Essential Oils for Eczema: What Works?
Are you or your baby struggling with eczema? You're certainly not alone – 1.2 million people in the UK experience it. While it often affects babies, it can also cause discomfort later in life. When searching for solutions online, you'll come across many oil-based products. But does oil work for eczema, and if so, why?
Understanding Eczema
To comprehend why oil may help, it's essential to know what eczema is. Just as there are countless people with eczema, there are various forms of it. However, all types share common traits: dry, flaky, red skin that can sometimes be itchy.
Atopic Eczema
The most prevalent type is atopic eczema. With this variant, the skin is particularly sensitive to certain external substances. Everyday products like detergent, shower gel, or dish soap often contain toxic foaming agents, perfumes, or dyes.
How your body reacts to these aggressive substances is linked to the 'shield' your skin has to keep toxic elements out. The strength of this shield is often genetically determined. A baby's skin is much more sensitive than an adult's, making them more susceptible to this type of eczema.
Oil or Hormone Cream?
Numerous eczema remedies exist with varying results. Corticosteroid creams, for instance, target symptom relief but don't address the root cause. Many mothers prefer natural solutions over using such creams on delicate baby skin.
Natural Solution with Oil
Fortunately, combating eczema naturally is straightforward. When you (or your baby) have eczema, the skin loses more water and struggles to retain moisture. This can result in rough, dry, and flaky skin. Keeping your skin hydrated is crucial, and oils, being rich and effective at retaining moisture, are ideal for this purpose. Hence, oil is a common ingredient in natural eczema care products.
Addressing the Root Cause
Instead of merely soothing symptoms, it's vital to tackle the problem's origin. In the case of atopic eczema, the cause is often apparent. Unfortunately, common household products like detergents, shower gels, and deodorants contain harmful substances that aren't gentle on the skin. Even 'natural' brands may still include irritating perfumes.
These substances cause irritation and can lead to eczema in sensitive skin. Choosing products that are gentle on the skin, free from harmful substances, is crucial. This applies not only to products applied directly to the skin but also to laundry detergent, sunscreen, and all-purpose cleaners.
Natural Oil-Based Products
Hem-nature's products are designed to both soothe and hydrate the skin and eliminate triggers causing eczema. Hem-nature's products contain various oils, depending on their purpose, carefully blended with other natural ingredients.
For example:
- In the natural INCIA laundry detergent, lavender oil reduces skin irritation and provides a delightful scent.
- INCIA dish soap combines coconut oil and olive oil, known for their hydrating properties.
- Tea tree oil in the foaming face cleanser has anti-inflammatory properties.
- INCIA Nourishing and Hydrating Gel for Dry Skin contains beeswax, shea butter, and natural oils like calendula oil for intense hydration without clogging pores.
- Wintergreen extract in baby shampoo cleanses the scalp and removes flaky rashes.
- Both INCIA hand soaps (hydrating and sensitive) are olive oil-based, providing hydration and combating dry skin.
By choosing natural, oil-based products, you not only address eczema symptoms but also promote overall skin health.