Alternative things to help with your eczema
What’s part of a holistic approach to eczema?
We’ve learned from talking to real people with real skin stories that a holistic approach tends to be the best way to manage a skin condition. If you’re using steroidal creams, consider adding natural body care products to your regimen. They can powerfully complement your self-care routine, and reduce your dependency on topical steroids. It’s even better when integrated into a comprehensive eczema care plan that includes attention to your diet, stress levels, and physical triggers.
Though commonly called alternative care methods, we also like the term holistic. The latter term acknowledges that what you’re seeing on your skin can be a symptom of imbalances in other parts of your body. Let’s talk about a few of them.
Effective Topical Ingredients for Eczema
One of the cornerstones of eczema care, regardless of the approach taken, is moisturization. Consistently moisturizing significantly improves the severity of your eczema symptoms. It’s a way to not only pre-emptively address flare-ups, but also calm them down when the irritation does occur. But moisturization comes in many forms. Not every kind of oil can be applied onto the skin with the same results. Dr. Eric Simpson at the National Eczema Association shares sunflower oil and coconut oil as some of his research-based favourites. Sunflower oil increases our natural production of ceramides—those healthy fats in the skin and also has some direct skin barrier repair powers. In another study, individuals who applied coconut oil to their hands at night experienced better outcomes compared to those who didn't. Additionally, topical vitamin B12 and topical indigo have demonstrated potential anti-inflammatory and barrier repair properties.
Dietary Supplementation
****Research continually looks into which vitamins, minerals, or amino acids have an impact on the domino chain that is our body’s inner health. L-histidine, an amino acid, has been linked to reduced eczema severity when taken orally. Similarly, studies have suggested that vitamin D supplementation might contribute to improved eczema symptoms, as individuals with higher vitamin D levels tend to have less severe eczema. Similarly, in a study involving hemp seed oil, two teaspoons ingested per day had positive effects on itchiness and dryness.
Mind-Body Connection
Anyone who suffers from a skin condition knows that stress and anxiety do not help, and at times, can make things downright disastrous. Consider this: a study involving children with eczema found that regular massages not only reduced anxiety but also improved skin symptoms. Making time for total relaxation can have more than just the effect of feeling good in the moment; it can have real lasting effects, when integrated regularly.
Gut and Microbiome Health
Recent research has highlighted the significant role of the gut and skin microbiome in eczema. The microbiome refers to the diverse community of microorganisms, including bacteria, viruses, fungi, and other microbes, that inhabit various parts of the human body, such as the skin, mouth, and notably for eczema, the gastrointestinal system, or gut. The gut microbiome plays a role in modulating the immune system, influencing inflammation, and maintaining the skin barrier function—factors that are closely linked to the development and severity of eczema. We can’t comprehensively cover all the research on probiotics, prebiotics, and postbiotics here. What is key to remember is that you are what you eat, when it comes to a skin condition, and doing a deep dive into your diet to find out what’s working, and what’s not, and how you can supplement your diet, can yield powerful insights.
Start With a Moisturizing Routine
While the holistic approach to eczema care primarily relies on a deeper understanding of your body, you can easily take the first step with our thoughtfully formulated body care. Within our eczema collection, you can discover all fragrance-free, dermatologist tested formulations that combine ingredients to support your skin. Beyond sunflower oil and coconut oil, each one of the products have over 10 botanical oils specifically chosen for their function, which include reducing inflammation, boosting healing, reducing moisture loss, and improving the lipid barrier.
Cloud | Fragrance Free Body Cream contains hemp seed oil and oatmeal extract to help calm flare-ups. It quickly soothes and hydrates dryness and irritation without a greasy residue.
We encourage you to take it step by step. Don’t be overwhelmed by all the information out there. Start with the first and most foundational step: a moisturizing routine. Build good habits, and the tangible improvements will be so encouraging you’ll want to learn more.
Sources:
National Eczema Association. (2021, December 13). All About Complementary and Alternative Treatments for Eczema [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cbt1QWY1aN8