How to fight winter effects of Eczema
Overview
By now we should all know that atopic dermatitis (eczema) really worsens in winter. With wind being drier and sucking the moisture right out of your skin, it seems the irritation and breakouts never end.
So, in this Article we will attempt to bring to light three natural butters that can help to fend off the drastic effects of the blistering winter air. and now is the time to start preparing for it.
Why is winter so bad and what can I do to help fend off effects?
There are a lot of known factors that cause Eczema to flare up in the winter. for one in the Winter, people tend to turn their heaters on full blast. This alone will dry your skin to the point where dry, scaly patches that are red to brownish-gray can appear on the skin. This in turns causes people to use any moisturizer then can get their hands on, sometimes introducing chemicals that causes adverse reaction, worsening conditions.
When going out in the cold everyone likes to be snug and warm, so extra clothing and heavy coats are worn which can also irritate the skin from the excessive sweat. And, if the material of these clothes do not give the skin the ability to breathe, it causes the pores of the skin to clog, exhibiting breaks outs. As well as extra clothing, extra covers and sheets can do the same thing.
Hot baths dry the skin out more than anything. You'd think that water period delivered directly to the skin would hydrate it. But, with the cities water filtration system, the chemicals can turn natural spring water into hard water. Heat from the water causes the chemicals to activate drying your skin almost instantaneously. So, take cold baths. Besides, cold baths close the pores and makes you feel warmer when you get out the shower.
So, after all that what can help my skin stay moist?
In my years having eczema myself I've tried everything except Rx medications. I personally try to stay away man made chemicals simply because I'm a natural human being. We all are. I do not knock western sciences advancements, but everything man made is a variation , if not deviation, of Nature.
I have found three butters, that can also come in oil form, that has helped me fight off the detrimental effects of Eczema. Below I go into detail about them. Remember, with all natural ingredients you can blend Butters and Oils together in order to find the best combination specifically designed for your skin. just know what your allergies are.
Shea Butter
Shea butter comes from the nut of a tree of West Africa. This fatty substance is extremely hydrating and healing. Out of Africa explains:Common names: Shea, karité
Scientific name: Vitellaria paradoxa (syn/INCI Butryospermum parkii)Shea butter is an all-natural product. It is a creamy-colored fatty substance made from the nuts of karite nut trees (Butyrospermum parkii or “butter seed”) that grow wild in the savannah regions of West and East Africa. While shea butter has a wide variety of applications, it is most well known for its exceptional dermatological and cosmetic healing properties.
Winter skin can be especially hard to sooth. Shea butter penetrates deeply to relieve the conditions of redness and dryness. In addition, regular use can prevent winter skin and other weather related skin problems like windburn.3). It is anti-aging, anti-inflammatory, and even has sun protecting qualities.
Out of Africa explains why shea butter is so effective a moisturizer, healing, and treating winter skin:
Shea butter nourishes the skin with Vitamins A, E and F. Vitamins A and E maintain the skin and keep it clear and healthy. They are particularly helpful for sun damaged skin and to help prevent premature wrinkles and facial lines. The Vitamin A in shea butter is important for improving skin conditions, including blemishes, wrinkles, eczema, and dermatitis. Vitamin F acts as a protector and rejuvenator soothing rough dry or chapped skin and helps soften dry or damaged hair.Additionally, premium shea butter has properties that treat skin allergies, insect bites, sunburn and frostbite.4)
Mango Butter
Lightweight mango butter contains even higher levels of essential fatty acids than shea and cocoa butters, and is an especially good option for moisturizing sensitive skin. Packed with vitamins A, C, and E, it can even help reduce the appearance of dark spots for a brighter, more even looking complexion.
Heres a list of characteristics that shows how effective this butter can be in the dead of cold weather
- Expressed from the seeds of the mango tree
- Moisturizing and offers minimal protection from the sun
- May help ease dry skin conditions
- May help slow down degeneration of skin cells
- Softer than shea and cocoa butter at room temperature, but still solid
- Creamy texture
- Blends well with other oils
- Little to no odor
- Nutrient dense, contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants
- Makes an excellent hair conditioner because it absorbs quickly
- Use in lip balms, body butters, creams, and soaps
- Short shelf life, up to 4-6 months
- Can be frozen for up to a year
Cocoa Butter
Keep loving your skin and maintain your winter skin care regimen. 24-hour moisture treatments like Palmer's Cocoa Butter Concentrated Cream are good for applying to hands, elbows, and knees after time in the sun or exposing yourself to biting blustery weather.
You can get it in raw or refined forms; do note, however, that unrefined cocoa butter has more potential purposes and contains extra healthy fat—you can even use it to cook.
Cocoa butter is a mostly saturated fat that is derived from cocoa beans, which grow in Central and South America. It contains different amounts of specific fatty acids: myristic, lauric, stearic, palmitic, and arachidic. Cocoa butter is also full of antioxidants and has amazing health benefits. Aside from moisturizing your skin, it can also reduce inflammation and help your heart.
Cocoa butter is a mostly saturated fat that is derived from cocoa beans, which grow in Central and South America. It contains different amounts of specific fatty acids: myristic, lauric, stearic, palmitic, and arachidic. Cocoa butter is also full of antioxidants and has amazing health benefits. Aside from moisturizing your skin, it can also reduce inflammation and help your heart.
You can repair body tissue with the heavy amount of antioxidants. Cocoa Butter works from the inside out.
My Personal Formula
Now, as you can see, these natural ingredients helps to protect your skin in more than just the blistering winter. But, I have come to find that they really work well together. So, after multiple tries and fails I was able to comeup with a formula that has never failed me and adapts to my skin type.
With that being said I must warn of one thing. When it comes to melting these butters to blend, DO NOT use the microwave. The heat generated by these machines detracts from the fatty acids rendering them somewhat just a bland butter with little if no effects.
Instead my preferred method is a pot of not to hot water. Place your mixture or blend of butters and oils in a small but thick mixing bowl. Bring water to a boil and turn off heat. place mixing bowl in the steamy pot and cover with lid. This is the best way to obtain working results.
Also have final container you plan on storing in already sitting in ice for flash freezing.
My mixture contains:
- 1/2 Oz of Shea Butter
- 1/2 Oz of Mango butter
- 1/4 oz of Cocoa Butter
- 1/4 oz of Jamaican castor oil
- 1/2 Oz of any carrier oil such as Maracuja oil, Almond Oil, or even Shea Nut Oil for creamy texture and best Absorbability
After melting, either completely or slightly, mix contents completely together by flash freezing.
Conclusion
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