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Hello Beautiful 

Have you noticed the days are getting a little shorter and it’s starting to get dark earlier, and that the evenings are much cooler as the temperature is dropping?  While we still have some warm days ahead, autumn is upon us and with the change in season comes a time for us sensitive skin folks to take extra care of ourselves as the next stop is winter which we know can be a difficult time for our skin.

How was last autumn and winter for you? Autumn can be amazing as the leaves turn and brings gold and orange colours to the foliage, we wrap up and enjoy walks in the countryside and maybe we get cosy inside with a book. It can be a time to unwind and recharge too.

The pillars of our brand which we live by, are called the HOPE Principles and it can be helpful this time of year to review each of these and decide if you want to make some adjustments to your daily routine, so you smoothly glide through the seasonal change. Planning ahead like this can enable your skin to have a stress-free transition.

H is for Home, which incorporates your home Environment, Sleep and Decluttering your space.

So how can you adjust your home environment to welcome in the autumn? Here are some questions to ask yourself.

Can you swap out your candles to some pumpkin chai or autumnal fragrances?

Do you have a cosy blanket to snuggle under when reading a book or watching a movie?  

Similarly for your bedroom, what can you do to improve your sleep environment during the autumn time.  

Can you swap your duvet for a warmer one or add extra blankets? Walk around your living space and do a check on what you can do to gear up for autumn. I like to add an autumn wreath to my front door and buy some autumn-coloured pot plants to display near the front door, so it looks warm and welcoming when I come home. While you are looking at your space, see what you can put away too. Summer clothes and shoes can be stored away and make way for warmer clothes. If you didn’t wear it last year, then donate or sell the item and sort your space for what Marie Kondo calls the clothes that ‘bring you joy’. 

Optimism is the second pillar of our brand, and incorporates an optimistic mindset, and attitude of gratitude and positive affirmations. In the context of reviewing these for autumn, consider what is your mindset and belief about your skin going into winter? Are you convinced you are going to have a flare up? What can you do to prepare so you don't or if it does flare it’s far less severe than in previous years? Having a daily gratitude practice can help. Just ask yourself - what am I grateful for today? Then write yourself a list of positive affirmations and read them to yourself daily. These can be words or phrases such as ‘I am glowing’, ‘everything I wish for materializes’, ‘I have supportive friends I can talk to’. If you’d like some extra affirmations, then check out our Positive Vibes Affirmation Cards.

P is for Purpose and the third part of the HOPE Principles. Autumn is a good time to reflect on what you wanted to achieve this year. There’s still time to reach those goals. Make a plan or create a Trello board. We love Trello for visually planning our goals. The app on your phone makes it super easy to keep tabs too. Maybe one rainy weekend is the perfect time to review your vision board and update it so it excites you about the future.

P is also for Pampering.  What can you do to pamper and treat yourself? Self-care is essential and tuning in to what your body needs to relax can help keep a flare up at bay. If you’re not good at relaxing and switching off, what can you plan in each week to make self-care an essential part of your life? A relaxing bath with candles one evening is a perfect self-care treat. Our Bathing Oil is ideal for this.

E is for Exercise. Yes it may be getting cooler but how can you still exercise? Wrap up warm and explore the outdoors, or maybe you have a gym membership or an online membership for an exercise class you can use more often. There are some amazing free classes of all types on YouTube too so check out those on days you don’t feel like leaving the house. 

E  is also for Eating Well. Learn to make a few warming recipes and drinks. Golden lattes are super easy and The Beauty of Eating Well Cookbook which is available on our website and on Amazon has plenty of healthy, quick and easy recipes to try.  Review your pantry essentials and top up with what you need to make warming healthy foods that you will love to eat and will help your skin glow. Using a rainy weekend to meal prep for the week ahead or bake for friends and family can be so therapeutic.  

And finally, Ecotherapy getting out in nature is good for the body and the mind. So, wrap up and go for a walk. If you need some motivation, download a steps tracker on your phone. Tracking your steps is a great reminder of how active you are or are not, and if you aim for 10k steps each day it will help build your fitness level too. Or tidy up your outside space and plant some Spring flower bulbs in pots or in the garden and you’ll have cheerful blooms brightening up your garden next year. 

We have two more pillars; Stress management and Support which actually underpin all the other HOPE Principles. On a scale of 1 - 10 how stressed are you right now?  What’s causing the stress?  Where do you feel the stress in your body?  What can you do to dial it down a little? Identifying what is likely to stress you and putting a plan in place to prevent it can help.  We have a journal to help too. It’s a guided journal with prompts asking your questions about your skin and how you are feeling. If you are a little stressed and want some extra support, you can check out our journal here.

And as I mentioned Support, that’s one of our major underpinning pillars. Having the right support network and people around you who you can trust without judgment is so important for your skin. People who won’t make you feel bad about your skin, who don’t stress you out.  People are either radiators or drainers. They either radiate positivity and are great to be around or they drain and sap your energy. If you feel you need more radiators in your life, then be that person, you’ll attract those people into your life, and think about having less contact with the drainers in your life. Notice your friends and family and if you need to spend time with those people have some resources to help you manage your own mindset afterwards. Practicing gratitude or reminding yourself of happy times you've had this year can both help. 

So as we head into autumn what will you do to embrace the new season? We’d love to know, so please share what you are doing over on Instagram.

Hello lovelies.

There is no getting away from the fact that it is a sad week with the passing of Her Majesty the Queen. As a British brand, everyone here at The Beauty of Eczema™ has been touched by this tragic news, and for many, it has stirred up a range of emotions.

Feeling Sad

The mood that seems to be engulfing the nation is one of sadness, and it is important to recognise that this is perfectly normal. Not only do many feel sad about the death of the Queen, it can also bring about feelings and memories about more personal losses. It might remind you about losing a grandmother or anyone else who you have felt close to, or perhaps might make you fearful of loss in the future.

These emotions are all perfectly valid and have been magnified by the death of someone so important, and someone who has been a constant and much-loved figure in most of our lives.

It is essential that you remember to take time to acknowledge these feelings, whether they occur now or sometime in the future. Your body knows what it needs, so take the time to tune into it and listen to what it is telling you. If you need time to grieve, for the Queen or for anyone else, then take it. Allowing yourself time to process your emotions is a big step in avoiding a build-up of stress or anxiety, so have a look at how best to do this. You might need time alone, or perhaps meditation might help. Whatever you do, make sure that you take time for you.

You should also look to those who can offer you support when you need it. This might be as a shoulder to cry on, or someone you can share your memories with. Our support networks are vital to all of us, so make sure that you use them and be part of someone else’s if you feel that you are able.

Reflection

Reflection is not just about going over memories, but instead looking at the feelings that are produced and what can be learned. Reflection is something that can be done at any time, whether you are just drifting off to sleep or as part of your positive affirmations. Speak them out loud, write them down or keep them privately in your head, but take the time to look, learn and feel.

Your feelings in the moment may be mixed, and you may not be sure what to make of them, so remember to take each day at a time and listen to your body. Don’t be afraid to do what you feel you need to, as this can be massively important for the sake of your mental health.

Lots of love and positive vibes, Camille xx

Welcome beautiful!

We are quickly waving goodbye to summer, but that is not the only thing that some of us are waving goodbye to. This time of year marks the point where a new group of young people pack their bags and embark on a new stage of their life at university. It is a huge step and an incredibly exciting time, but for those with sensitive skin there can be many extra issues to overcome.

Important Relationships

Being away from home for the first time means that new relationships are formed, some which will last a lifetime, but it can also highlight the importance of the relationships that have been in place up until now. If you or someone you know is preparing to leave, they will be leaving a lot behind, including their normal support networks. If they have any type of skin sensitivity, then there is probably someone that they are used to falling back on when they face tricky points with their skin or mood.

Recently, I talked about how vital good relationships can be when dealing with a skin condition in my blog ‘You’ve Got A Friend’. It is therefore important to make sure that they know that those relationships are still there, even if they are over the phone. You can also encourage your loved one to be honest with new friends that they trust in order to ensure there is someone close at hand when they need them.

Taking Care Of Sensitive Skin

Students are notoriously short of money, and so taking good care of their skin can often take a back seat as other things take priority in their finances. Now is a great time to stock up on extra products to take with them including The Beauty of Eczema™ products. It can give you both peace of mind that their skin can be looked after easily, and that they have everything they need close to hand.

You can buy everything they need, including the amazing Skin Warrior Wash and Calming Cream online. You can find us on Amazon.co.uk too!

Eating Well

Every student takes advantage of their new found freedom to leave behind some of the good habits they had at home. This can often mean lots of takeaways and other foods that their skin will not thank them for. Send them off with my The Beauty of Eating Well™ cookbook and they will always have some healthy mealtime inspiration that they can turn to.

It is packed with recipes that are good for the whole body, using natural and delicious ingredients that will leave your skin glowing. They are incredibly easy to make and there are some wonderful sharing recipes that they can make for all of their friends too. Order the book now here and enjoy the time practising recipes together as part of some quality time before they go. Yes, the cookbook is available on Amazon too! 

Wishing you and your loved ones a positive start to the academic year.  You’ve got this!

Lots of love and positive vibes, Camille xx

Hello lovelies!

I understand that many of you reading this might be mums, and so September is a significant time of year for you.

Summer is saying it’s final goodbyes and the schools are opening their doors for a new year. Second only to January, this is the most popular time to make a change to our lifestyles. Finally, getting the kids out from under our feet gives us the chance to reset and start a new routine. So why shouldn’t you start one for your skin too?

Time Saving

For many of us, the new school term means we need to find ways to save time. There is no more lying in bed in the morning and a leisurely start to the day, instead, we are now geared towards getting small people washed, fed and out of the door, leaving very little time for ourselves. That can mean that our skincare routine takes a backseat in the morning if we don’t want to be getting up with the lark.

Thankfully, The Beauty of Eczema™ has the perfect solution for everyone. Our two-step skincare routine means that your skin can be gently cared for every single day in no time at all. Simply use the incredible Skin Warrior Wash to cleanse your skin and follow it with the deep moisturizing hit of the amazing Calming Cream. You can do this in the morning and at night, and you can even take the Skin Wash into the shower with you for a soothing shampoo.

Mental Health

Having a set routine for just about anything can be a massive benefit to your mental health. It can help you to keep things organised and in order and give you a sense of control in your life. Our Mental Health Matters blog gives a great insight into what it can mean to have a good skincare routine as part of caring for yourself, particularly if you suffer from any kind of skin sensitivities.

Now is a great time to take stock of things and decide what areas of your life you want to change and how they will work around your new schedule.

Sleep tight

Starting the day right can be incredibly important, but so can the way in which you end it. Getting a good sleep routine can not only benefit your mood and your energy levels but also your skin. Of course, I know that this is easier said than done, which is why I have my own calming routine that helps to get me ready for bed and a restful sleep.

I find that meditation is a great way to switch my mind off from the outside world and any intrusive thoughts, focusing on rest and clarity instead. I also find a relaxing bath can be incredibly helpful and adding the Bath Salts or the Bathing Oil all helps to moisturise and soothe my skin, making it more comfortable when I head to bed.

Whatever routine you pick, it needs to be one that works for you and makes your life less stressful, instead of increasing stress levels. Take a step back and look at what you are able to change, whether your kids are starting kindergarten or university this month.

Lots of love and positive vibes, Camille xx

Hey Beautiful!

We know that sensitive skin can affect different people in different ways, which is why we thought it would be helpful to talk to some of the members of our community to find a bit more about their skin journey.

Meet Misha

Today, we are talking to Misha, who has had eczema for a long time but felt that the last couple of years have been her toughest. She said that she had become concerned that she may never feel good in her skin again. We know that this is something that a lot of you can relate to, especially when going through a flare up.

Misha recognised that her eczema was worsening during the COVID 19 pandemic and decided that was the time to seek medical help, but like many of us, the affects of this seemed to fade over time.

“That was one of the moments I started to realise there has to be another reason why this is happening,” Misha told us. That is when she started looking for another solution.

Skin Confidence

Misha explained that sadly, her eczema had a great affect on her confidence. “Whenever I went out, I tried to cover my skin so that nobody would see it,” she said. What others felt was helpful advice like “don’t scratch it, you’ll make it worse” became increasingly frustrating. “It felt like nobody understands how it feels and how painful it is,” Misha explained. This is something which many of us experience, even from the most well-meaning friends and loved ones who find it difficult to put themselves in our shoes.

The Beauty of Eczema™

As Misha searched for a new way to look after her skin, she came across The Beauty of Eczema™ book. Reading the experiences of someone else who had been through something similar and found a way through it was profound for Misha and played a big part in putting her on a new path.

“Now, when I look back, I’m grateful for finding Camille and the lesson that I had to go through,” said Misha. “Even though it takes a lot of patience and the work kind of never ends, I can see the difference now”.

After attempts to make her own skin products, Misha fell in love with The Beauty of Eczema™ Calming Cream. “Even though I am quite sceptical about cosmetics in general, I decided to give the Calming Cream a try and it does magic,” she explained. “I really love it!”

We asked Misha what message she would like to pass on to others in the same situation: “When you don’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, don’t lose hope. It will appear, but I know it’s not easy at all. You’ll find what works for you.” We think these are very wise words indeed!

Sending a huge thanks to Misha for sharing her skin story. We hope that this has helped you, and you know you are not alone.

 You can meet Misha and others with sensitive skin in our private Facebook group here.

If you would like to share your own story, please DM us on our Instagram page.

Lots of love and positive vibes, Camille xx

Hello there gorgeous!

Are you radiant today?

I have been soaking up all of the beautiful summer sun, and I wondered if you have too? It’s my favourite time of year, yes, I’ve always been a sun worshipper!!!

I find that being outdoors plays a huge part in maintaining my mental health, as being amongst nature and breathing in fresh air can help us to reset and restore calm. My skin is usually better in the Summer too with less flare ups. However, many people can worry about what effect the sun might have on their skin conditions, so I thought I would have a look at what it does, and how you can take the best care of your skin.

The Sun’s Rays

We all know that we need to be careful of UV light, but what is it really? The natural energy emitted by the sun contains UV radiation, but this comes in different forms. UVA light has a longer wavelength and is associated with skin ageing whilst UVB has a shorter wavelength and is associated with sunburn.[1] Unprotected exposure to both can be damaging, so you need to make sure that you are always using a good SPF that shows it protects you from both UVA and UVB.

The risks of not protecting yourself in the short term can be sunburn, but in the long term, it can also lead to premature ageing and even skin cancer. And we don’t want that do we! 

Sun on Skin Conditions

How your skin responds to being in the sun when you have a skin condition can vary from person to person, so it is important to take notice of what your skin seems to be telling you. Some of you might find that your skin actually improves with exposure to sunlight, like mine does, which as long as it is done to sensible levels is fine. Exposure to the sun can give you a healthy dose of vitamin D but it can also strip the skin of some of its essential fatty acids. This, in turn, leads to the signs of your skin condition becoming exaggerated as it becomes dehydrated. We don’t want this either! 

Love Your Skin

If you are on holiday, having day trips to the coast or local water side, or simply enjoying your own garden you need to show your skin some love to keep it healthy and cared for. During the summertime I’m constantly applying the Calming Cream and each time I shower off the sand and salt i use the Skin Warrior Wash.

You'll be pleased to know all of The Beauty of Eczema™ products are packed full of natural moisturisers to help hydrate the skin.

Top tip - you can apply the amazing Calming Cream about half an hour before adding sunscreen to give your skin what it needs without diluting the SPF.

Making sure your skin is given the chance to recover after being in the sun is also important. Try relaxing in a bath with the Salty Soother or Pamper Me Bathing Oil, and make sure you regularly apply the Calming Cream to all areas of your body for an extra hit of moisturisation. If your scalp feels like it needs some attention, try washing your hair with the amazing Skin Warrior Wash to gently hydrate and care for your skin and hair.

I want you to be able to enjoy life and be happy in your skin, and the great outdoors as much as I do. So do  use an SPF and if you’re not tried our products yet you can be sure The Beauty of Eczema™ will care for your skin so you can enjoy the sun as much as I do.

Enjoy every moment of what’s left of summer. 

Lots of love and positive vibes, Camille xx

Welcome back beautiful!

The majority of people who read my blog probably do so because they have some sort of skin condition, or they know someone who has. There are actually a staggering number of people across the world with skin conditions, and these could be lifelong issues or temporary ones.

With the number of people reporting experiencing skin conditions in one form or another increasing, I thought I would take a look at what causes them.

Genetics

For some people, their skin condition is genetic. It will have been passed down through the family until it has reached you. Sometimes, it can skip a generation, and the severity can vary from person to person, but the condition is still there. Unfortunately, it means there is not much that you can do to stop it, but you can still manage it when it surfaces.

If you know that a skin condition runs in the family, you can keep any eye out for some of the signs. It can be the case that getting the appropriate treatment as early as possible can help to minimise its effects.

Environmental factors

You might find that your skin condition has been brought about by what is known as environmental factors. These are things on the outside that cause our bodies to react. It can include things that we are allergic to, or that we develop an intolerance to over time. It could come from your washing powder, your make-up or even the sun.

You can start to work out the cause by gradually changing one thing at a time to see if it affects how you feel. Eventually, you will be able to isolate the reason, and it may be the case that by removing it from your life, your skin can recover. If it is not something that you can totally escape, then you will know what it is, and be able to prepare yourself for it and look after your skin quicker and more effectively after exposure.

Health

Your health is a big factor when it comes to your skin. Mental health plays a huge part, and even as teenagers we are told that stress can cause breakouts. It should therefore be no surprise that it can also be responsible for other types of skin conditions. Your mental health should always be of paramount importance for so many different reasons, so make sure you do all you can to support it.

You can do this by making sure that you have good sleep routines. Giving your brain chance to fully shut down and process everything can be very important and waking up the next day refreshed gives you then energy to face whatever is in front of you.

Positive affirmations can also be beneficial. Saying something positive to yourself each day helps to change your mindset and give you a different outlook on life.

Diet

We are what we eat, and a good diet can make a big difference to your skin. I have even put together my own cookbook packed full of recipes that are not only healthy but have ingredients which are known for having a great effect on your skin. Start putting the right things into your body and it can show on the outside.

There are many, many reasons for skin conditions, and these are just a handful of the most common ones. Whatever skin condition you might have, we can offer you love, support and advice, so head over to our Instagram. to be part of a welcoming community.

Lots of love and positive vibes, Camille xx

Hi beautiful,

How are you at the moment?

As you know, my beautiful skincare range, The Beauty of Eczema™, is aimed at people who have sensitive skin. However, this is quite a wide-ranging term, and it can cover an awful lot of things. You might even be wondering whether you have sensitive skin at all. I thought it would be useful to take a look at what the different types of skin sensitivities are to help you understand them better. 

Eczema

Eczema is the condition that I personally suffer from, and it is this that started me on my journey to write my books and create the skincare line. It is actually an inflammatory skin condition, and it can show in all sorts of different ways. You might find that your skin becomes itchy and dry, or you might notice rashes, scaly skin or blisters, which can all be very uncomfortable and sometimes painful. It can begin at any time of life, even in new-born babies, which is why I made sure that my skincare was safe for even the youngest skin. There are actually seven different types of eczema[1] so if you think this might be what you have, it is important to see a doctor for a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

There are lots of reasons why you might suffer from eczema, including genetic causes or things relating to your environment such as substances or temperatures that you are exposed to and the things that you put into your body. You will often find that the severity of your eczema comes and goes, with flare ups occurring from time to time, particularly if you are exposed to triggers or are subject to emotional stress.

Psoriasis

Psoriasis often shows as flaky patches of skin which then start to look like pink, red or silvery scales. They can appear anywhere on the body but are more commonly found on areas such as your elbows, knees, scalp and lower back. Whilst psoriasis can start at any age, it typically develops in those between 20 and 30 or between 50 and 60.

It is caused by an increased production of skin cells which happens much faster than normal. This build up of skin creates the patches that we are used to seeing. It is a condition that is still not fully understood, but it is believed to be linked to the immune systems and can run in families.[2]

Rosacea

Rosacea is most commonly seen on the face and often shows as redness that could be mistaken for blushing. It can have a stinging sensation, particularly when using water or harsher skincare products. It can also lead to dry skin and swelling and is subject to triggers from your diet and exercise.[3]

Other types of sensitive skin

Many people find that their skin is still sensitive, despite not having any of these specific conditions. You might find that your skin suffers from types of inflammation or that you have reactions, such as rashes or itching, to particular things. It can take some time to identify what it is that causes your problems and keeping a diary of what you do and eat can help you with this.

Treatment

If you feel that you have any of these skin sensitivities, then it is important to see a doctor. They can help you to work out what it is and what the causes might be, as well as looking for particular types of treatment. However, there are things that you can do at home to support your skin and general wellbeing. This can help you to live more comfortably with your condition and support your medical treatment. The first thing is to think about what you put into your body, as many skin conditions are triggered by things that we eat and drink. I have put together The Beauty of Eating Well™ cookbook to help you find ways to take care of your body on the inside. 

My skincare range has also been devised to work with all types of skin sensitivities. It is gentle, caring, and soothing and is made from naturally derived ingredients so that it can be used on any skin type. We recommend using our products when you are not in flare up mode as at this time you may need a medical product and may need to visit your doctor. They are perfectly fine to use between flare ups though and will not trigger a flare up. 

Good luck on your skin journey. Let us know how you are getting on.

Lots of love and positive vibes, Camille xx