Hair's the Scoop

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Q: I suffer from eczema, and it's just awful. My skin looks red and irritated, and is constantly itching. Help!
— Patricia M., San Antonio TX

A: Thank you for your query, Patricia! You're certainly not alone. Eczema is a skin condition that affects millions of people, including stars like Nicole Kidman and Brad Pitt. And though there's no known cure, there are loads of easy ways to avoid outbreaks and help speed up the healing process.

Things to be cautious of:
• Fragrance/colorants in laundry detergent, cosmetic and body care products, etc.
• Soaps and harsh detergents, as they can strip natural skin oils and lead to excessive dryness.
• Tight-fitting, rough or scratchy clothing.
• Anything that causes sweating, as it can irritate the rash.
• Washcloths, sponges or loofahs, or anything that will abrade the skin.

During an outbreak:
• Clean the area with a hypoallergenic, moisturizing soap every day; soap up only at the very end of your bath/shower.

Healing aids:
• Apply a nonprescription steroid cream (hydrocortisone) along with anti-itching lotion (menthol/camphor, such as calamine). The cream should be applied as often as possible without skipping days until the rash is gone.
• Oatmeal is a common remedy to relieve itching, and can be applied topically as a cream or, as a colloid, in the bath.
• Chamomile is another herbal treatment that can help to relieve discomfort. Simply apply a cloth soaked in strong chamomile tea to the inflamed areas.
• Helichrysum (oil) has been found by European researchers to be an excellent cell regenerator, to reduce tissue pain, help improve skin conditions, reduce redness and heal the formation of scar tissue. It’s one of the best oils for dermatitis, particularly eczema.
• If the condition of your skin does not improve, consult your dermatologist, as you may benefit from the short-term use of a topical steroid (like Clobex), or a pimecrolimus (immunosuppressant) cream, like Elidel.

Preventative measures:
• Always use a hypoallergenic, moisturizing soap; soap up only at the very end of your bath/shower.
• Apply a fragrance-free barrier-type moisturizer, such as Cetaphil, immediately after cleansing the skin.
• Avoid physical and mental stress. Eating right, light activity and adequate sleep will help you stay healthy, which can help prevent flares.
• Dietary elements that have been reported to trigger eczema include: dairy products and coffee [both caffeinated and decaffeinated], soybean products, eggs, nuts and wheat, though food allergies may vary from person to person. (Also, a diet rich in omega-3 [and low in omega-6] may be able to reduce symptoms.)

Have a beauty-related that question that you've been dying to ask? Drop us a line at hair@lifetimetv.com.

Brand

Could your complexion could use a seasonal pick-me-up? Meet my latest obsession, Aveda Tourmaline Charged Exfoliating Cleanser.

This active, cream-based scrub gently exfoliates the skin, both chemically (via a corn-derived sugar) and physically (non-abrasive jojoba beads), and works to increase cell turnover whilst effectively conditioning, too.

And naturally, much like all else Aveda offers, Tourmaline Charged Exfoliating Cleanser does good in more ways than one. Aside from giving your skin a radiant glow, it also helps support a local community in Brazil, and it's packaging contains 35% post-consumer recycled materials. (It's no wonder why trendsetters like Kate Bosworth and Alexander Wang are such fans of the brand.)

Suitable for all skin types.

Aveda Tourmaline Charged Exfoliating Cleanser, $29. Available online at Aveda.com.

Brand

Crave spotlight-worthy skin? It's all about how you care for your complexion. But the world of skincare is not an easy one to navigate, and the search to find that perfect formula is often frustrating... And expensive.

Enter MySkin.com, a new beauty site that offers unbiased* skincare advice in a user-friendly format. Just answer a few questions about your skin type, and the products you currently use, and they'll recommend a personalized regime, complete with a range of available price-points and online retailers.

The service is free, but the site is invitation only. So be our guest, and enter "Lifetime" to gain full access to MySkin.com.

*Unbiased: MySkin.com doesn’t make, sell or promote any products. Nor do they take advertising from skincare manufacturers. Their mission is simply to provide users with the information and tools to help them make better decisions.

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Derm-to-the-stars Patricia Wexler shares her top tips & tricks for at-home anti-aging care:

Skip Purifying/Foaming Facial Cleanser
Cleanser should cleanse your skin without stripping natural oils, which protect our skin from aging.

What to look for?
Non-greasy, yet penetrating to leave the skin free of debris while the natural balance is protected and enhanced.

Don't go there!
Anything that foams, because it contains alcohol. If it makes you skin feel tight, like trying to fit yourself in a pair of Calvins in the 80's, skip it. It's going to do more harm than good. It will dry out your skin and your skin will either flake or your skin will become oily/ problem skin because your oil glands will pump alot oil to compensate for the dryness in the lower layers of the skin. So, your skin will be dry on the inside and oily on the outside and after 6 months your skin will be sensitive.

Also, When it comes with cleansing products, always try to find products with no fragrance or natural fragrance because alot of times that's what's causing the irritation.

Get Scrubbin'
A facial scrub should remove surface impurities, prevent build-up and leave the skin brighter and with a glow.

What to look for?
A gentle scrub that you can use everyday, again something which won't strip your skin of its natural oils (protection).

Don't go there!
A scrub that has sharp edges because it will cut your skin and you won't be able to see it with the naked eye. A scrub that is dry is also not recommended because rubbing or massaging dry skin will cause trauma.

Be Sure to Tone
Toner should soften, retain moisture and contain moisturizing ingredients because water travels to the lower layers of the skin quickly. If you have a good toner it can help your skin absorb nutrients from your moisturizer.

What to look for?
All of the above and most importantly don't skip this step. Most people think a toner is just water but a good toner can travel and deliver nutrients quicker than any moisturizer.

Don't go there!
If it contains alcohol, smells like citrus (high acid levels) or leaves your skin feeling stripped. It's not recommended.

Treat Your Skin, Two Ways
Moisturizing facial masques, or any other water base mask, will nourish and moisturize the skin as it deep cleanse the pores.

What to look for?
A mask which is moisturizing (because it's water base, it can deliver nutrient quickly) and prevent cellular build-up. It should leave the skin feeling soft, supple, refreshed and skin tone looking brighter.

Don't go there!
If it contains alcohol or it leaves your skin blotchy. It probably means that the acid levels are very high.

And/Or
Use a purifying clay masque to draws out oils and surface impurities lodges in the pores.

What to look for?
A clay masque that also helps to shrink the pores and firm the skin.

Don't go there!
I f it burns or your skin starts to flake after use because that means it's stripping your skin completely which will lead to wrinkle formation.

Click here for additional information on Dr. Wexler's practice, or to purchase products from her Bath & Body Works collection.