Previously, I wrote about what I do to combat winter weather and its effects on my frizzy hair. This week, I’m talking about itchy, dry skin and how to keep it well moisturized as the mercury drops. I think everyone experiences dry skin to come degree in the winter, but those who have it worst are easily those with a chronic skin condition called eczema. Over 2 million Canadians suffer from it. While I’m not one of them, it’s something that I can recognize can be a big problem for some.
{La Roche-Posay Lipikar Baume AP+}
Eczema is a multifactorial condition, which means that it’s a combination of environmental, immunologic, and genetic factors that come together to put someone at a higher risk of having this chronic skin condition. Considering the genetic component, we often see family histories of eczema, including many children. In fact, many kids diagnosed with eczema are given that diagnosis before the age of 5. It can be painful and itchy, so there are a lot of topical medications that can be prescribed by a dermatologist to help. For those of us who either don’t have a diagnosis or who can’t get to a dermatologist, there may be some over-the-counter options that can help mitigate the symptoms.
La Roche-Posay has released a line of cleansers and lotions that soothe and nourish the skin so you won’t wake up in the middle of the night with dry, itchy skin. The Lipikar Baume AP+ anti-itching soothing balm replenishes lipids into the skin to care for any damage that may be caused by dryness. After 1 month of use in clinical trials, 96% of subjects reported having soothed skin with 71% of children reportedly waking up less often during the night due to flare ups. It contains shea butter, which feels amazing on the skin. La Roche-Posay also has a hydrating fluid called Lipikar Fluide that’s better for dry sensitive skin without the diagnosis. I use this when I come out of the shower. I like taking hot showers, especially in the winter, but it can leave my skin feeling really tight and dry. This liquid is very lightweight and absorbs quickly into my skin. There’s also the accompanying shower gel and cleansing body cream. All of them ensure your skin doesn’t get irritated and the textures for all are very creamy and feel luxurious.
All of these Lipikar products are paraben- and fragrance-free, making them ideal for anyone with sensitive skin.