DIYers: recs for my friend's dry/ eczema prone skin
EDS Skin Care Forums Forum Index » Skincare Tools & Do-It-Yourself Skincare

free skin care · Thu Feb 09, 2006 1:24 pm

My beloved friend has dry skin and horrible eczema. She has darkish asian skin and has horrible patches of scarring from when she was a kid b/c of her really bad eczema outbreaks (when she tans they stand out even more). She is still almost constantly itching. Also, she is my age.

Anyway, she tried Decleor's Aromaessence Angelique (I think... whatever the best formula is for dry sensitive skin) and after a few months she started breaking out quit a bit (and she usually never breaks out with zits). She has gone back to cetaphil cream and cleanser. Of course she is happy to be back to spending less on skin care but I sense much disappointment and defeat like she is back to having to tolerate her skin (and even a bit of doubt on anything else working Doubt

). I think she's giving up too easily and I want to help her get back on track to finding something that works.

For those of you with dry skin- what has worked for you? What has been the most calming?

I want to make up a few things for her to try out. What I need help with is determining the best formula for her skin. I am familiar with what works for oily skin but very fuzzy on what works well for dry skin. Here is what I want to mix up for her:

-Homemade DHCC (what essential oils do you use?)
-OCM oil (I was thinking 25/75 CO/EVOO?)
-?

Should I recommend a rose hydrosol? Perhaps if she had a hydrosol with rose and cammomile?

Also, what professional products would you recommend? I thought if she could get ahold of some samples and tried something that worked well she might be willing to spend the money on it.

Here is what I have in my cupboard (but it's all mostly geared toward oily skin... but would anything work for her until I can get ahold of some more EOs?):

EOs:
geranium
rosemary
bay leaf
lemon
german cammomile
ylang-ylang
naouli

oils:
hazelnut
rosehip seed
kukui nut
grapeseed
jojoba
castor
EVOO

other:
vit c powder
witch hazel
almond butter
gse

that's all I can think of right now...

TIA!

Fri Feb 10, 2006 8:14 pm

I don't have dry skin but I can tell you that Decleor Harmonie Essentielle cream is fantastic at soothing skin. I use it for any rashes or irritations.

Also, perhaps just a hyaluronic acid serum/booster under her moisturiser would also help? I'm thinking of the type that Cellex-C and Skinceuticals for example make to be used over their vitamin C serums. Just a thought.

free skin care · Fri Feb 10, 2006 10:23 pm

Oh your poor friend! I see what my husband goes through and I don't know which of us is more frustrated because I want to help him so much! I really feel for her and would like to share my experience. Please be careful with trying out new products. Many of the things I have suggested to my hubby inflamed his eczema and made it ultra-worse. I have been trying to find things with no fragrance, no chemical irritants, etc. I even had him try an all natural lotion designed specifically for eczema with only nice natural oils like chamomile. His skin freaked! Some things he couldn't tolerate were hyaluronic acid, gentle eye creams, even the gentlest facial milky cleansers designed to not strip the skin of its barrier. He gets crazy burny and itchy, it is no wonder he keeps wanting to give up yet is frustrated.

My hubby uses protopic when he has a flair up and when he is healed he uses Phytomer's HydraContinue Instant Moisture Cream to stay hydrated. It is the ONLY thing he has found that he can tolerate besides cetaphil and vaseline. The upside is that this stuff is MEGA MEGA MEGA moisturizing and one jar will probably last him a lifetime. And if you can find someone like a spa who carries it locally, you may be able to get a sample first. I notice EDS sells it for about $50.

This is what they say about the product:

Intensive moisturizing treatment immediately helps prevent dryness of the skin.
Description:
This care cream keeps your skin moisturized throughout the day. Its formula rich in Phéohydrane® makes it a real reservoir of water for the skin and immediately brings freshness and comfort

For some reason, my husband's skin likes this pheohydrane. So, why are we still looking when the product works so awesome? Well, the downside is that he hates "smelling like a girl". I highly recommend your friend try it as you won't believe how hydrating and gentle it is.

The itching is the worst part. I can recommend two websites: www.eczema.org (The National Eczema Society) www.nationaleczema.org (Nat'l Eczema Assoc.)

free skin care · Sun Feb 12, 2006 12:36 am

I have dry, sensitive skin that is very dermatitis prone. I also have eczema on my body. I have tried natural/organic skincare and they didn't do much for me.

I can only use sulfate free cleanser or else my dermatitis flares up. I also try to use fragrance free moisturizers. I have good luck with la roche posay toleriane cream and trixera cream.

I am with pnw's husband. I can't use pure hyaluronic acid Sad

I have prescription cream for bad flareups and take antihistamines to help control the itch.

Hope your friend finds relieve soon.

Sun Feb 12, 2006 2:11 pm

I developed a very soothing gel that has served very well for a number of skin problems from infected cuts, to acne, to ecsema (sp?) caused by a chemical irritant.

Here's my best shot at your friend's prob:

get a small bottle of pure aloe vera (you know, the ones that cost about 90 cents at Walmart -- nothing special or fancy -- I think it's just "Fruit of the Earth" brand)

Now, add a few (about 5) drops each of the following:

Lavender oil
Geranium oil
Tea tree oil
Rosemary oil
chamomile oil
jojoba oil

Shake really well and voila! you have an extremely soothing disinfecting, healing gel that lasts and lasts. Obviously, this is a good combo, but you can make other great ones I'm sure with other mixes. Just check which oils are good for which skin conditions. I would suggest putting it on every night and morning as a moisturizer after she washes her face. All she will need is a small dab for the entire face.

I have read that the aloe helps the oils absorb better.

GOOD LUCK and happy DIYing!!

free skin care · Sun Feb 12, 2006 4:08 pm

I only want to add that when useing EO's in your homemade facial brews it's important not to overdose as that can cause more harm than good. An easy rule of dosage to remember:

half the amount of drops to the amount of liquid.

So if you've got 50 ml of oil,cream or gel use no more than 25 drops of EO in total. If you are sensitive, or useing EO's for the first time - less is better than maximum.

250 ml = 8.4 Fl.oz = max 125 drops
150 ml = 5.07 fl.oz = max 75 drops
50 ml = 1.69 fl.oz = max 25 drops
15 ml = 0.5 fl.oz = max 7 drops
5 ml = 0.16 fl.oz = max 3 drops

You can always make a mixture, a synergy of oils separately and add that to whatever oil or cream you want...can make the putting together easier to get right.

Very Happy

[/u]

free skin care · Mon Feb 13, 2006 3:09 am

Although these products work very well on oily skin, they also work very well for dry skin and may help the excema.
Photolagen is a bit more expensive but a small amount goes a long way and on the economical side, try pure rosehip oil which is applied by dampening the skin and then massaging in just 3 or 4 drops.

Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:47 am

I had never heard that rule of thumb, but it seems to be a good one! I double-checked my gel to drop ratio and it is within the rule. The aloe is 2oz or about 60 ml and, since jojoba is a carrier oil that can be applied to skin full strength without irritating it, I have 25 drops EOs/60 mls. Of course, it may be wise to start with an even smaller ratio - depending on sensitivity. Thanks again for the info!!

free skin care · Mon Sep 04, 2006 11:28 am

For scars, I have used Decleor's Prolagene gel (they have two sizes...i prefer getting the big one). You can either apply raw or mix it with the face cream or body cream. You will see the scars disappear over the next few weeks depending on how old the scars are.

As Mabsy recommended, you could use the Decleor's sensitive skin range. I also have a friend who has eczema who I gave REN's face moisturiser. She was very happy with it.

free skin care · Fri Dec 28, 2012 12:33 pm

thanks VL, will give Decleor's Prolagene gel a try perhaps

Automatic Message

If this is your first visit to the EDS Forums please take the time to register. Registration is required for you to post on the forums. Registration will also give you the ability to track messages of interest, send private messages to other users, participate in Gift Certificates draws and enjoy automatic discounts for shopping at our online store. Registration is free and takes just a few seconds to complete.

Click Here to join our community.

If you are already a registered member on the forums, please login to gain full access to the site.