One out of 50 adults suffer from a psychological, debilitating skin condition called psoriasis. While it’s not known completely how psoriasis occurs, researchers do know that it’s tied to a person’s immune system.

When psoriasis symptoms flare-up, they make the skin look scaly, irritated and flaky along with becoming salmon-colored. When a psoriasis sufferer is afflicted with plaque psoriasis, common round red patches will cover the skin; these are usually silver-colored and scaly. Shapes and sizes of these patches are irregular and can sometimes join together to form bigger patches of irritated skin. It’s not uncommon for the skin to crack and bleed.

When skin is affected by this condition, the area can feel itchy and may have a burning sensation. There is no time frame for how long it will last; it may last two days, two months or two years. The worst part for those afflicted by psoriasis is that the condition is persistent and will likely last a lifetime. This means flare-ups can occur anytime.

Areas Affected By Psoriasis

Regions Typically Affected

The areas of the body most affected by psoriasis are the head, knees, elbows and trunk; however, this doesn’t mean other parts of the body can’t be affected by it. Flare-ups are often symmetrical, which means it can affect both sides of the body in the same areas at the same time.

Why Psoriasis Does Affects Us?

There’s some debate about why psoriasis affects one person over another. However, genetics seems to be the overwhelming factor and it is often passed down from parent to child. It’s not known why, but the T-cells that the body needs for white blood cells production become inflamed, causing the psoriasis. Since these T-cells have no other place to go once they are produced abundantly, they pile up onto the skin (which gives the skin its raised appearance). The skin gets its red appearance from the boosted blood supply, which nourishes the skin cells.

Common psoriasis triggers include;

• -          Skin injuries
• -          Streptococcal infections
• -          Stress
• -          Hormone level changes
• -          HIV in its early stages
• -          Sunlight

While psoriasis looks bad, there’s no worry about someone else catching it, as it is not contagious.  If you smoke or drink an abundance of alcohol, there is also a good chance of developing this skin condition.

Presently, there’s no cure for the condition. Yet, there are plenty of skin care treatments you can use to assuage the symptoms. You can begin by keeping the skin affected moist and don’t scratch even though you’re going to want to.

Skin Care Treatments for Psoriasis

Skin care creams are initially used to lessen the amount of skin cells are reproduced. Common skin care options include salicylic acid, tazorac, anthrallin, corticosteroids, coal tar and synthetic vitamin D.

Certain skin care products like moisturizers and shampoos can be used but they must be formulated toward this affliction. Doctors may prescribe systemic medications to treat severe psoriasis cases. Another effective treatment option is phototherapy in which psoriasis patients are exposed to a certain level of UV radiation to treat the condition.

To find skin care products to help with the treatment of Psoriasis, just type the word “Psoriasis” into the Search Store box on the left.

People who have eczema often describe it as unrelenting, painful itching. There are many reasons for this condition to occur. However, no matter why it occurs for some people but not for others, it will strike anyone of any age, genetic makeup and race with any number of it symptoms.

Eczema is divided into two categories. The first category is endogenous eczema or eczema with no known trigger or cause. The second category is eczematous dermatitis or eczema caused by external triggers like allergens.

There is still much that people and doctors do not understand about eczema including why one person can use a skin care treatment and another person with a similar background cannot use the same treatment.

Symptoms of Eczema

The most common symptom of eczema is itchy red rashes that you will see. It’s not uncommon for blisters to develop, seep fluids and then crust over.  The affected skin typically becomes scaly and thick and may even discolor. This skin condition can develop anywhere on the body and it can last for any length of time. It can also appear in the skin folds, which makes it more irritating because of the continuous rubbing.

Eczema sufferers have an increased risk of developing infections from the constant scratching. When the condition becomes so itchy that sufferers can do nothing else but scratch, they may scratch of the skin’s top layer off. Keep in mind that the skin keeps the harmful bacteria out when it’s healthy. However, eczema sufferers will scratch off this layer, compromising it, possibly setting up the infection.

A way to deal with this is to trim your nails each week, allowing you to reduce the possibility of skin damage. Children who suffer with this skin condition should have mittens or socks on their hands; this will keep them from scratching. Bear in mind that eczema is not contagious.

Treatment For Eczema

The kind of eczema you have will determine what type of treatment is best for you. Drugs that will copy the body’s hormones are called NSAIDS (or non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs). These include naproxen and ibuprofen. Corticosteriods are drugs that copy the hormones produced by the body’s adrenal glands. These are often used to lessen the inflammation of eczema. Skin care creams in the Benzocaine category will reduce inflammation as well. It’s not unheard of for antihistamines to be prescribed.

Sufferers can also use calamine lotion to soothe the area, as it keeps it dry and protected from bacteria. Wet bandages can also be applied to the area. Many dermatologists will suggest eczema patients use cotton bedding and clothing since this allows skin to breathe.

Skin care products that have coal tar for its ingredients work to decrease the size of the red, patchy skin; these include shampoos and ointments. If eczema is very severe, UV lights can treat the skin ailment.

To find skin care products to help with the treatment of Ezcema, just type the word “Ezcema” into the Search Store box on the left.

Most people are under the mistaken impression that there is only one type of eczema; however there are six common types of this skin condition. Here’s a look at them in alphabetical order:

Atopic Eczema

When a person has a family history of allergies, it’s not uncommon for a person to have atopic eczema. This form of eczema is considered inherited since most atopic eczema sufferers and/or their family members suffer with the problems of allergies, hay fever or asthma. It can appear in infancy, flaring up and subsiding throughout the person’s life.

Contact Dermatitis

Contact dermatitis occurs when a person comes into contact with irritants on their skin. The area becomes inflamed after an irritant (or irritants) of some sort touches the skin. The inflammation that occurs is because of toxic chemicals instead of allergens. Exposure can be repetitive or occur just one time; usually one time exposure is to an extremely toxic chemical. This is often seen as an acute case that causes scaly, red skin.

Cumulative Case

When a person has a cumulative case of eczema is because they are constantly being exposed to irritants (usually mild) including urine, saliva, clothes detergents, dish detergents, etc. However, repeat exposure just exacerbates the problem, causing the skin to become thick and cracked as well as red and dry. It’s not uncommon for papules to form with this eczema type.

Discoid Eczema

The type of eczema known by its round patches (resembling coins) that tend to appear on the lower legs, stomach and arms is called discoid eczema. Patches tend to be itchy and can seep fluids. This eczema has no known triggers but can strike without warning. It’s usually seen in older men.

Seborrheic Eczema

Doctors usually diagnose seborrheic eczema as dry skin, which it’s not. While it’s believed to be genetic, there’s no proven correlation between the two as of yet. Seborrheic eczema symptoms include skin that’s scaly, appearing on the top of the head, near the ears, eyebrows and nose. It’s also common to find on the chest.

Men are typically more affected than women with this eczema type but it doesn’t generally become an issue until puberty hits. Once this happens, however, seborrheic eczema will occur regularly. Many mental and neurological patients tend to suffer with this form of eczema.

The proper skin care method includes washing the hair every day with skin care products that contain salicylic acid, selenium, tar or sulfur. For the skin, people can use hydrocortisone cream. It’s not uncommon for systemic antibiotics to be used for this condition.

Infants are usually affected with seborrheic eczema in the form of cradle cap. Doctors can easily diagnose it by the appearance of yellow scales on the child’s head. It’s not uncommon to find seborrheic eczema in the face, ears or diaper region. Using skin care products like infant shampoo can help with this condition. Make sure to massage lightly and use a soft brush on the scalp. When the condition doesn’t look as if it’s improving, parents should call their child’s pediatrician for advice.

Varicose Eczema

This common form of eczema will occur because of several health conditions such as menopause, obesity and menopause. It’s usually seen in the lower leg and ankle areas. Most symptoms don’t appear until mid-life. Skin care is very important with this form of eczema since ignoring it can cause skin to break down leading to ulcers. Effective skin care products to deal with varicose eczema are steroid skin care creams and emollients.

To find skin care products to help with the treatment of Ezcema, just type the word “Ezcema” into the Search Store box on the left.

Sensitive Skin Is Not A Medical Problem

Many people think that sensitive skin is a medical condition but that is not true. When a person claims to have sensitive skin, it just means that the skin becomes irritated, itchy, red and swollen due to either an environmental cause or using a specific product or mixture of products. For some sufferers however, it can be both. When a person’s skin is reacting to a specific change, it’s often called an allergic reaction.

Why Is Skin So Sensitive?

There are many reasons why skin is sensitive but one of the more common reasons is that the skin is reacting negatively to a product being used or a combination of several products being used. Each person should think about all the skin care products that they use. Products don’t end at body washes and soaps. There are also toners, foundations, aftershave lotion, blemish reducers, cleansers, blemish concealers, blush and so the list goes on. Consumers usually own more than one skin care manufacturers’ product, even though, using products from different manufacturers at the same time may cause great harm to a person’s skin.

Pinpointing The Causes

So why is it people suffer with sensitive skin? Trying to narrow down the exact reason is not as easy as some may think. While stopping a certain product a person believes is causing the problem can work, that’s not always the case. The reason for this is that sensitivities can occur hours or days after the start of the product. There’s also the possibility that skin care products are not the cause behind the sensitivity. In fact, it could be caused by the sun or hot water. Shampoos, hairsprays, perfumes, fabric detergents, laundry detergents and more can all be culprits behind skin sensitivity. Foods and plants can also cause an allergy.

Skin that’s considered healthy is less likely to be sensitive since it acts a barrier against harmful or irritable products. Skin that has been sunburned dried out or damaged is much more prone to becoming sensitive. During the winter months, it’s not uncommon for people who don’t ordinarily have sensitive skin to suddenly have it. After all, the cold, dry air is stripping the skin of the moisture it needs to protect it.

It is important for people to understand that treating sensitive skin may provide temporary relief, but he or she will need to determine what is causing the sensitive skin to gain in the longer term. Often a dermatologist should be consulted to find out the answer. A person may be suffering from eczema, rosacea or psoriasis for example.

Six Skin Care Tips to Keep in Mind:

Read Labels On Skin Care Products – Products that have lots of ingredients should be avoided. Make sure to avoid skin care products that have alcohol, propylene glycol, fragrances, ethanol and more.

Spot Test – Before applying a face care product, make sure to apply it behind the ears for about a week. If there’s no reaction, apply it to the eyes for another five days. If no reactions occur after that then the product can be applied to the entire face.

Use Natural Fabrics – Any body care products like washcloths and pillowcases need to be 100 percent natural such as cotton or silk.

Well-Balanced Diet – It’s important to eat foods that are full of good nutrients so the body and skin stay healthy.

Apply Sun Protection – A person should always keep their skin moist and apply a sun protection product before venturing outside.

Clean Skin – Wash regularly and make sure to avoid harsh skin care products like mitts, hot water and exfoliating skin care products.

Dry and Oily Skin Combined

One can be categorized as having dry skin, oily skin or a combination of both. Combination skin means that the skin isn’t totally dry nor totally oily. For many people, combination skin is much more difficult do deal with than oily or dry skin since it’s trying to cope with a bit of this and a bit of that.

When you’ve got oily skin, you know it’s difficult to care for. You must be extremely careful not to aggravate the oily areas further. After all, those oily spots are generally where a high amount of oil-producing glands exist, seen mostly on the chest, back, shoulders and chest. Parts of the body that have fewer oil glands can be normal or dry.

Oil, Age & Environment

The reason for your combination skin is that the oil producing glands are generating too much oil. However, dry skin occurs for three reasons: age, environment and the intracellular matrix break down.

You can tell if you’ve got combination skin by simply looking at your skin. Areas of the skin that look shiny tend to have a fair amount of blackheads and pimples. A woman’s makeup won’t last the day either without reapplying it. The dry parts of the skin appear flaky and dull with some irritation as well.

Caring for your combination skin can be slightly tricky. You must ensure that you care for your oily and dry skin correctly, since over-moisturizing the oily sections, especially in the T-zone area, can be devastating. The application of any oily skin care products on skin that’s normal or dry is also bad since it can make the skin feel tight and scaly; areas around the mouth and eyes are especially prone to this. With this information on hand, what are the correct ways to care for your combination skin type?

Daily Care

Begin the day with face care; this means you’ll need to cleanse it twice a day using warm water and non-harsh cleanser (preferably gel). Cleansing helps to remove the dirt, dead skin cells and extra oil so pore openings are not blocked. Follow up with a water or glycerin based toner to remove any remaining residue. Make sure to exfoliate periodically to remove the leftover dead skin cells. This will help to keep your skin looking clean and fresh. Be sure to find combination skin care products to help with your skin type.

Make sure your skin stays well hydrated, but leave dry the areas that always have an excessive amount of oil. Always pick moisturizers that are water-based instead of oil-based; apply these to excessive oil spots sparingly. Whenever possible spot-treat your blemishes; benzoyl type products are quite effective. If you use makeup, use those products that will absorb the oil.

Emollient-based skin care products help to keep your skin looking and feeling fresh. Your eye area however, may need a heavier moisturizer, just keep this away from your T-zone area.

Remember to apply a sun protection product when going outside at any time.

Oily Skin is Natural

Those that suffer from oily skin, know it’s a challenge to care for. However, skin oil production is 100 percent natural due to the sebaceous glands found in the skin’s middle layer. These natural oils make sure the skin stays moist and elastic. For some people however, these glands generate way too much oil, which causes them to have oily skin.

Is Your Skin Excessively Oily?

Look at a teenager and you’ll notice that they have oily skin. Why? Their hormones are in full swing so oily skin is a natural side effect of becoming an adult. However, if you have passed those years, there are additional ways to determine if you have oily skin. First, look at yourself in the mirror. Do you have a sheen in the region of the T-zone? This T-zone begins between your eyes, extending down the nose to the chin and running horizontally across the bridge of the nose.

You can notice the sheen usually in the morning and if it’s visible, then you probably have oily skin. If you’re not sure whether you have a sheen, look in the mirror again. Does your hair look oily? Do you wear makeup and have to constantly reapply it within a couple of hours? Do you find yourself blotting at your skin constantly with powder or handkerchief? These are all key indicators of having oily skin.

While blemishes such as blackheads or pimples can occur because of oily skin, they can also appear when you become stressed. Bear in mind that oily skin isn’t just on your face but also your back, chest, arms, neck and shoulders.

Caring For Oily Skin

If you have oily skin, you will need to find the best skin care products to use. The worst way to handle it is to do away completely with the oils. While they may cause issues for your complexion, these oils are highly important. After all, they are a natural moisturizer. Keep in mind this type of skin is rather sensitive so the idea is to control the oil, not remove it entirely.

Don’t use abrasive soap to wash the oil off. All this does is to encourage the sebaceous glands to produce more oil. They’ll automatically want to replace the oil you take away, which could result in a bigger problem.

Clean your skin every day to keep the pores open and healthy. If you fail to do so, dead cells, bacteria and dirt will get in; they’ll clog the pores and cause blackheads and pimples. Remember that your skin is delicate, so you will need to use warm water and a non-abrasive cleanser. Go ahead and exfoliate once a week to remove any extra clogging material. You can also use a non-alcohol toner to help you out.

Purchase skin care products such as skin care creams and moisturizers to use on your skin. Make sure to do so in moderation and as directed. Purchase only skin care products such as cosmetics or sun protection with no oil where possible. Always try to use skin care products that have the phrases ‘non-comedogenic’ or ‘non-acnegenic’ on their labels.

Click here to view our selection of moisturisers.

Why Do We Suffer from Dry Skin?

For people with skin that is dry, it can be seen as a blessing and a curse. After all, they don’t have to worry with blemishes other than those that occur because of stress or hormones. However, dry skin appears dreary and flaky. This skin type can highlight the wrinkles and fine lines people tend to get as they age. There are two main reasons a person suffers from skin that is dry, namely the Environment and Age.

It’s important that the person understands the need for body care and skin care and how environment and age factors into the whole mix.

Age

As time passes, there is a slowdown in production of sebum, which are produced in the sebaceous glands. Sebum is actually the body’s natural moisturizer. The skin is unable to keep in moisture as people begin to age. The reason for this is the collapse of the intracellular matrix, elastin layer and collagen, all of which help to keep the skin together and as the breakdown occurs, the skin gets drier.

Environment

Besides a person’s age, the environment is another key factor leading to dry skin. Climates that are dry and windy can cause a person’s skin to dry; however, the detergent and soaps he or she uses can also be a reason. Keep in mind that sunrays can cause great harm to the skin so a person needs to use a sun protection product when outside sun tanning or working.

There is also a third reason people suffer from dry skin and that is genetics. A person’s genetics can also determine if they will have dry skin, oily skin or a combination of both.

Indicators of Dry Skin

So how does a person know if they have dry skin? One of the first clues is the climate they live in. Areas that are windy or have low humidity levels tend to dry out the skin since it gets stripped of the natural oils. Cold weather can also cause skin problems. A person doesn’t need to spend their time outdoors to have problems especially during the winter season. Since heaters and air conditioning units can cause problems, it’s necessary to follow proper skin care precautions year round.

Flaking is a clear sign that a person has dry skin. On top of that, their skin is rather tight since the skin’s pore openings are so tiny.

Even a  person without any of these signs but is approaching their mid-life needs to be aware now and take the necessary body care precautions to keep their skin healthy.

Factors Affecting the Care of Dry Skin

When a person wants to get rid of the problem of dry skin, it’s recommended that they use skin care products designed explicitly for dry skin. This means the person should avoid using any products that contain alcohol. However, skin care products containing the following ingredients are acceptable:

- Alpha hydroxy
- Glycerin
- Lactic acids
- Lanolin
- Petroleum

To make sure what ingredients are in the skin care products, it’s necessary for consumers to read the labels.

While dry skin doesn’t feel as if it needs cleansing, it still does… once in the morning and once in the evening hours. People should buy a gentle cleanser to apply to the skin using warm water only. Hot water will strip the body of its natural oil. Afterwards, pat-dry the skin and apply a moisturizer evenly. For women who wear makeup, it’s important to buy face care products that have moisturizing ingredients added.

Another way people can keep their skin healthy is to stay hydrated with plenty of water or eating foods that are high in water content like watermelon or cucumbers. The majority of fruits and vegetables can help with hydration while giving the person the necessary body care ingredients such as antioxidants, fiber, minerals and vitamins. Consumption of antioxidants is necessary since it helps to sustain the intracellular matrix in the skin.

Moisturisers

If you are sufferring from dry skin, why not view our range of Moisturisers for Men or Moisturisers for Women in our store?

Three Layers of Skin: The Importance of Each Human Skin Layer

The human skin is the largest organ on/in the body. Most people don’t think of the skin as an organ like they would a heart, brain, lungs, liver and more. However, the skin is essentially made up of a variety of tissues and within these tissues are cells, all of which are very important for body care.

Think of the skin like a home’s roof; it’s a vital part of the human body as it keeps all the fluids inside the body and controls the release of waste. The internal organs are safe from possible environmental harm such as the bacteria, injury, light and sun.

The skin has several layers to it and because people don’t see them, they are often not thought about. People tend to worry every day about the wrinkles and acne they are getting, not taking into consideration the layers underneath the skin have plenty to do with these things.

If a person were to breakdown the skin into layers, they would see three different skin layers. They are:

- Epidermis
- Dermis
- Hypodermis

Layer 1 – Epidermis

The epidermis is the outer skin layer. This is the one people see. The epidermis covers the body, is made of closely woven connective tissue of differing thickness and also consists of three layers. The feet have more skin than the eye. The epidermis is a barrier to keep bad things out and keep the good things in.

The epidermis’ top layer is always shedding. This is the layer that will make sure fluids stay inside the body while making sure that no dangers creep their way in. The majority of this layer has thousands of minute pores and hair shafts though this cannot easily be seen by the naked eye. The bottom layer continually generates new skin to replace the skin that’s being shed. This is the skin layer that has melanin, which is responsible for giving the skin its color (or lack thereof) and making sure the body on the inside has sun protection so it is not harmed.

Layer 2 – Dermis

The dermis is the middle skin layer that has lots of activity within it. Within the dermis are the blood vessels, collagen glands, hair follicles, lymph vessels, nerve tissues and sweat glands. Blood vessels will supply nutrients. The nerve tissues allow the skin to feel good and bad touches. When the muscles tissues are active, they cause the person to have goose bumps, whether they occur in fear or from the cold. The dermis can trap bacteria that managed to get past the epidermis.

Layer 3 – Hypodermis (Subcutis Layer)

The inside skin layer regulates the body temperature. This layer has the insulating fat and collagen, which is how people stay warm. It also acts as a shock absorber to protect the body from being injured. This layer of skin is also called adipose tissue.