Sharon's 8 Top Tips For Eczema
With over 3 decades of experience specialising in treating skin conditions, these are MV Founder Sharon McGlinchey's Top Tips she wishes everyone with eczema knew.
1. Stop Washing With Water
Do you emerge from the shower with red blotchy, tight-feeling skin? For most people with eczema, the answer to this question is yes. Tap-water, full of various minerals can be very drying and irritating on the skin — thus why this is her top tip.
Avoid splashing your face with water or fully immersing your face while in the shower and instead, discover the art of MV compress cleansing, to gently and effectively instil nurturing calm on your complexion.
Some eczema suffers may be apprehensive to use a cloth to cleanse their faces, fearing that the rubbing action is too abrasive. However this is typically a result of incorrect technique. Cleanse at the sink with MV's Gentle Cream Cleanser and Compress Cloth, using only luke-warm water.
Take the time to hold the cloth against your face for a slow count of 5, before finally using gentle wiping movements. Master this technique and your skin with thank you forever.
2. Pre Shower Prep
Protect reactive skin from the harsh effects of the shower. Immediately after cleansing at the sink,smooth a few drops of MV Pure Jojoba over your face and neck. This will instantly relax, soothe and provide a protective barrier to the skin, creating a natural buffer against the water. This simple trick works wonders, and a very well-known beauty editor I shared this tip with (over 10 years ago), told me that she still SWEARS by this method.
Extra shower tip: Tilt your head so that the water does not gush over your face.
3. Learn To Buffer
Start to rely on MV Pure Jojoba as your new best friend. All barrier-impaired complexions, such as eczema, will find welcome relief in this multi-functional and extremely skin-friendly product.
- Layer it underneath any skincare product as your shield or protective buffer. This helps provide an extra layer between your skin barrier and the product being applied, preventing irritation.
- Use it as a comprehensive eye treatment product to remove makeup, condition lashes, and hydrate fine lines.
- For days of hyper-reactivity, use Pure Jojoba as a superfine light moisturiser to balance breakouts, and restore calm to flaky or inflamed complexions.
- You can even apply Pure Jojoba to weeping eczema patches. This unique liquid wax mimics the skins own sebum, and is therefore bio-compatible with the skin barrier - even when it's at it's most compromised.
4. Throw Out Foaming Cleansers & Skin Exfoliants
Eczema sufferers should avoid using foaming cleansers, particularly those containing sodium lauryl/laureth sulphate or glycolic acid, by far the most potent and potentially irritating of the family of hydroxyl acids. You should also avoid cleansing with hot water and steer clear of granular scrubs.
Over-exfoliation is one of the most common causes of ‘man-made’ sensitivity. Constantly removing healthy as well as ‘dead’ skin cells creates micro-trauma that strips the skin’s delicate acid mantle, compromises natural resilience, creates sensitivity, and contributes to pigmentation issues.
A current buzz word in the beauty industry is ‘skin microbiome’. Ironically, if we did not regularly strip the skin and remove the acid mantle (hydrolipidic film*) through daily use of high pH foaming cleansers and frequent exfoliation, we wouldn’t need to have discussions about restoring the skin’s microbiome.
What Is The Hydrolipidic Film?
*A protective film that covers the entire surface of the skin. It is composed mainly of sweat, sebum and water, and its main function is to defend the skin against bacteria, acting as an external protective barrier.
5. Simplify Your Routine
and introduce the art of Ritual into your everyday
Adopt a ‘less is more’ approach to your skincare regime - clear out your bathroom cabinet so you are not tempted to use up products that are no longer suitable. Your skin will thank you.
6. Know Your Triggers
Eczema management should be holistically approached. Presentations are incredibly varied in each individual, and this just means that to treat eczema successfully, one needs to look inward. By examining all the variables at play, the factors that have a role in your own 'eczema story' can be understood - and changed! Start paying attention to which diet and lifestyle triggers are relevant to you.
7. Early Intervention
Once your triggers and early warning signs are established, as soon as you notice the beginnings of an eczema flare - act quickly. Eczema is much easier to manage when early interventions are taken. I would also recommend ongoing preventative treatment of a weekly MV Signature Mineral Mask, to soften, strengthen, and calm delicate complexions.
The MV Eczema Program
Explore our Eczema Collection to designed to strengthen the skin barrier, calm irritated skin, and restore lost moisture.
What Is Eczema?
Eczema is now considered the most common skin condition in the developed world. So what exactly is it..
What Causes Eczema?
Let’s take a closer look at the pathophysiology of eczema - exploring the underlying causes, common triggers, risk factors....and what to avoid.
Eczema Heroes
Sharon’s Prescription
In addition to the core products included in the Radiance Starter Kit, these two treatment products are specifically targeted for eczema relief and are powerful ways to intensify results. I adopt a 'softly softly' approach to the treatment of barrier impaired skin, therefore determining when to introduce these products will vary, so use our recommendations as guidance for your own skin health journey.
Sharon McGlinchey
MV Founder, Sensitive Skin Expert
Oatmeal Bombs
Oats have been cherished for centuries as a gentle, natural remedy for soothing sensitive and eczema-prone skin. This is thanks to their unique combination of skin-loving actives, including beta-glucans, which help calm inflammation and promote healing, and avenanthramides, powerful antioxidants that reduce redness and itching. Additionally, oats contain natural lipids and proteins that support the skin’s barrier, helping to lock in moisture and protect against irritants.
You might have heard that bathing in oatmeal is good for eczema but weren’t sure where to start. It sounds a little messy, but with our clever hack, it doesn’t have to be!
Make it easier and more convenient to use this treatment by preparing 'oatmeal bombs' in advance.
You Will Need
- an inexpensive pair of stockings
- some organic uncontaminated/gf oats.
- A bath/shower!
- Place a hand inside a stocking. Once you reach the toe, with your hand still inside the stocking grab a handful of oats and remove your hand, while turning the stocking inside out.
- Tie a knot to form an oatmeal bomb, then cut and repeat until you have approximately 10-12 oatmeal bombs.
- Store in a dry place and keep on hand to help relieve some of the symptoms associated with eczema and dermatitis such as itching, burning and tightness.
- To use, place an oatmeal ball in a warm (not hot) bath or take in the shower and use like a sponge – cleansing the body while soothing the skin.
For optimal soothing and protection, after using your oatmeal bomb, gently pat your skin dry (leaving it slightly damp). Apply a few drops of Pure Jojoba directly to any eczema-affected patches, allowing it to absorb fully. Once absorbed, layer a shield of our protective multiBALM over the top to lock in moisture and create a calming barrier. This two-step ritual helps nourish sensitive skin, reduce irritation, and maintain lasting hydration throughout the day.
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