What is it about Easter and puns? I’ve had a terrifying amount of emails this week with subject lines like ‘Easter Eggstravaganza’, ‘Cracking Easter Deals’ and ‘Offers To Really Get Eggs-cited About!’. Oh dear god. Since when did this form of advertising become acceptable? It is not 1976, and this is not the blackboard outside the local grocer’s shop – it is the INTERNET.
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Aren’t friends marvellous? One in particular this week, actually. While I’ve been sitting at home listening to Radio 4 plays about someone called Judith whose elderly mother is losing her memory blah blah blah, a certain Kate has kindly been putting together some Top Tips for Eczema Sufferers. Finally, Product Placement becomes informative. And has a post that doesn’t mention Elemis. Or should I say didn’t.
Anyway, without further preamble, I will hand over to my guest editor. Kate, you’re a pal and a confidant. (And probably too young to remember The Golden Girls, but never mind.)
Hi Product Placement readers. I am a fountain of knowledge on this particular atopic (you’ll allow me this pun when I tell you this is the name of the type of eczema I have..!). My essentials list is as follows:
1. Garnier for sensitive skin (£7.99 for 200ml and quite often half price in Boots). An absolute essential. I can’t go without moisturising morning and night, and although this may be a little rich I slap it all over my face daily and I love it! It’s one of the only things that works well for me.
2. Aveeno (£6.60 for 200ml). Contains oat proteins that leave a protective barrier on the skin, preventing water loss to help maintain moisture. This is my daily body cream, which luckily I get on prescription. It’s great stuff, doesn’t really smell of anything, leaves a kind of weird feel on your skin but does the job nicely.
3. 50:50 (£4.99 for 200ml from any chemist). So called because it contains 50% Liquid Paraffin and 50% White Soft Paraffin. This is my skin treat when I have a two-day hangover… I slather it on before bed and then put on pyjamas. It locks in moisture in the same way as hair conditioner and a hot towel. Result: silky smooth skin in the morning.
4. Scott’s Porridge Oats (about £2.99 from any supermarket). Not a product but an absolute saviour for inflamed eczema or just a general skin-softener. Fill a clean pop sock and hang it on the bath taps. Then run yourself a warm bath – the water will be cloudy and slightly slimy. Sounds disgusting but does absolute wonders for dry spots and/ or itching.
5. Clinique Rescue Mask. Unfortunately this is no longer available in the UK, but you can track it down in airports. It is a thick, greenish, creamy, moisture mask that is great for dry skin. Slap loads on and let it soak in for about 15 minutes – don’t wash it off though, just wipe it away using cotton pads. It feels like heaven! I recommend this to anyone who suffers from very dry skin and/ or eczema on their face.
I’ll finish off with a few things it can help to avoid:
- Lanolin, which can be found in products like E45 and can irritate more than help eczema.
- Biological washing powder.
- Dust, so polish regularly with an allergen spray and put an anti dust-mite sheet on your mattress.
- Furry animals.
- Very hot water – always shower with just warm water.
- Beer, which causes breakouts of eczema for me, especially on my face. Wine is fine though!
- Soap, which strips your skin of its natural oils.
