Hello Beautiful, 

How are you, my lovely?

Bonfire Night is now over, and we seem to be rapidly heading towards Christmas. Is anybody else ready yet or do you leave it all until the last minute? I have started to notice how quickly the winter is now approaching as the temperatures are getting lower. When this happens, it tends to make a difference to my eczema, and this can particularly be seen in my hands.

If, like me, you have a skin condition, you will probably find that your hands take the brunt of it due to the levels of exposure that they have and the amount of hard work that we put them through. I know from personal experience how painful this can be, which is why I have to make an extra effort to look after them in the cold weather. Once I start to suffer, I can become very self-conscious and then begin a cycle of trying to hide my hands wherever I can. That is why in this blog I thought I would give you a helping hand to get through the winter months.

Winter weather

You might have already seen my blog asking, ‘What can the cold weather do to your skin?’  which talks about the effects that the drop in temperature can have on your skin, particularly if you have a skin condition such as eczema, psoriasis or rosacea. It can be an uncomfortable time, largely thanks to the lack of moisture in our atmosphere. With no humidity in the air, and central heating blasting for hours at a time, our skin can begin to dry out.

The skin has its own natural microbiome which is made up of cells and lipids which has to be carefully balanced in order to provide a natural moisture barrier. It can promote the growth of good bacteria and can play a crucial part in keeping our skin healthy. If you have any kind of skin sensitivity, this microbiome can need a bit of extra help when faced with winter conditions and taking care of your skin with sensitive skincare like The Beauty of Eczema™ range can help to support it.

Our hands are often at the centre of this because of the amount that we use them. We are constantly doing things that dry out our hands and this can lead to them cracking, peeling and bleeding. Even children can be vulnerable at this time of year, as anyone who has tried to make a small child wear gloves will know all too well. It can therefore be important to protect yourself and your skin when you are out and about. Whether you are building a snowman or simply popping to the shops, make sure that you are wearing gloves to protect yourself against the elements. If your hands get wet, make sure that you dry them as quickly and as gently as possible.

Hand washing

The COVID-19 pandemic made us all more conscious of washing our hands, and it can be a very important tool in keeping coughs, colds and viruses at bay. However, it can also be a nightmare for those of us who suffer from sensitive skin. The constant process of using harsh, drying soaps and hot water can make sore hands feel even worse, so you need to make sure that you are washing your hands in the right way. Keep the water at a warm temperature, not hot, and use our gentle and natural Skin Warrior Wash. This uses ingredients which are not only derived from nature but are also designed to hydrate your skin. 

When you have finished washing your hands, make sure that you pat your hands dry gently with a towel instead of rubbing them and apply our Calming Cream.

Moisturise, moisturise, moisturise

It stands to reason that if our skin is suffering from a lack of moisture during the winter, we need to do all that we can to replenish it, and the Calming Cream is amazing for this. It is the perfect moisturiser for dry skin as it uses the moisturisers found in nature to care for your skin and avoid adding to the irritation that you might be suffering. This natural moisturiser gives added hydration and can help to boost your skin’s natural barrier to protect it throughout the day.

Our hands are incredibly important to us, and I don’t want to see you hiding them away under long sleeves or in pockets. Use these tips and order your skincare now and you will be in a better position to enjoy your winter without pain, redness or irritation. 

Lots of love and positive vibes, Camille xx