Hi there gorgeous angels!

Today I wanted to talk to you all about hope. I know that when you have a skin condition like eczema and sensitive skin, it can feel like a never-ending journey and it is easy to lose hope. You want the hope of healthy skin, the hope of comfortable skin and the hope of confidence, but sometimes these things can be difficult to cling to, especially when you are having a flare up. That is why I spent over five years developing my HOPE Principles and the past nine years studying to become an expert health coach, natural chef, yoga and meditation teacher. 

My skincare line took over a year to develop, and not only have I become an expert in all things skincare during that time, I have also worked with a team of scientific experts to ensure that every product is not only gentle and beautiful, but also as effective as it could possibly be. I have worked with top formulators in the skincare world to bring you the best of everyone’s knowledge. All so I could follow my purpose in supporting you on your journey.

What are the HOPE Principles?

The HOPE Principles are a framework for wellness from the inside out. I believe that the power of the mind can play an enormous part in reducing symptoms and giving you the opportunity to take control of your condition and your situation. They are based on a combination of my own life experiences and scientific research to help you find solutions that will help you to glow from the inside out.

There is no one single thing that will improve your skin or make you feel better about yourself. Instead, you need to find a combination of healthy eating, exercise and skincare to work alongside your home environment, your attitude and your self-care routine to really make a meaningful difference.

H is for Home

The H of the HOPE Principles encourages you to think about everything that represents home, both physically and mentally. It wants you to focus on creating the right environment for glowing skin, by de-cluttering, getting better sleep and creating your own safe and peaceful sanctuary. Part of this might be to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine or saying some of our beautiful positive affirmations.

O is for Optimism

To achieve hope, you have to have optimism and a belief that things can and will be better. Your skin condition does not define who you are, so thinking about how you choose to respond to what you have can be a big step. Optimism gives you the opportunity to reframe what you have, and see the beauty in it, instead of the pain or self-consciousness. When you see your skin condition as a messenger, telling you about other things your body and mind need to address, you can move into a more positive space.

My Calming Cream can help build a sense of optimism as you start to see the difference that it makes to your skin. I used Rhamnosoft as one of the key ingredients in order to boost the comfort of your skin, making it happy and protected.

P is for Purpose and Pampering

We all need to have a purpose in life, and the P of the HOPE Principles encourages you to look for this. It could be anything from your career to your family or your hobbies; it doesn’t really matter as long as you are focused on doing things that you love and make you feel great.

P can also stand for pampering. Many of us dismiss this as a luxury that we simply do not have time for, but self-care is incredibly important. Your pampering might be a relaxing bath with my gorgeous Bathing Oil, taking a walk surrounded by nature, or immersing yourself at the heart of your family. As long as it feels good to you, then it will be good for your soul too.

E is for Eating well, Exercise and Ecotherapy

I know I have crammed a lot into this one, but they are all so important I couldn’t leave any of them out. Your diet and exercise go hand in hand together to boost your mood and your immunity, both of which play massive parts in the effects of your skin condition. When you also spend much of your time outdoors, amongst nature and breathing in fresh air, you can help your body and your mind.

I have written a recipe book packed full of gorgeous meals and snacks that can support your health. The Beauty of Eating Well teaches you to eat from a place of joy and all recipes are free from dairy, eggs, gluten and refined sugar.

S is for Stress and Support

Whatever skin condition you have, stress will play a big part in it. This is something which can make your condition worse, and when that happens, you become more stressed, and the cycle continues. Managing your stress levels helps to break this cycle and benefit your entire body.

One of the most successful ways to manage stress is with a routine to help you switch off and unwind. An easy way to do this is with a relaxing bath using my Pink Himalayan Bath Salts to help both your body and mind.

Underpinning everything in the HOPE Principles is support. No one is alone in this journey, and you will need the support of encouraging angels to help you achieve all of the other Principles, particularly when times get tough. Loving and supportive relationships are one of the biggest tools that we have, so it is important to understand them and use them.

To achieve the greatest levels of change you need to look at your own mindset and understand what you can do to make it packed full of health and positivity. Shifting how you look at your skin and the things that hold you back in life will put you in a much stronger position to overcome them, and I want my HOPE Principles to help you achieve this.

I would love to hear about what the HOPE Principles have done for you, so please get in touch and tell me your story.

If you are craving a community that will walk with you on your join, I would love to see you inside The Angel Circle.

Lots of love and positive vibes, Camille xx

Hello beautiful angels!

How are you? I know a lot of people ask that question, but how often do we listen to the answer?

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK, and I am talking to you about it because as many as 1 in 4 of us will suffer from some sort of mental health condition at some point in our lives. It is as prevalent as many other major diseases and yet too many people struggle to acknowledge or deal with it.

I myself have had my own mental health difficulties to overcome as a result of my skin condition, so I understand exactly how difficult it can be. It is important that we all recognise the signs and turn to someone for help – there should be no stigma attached to it.

Mental Health Awareness

This year, Mental Health Awareness Week is focusing on the issue of loneliness. It might not be something that you think affects you, but you would be surprised. It was once thought to be a problem for the elderly, but the COVID-19 pandemic has shown how easily we can all become isolated in one way or another.

Loneliness can be the catalyst for many other mental health problems. Once we feel alone, we are more likely to develop other issues and less likely to seek help for them. It can be brought about by being single or widowed, unemployed, having a long-term health condition, being young, being old, being a carer, being from an ethnic minority, being LGBTQ+ or for many other reasons. Often people do not seek help because they fear that they will be a burden, but this is absolutely not the case.

I know from personal experience that suffering from a skin condition can be very lonely. It often feels as though no-one understands what you are going through. Whether it is the physical symptoms or the knock to your self-confidence, the triggers that surround you constantly or being self-conscious about the products you need to use, it all adds up to make you feel as though you are the only person in the world that feels this way.

I can promise you that you are not. There are 31% of people in America who have eczema, and as many as 1.3 million people in the UK. That doesn’t even include other skin conditions such as psoriasis, rosacea or dermatitis. Trust me, plenty of people know exactly how you feel, but no-one likes to talk about it. In fact, it is estimated that 60-70% of women and 50-60% of men have some form of skin sensitivity.

Skincare for Everyone

Hello Angels!

Are you glowing today?

I have been getting lots of questions about The Beauty of Eczema products lately, and the most common one is ‘who is it suitable for?’ The answer? Everyone!

I understand that lots of skincare produdts for skin conditions and sensitivities are not always suitable for every skin type, and I couldn’t bear the idea of anyone being left out when it comes to enjoying beautiful, glowing skin. That’s why I combined some of natures finest ingredients with the latest scientific techniques to create products that can be enjoyed by everybody.

Suitable for all skin types

Often, people with dark skin tones have to be careful which skincare products they use as they can lead to uneven tone. My products are different, and their highly moisturising properties and great for use on any skin tone to help protect the skins natural barrier and leave it cared for and embracing its own natural glow. I have combined shea butter, mango butter, oat lipids, almond oil and jojoba oil to provide as much moisturisation as possible and then supercharged it with Rhamnosoft®️ and a balancing prebiotic called Bioecolia®️ for the ultimate skin comfort for everyone.

Skincare for babies 

I know better than anybody that sensitive skin can be a problem for even the very young as I was first diagnosed at the age of 6, which is why I made a product that was even safe for use on babies. I want children to grow up loving their skin, so I made sure the product is something that they can adore using even from an early age to give them that essential skin confidence as they grow and change.

Vegan skincare

Whilst putting together the products, I wanted to harness everything that nature has to offer, which is why my sensitive skin products are also completely suitable for vegans. They do not contain ingredients which have been derived from animals and they have been approved by PETA as being both suitable for vegans and cruelty free.

I don’t take any of these claims lightly, which is why all of my products have been through rigorous testing with an expert team to ensure their safety. I have worked hard to make sure that The Beauty of Eczema range is as caring and inclusive as possible to make sure you have control over your own skin.

I want you all to have healthy skin, glowing skin and confidence in your own skin. Enjoy your day and remember to love the skin you are in.

Lots of love and positive vibes,

Camille xx

Here are 10 Benefits of Knowing Your Purpose:

1. It Helps you stay focused
2. It makes you feel passionate about your goal
3. It gives your life clarity
4. It makes you feel gratified
5. It enables you live a value based life
6. It makes you live with integrity
7. It encourages trust
8. It helps you find a flow in life
9. It makes life even more fun! 
10. It gives you faith

Happy Sunday beautiful angel 🦋 

I’m getting prepped for an exciting week ahead & wanted to talk to you today about morning routines! 

Do you have a morning routine angel?

I love having a morning routine as it helps me to set the tone for the day ahead. If you’ve woken up feeling a little down, you can use a morning routine to switch your energy back to positive vibes only! As we start each day fresh, we can better focus on what is in front of us, see where to prioritise our time, and have a super productive day! Developing healthy habits of a morning helps to lower stress and boosts your energy too! 

Healthy morning routines can be so nourishing and calming. I really do recommend them! 

You can see my Morning Routine over on Reels.

 
I pop my fluffy slippers on and I make myself a cup of tea.Followed by an ice cold shower and of course my energising Skin Warrior Wash! Energise your body with a daily ritual of self-care.

I then moisturise head to toe with Calming Cream - have you tried it yet? 

The Calming Cream has actually just won Best product for Sensitive Skin AND we got Commended in Mother, Beauty, Self Care for the Salty Soother and the Pamper Me Bathing Oil in The Beauty Shortlist Awards.

I always make time for reading, meditation and movement. It’s so important to get your body moving in the morning. I am currently doing my Yoga Teacher Training course, so every moment I get, I take to my mat and fall into my practice. 

Before sitting down at my desk I whip up a green smoothie too! I’ll pop a link here to my 3 Glowing Juice recipes!

If you have time to make your own morning Acai bowl, try this recipe from my cookbook! It makes a fabulously yummy breakfast!

Enjoy your Sunday angels & I hope you have an amazing week ahead!

Lots of love & positive vibes,

Camille 💋 xx

June the 8th every year is National Best Friend’s Day and it’s all about celebrating the friendships that are so important to us. 

Here are some fun scientific facts about friendship!

For The Friend New To The Beauty of Eczema: The Starter Kit

In today’s blog post I wanted to share with you 3 Juices For Glowing Skin. All three of these recipes as well as many more can be found in my book which you can purchase here. 

Green glow

Prep Time 5 mins Equipment Juicer

A green glowing juice is an essential in my world. This is a juice that I make on a regular basis due to the simplicity of the ingredients. Enjoy. 

Serves 2

(around 400ml)

½ x Cucumber

2 x Apples

2 x Celery Stalks

1 x Lime (skin removed)

25g (small piece) of Ginger

Trim all the ingredients so they can fit through the juicer.

Put through the juicer and serve.

Alkaline Me Up

Prep Time 5 mins Equipment Juicer

As the name suggests, this is a juice full of greens which have an alkalising effect on the body. Research suggests disease can’t survive in an alkaline state, so if you fancy an immune boost this is the juice for you. 

Serves 2

(around 400ml)

2 x Celery Stalks

½ x Cucumber

½ x Broccoli Head

100g x Asparagus Stems

1 x lemon, juiced.

Trim all the ingredients so they can fit through the juicer.

Put through the juicer and serve.

Tropical Green

Prep Time 5 mins Equipment Blender

Tropical fruits are my favourite kind of fruits! This drink has a lovely kick of aloe vera too, which makes it cooling and cleansing. It works wonders for your skin! 

Serves 1

100ml / ½ cup x coconut water

100ml /½ cup x aloe vera juice

25g/10z of kale

Handful of mint, leaves picked

75g / 2½oz x frozen mango

Place all ingredients into the blender.

Blend until smooth! Serve immediately.

Being outdoors in the fresh air, amongst nature, can do wonders for wellbeing levels. In fact, it’s now been proven that spending time outside, in nature, makes us healthier and happier. 

With this week being #MentalHealthAwarenessweek and the theme for 2021 being Nature. Here at The Beauty of Eczema we wanted to dedicate an article on to one of our key HOPE Principes: Ecotherapy. 

Nature has incredible healing qualities, so much so that ecotherapy is now being prescribed for stress and anxiety. This is because natural landscapes stimulate our “rest and geist” parasympathetic nervous system and sooth our “fight or flight” sympathetic nervous system. 

What is Ecotherapy and why is it SO important?

Ecotherapy refers to any outdoor activity which positively impacts our mental and physical wellbeing. It is the practice of being in nature, to boost growth and healing, especially mental health. 

Studies have shown Ecotherapy can:

+ Lower blood pressure and stress hormone levels

+ Reduce nervous system arousal

+ Enhance immune system function

+ Increase self-esteem

+ Reduce anxiety

+ and improve mood.

Venture outdoors and enjoy the beautiful scenery and fresh air. Whether it’s walking in your local park, nature reserve or even a stroll along the beach. Nourish your mind, body and soul, simply by taking in the great outdoors. 

From cycling, to gardening, giving your hand to growing your own veggies, or taking your dog for a walk in the woodland. There are plenty of free activities you can take advantage of, and boost your own well being at the same time. 

Ecotherapy is also a great way to spend time to reflect and practice gratitude. Nature is such a wonderful, powerful source of energy - and we can tap into it, whenever we like! 

Camille encourages you to practice your very own Ecotherapy! 

So here’s to nature, and it guiding us back to a more natural way of living. 

We often hear the words ‘self care’, or read them in magazine articles. Or blogs like this one! But it’s such a personal thing that it can often be difficult to get across what it truly means. What I think it is might not be your thing at all. And that’s the key. Finding your own meaning of self care, and applying it to your life every single day.

A daily ritual of self care

Yes every day. Taking care of yourself is absolutely crucial for living a life beyond sensitive skin. To be the best friend, mother, daughter, girlfriend we can, first we need to fill up our own cup then overflow onto others.

I used to think this was selfish. But I’ve learnt that in fact, it’s the complete opposite. Caring for ourselves should be at the top of our list, not the bottom. But when you’re busy, it’s too easy to lose sight of that. So you have to schedule in time to take care of yourself, just the same as you would a business meeting or a lunch date.

At first it might feel weird saying ‘Right, now I’m going to have some time for myself’. But honestly, why not?! I often say to myself ‘Camille, you make time for your friends, for your boyfriend, for your family, so now you have to make time for you’. And surely that makes perfect sense?

Once you’ve set some time aside, it’s all about making another to-do list, this time of all the things you can do to make yourself feel amazing. It could be really simple, like reading a favourite book or watching a TV programme. Or it could be a lovely soak in a long bath, booking in a beauty treatment or buying that item you’ve been eyeing up for ages. Taking yourself on a spa date is a great idea, too, time out just for you.

But really it’s about whatever makes you relaxed and happy. Whatever you choose, make sure it’s for you and it’s whatever fills your cup. And the real magic happens when you apply this to your life every single day.

Do you have any self care tips you’d like to share? Tag me on Instagram @thebeautyofeczema

I’d love you to join my tribe. If you’re ready to start living a glowing life, join today and receive weekly emails full of inspiration. 

You can also get the first chapter of my book absolutely FREE! 

Lots of love and positive vibes, Camille xx

When did you last go for a massage? It's been at least a year for some of us and longer if you've haven't felt comfortable enough in your skin to book yourself in. It’s a wonderful way to boost your wellbeing and give your skin some much-deserved love.

What's so great about a massage?

Erm, everything! For a start, it’s at least half an hour that you are solely devoting to yourself, which is so important. You’ve got no phone, no people around you, it’s pure indulgence. Therapists generally play soothing music, and I often find myself drifting away into my own thoughts. It's a peaceful, tranquil time just for you.

They’re also great for unknotting your muscles, reducing tension and relieving stress. And for us sensitive skin warriors, they’re pretty much essential as part of our mission for glowing, radiant skin.

If you have a muscle injury, then you might need a different type of treatment, such as a sports massage, and this is something a physiotherapist can help you with, or direct you to.

Swedish massage is lovely; your therapist uses a combination of strokes, taps and movements to keep your muscles nice and supple. Or you could go for a lymphatic drainage massage, to help keep your lymph fluids circulating properly around your body.

One of my favourites is an Indian head massage. You might think you don’t carry any tension in your head so what’s the point, but believe me once you’ve tried it you’ll realise how much you do! It’s a really wonderful, soothing massage of your scalp and neck, leaving you feeling revitalised and uplifted. All the things we love!

What's the best natural massage oil?

While most therapists will have their own aromatherapy and essential oils, if you’re worried they will irritate your skin then you could ask if they mind if you take your own natural oil along with you. I personally request pure almond oil or jojoba oil if they have it.

Did you know you can massage yourself?

Hey I have sensitive skin and I know sometimes the last thing you want is for anyone to see or touch your skin. And it’s okay to feel like this, as long as it’s temporary and you’re not in hiding from the world. If you feel that it is affecting your mental health then it’s time to talk to someone.

But if you’re just feeling a bit meh, fancy some pampering but can’t quite face a treatment, then a DIY massage is great. You can try a foot massage, a hand massage, the back of your neck and tops of your shoulders. You can make it part of your everyday skincare routine, gently massaging your oil into your skin (it’s great for circulation boosting at the start of the day, or relaxation at the end.)

What’s your favourite type of massage? Don’t forget to let me know @thebeautyofeczema.

I’d love you to join my tribe. If you’re ready to start living a life beyond sensitive skin and receive a weekly email for tips on a glowing life, join today! 

You can also get the first chapter of my book absolutely FREE!

Lots of love and positive vibes, Camille xx

The importance of sleep for your skin health should never be underestimated. I’ve grown up hearing the phrase ‘Sleep when you’re dead’ which seems to work for my energetic family but not for me! I’ve discovered that a peaceful night’s sleep works wonders for my skin, I have more energy and I feel more productive.

But getting a good night’s sleep can be easier said than done, especially when you have sensitive skin. I’ve created my own little wind-down routine to help me sleep well and I want to share my top ten tips to help you catch some zzzzs.

Tip 1: Pamper yourself

I begin getting ready for bed with a pamper session which involves running a bath with the Salty Soother & Pamper Me Bathing Oil. I surround myself with positive music, candlelight, soothing scents and try to switch off from the day. Then I moisturise my whole body from head to toe with the Calming Cream and get cosy in my favourite 100% cotton dressing gown.

Tip 2: Create the perfect sleep environment

Make sure your room is clean and tidy and reduce all artificial lighting, using candles instead. I also like to burn an aromatherapy stick, this really helps to create a soothing vibe in my bedroom. In the winter I use a humidifier to add more moisture to the air.

Tip 3: Switch to aeroplane mode

Me and my boyfriend are always on our phone checking emails and social media because, as we all know it’s highly addictive! At night we swipe to aeroplane mode, so we’re no longer bombarded with messages and late-night emails. We officially switch off and trust me, this is a lifesaver for all you workaholics and social media addicts!

Tip 4: Enjoy a calming drink

No caffeinated drinks beyond 3pm please lovelies! Before bed try a camomile tea, or any non-caffeinated herbal teas that take your fancy. I have a little ritual of making myself a magnesium drink from the brand Natural Calm. Magnesium is nature’s relaxation mineral and for those that are easily stressed (like me), it’s essential to keep your levels topped up. The best way to get your magnesium is by eating leafy greens, but as that’s not always easy this drink is a great alternative.

Tip 5: Read an inspiring book

You want to drift off to sleep with positive thoughts in your mind and an inspirational book can really help. My favourites are ‘You Can Heal Your Life’ by Louise Hay, ‘Empower Yourself’ by Miranda Kerr and I’m currently reading A Path With Heart by Jack Kornfield. 

Tip 6: Invest in an eye mask

If you’re anything like me then even the tiniest glimmer of light can keep you awake. I’ve found that investing in a good-quality sleep mask has helped me drift off more peacefully no matter where I am in the world.

Tip 7: Be in bed before midnight

I’ve heard that every hour of sleep you have before midnight counts as double. Whether that’s true or not I don’t know, but it makes sense... if you wake up between 6am-8am in the morning, sleeping before midnight makes sure you get plenty of lovely restful sleep.

Tip 8: Take time to relax

By the end of the day our minds can be racing with thoughts that are impossible to slow down, so this step is really important. Follow a gentle yoga flow or listen to guided meditation yoga makes you focus on your breath and releases all of your tension while meditation also helps to focus your mind on the present moment. I also love Tapping to release any trapped emotions. Check out the app Tapping Solution to learn more about this.

Tip 9: Eat lightly before bed

You don’t want to fall asleep on a full stomach as that can compromise your digestion. If you’re hungry, eat light and choose something that will encourage a good night’s sleep. I usually opt for a small bowl of gluten-free oats with a banana when I am feeling a little too peckish to sleep.

Tip 10: Keep a journal

When I can’t sleep I pull out my Positive Scribes Journal and write down all my racing thoughts. This helps to clear my mind and download my thoughts all in one place. I also encourage myself to write all that I am grateful for so that I can go to bed on a positive note. Remember, there is always something to be thankful for!

And one bonus tip if you have sensitive skin:  try keeping a cold flannel near your bed to keep your skin cool if you feel too hot. I found this really helps me sometimes!

These tips really work for me and I hope they do for you too! Don’t forget to let me know if you try any of them @thebeautyofeczema. 

I’d love you to join my tribe. If you’re ready to start living a glowing life and receive weekly positive emails every sunday, join today! 

You can also get the first chapter of my book absolutely FREE too!

Lots of love and positive vibes, Camille xx

Discovering a brand called ‘The Beauty of Eczema’ might strike some of you as a little strange. After all, skin conditions like eczema can be uncomfortable and upsetting. However, it’s so important to know that if you have dry or sensitive skin, you are not alone. The Beauty of Eczema is a brand founded on the very principle of making sure those who struggle with their skin know they are not going through it on their own.

Our founder, Camille Knowles, has been through it all first-hand and has since found her own path for glowing skin that she shares with others through The Beauty of Eczema. Through her story, many others have found hope and support on their own skincare journey.

In the beginning

Camille was first diagnosed with eczema at the age of 6, and as she got older it bothered her more and more. 

Discovering natural health and natural remedies, Camille attempted to get more in control of her condition by looking into her diet. However, between balancing university, a restrictive diet, alcohol and poor sleep, Camille’s skin condition quickly became difficult to manage.

At age 20, Camille travelled to California on a study abroad programme which opened her eyes to a new lifestyle, with lots of travelling, fresh air, fresh food and exercise. It worked wonders for her skin and as a result she was glowing! Returning from California, Camille threw herself into getting organised, trying to find a house while starting a new internship, while living on a juice diet.

The internship and long commute quickly began taking its toll, together with little sleep. Eventually, at age 21, Camille was hospitalised due to a possible skin infection, because of her eczema.

The gift of knowledge

Being told that she was going to have eczema / sensitive skin for the rest of her life was devastating, with doctors recommending internal steroids and ani-depressants to cope.

It was in the moments of despair Camille found HOPE. Camille went on a mission to find ways to keep her body healthy and skin glowing. This was trial and error over many months, but sooner or later she started to see the magic from such simple lifestyle changes.

From Sleeping better, to cultivating an attitude of gratitude, to finding suitable skincare for sensitive skin, cultivating a life purpose, exercising, eating well and getting out in nature were all part of her lifestyle now. Along with managing stress and reaching for support.

Seeing the beauty in it all

If it hadn’t been for Camille’s skin, she wouldn’t have made choices such as going to California, or discovered the power of positive affirmations. She also wouldn’t have discovered her zinc deficiency.

Camille began to realise that her skin was a springboard to uncover new life lessons and ultimately help others too. She began to have the confidence to follow her ambitions, and in 2017 she became a qualified health coach. In April 2018 she became a qualified natural chef and in September 2018, Camille launched her first book which then became an Amazon best seller!

The ‘Beauty’ Camille found in her skin was that it is her “inner friend” that tells her when something isn’t right and she needs to tune in. That may be dosing up on sleep, it may be a change in career or home environment. Whatever it is, Camille now sees her skin as a messenger to her BEST LIFE and hopes to view all difficulties in that way and inspire others to do so too.

Camille wants readers to know they can be imperfectly perfect, imperfectly beautiful. The Beauty of Eczema is seeing the beauty, the hidden treasure in something that wasn’t there before.

Now, The Beauty of Eczema book is here to help others find hope and support in their journey to manage their skin, alongside a range of skincare products to pamper from head to toe.