There are many reasons for dry, itchy, sore skin and eczema. Many of which can be helped by natural alternatives to commonly prescribed steroid, hydro-cortisone, creams.
Commonly, eczema and dry itchy patches of skin lack the natural oils held within the skin layers to keep it soft and supple.
Studies have shown that some with eczema may not be able to process the Essential Fatty Acid-Omega 6, which is normally taken in through our diet, to assist with the formation of healthy and well structured, new skin cells.
In this case, instead of their skin cells creating a strong, well formed skin layer, it has a loose more open formation, thus allowing excess moisture to more easily evaporate through the layers of skin, as well as a lack of the natural sebum oil balance required to protect the skin from environmental ravages such as the sun, wind, cold, harsh toiletries, etc. This type of skin is liable to crack and dry resulting in the tell tale symptoms of eczema. The other reason and more common reason for eczema is the removal of natural oils on the skin, commonly caused by the detergents, alcohols and harsh synthetic chemical ingredients found in the vast majority of skin care products. This is quickly remedied by getting to know the ingredients lists of the products applied to the skin including laundry products, wipes, washes, creams and lotions, or use alternatives that do not contain the harsh ingredients which cause the skin to dry out prematurely.
It is for this reason that the intake of edible botanical oil capsules are often recommended and readily available in Health Food shops. For many as a body top up if you like, and can help from within so to speak. Also handy if the diet does not include some of the food groups which are valuable for providing the necessary Essential Fatty Acids the body requires; including oily fish, dark leaf vegetables, nuts & pulses and fruits such as papaya among others.
It is worth bearing in mind though that buying these capsules only provides a very small amount of oil per capsule, so regular long term use is the key to success with them. To be honest, regularly eating the healthy foods previously mentioned, will be far less costly and more holistically useful, to the body and skin, but taking capsules is better than nothing, of course.
Sometimes no matter how healthy the diet, the skin just can't cope on its own and needs additional help from the application of emollient products to keep the skin soft and supple. That's the time when it is so important to really get to know what we are applying to our skin and what effects it may have for the long term.
For example applying petroleum jelly to already dry lips can create an unnecessary catch 22 situation.
To explain, the lips do not sweat or secrete sebum (the body's natural oil protection). This means they can easily become chapped and dry regardless of whether the lips belong to a dry skin sufferer or not.
The reason I mention this is because most commercial skin care products contain a petroleum product of some sort, whether it be in the form of mineral oil, liquid petrolatum or some sort of refined petrochemical base which has the effect of coating the surface with a layer akin to cling film, as in the case of Petroleum Jelly. This barrier layer is useful for giving the feeling of lubrication, but it does not absorb into the skin layers to moisturise and maintain it in the way botanical oils can. So it sits there on the surface, preventing the skin from performing its normal function of removing toxins through excretion and respiration. Lips then become dryer, the user applies more, the lips become dryer still and so the cycle goes on...
Another example of this and an easy one to try at home is to coat one hand in baby oil or a thin layer of petroleum jelly, and the other in a botanical oil such as olive oil.
Wait a few mins, and see which one feels most comfortable.
For those not able to try this, it is likely that the hand with the botanical oil on it will feel warm and supple. The other is possibly warm too, but sweaty or slimy, with a claggy (sticky) feeling.
This illustrates that the skin on the hand with the petroleum based product applied is being prevented from functioning as it should normally, whereas the one with the botanical oil has absorbed some or all of the oil applied and is likely to feel more comfortable, supple and well moisturised as a result.
If the skin is already dry, it is important that new cells growing beneath the surface layer are assisted to be as healthy as possible when they arrive on the surface. This helps to maintain the surface of the skin so it is more able protect itself naturally from damage.
Hemp Seed Oil is a particularly good botanical oil for this purpose, because it contains the ideal balance of Essential Fatty Acids which help keep the skin in optimum condition when used externally and is wonderful for the body generally when taken internally too.
In most cases the greatest benefit is gained from using this soothing and anti inflammatory oil on the skin externally for more noticeable rapid results, and as a valuable addition to a healthy diet when used internally too.
I hope this helps peeps,
Organic refined 100% Hemp Seed Oil is available online at Innocent Oils
