Skin is a huge issue for many people. Acne, eczema, psoriasis, and chronic dry skin are all problems that can really affect daily life. Skin is a big deal. In some countries Brazilian tan skin is popular, and in some countries people bleach their skin because light skin is seen as beautiful. We put makeup on our skin; use all kinds of skin care regimens and lotions. Skin is a great indicator of our body’s inner health. It’s the largest organ of the body and responds to anything that functioning wrong internally.
I remember staying up all night, watching Brooklyn sleep and stopping her every time she started itching (or rather scratching, I’m always told that you can’t itch an itch) her eczema. At night, she wasn’t aware of the scratching and if I didn’t stop her, she would wake up in the morning bleeding. I tried gloves on her hands, she would take them off. I tried numerous creams. I think about 15 different ones. The steroid creams started to depigment her skin. She started getting white patches all over her olive skin. Only now, after not using creams for 5 years, is she starting to get an even skin tone back. At one point, I threw the creams in the garbage and searched for natural fixes to help her. Of course, the diet change helped greatly. But, that is what got me started on learning to make soaps, lotions, and body care products.
About Topical Medicines: Not one that I tried for Brooklyn actually worked. It worked temporarily but the problem always came back. That is because skin issues are an internal problem, not external. So the problem will always come back. Most of these topicals are either steroid based, which is terrible for children and teenagers, or they do more harm than good in the long run. The fluctuation in how well the skin is doing is because the skin takes 30-60 days to heal a problem. So if you start something today, then the true results won’t be seen for 30-60 days. We Americans have come to have ideals that we can just pop a pill, put some cream on, and we will be fixed without changing anything else in our lives. That's why these things only work temporarily and why you have to remain on the medicine, because the true problem isn't getting fixed. Finding the real cause of the skin issue and fixing the diet are going to be the best and most permanent options.
Finding The Cause of the skin problem is probably the most difficult part. If its eczema, then the cause is probably allergies to something (foods, skin care products, laundry soap, animals). If it psoriasis then stress or vitamin D deficiency may be making outbreaks more frequent. If you have acne, then a hormone imbalance is most likely the cause. Some tips to help narrow down what the cause might be are:
**Keep a food journal. Simply write down whatever you eat and the time you ate it.
**Keep a skin journal. Be specific in this journal. Write down times when your skin broke out, time of day, time of month, and what your skin looked like.
**Be aware of the products you are using. It took me the longest time to figure out that the laundry soap I was using was causing allergic symptoms for me. Products include, skin care products, cleaning products, craft and art products. Its best to look at everything you put ON or IN your body because something that you never would have thought of may be causing the problem.
After a few weeks of doing this, you may be able to see a common denominator when you are comparing the 2 journals. Or you may notice a product that every time you use it, you get stuffy and irritated.
Here is a great resource for looking up what is in the products that you put on your body. It’s called “A Consumer’s Dictionary of Cosmetic Ingredients” by Ruth Winter M.S… This book helped me to make the decision to start making my own body products after I read what was really in the lotions and soaps I was using.
Plus she has a book about Food Additives that may be helpful:
If you are having a hard time finding the cause, I would recommend helping your liver function better in the meantime. The liver is so important in cleaning toxins out of the body and the skin. The skin is the body’s biggest organ and is the place where problems with our insides are shown, such as acne, hives, and eczema. These skin issues are caused by something internal, whether it’s an allergy or the body’s lack of being able to effectively clear out toxins or hormones and stress. If the liver is being damaged then how is it supposed to help clear up the skin? I run across this problem all the time with medicine. Medicine is hard on the liver, yet the liver needs to be functioning properly to help clear up the problem with the skin. It’s contradicting.
Here are some interesting things about liver cleansing:
Also, if you see a Naturopath, then they can recommend a therapeutic liver cleanse. I also drink liver detoxifying tea once in awhile that I found at the local herb store.
Here are some things that may help your particular skin issue.
Eczema
Possible food allergy
Important to get enough essential fatty acids. Flax seed oil, fish oil, ground flaxseed are all good options.
Zinc
Quercetin- blocks histamines
Evening Primrose oil- reduces inflammation
Caledula – can be found in salves for easy application
Most of the special eczema creams I tried on Brooklyn did not work. I started my 5 ingredient rule. If it had more than 5 ingredients, then I didn’t use it. Most “soaps” found in the store are not actually soap. They are more of a detergent. If the “soap” says “Body Wash” then that’s because it’s not a soap. Its federal law that they can’t call it soap unless it really is soap. Well, detergent is very drying and causes allergic reactions on the skin. The best soap that I have found to be most available is either Dr. Bronners Soaps or Kiss My Face soaps.
Think: The simpler the better when it comes to products for eczema.
Acne
Lemon Juice diluted in water can be applied topically
Vitamin B6 cream can be applied topically
Sun is very important (UV rays)
Sulfur ointment (3%-10%) topical
Tea Tree oil applies directly to infected pores
Calendula helps the skin
Aloe has been known to help
Oregon and Burdock root are great and an herb store can help you find a great combination
Zinc
Vitamin A
Selenium
Vitamin E
Brewer’s Yeast
Eat Raw Nuts
Hormone Imbalance
Eliminate milk products
Dark Chocolate can actually be good. No milk chocolate.
Dry Skin
Check out my lotion recipe that is divine
Psoriasis
Stress Induced
Vitamin D deficient
Acupuncture has been known to help
Remember: Getting plenty of Vitamin D is very important to skin health. And drink plenty of WATER. WATER, WATER, WATER is so important in the removal of toxins and proper bodily function. Following a strict diet will be the biggest help for your skin issue, no matter what it is. Getting enough Essential Fatty acids, vitamins A, E, and D, zinc, selenium are all very important. Limiting meat and dairy products can also be very beneficial. Cutting out the fried food and getting your fats from nuts and seeds is better. Cutting out soda is huge. The sugar and other ingredients in soda are damaging to the skin, plus it has no nutritional value. Try some green tea or other kind of cleansing teas that are high in antioxidants.
Here is a simple example of a Skin Issue and Allergy Elimination diet:
Breakfast:
Non-citrus fruit, non-fat or skim yogurt, whole grain cereal (no sugar) with a milk alternative (which you can find a list of those on my blog), eggs, whole wheat toast (no butter, try some sunbutter or a tiny tiny bit of peanut butter)
Lunch:
Salads with vegetable. Vegetables are going to be the best for your skin. Some good salad ingredients are: spinach, arugula, celery, dried cranberries, walnuts, pecans, sprouts, watercress, onions, broccoli, and shredded beets. I make a good salad dressing by using olive oil and a flavored vinegar.
Or soups (lentil and bean soups would be filling). For soups, I went and got a crock pot cook book. So you could make up some soup quickly, then freeze or refrigerate whatever you don't eat.
Dinner
Baked or steamed veggies, chicken or fish, and a whole grain like brown rice, or soups, chili. Stir fry’s are always good and versatile because you can use different ingredients.
Think simple whole foods. Those will be the best. I call it the "Eat like Great-Grandma Ate" diet. No salad in a bag and dinner in a box type of meals. Whole foods will produce the best results.
If you are having trouble clearing up the skin issue, I highly recommend seeing a Naturopathic Doctor. They listen to your issues better and don’t just write you a prescription that will most likely make the problem worse. Here is a website for locating Naturopathic Doctors in your area:
I am proud to say that Brooklyn no longer has eczema. Diet and product changes cured her. Once in awhile she will get a patch that looks like it may turn into eczema, so I just put on some of my homemade lotion and she is good as new in the morning. If you have any specific questions about my journey with Brooklyn’s eczema or products we use, please email me. I would be glad to help offer suggestions in any way I can.
“Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own SKIN. That or a kick-a$$ red lipstick.” Gwyneth Paltrow.
