Have you ever noticed as soon as that cold snap comes in your skin dries out? The dryer winter air, walking in and out of heating into the cooler air back and forwards plays havoc on our skin. The dry air removes our natural oils that trap moisture in the skin. This effects everyone - but for those of us who suffer from eczema or psoriasis and severe dry skin, it results in a severe flare up of their condition.
Don’t stop exfolitating!
In the colder months, we are more inclined to stop exfoliating and moisturise only. This can be a mistake, as removing the build up of skin cells helps get rid of excess dirt that your cleanser won’t remove. It also encourages the cells below the superficial skin cells to increase new cell production which will speed up renewal helping to reduce breakouts. Not to mention exfoliation helps your skin absorb your moisturizer and serums suited to soothing your skin more intensely in winter.
Even though it is necessary to exfoliate throughout the year, the dryer, colder months may cause more dry and flaky skin making it even more important. The layer of dead skin will act as a barrier and the moisturiser will not penetrate to the deeper layers of skin. Our skin products are infused with Active Manuka Honey which has been proven to penetrate the “intact” skin into the dermal layer. This is what can sometimes be felt as a “tingling” effect. Do not exfoliate without replacing the moisture to avoid wind burn and redness in the winter air.
It is very important to use an exfoliant on both the face, and body. Using a product that is too harsh on your face with large or sharp ingredients can cause more damage than good. Any scrub that involves salt, sugar or rough particles is more suited to your body. That doesn’t mean texture is a bad thing when used on the correct part of the body. Our Manuka Honey Micro Face and body Scrub has Cranberry Seeds. The seeds are round and smooth abrasion tools that are small and uniform in shape so they are less likely to irritate or cut your skin. Using an exfoliant with rough particles on the thinner skin layer of the face can cause small microscopic tears that can lead to inflammation.
You should also exfoliate for your skin type. People with oily skin have thicker skin compared to people who have dry skin. For dry skin it is essential to use an exfoliator designed for more sensitive skin. Natural seeds such as cranberry or jojoba beads that are derived from seeds are a better option for you. If you have oily skin you are more likely to handle stronger exfoliants.
Want to read more about the benefits of exfoliating?
Moisture is key!
Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise. This is probably the most important thing to do during winter and if you suffer from skin conditions, you simply cannot afford to go without it. When we stop producing moisture or if heating sucks it out of the skin, and it's not being replaced, that will tend to cause little cracks that affect the barrier of the skin. Any trauma to the skin, such as cracking, causes anti-inflammatory response, which can make skin more susceptible to flare-ups of psoriasis and eczema. You need to replace any moisture the dry air steals away. The best time to moisturise is after a shower or bath when the skin is slightly damp – not wet.
Because psoriasis and eczema involve immune system responses, experts believe that many bacterial, viral, or fungal infections can make them worse. As the flu makes it rounds it is important to take medicinal strength (10+ and above) Manuka honey daily with antibacterial and prebiotic properties.
Eye serums
The skin around the eye area is thinner and pores are finer that other areas of the face. Using a product designed specifically for absorption and penetration of the deeper layers of skin is key. You must use a special eye formulation intended to reduce puffiness, brightening ingredients intended to brighten dark circles, or nourishing ingredients intended to smooth out the look of fine lines and wrinkles in the eye area. Remember the special abilities of Manuka Honey that allows it to penetrate the deeper layers of skin? This is why it is an essential ingredient of our concentrated Eye Serum as it can soak into the finer pores around the eye and repair and moisturize the fragile skin in that area.
Active Manuka Honey is used along with with Native Australian Silky Oil Grass that strengthens capillaries to reduce dark circles and puffiness. Hyaluronic Acid is used to hydrate and moisturize and antioxidant rich Vitamin E helps to heal. To nourish and protect the fragile eye area we have also added Cocoa Butter, Shea Butter, Jojoba Oil and Acacia Senegal Gum keep skin supple and moist. These ingredients are part of a specially designed formula to target the sensitive eye area.
Hi Peter
Apply the Therapeutic Skin Cream all over the face – try a small area first – use this 3 times per day. The first time you use this product on skin with eczema, the skin could become bright red for up to 20 mins. this is OK as the Manuka Honey is starting to work. Apply the Ointment to the smaller areas where extra help is needed. Change her pillow case every night to stop any bacteria transferring to her face the next night. You can apply straight manuka honey as well. Leave the honey on the face for up to 20 mins. to see if this helps. You can take manuka internally – 1 teaspoon daily – to reduce inflammation that also causes eczema.
my 15yr old daughter eliza has extreme eczema on her face, it had become infected with staph so doc gave her antibiotics which cleared it up quickly but 2 days after finishing antibiotics the condition worsened again for the 3rd timeI have just received my order of skin pack how can it help with her bad eczema many thanks.
Leave a comment