Dry Skin And Eczema Require Skin Friendly Soaps

By Gloria MacTaggart

Soaps are notorious for causing skin problems. The first recommendation for anyone with dry skin, eczema, acne, psoriasis, rosacea or just about any other skin problem is usually to avoid soap as much as possible and to ensure that whatever soap you do use is mild. The truth is: all soaps dry the skin somewhat and, no matter how mild the soap may be, you need the protection of a dry skin and eczema treatment product that will not wash off when you wash – for which thousands of doctors now recommend a shielding lotion. However, some soaps do cause less damage than others and you should know how to recognize them.

Here are the parameters:

* One of the most important factors is the pH level. Look for a pH of about 4 – 6: Skin has a more acid pH than the rest of the body to help neutralize bacteria. The packaging will either display the pH level or will say “pH balanced” – which means it has been balanced specifically for the skin. If the information is not displayed on the package, try checking on the Internet. The correct pH level is vital for soaps, as well as any other dry skin or eczema treatment you use.

* Buy soaps that are unscented. Some substances used as fragrance are highly irritating and are common allergens. Unfortunately, manufacturers don’t usually display the details on the packaging – they’re more likely to simply list ‘fragrance’ as an ingredient – so it’s best to stick with unscented varieties.

* Stay away from antibacterial soaps. Problem skin is more susceptible to infection than healthy skin, so it’s logical to think that an antibacterial soap would be effective as dry skin and eczema treatment. However, nothing could be further from the truth: anti-bacterial soaps usually contain triclosan, a chemical that is toxic to our bodies and the environment. Not only does the EPA list Triclosan as a toxic pesticide, giving it the highest scores regarding risk to human health and the environment, the manufacturing process of Triclosan is suspected of producing dioxin – the hormone-disrupting chemical in Agent Orange, widely used in chemical warfare during the Vietnam War. Agent Orange scorched 25 percent of Vietnam’s forests, increased the risk of death from cancer to 30 percent for those exposed to it, and produced an estimated 50,000 deformed children of parents who were either directly sprayed with it or exposed to it through contaminated food or water. Today, 30 years later, three million Vietnamese and tens of thousands of U.S soldiers still suffer the effects.

* Look for natural ingredients rather than simply a huge list of chemicals and nothing else. Look for substances like aloe vera, sea buckthorn oil and others that are known to have healing properties and read up on the chemicals in the list.

The second recommendation for dry skin or eczema treatment is usually to keep the skin slathered with moisturizers. The truth is, most moisturizers are worse than soap: effective dry skin and eczema treatment requires that you retain moisture and protect the skin from chemicals and other irritants. Traditional moisturizers usually contain chemical ingredients that make the skin feel smooth, but actually cause further irritation while robbing the skin of natural moisture. A good shielding lotion is your best bet because it will not irritate the skin, locks in moisture and keeps chemicals out.

Eighty percent of dry skin and eczema are caused by contact with irritants – take the hint: Get rid of soaps and moisturizers that exacerbate the condition and stick with natural soaps for cleansing and shielding lotion for dry skin care. These changes may be all you need to get rid of your dry skin or eczema, and it could be the end of your endless search for something that works.

About the Author: Author, Gloria MacTaggart, is a freelance writer who contributes articles on skin care for 21st Century Formulations. For more information, visit SkinMDNatural.com.

Source: isnare.com

Permanent Link: isnare.com/?aid=142561&ca=Wellness%2C+Fitness+and+Diet