Review: Aveeno Cream for eczema

This is a review for the basic Aveeno Cream: Moisturising Cream.

Aveeno Cream with Love Hearts

I've been using Aveeno for about three years. When I first got it prescribed by my GP, the pharmacist who handed it to me nodded knowingly and said 'this is a very good cream'. The pharmacist was spot on, from the first time I used it I noticed a massive change from moisturises I'd used before (such as Doublebase, aqueous creams, gels and ointments from the doctor).  Creams made mainly from petroleum sometimes feel thick on the skin, but I don't feel like they help the healing process once skin has broken, whereas Aveeno is very soothing, never stings and softens the skin to help the healing process.

Aveeno is made with 'Colloidal Oatmeal'. Oats are traditionally used to combat dry skin, for example in several 'home-made' face mask recipes I used to find in Girl Talk and Sabrina's Secrets (hollaaaaa!). I love oats, I eat porridge every morning and then  smother myself in Aveeno so I am oaty out and in. When I first put it on, it was how I imagine swimming in a sea made of honey and milk would feel like: cooling, calming and silky. Its hard now to remember life before Aveeno, but I know that a week into use I remember thinking "this cream is going to change my life."My most basic skin routine is Aveeno and Hydrocotizone for flare-ups.

I'm basically Aveeno's biggest UK-based fan as I've been using it for three years now, and I recommend it to anyone who has eczema. I think its espcially good for hand and neck eczema that can be easily irratated (by scarves on hand wash) because it is so soothing. People rarely see me without a bottle of it in my hands. In many ways, Aveeno should employ me for being such an advocate.

Aveeno on my face
For the face, some people find it too thick. Its certainly not designed as a face cream but any eczema babe/badboy will know that face creams rarely cut it when your face flares up like the flaky red balloon. I have combination skin on my face: half really unnecessarily dry, and the other half prone to blocked pores and spots. I use Aveeno on my face about four times a day and it can cause build up on the non-dry sections of my face. It doesn't make me radiant but for me it doesn't cause break outs. We all have to compromise sometimes, you know?

Here are some artist's impressions of my face:

Pink are the non-dry areas prone to blocked pores. Red are the dry areas prone to eczema. Isn't it weird how I get eczema on that one side of my forehead? 

This is me once the Aveeno has been applied. It smooths over everything (even my eyebrows!!!!) and although it causes some blocked pores the eczema is quite smoothed.

My critiques would be that although it is a highly moisturising cream, it isn't as thick as a balm or butter, which means its not good for focussing on specific dry patches as it kind of spreads everywhere. Personally, having used it constantly for the past three years I'm now trying to find an alternative, as some people think its good to change up your skincare routine now and again to keep the eczema on its toes. However if you haven't tried it yet I'd really, really recommend.

Aveeno is expensive, its currently £8.93 at Boots but usually aroung £13 for 300ml. However it is available on the NHS, so if you are diagnosed with eczema by your GP you can get it prescribed to you. If you have to pay for prescriptions, make sure to ask for a large quantity as this will save mega $$$!

Do you use Aveeno? Do you have any recommendations for the next moisturise to try as I alter my skin regime?

Love from Saz xxxx

Eczema for Beginners: What to wear

I'm going to start my blog with some advice for people who've just been diagnosed with eczema, or maybe you haven't had it in a while and you've forgotten how to deal with it.

One of the oft-cited pieces of advice to people with eczema is 'wear cotton :)'. When I moved to uni, I went to a new doctor for help with a sudden flare up. Her tip was to wear more cotton clothes. This is a bit of a no-brainer if, like me, you've had eczema your whole life. But sometimes the idea of wearing a top - to - toe totally organic cotton hyper-sensitive breathable body suit just isn't what you'd had in mind for the day ahead. Clothing can help to control eczema though, here's some TIPS!!!

Leg Eczema

A dear, beautiful mate of mine had a bit of eczema on her legs during winter. I was FLABBERGASTED to discover she was wearing tights to work! Tights are so bad for eczema that when I was 12 my GP wrote a sick note to my school that said despite the uniform regulations I had to wear trousers, not a skirt and tights. They make you sweaty and don't let the skin breathe and TRUST MEH when I say, if you stop wearing them you'll notice a difference.
For work I wear some soft, cotton trousers (or even soft polycotton/nylon is better than tights) and some funky socks. A cigarette trouser shape is flattering and breathable, my housemate recommends Matalan for workwear and their trousers are great and cheap. For winter, and for casual occasion, embrace corduroy. You won't regret it.
When I want to wear a skirt/dress, leggings are a reasonable compromise as they let the skin breathe more. They don't look as sassy, but if anyone is mean to you, gently remind them you have a Medical Condition.
If its summer, go tights-free and feel that beautiful fresh feeling of a summer breeze streaming up your skirt!! Refreshing! Alternatively I like those nice, patterned roomy trousers they have around these days.
I leave tights for Very Special Occasions or I try to wear those cotton rich ones.

Neck eczema

Sue Perkins styles out a shirt and jumper and sniffs a cake like an absolute pro.

This is mainly a winter-based problem. Woolly jumpers and woolly scarves may look quirky or chic but after about ten minutes I end up ripping them off with as much enthusiasm as if they had spontaneously combusted. Paschmina scarves are soft and gentle, with not irritating fibres, or try and find a cotton knitted scarf or a woven one. It takes some searching but actually you can get some pretty nice scarves that aren't too itchy. Sequins are a pain in the ass though, and I find if you wear a scarf for too long you get hot and itchy.
I like woolly jumpers, I like to wear a nice crisp shirt underneath to protect my neck and arms! Not only do you get to look like STYLE ICON Sue Perkins, but it also prevents.....

Elbow Eczema

Soft flannel shirts are a good way to cover up and protect elbow eczema, I also like long sleeved jersey tops or roomy cotton cardigans that let the skin breath.
If you can't find cotton in the shops, try charity shops or vintage stores because old ladies love cotton and you can also get some wild fabric patterns.

Hand Eczema

Eczema on your hands is massively normal, because your hands are always out and about and getting into contact with hand wash and too-hot-hand-driers. When its nippy out (if you live in Manchester this means any time between September and June) then wear gloves. Nice gloves, if you want, or those cheap ones from Primark that cost £1.50 for two colours. Also wear gloves (different kind of gloves) when you do the washing up.

Eczema in your secret private areas

They are some itches you CAN'T scratch without removing yourself from social situations into the privacy of a toilet cubicle/bedroom/behind a bookshelf. If its possible for you, ditch the bra as OFTEN as possible. This is great because not only are you protecting your eczema you're also making a small contribution to female emancipation. If that concept is too daunting, try some non-padded, cotton bras or crop tops. You can wear a crop top without looking like a pre-teen. See: Urban Outfitters:

Urban Outfitters silk bra, £20

I appreciate that's not a particularly viable option if you don't have tiny breasts.
If you get itchy DOWN THERE may I make the unprecedented suggestion that, if you can't find cotton knickers, go for the SMALLEST knickers you can find. Extra breathing room! Yuhuuuu!

Going out on the town

I have a lovely dress,covered in daisies, that is made of jersey and has mid-length sleeves. Its cheeky, because its low cut, but it covers up my elbow and back eczema and is a fail-safe option that makes me feel very confident.

However, don't feel you have to hide your eczema. You spend the best part of your morning moisturising, choosing from your complicated array of ridiculously priced ointments and organic, home-grown solid shampoos only to spend the next 12 hours painfully resisting scratching your already scabby elbows, or knees, you can't use self-tan and you can't grow your nails because when they're too long they become violent weapons of self-destruction. You eczema is a part of you so don't hide it away! If you want to wear a backless crop top and hot pants then do it. If anybody cares they do not matter. Its just a bit of dry, red skin!

Love, Saz.

My Eczema Blog

I talk about my eczema so much its become a running joke with my housemates. Maybe if I post my eczema news on here I'll stop talking about it all the time? It's unlikely but it IS possible!

There are only a select few of beauty or skin care blogs really written by people with eczema, and often people who are reviewing products may have 'dry' skin but they're leagues away from the  weepy, scabby, blotchy eczema thwarted people who, simply by moving, scatter skin flakes like an old lady throwing confetti at newlyweds. This blog is for you.

Mmmm.

Saz.