Essential Guide to Skin Allergies

This guide provides information about skin allergies. We understand what a skin allergy is and what the most common causes of allergic skin reactions are. This guide also looks at sensitive skin and which chemical ingredients in many personal care products are common known irritants and allergens.

If you have skin allergies, make sure to use our ultra-gentle natural chemical-free and scent-free range. 

Natural skin care for skin allergy sufferers and sensitive skin.

Many skin care products are described as being hypoallergenic, meaning you are less likely to suffer an allergic reaction to the product. Unfortunately, this term can be a little misleading, as people can be allergic to even the gentlest of plant ingredients. There are no standards or tests in place to prove that a product won’t cause a reaction, so in practice it is not actually possible to create anything which is 100% hypoallergenic and it is not possible to guarantee that a personal care product won’t cause an allergic reaction.

However, the gentle formulation of organic skin care products means that they are less likely to aggravate skin allergies and conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, rosacea and sensitive skin. If you suffer from ultra sensitive skin it is best to test new skin care products on your inner forearm or your neck to see if you have a reaction.

Patch testing:

Apply a small amount of the product to the inner forearm or neck (behind your ear), about 2cm square.  Leave on for 12 hours.  If no redness or swelling appears after 12 hours, apply a similar amount to the same area of skin and leave on for a further 12 hours.  If after this time no reaction is observed then apply a third dose of product to the same skin area.  If no reaction occurs in the next 24 hours, then it is highly probable that the product is safe for you to use.

This test checks not only for already existing allergies, but also confirms that repeated use is not a problem - a condition called Repeated Exposure Induced Sensitivity.
Back to Nature Ltd. offers a range of completely natural skin products with soothing ingredients that are suitable for irritated skin and people suffering from conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, rosacea, acne and more, as well as those with skin allergies and sensitive skin conditions such as prickly heat.

Our entire natural beauty range is made without lanolin, SLS/SLES, parabens, alcohol (ethyl alcohol/ethanol), phthalates, petrochemicals, propylene glycol, synthetic fragrances and colourings and any other irritating synthetic chemicals and our avoidance of these known irritants means that our products are suitable for many people who have skin sensitivities and allergies, to help restore your skin's natural barrier and bring your skin into balance.

Maintenance of the skin’s barrier property is very important, especially where the skin has become sensitised or is prone to allergic reactions.  The skin is our primary defence against external factors such as pollution, UV radiation, and toxic chemicals and unless it is functioning properly these aggressors may pass through the skin more readily and enter the body.  The skin’s barrier function also retains moisture within the middle and lower layers of the skin to maintain elasticity and flexibility, reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and promoting a smoother, softer complexion.

Skin allergies:

Allergic contact dermatitis is an itchy, red or swollen skin rash occurring after being in direct contact with an allergy-causing substance (an allergen). The most common causes of skin allergies are preservatives, fragrances and jewellery metals such as Nickel and Cobalt chloride – a metal found in hair dye, antiperspirant and objects plated in metal.  It is important to identify the cause of any contact allergy and then to avoid that material meticulously as repeated exposure may lead to more severe reactions.

Atopic dermatitis or eczema affects one in five babies and children.  It is thought to be linked to low levels of Squalene. In healthy skin, sebum contains between 10-13% Squalene and low levels of Squalene lead to dryness, flaking and causes weakness in the skins barrier function, the skin easily becomes prone to irritation and inflammation.
Eczema is often linked with asthma, hay fever or food allergy and food sensitivities can make eczema symptoms worse. When you have allergic skin reaction to something in your environment, you may display one or more symptoms. The symptoms may take the form of eczema, swelling, skin inflammation, rashes, itchy skin and watery eyes.

What can cause an allergic reaction?

Many people suffer skin allergies from chemical ingredients in their personal care products and cosmetics. Recently researchers in Spain have identified three ingredients in cosmetics that most often cause allergic contact dermatitis reactions. Allergic contact dermatitis takes the form of skin irritation or an itchy rash that affects the surface of the skin after exposure to the allergen. It can take days for skin to return to normal and the irritation will usually immediately return as soon as exposure is repeated.
The researchers found:

◦ 19% reacted to Methylisothiazolinone (a preservative widely found in shampoos and skin care products)

◦ 15.2% reacted to Paraphenylenediamine (PPD, used in hair dye and often leads to lifelong sensitisation)

◦ 7.8% reacted to fragrance mixtures (used to fragrance practically all cosmetics, shampoos and body care products, not just perfumes)

Most recently an unprecedented increase in the use of the preservative Methylisothiazolinone or MI in personal care products has caused something of a skin allergy epidemic and many big name high street brands have been forced to remove the preservative from their products. We have never used any of these ingredients in our natural and organic beauty products. This is why our products have a limited shelf life, unlike mainstream products which last for years.

Sensitive skin

Around 50% of the adult population have sensitive skin, affecting slightly more women than men. If your skin burns, stings or itches after the application of soap, bubble bath or cosmetics, then you may well have sensitive skin. Those who have mildly sensitive skin will only have an occasional reaction to these skin products, whilst those who have more sensitive skin may develop irritant contact dermatitis or mild eczema. When sensitive skin is irritated, calming lotions such as Miracle Balm™ help to relieve symptoms and soothe the affected patches. 

http://www.miracle-balm.co.uk/blogs/news/18867823-essential-guide-to-skin-allergies

Essential Guide to Rosacea

This guide offers information and advice on Rosacea. We understand what rosacea is, and look at the common triggers of the skin condition. We also offer advice on how to control your rosacea and recommend our best natural skin care products to help with rosacea, soothe and hydrate sensitive skin.

Rosacea skin care products
We understand that your skin is delicate and may react to skin care products easily.  We offer a range of neutral, chemical-free and scent-free products which are very gentle - ideal for skin that is prone to rosacea.

Made with pure plant extracts to soothe, moisturise and nurture, Miracle Balm™ helps to bring your skin into balance and restore its natural barriers. Dryness and irritation is linked with low levels of Squalene, your skin's natural moisturiser.  Our products increase these levels, promoting soft, healthy skin. We do not use harsh ingredients such as artificial fragrances, alcohol (ethyl alcohol/ethanol) or SLS, nor any other questionable chemicals such as parabens, phthalates or methylisothiazolinone.

What is rosacea?
Rosacea is a common chronic skin condition often mistaken for acne or sunburn. The face becomes flushed due to dilation of small blood vessels close to the surface. It is often accompanied with severe dryness and irritation around the chin, cheeks, nose and forehead.

Rosacea is characterised by redness and inflammation in the skin accompanied by spots on the skin and, in the condition’s later stages, irritation of the eyes and swelling of the nose (rhinophyma), which is more common in men although the condition itself is more common in women.

In its early stages rosacea appears as flushed cheeks and slight redness, and can easily be mistaken for simple blushing.  Later it progresses to persistent redness, then to noticeable pimples and papules, which can look a lot like an acne outbreak - treating it as one however can do more harm than good, as many mainstream acne skin care products contain harsh ingredients which may aggravate the skin.

Symptoms of rosacea:

◦ Episodes of flushing

◦ Burning and stinging sensations

◦ Permanent redness

◦ Spots (papules and pustules)

◦ Small blood vessels in the skin becoming visible (covering small or larger areas)

Causes of rosacea

Rosacea is triggered by environmental factors, the most common being exposure to strong sunlight. Whilst the exact cause of rosacea is unknown there are several triggers which have been known to make the condition worse.

Rather than just coming and going on its own, rosacea is triggered by environmental factors, the most common being exposure to strong sunlight. A sunscreen that contains Zinc oxide or Titanium dioxide to reflect sunlight, rather than absorbing UV radiation with chemicals like salicylates and benzophenones is essential for many rosacea sufferers. Finding out what triggers your rosacea is a significant step to preventing it from recurring.

The most common triggers of rosacea include:

◦ exposure to sunlight

◦ stress

◦ certain chemical ingredients in skin care products

◦ exercise

◦ cold weather (wind)

◦ heat

◦ menopause

◦ certain medications

◦ hot drinks

◦ alcohol and caffeine

◦ eating certain foods, such as spicy foods

Diet for rosacea sufferers

◦ Avoid steaming hot soup, coffee, alcohol, hot spices and spicy foods

◦ Other foods that often trigger flare-ups include cheese, sour cream, yoghurt, citrus fruits, liver, chocolate, vanilla, soy sauce, yeast extract, vinegar, aubergines, avocados, spinach, broad-leafed beans and pods, and foods high in histamine or niacin.

Rosacea skin care tips

◦ Many high-street cleansers and make-up removers contain harsh ingredients like alcohol (ethyl alcohol/ethanol), which can make the condition worse even if it isn't one of your triggers.  Try switching to our range of 100% natural and chemical free skin care products which are gentle enough not to irritate your skin but effective enough to make a difference. This will allow you to concentrate on removing the causes and preventing the symptoms from progressing.

Here are a few natural skin care tips for rosacea:

◦ Wear a natural sunscreen with an SPF15 year round and keep your face cool, if possible, by staying in an air-conditioned environment on hot, humid days. Otherwise sip cold drinks or suck ice cubes or spray your face with cool water or a rosewater-based toner. 

◦ In cold weather cover your cheeks and nose with a scarf

◦ Begin each day with a thorough and gentle facial cleansing. Use a gentle cleanser that is not grainy or abrasive and spread it with your fingertips. Rinse your face with lukewarm water to remove dirt and any remaining cleanser and use a thick cotton towel to gently blot dry the face. Immediately follow with a natural moisturiser

◦ Use a gentle, natural moisturiser during cold weather to protect against the drying effects of cold and wind.

◦ Avoid hot water, hot tubs and saunas. These can bring on flushing and aggravate your condition.

◦ Avoid rough wash cloths, brushes or sponges.

◦ Switch to a scent-free shampoo and conditioner that do not irritate when they come into contact with your skin.

Back to Nature Ltd Organic Garden Pharmacy

What’s in your moisturiser?

100,000 tonnes of man-made chemicals are used in so-called cosmetic products each year... and up to 60% of a substance can be absorbed through the skin in as little as 26 seconds! Once absorbed, these substances reach your bloodstream and are delivered to your organs. 

We offer truly natural, alcohol-free, paraben-free etc moisturisers for those looking to live an organic lifestyle, naturally free of harsh chemicals.  We use an innovative instant moisture infusion complex from plants which lasts at least 8 hours. Miracle Balm™ is our best-seller and is a super-potent, high performance moisturiser which contains a unique blend of essential fatty acids and biologically active plant extracts which protect, nurture and renew and ultimately maintain a healthy skin balance.

Our moisturisers are packed with 100% natural, organic plant actives and bee products, such as propolis, which are kind on your skin and also extremely effective.  They are free from ingredients or synthetic chemicals such as Sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS), parabens, phthalates, petrochemicals, alcohol (ethanol) or synthetic fragrances, parfum or colourants. We don’t dilute or bulk out our products with high levels of water, drying alcohol or synthetic fillers - a little goes a long way.

Why choose a natural moisturiser?

Choosing a truly natural moisturiser for your skin will help to restore your skin’s natural balance and health. With a natural moisturiser you can get the full benefit of active ingredients which work to nourish, protect and balance your skin by day and at night, leaving your skin soft, well hydrated and radiant.

With an organic moisturiser you know exactly what you are putting on your skin, and can feel safe that the products won’t harm your skin, your health or the environment.

Organic essential oils replace synthetic fragrances with beautiful natural scents and endowing the products with their own powerful properties. The natural ingredients in our organic moisturisers leave you to enjoy the sensations and take pleasure in the aromas leaving your skin with a healthy glow.

Which moisturiser is right for your skin type?

Miracle Balm™ offers a variety of different properties for all skin types, including mature, combination and sensitive.

Packed with vitamins, minerals and antioxidants, and has a moisture-retaining complex to soothe and revitalise skin. It contains clinically proven cell rejuvenating abilities to reduce wrinkles by doubling your skin's collagen production, and tighten and strengthen the skin on a cellular immunity level. This organic moisturiser's lovely blend of essential oils creates a delicate, natural scent and leaves skin silky soft and most importantly - healthy.

For spot-prone skin we recommend our Anti-Blemish moisturiser, which not only hydrates the skin but also heals it and rebalances the activity of sebaceous glands responsible for the production of sebum and oils in the skin.

For severe acne, we recommend our super 8 week Acne Treatment course which offers 3 types of moisturisers, which target specifically rebalancing the skin and dealing with break-outs and scarring issues. 

http://www.miracle-balm.co.uk/blogs/news/18851619-how-to-choose-your-moisturiser