SKINCARE DIARIES: An Easy Guide To Navigating Eczema Outbreaks This Winter
Everything you need to know to avoid those pesky flare-ups.
Let’s be honest, eczema is a pain in the bum. Whether you’ve been dealing with it since childhood or if it just popped out of nowhere — you’ll know the havoc the skincare condition will have on your skin. Don’t worry, you’re not alone, as A-listers such as Kerry Washington and Adele suffer from it too.
Eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis occurs when your skin cannot repair its natural barrier. When your skin becomes itchy, cracked and inflamed, foreign environmental substances have penetrated your skin’s barrier. It’s a condition that’s generally hereditary. As a beauty editor who deals with seasonal eczema flare-ups, I can assure you that this past summer and going into the winter have been quite miserable thus far. Rashes are popping up everywhere, and the triggers of it all seem endless.
Thank goodness I have the steps to get instant relief and I’m happy to share them with you all too. Each one, teach one.
Common Triggers of eczema:
Perfumes and laundry detergents
Avoid spraying your skin directly with your favorite fragrance and spray them onto your clothes. For sensitive skin, use fragrance-free laundry detergents and avoid overly fragrant fabric softeners.
Skincare and makeup
Get familiar with product ingredients and their effects on your skin. As a rule of thumb, avoid anything artificial color, fragrances and standout irritants such as formaldehyde and sulfates.
Hot water
Avoid taking those steamy showers while you’re having a flare-up. Overheating can aggravate and irritate the skin.
Scratching
Pat the skin if you’re uncomfortable but don’t scratch, as it’ll make the flare-up ten times worse.
Diet
Overall, everything stems down to the foods we’re ingesting. Avoid high sugar and sodium intake, drink plenty of water and stick to a healthy diet.
