Skin condition tips

If you suffer from a skin condition such as acne, eczema etc. then maintaining good personal hygiene is of paramount importance.

For example if your hands are dirty after you have been outside and you don’t wash your hands, your hands will be full of germs and bacteria. Therefore if you itch, rub etc your skin or use a cream on your skin with these ‘dirty’ hands, this is not likely to help your skin. You will be adding bacteria to the surface of your affected skin and when in contact with dry, cracked and broken skin these germs can lead to the skin becoming infected.Our bodies should be washed all over on a regular basis. However here are some guidelines about what not to do when cleaning the body.•

Avoid excess water. This might contradict what I’ve just said above, however too much showering, bathing, etc can strip away the natural oils from our skin which actually help to keep our skin moisturised and supple. You may have noticed this if you have a skin problem, that after you come out of the shower your skin may feel raw and very dry. Thus you should avoid long bathing and showering, to prevent your skin from drying out too much.•

Don’t shower or bath in water that is too hot. I know that sometimes a very hot shower can feel nice, but this should be avoided if you have a skin disorder. Try to use lukewarm worker as hot water can have adverse affects such as itching and redness. Try and use a warm temperature of water that is not too hot as this has an adverse affect on the skin. •

Try and limit your exposure to hard water, which is harsher on the skin.• Avoid products such as bubble baths and bath salts. Use products for cleaning the skin that are simple and designed for people with sensitive skin. Avoid cleaning products with fruit acids (otherwise known as AHA’s).

Always ask at your pharmacist which product would be suitable to clean your skin. Treat your skin kindly by avoiding vigorous towelling. Dry your skin by dabbing your skin with a soft towel gently, as opposed to rubbing your skin with a towel aggressively. Always make sure to moisturise your skin after your bath or shower as your skin will be clean. It is also necessary to do this because to a certain extent your skin will have been dried out after a shower or bath; therefore this will help to keep the moisture locked in. Take a look at www.aloeveraexpress.com for natural products to use on your skin