1. The Might Patch
1. The Mighty Patch - Acne Bandade
2. Nutregena Make Up Removing Pads
3. Pauls Choice Skin Perfecting Liquid
4. SoftSoap Hand Wash with Aloe Vera
5. Disposable Black Face Masks
7. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream | Body and Face Moisturizer for Dry Skin
8. EltaMD UV Clear SPF 46 Face Sunscreen, Broad Spectrum Sunscreen for Sensitive Skin
9. TruSkin Vitamin C Anti Aging Hyaluronic Acid Brightening
10. CeraVe Hydrating Facial Cleanser
There were two non-product methods I learned that helped significantly. First, lowering the water temperature in the shower as much as you can tolerate seriously helps with the moisture level of your skin. Second, lathering your skin in lotion while your body is still wet helps trap in more moisture. And when things are really, really bad, I use a prescription ointment from my doctor called Cordran Flurandrenolide, a topical steroid used to treat itching and inflammation. It comes in a lotion form and a cream form — while the lotion is more spreadable and apparently works better for everyday use, I’ve found it to be less effective than the cream, which I use as a spot treatment as needed. I know this sounds a bit dramatic, but if used in conjunction with the above tips, the five products I share below have seriously changed my life. I’m not saying that these will be Holy Grails for everyone, but if you, too, suffer from eczema — or just itchy, dry winter skin — these are 100 percent worth giving a go.
As I often discuss in my skin-care articles, exfoliating is extremely important when you’re trying to salvage or repair your skin. However, facial exfoliating is a completely different game than exfoliating irritated body skin. Instead of using a chemical exfoliant — which people do use, even on the body — I find that a physical exfoliant, like this dry brush, is much more productive. With a physical, you have complete control of how gently you exfoliate, which is important when doing it over eczema-prone or super-dry patches. I use this brush in light, sweeping, circular motions on dry skin once every few weeks before getting into the shower. Note: Use enough pressure to brush off dead skin, but be careful to not press down too hard — that will irritate the eczema.
I was at my local pharmacy complaining about my eczema flare-ups when the girl at the register said that she had the same problem, and that this product had helped her. I’m so glad I decided to give it a try. This treatment is meant to be used in the shower as a way of both gently cleaning and moisturizing your skin. It helps add an extra layer of moisture to my body, so my skin isn’t totally parched when I step out of the shower and dry off. The milky texture of this product also feels really calming on the skin, perfect for when my skin is feeling extra irritable.
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I am absolutely obsessed with this lotion — I don’t know what I would do without it. A family friend whose daughter also suffers from intense eczema preached this to my mom. Though I was totally reluctant at first because I had never heard of this brand before (and as you know, I’ve heard of a lot of brands), I am beyond grateful that I finally decided to give it a try. I’d tried every lotion you could think of before I found this: Egyptian Magic, Coconut Oil, Eucerin, Nivea, Kiehl’s — none of them hold a candle to this random Melaleuca cream. It doesn’t feel particularly thick or creamy, but there’s something about it that provides my skin with long-lasting moisture and extreme soothing effects on my dry, angry skin. Almost every time I get out of the shower, I lather myself in this lotion. I would straight-up bathe in this lotion if I could. This is one of the only products that quickly made a huge difference in my skin and consistently provides lasting comfort and relief.
The Melaleuca lotion I listed above is amazing, but is practically scentless. And though scentless treatments are supposedly the best for healing the skin, sometimes I like putting something delicious-smelling in my lotion. Sorry! The nice thing about this oil is that it’s not just a scent, but an active treatment that uses rose, chamomile, and lavender to calm your skin. It smells really great and also gives my skin this great shine and smoothness. This oil has never triggered any kind of eczema flare-up, but just in case, I tend to avoid using it on areas where my eczema gets really bad. For me, that’s my legs, so when I’m applying this oil, I squeeze two pumps of this into my Melaleuca lotion when I’m moisturizing the upper half of my body.
If it’s the dead of winter and my skin is really testing me, I’ll also use this Aveeno Eczema Itch Relief Balm. I have one of these by my bed, but I also keep a tub in a drawer at my office, and apply it on my legs and arms throughout the day if my skin is starting to feel itchy or uncomfortable. This is like medicine for me — it quickly rids my skin of any tingling or painful sensations from eczema flare-ups.
Shaving with eczema flare-ups can be a really tricky game. Honestly, I try to keep my shaving to a minimum because I know my skin gets so intensely sensitive and irritated after I do it. But if I have an event where I can’t have furry legs, this is the only product that makes hair removal remotely possible.
model @kaylvoe instagram.
Just because summer is long gone doesn’t mean we still don’t want to glow like J.Lo. So we sought out Kat Leverette, a licensed esthetician, ethnic skincare expert and owner of Clinically Clear Skin Rehab Center, for advice on achieving a glowy, even-toned complexion. Follow these tips for gorgeous, lit-from-within skin all year long.
Cleanse your skin gently, especially at night, as a vital part of your bedtime routine. Unclogging pores of the day’s oil and grime is important for keeping skin clear.
A gentle cleanser removes makeup and excess oil without stripping your skin. If your skin feels tight and dry after washing, you’re using something too strong. Opt for a creamy face wash, like Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser or CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser.
“Cleanse with your fingertips and rinse by splashing water on your face. Pat dry. Don’t roughly rub your skin dry with a towel. The pressure of a washcloth or towel and friction from sonic brushing may feel good and appeal to your desire to be squeaky clean, but can cause darker, uneven skin tone and aggravate acne. Instead, dry skin with small, gentle pats or let it air dry,” advises Leverette.
Noncomedogenic sunflower oil and table sugar blended together make an excellent all-over exfoliator. Apply in the shower before you turn the water on. Massage all over using gentle pressure. Rinse off and pat dry.
Spritz your face with a refreshing facial spray to hydrate skin and set makeup. On extra hot days, mist throughout the day to rehydrate.
If you are dehydrated, your skin will look dull. Leverette recommends drinking half your weight in ounces of water or non-caffeinated beverages like herbal tea for a healthy flush.
Hydrate the Skin with Hyaluronic Acid
You want a glow, not an oil slick. “Resist the urge to slather your skin and scalp with heavy oils. If you’re acne-prone, you’ll pay the price with clogged pores, blackheads and pimples,” says Leverette. “Opt for fragrance-free Sunflower Oil for the same effect and clearer skin.”
To keep your skin supple and soft, Leverette suggests using lotions and moisturizers that contain ceramides. “Ceramides are a major component of our skin’s surface that protect against moisture loss to keep your skin youthful, supple, moist and glowing.” Try Cetaphil Daily Advance Ultra Hydrating Lotion With Shea Butter For Dry, Sensitive Skin, Multi, Fragrance Free,
Dark spots and blotchy skin can mar a beautiful complexion. Look for products with skin-brightening ingredients, like licorice, mulberry, bearberry and kojic acid. These ingredients gradually fade hyperpigmentation and encourage an even, radiant hue.
If you need extra coverage, smooth on a luminous foundation or tinted moisturizer for a natural, radiant finish. Or try light-diffusing BB creams for a photo-filtered effect.
Lack of sun damage will keep your skin dewy and supple for years to come. “Yes, darker skin needs protection too, especially on overcast days because the UVA penetrates clouds and windshields. If your skin darkens at all, it’s sun damage in the making,” says Leverette. “Makeup with sunscreen added is not enough protection. Technology has made it possible for physical sunscreens like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide to go on sheer. Use SPF 30 and apply with a massage motion with the palm of your hand, gently working the sunscreen into the skin. But be cautious; sheer sunscreens use chemical sunscreening agents that provide less protection against the longer UVA rays.”
Take some loose pearlescent (not glittery) gold, peach or bronze eye powder shadow. Mix a tiny bit in the palm of your hand with a few drops of foundation, sunscreen or moisturizer. Apply to outer cheeks and brow bone for an extra touch of luminosity.
A low-sugar, antioxidant-rich diet consisting of colorful fruits and vegetables (especially leafy greens), legumes and lean protein will ensure you’re healthy inside as well as out for a natural glow.
Working out gives you all the beauty benefits that money can’t buy. Exercising at least 30 minutes a day gets your heart pumping and increases circulation by bringing oxygen into your bloodstream. It’s the best way to achieve a youthful glow.
