Dealing with itchy skin can be a nightmare, whether you have constant dry skin or full-fledged eczema. It often seems like the harder you try to avoid scratching it, the itchier it grows. And one of the more frustrating aspects of all this is that many of the products that claim to help with itchy skin conditions are so full of irritating chemicals and fragrances that they have the exact opposite effect.
Although eczema may be one of the most common skin conditions, with more than 30 million people suffering from it, effective products can be incredibly hard to find. Even those labeled as being for sensitive skin often contain preservatives of some sort, which are pretty much the last thing anyone should be applying to their skin, much less eczema sufferers.
If you’ve reached your breaking point with eczema and your cabinet is overflowing with products that failed to live up to their promises, it may be time to go back to basics. Mother Nature has given us everything we need for so many of the health problems we face, and that is definitely true of dry, itchy skin and eczema.
Here is a look at three natural ingredients that could turn your skin problems around dramatically.
Organic Coconut Oil
If you pay attention to the healthy cooking and beauty spheres, you’re probably aware of the hype surrounding coconut oil. In fact, it gets so much buzz that it might be tempting to dismiss it as a passing health fad. But the truth is that much of the fanfare surrounding coconut oil is justified, particularly when it comes to skincare.
We all know how hard it is not to scratch itchy skin so anything that alleviates that itchiness is good news when it comes to healing. Coconut oil contains lauric acid, which reduces the presence of viruses, fungi and bacteria on the skin. This can reduce your chances of getting an infection when you scratch open itchy skin.
But that’s not where lauric acid’s powers end; it is also responsible for making coconut oil highly absorbable, which makes it even more moisturizing – a must for those suffering from eczema, which reduces your skin’s ability to become and stay hydrated.
In fact, a study in the International Journal of Dermatology found that applying virgin coconut oil topically improved skin hydration in children who had eczema.
Beeswax
Beeswax has been used topically on skin since the times of ancient Egypt – and it’s a well-documented fact that they were quite the beauty enthusiasts in the ancient Egyptian upper class. This treatment has stood the test of time and is still used in products today, and now we have the benefit of modern science to explain why it’s so magical.
It turns out that beeswax contains antibacterial agents, and it’s incredibly good at hydrating skin, moisturizing sensitive skin and soothing skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. One study found that applying a mixture containing equal amounts of beeswax, raw honey and olive oil to the skin of people with eczema or psoriasis brought about dramatic improvements in both conditions after just two weeks.
A different study found that natural products like beeswax work far better at managing sensitive skin than products that contain synthetic ingredients. Natural products were much less likely to cause skin irritation while still giving people much-needed symptom relief. As an added bonus, beeswax has a soft and delightful honey scent that means there’s no need to add irritating fragrances to make beeswax products smell good.
Beeswax helps skin retain its own moisture, which is why it’s found in everything from lip balms to hand lotions. It’s an extremely soothing ingredient, and its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties make it suited to treating acne as well as eczema. This is one ingredient that is truly buzzworthy!
Organic Lavender Oil
An essential oil that comes from the lavender plant, lavender oil offers a host of benefits for the skin. In addition to smelling incredible, lavender oil has anti-fungal and anti-inflammatory properties, enabling it to help keep eczema at bay while reducing redness and irritation.
Did you know that lavender oil’s anti-inflammatory abilities are so strong that it can even be used to treat the inflammation of a burn? Mixed with coconut oil, it has pain-relieving and numbing effects that can bring relief to relentless itching. It also helps speed up the healing of wounds.
Of course, you will want to make sure you are seeking organic lavender oil to avoid increasing your exposure to pesticides. Your skin soaks up everything you apply to it, so it only makes sense to ensure you’re using the purest products possible.
Sometimes the simplest solutions really are the best, so say goodbye to itchy skin and embrace the transformative power of natural skincare ingredients!
toolkit" title="Eczema Toolkit">Learn More about Dr. Doug's Eczema Bundle for Dry, Itchy Skin HERE