researched essential oils, has even been shown to have successful antibacterial and antifungal properties against different bacterias when pharmaceutical medicines have failed.
This incredible oil aids in lightening dark spots, hyperpigmentation, blotchiness and redness caused by eczema and other skin conditions. Its antifungal and antibacterial properties get rid of infections that can come with eczema. Because of its ability to kill bacteria, Lavender essential oil is also great for getting rid of acne. So if you have really dry skin that is simultaneously acne prone, this is the oil for you.
Coconut Oil
Dryness is a major symptom of eczema, and there are few oils better at moisturising skin than coconut oil. Coconut oil is rich in lauric acid, an acid that is good for numerous skin conditions. It’s easily absorbed into the skin, imparting all of its benefits like significant antimicrobial activity against bacteria and a number of fungi and viruses. Coconut oil has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which support the healing of skin conditions. The way coconut oil penetrates the skin quickly and efficiently boosts hydration, improves skin elasticity, fights itch and reduces the chances of infection.
Shea Butter
The hero ingredient of all our body butters, Shea Butter deserves the title. It’s one of the most powerful healers for the skin. Shea Butter is an excellent emollient for those with eczema. In a 2009 study by the University of Kansas, Shea Butter displayed results as an option for treating eczema. They compared Vaseline to Shea Butter where the subjects applied Vaseline to one arm and Shea Butter to the other. The results showed that the arm with Shea Butter was more effective than the Vaseline.
Lemongrass Essential Oil
This creamy, citrus-y essential oil is packed with antioxidants, antibacterial and antifungal properties. As we’ve already mentioned, inflammation caused by eczema exacerbates the symptoms of the skin condition. Lemongrass is here for you. In terms of its antibacterial properties, research from 2010 found that lemongrass essential oil was effective against a variety of drug-resistant bacteria. Eczema shudders in its presence. Shea Butter has also been proven to have marvelous anti inflammatory properties, making it a great natural treatment for eczema.
HOW TO USE THESE NATURAL REMEDIES FOR ECZEMA
Personally, I look no further than my Cosmic Calm and Bye Bye Bad Vibes body butters. Surprisingly, even though I have very sensitive skin, the body butters with essential oils are the most effective treatments for my eczema. Looking at the benefits of Lavender, Coconut oil and Shea Butter, I can see why my body butters are so effective. All of my body butters contain organic shea butter, organic virgin coconut oil, and cocoa butter, all unbelievable moisturising and healing properties. Lavender essential oil headlines our Coscmic Calm and Lemongrass essential oil is the star of Bye Bye Bad Vibes, which makes them perfect for eczema. If your skin doesn’t like essential oils at all, our Pure Magic is for you. I do plan on launching a face oil for dry, sensitive, acne prone skin and it will contain Tea Tree because of its amazing benefits. Stay tuned!
If you’d like to make your own DIY products that have all the awesome benefits of the above mentioned natural ingredients, you can add them to your skincare routine quite easily. You could make your own whipped shea butter, you could make a facial oil, you could make a toner…basically all the traditional synthetic products you find in stores can be remade in a 100% natural way. Don’t limit yourself, get creative. You may even come up with really unique products that are tailored to your skin’s specific needs. That’s what I did, and now I’m sharing them with you!
By the way, there are other ingredients that are natural and effective, eczema treatments, they are not limited to the above. If you find any, feel free to use them! Join the natural revolution. If you’d like us to make some cool products containing natural ingredients that treat sensitive skin and eczema that aren’t in our store yet, feel free to message us with your suggestions!
THE BOTTOM LINE
If you ever asked yourself if there was a natural alternative to eczema treatments, you have seen that the answer is a resounding yes! If you’re wondering where to start, our vegan, all natural, cruelty free body butters are the perfect solution to your problems because they contain ingredients that heal eczema, chronically dry and sensitive skin. Ingredients like organic Shea Butter, lavender essential oil, lemongrass essential oil and organic virgin coconut oil. We believe that Mother Nature provides all and that you shouldn’t compromise your health and happiness for beauty. We also believe that you already have beautiful skin, there is no need to strive for the photoshopped ideals of skin. Skin positivity is important. Healthy skin is beautiful skin.