In the wintertime especially, conditions such as eczema, rosacea and dry itchiness can flare up leaving your skin feeling raw and irritated. It's important to control factors that may cause flare ups whether they're environmental or due to skincare products you might be using.
Here are some ingredients to look for when buying skincare products to treat inflamed sensitive skin:
1. Aloe. Aloe is good for just about any skin irritation. You can choose a product that contains aloe or break off a leaf directly from an aloe plant. Aloe is a natural moisturizer and can help hydrate and soothe eczema-damaged skin or even sun-burned skin. Look for soothing skincare creams made with natural aloe especially when used for facial irritations.
2. Oatmeal. Colloidal oatmeal is clinically proven to improve skin dryness, roughness, scaling, and itch intensity of irritated skin. It also can act as a buffering agent to bring skin pH back to normal levels helping to calm skin itch and inflammation. Excellent for eczema and itchiness from bug and insect bites, look for products made with a medicinal amount of colloidal oatmeal like in our Zax's Original Eczema Repair Cream.
3. Tea Tree Oil. This essential oil has anti-inflammatory properties that lessen irritation, while it's anti-fungal properties may help reduce itching and irritation from a variety of skincare conditions as well soothes the sting from bug and insect bites. Try our Zax's Original Bug Bite & Itch Cream all year long to stop any type of itch!
4. Vitamin E. Is a fat-soluble vitamin that helps prevent and treat numerous skin conditions. Vitamin E is very effective when applied topically to reduce itching, redness and scarring. Look for skincare creams that contain Vitamin E or use pure vitamin E by piercing a vitamin E capsule and squeezing out the oil. Try our Zax's Original Facial Redness Cream to reduce redness and smooth skin texture.
Here are some tips for avoiding some common causes of flare ups.
1. Stay out of the sun during peak hours. Sometimes it’s just too hot to be outside because the blazing sun can irritate sensitive skin. When you do venture outside, wear broad spectrum sunblock with a high SPF, cover up exposed skin and wear sun glasses and wide brim hat.
2. Keep warm when it's cold. During cold, dry, windy weather conditions be sure to dress warm and keep exposed skin covered. Switch your moisturizer to a thick cream that will lock in moisture for long-lasting hydration and protection.
3. Know what you're eating. Certain foods can cause a flare up either just by eating it or touching the food with your hands during preparation. Keep note of what foods cause you or your child's skin to flare up with redness and irritation. Be sure to talk to your Doctor or Allergist for guidance.
4. Know your triggers. When the skin becomes irritated the natural reaction is to scratch. Scratching causes irritation and the cycle continues. To stop this "itch-scratch cycle" it's important to know your triggers. Is it soaps, clothing fabrics, deodorants, carpet fibres, dust, overheating, excessive sweating, low humidity, certain foods or stress? Keep a log of all the things in your surrounding that cause you irritation and make a plan to avoid those triggers.
Taking control of what you put on your skin and the environment around you can help to minimize and manage your flare ups of itchy skin, eczema and rosacea.
Written by Alyssa Rolnick, Co-Founder of Zax’s Original Products, Registered Dietitian and Mother of 3 active kids.