Shower Essentials

So after a busy couple of weeks juggling between college, work and drunken birthdays (I’m twenty now *sob*)… I’m back! 

As far as my skin goes, it’s been pretty miserable and resulted in a trip back to the docs.  I’ve been prescribed two types of antihistamines, one to take in the morning and one to take at night (which pretty much knocks me out), which is fine by me because what student doesn’t like to sleep, right?  These seem to be doing the trick just now, however I am to go back and see my doctor in the next week just to check up on everything.

Since my last post, I’ve managed to find some shower products that are totally free from both Paraben and Sodium Lauryl Sulphate (SLS), which I have been using every day since purchased to see if my skin will improve in any way, shape or form! 

Herbal Essence have recently released a new hair range called “Cleary Naked” which contains 0% Paraben and Coulourants.  The range aims to restore your hairs natural body and promises to leave your hair feeling refreshed, with extracts from fresh ingredients.  I have since found the conditioner to do just this - I purchased the volume conditioner with grapefruit and mint extracts, which smells divine and leaves my hair feeling fresh as a daisy till the next wash!   Unfortunately I found the shampoo was not to eczema friendly, (only after I spent £4 on it.. UGH), as it contains SLS – which I have since discovered is the key ingredient in shampoos to make them foam.  I would still however highly recommend the products to anyone that fancies giving their hair a well-deserved rest from the nasty chemicals we use all too often in our hair!  The range can be bought anywhere that stocks Herbal Essence, I’ve found it in both Tesco and Superdrug, varying in price from about £3-£4 per bottle.

I had MAJOR problems trying to find a shampoo that was free from SLS, it took me days to find one that was 100% pure and natural.  I eventually came across Hair Wonder by Nature on Amazon, whom have been on the go since 1985 developing the most natural hair products they possibly can without any of the nasty stuff.  Although it is a bit pricey – I paid £15 for two 200ml bottles – I honestly do not think that I will be tempted to return to the stuff I can grab oh so easily off the shelves.  I went for the Organic Mint and Rosemary Everyday Natural Shampoo, which smells beautiful to say the least.  You don’t need much to give your hair a real good wash, and after you rinse it out you can actually feel that your hair has had a good old clean!  The mint leaves your scalp feeling tingly and fresh, which I have never experienced before from any old product off the shelf.  In terms of value for money, I think I’m only about a half way through a bottle, which when you consider the size of the product and the two weeks that I’ve used it for – it isn’t really bad at all.  It’s since become my new favourite shower product.. EVER.

In terms of shower gels and washes, I’m left with a plain old shower emollient which was prescribed to me by my doctor at the beginning of the month.  Dermol 200 moisturises the skin whilst it’s being washed, and traps in the moisture when you’re drying yourself down afterwards.  This helps to prevent the skin from drying out completely, and ensures that your skin is getting the protection that it needs from there on after. 

I’ve also been applying the 100% Pure Organic Cold Pressed Coconut Virgin Oil to my face on a daily basis to prevent my skin from drying out throughout the day.  I bought the oil from Naissance for £2.79 for 100ml – which is a complete bargain when you consider the good it does for your skin.  I’ve been applying just a little oil to my face, both day and night for the past month now – and the results that I have seen have been amazing!  My face feels soft, it looks fresh and most importantly it is clear and healthy!  I’ve not had any major breakouts since I switched to the coconut oil, and I can honestly say that my skin has never felt so hydrated!  I’ve still got about a third of the tube left, which will do me another month at least, however I will be quick to stock up when I start to run low.  Eczema or not, I really couldn’t recommend this product more even if I tried.  It feels so good knowing that I’m using a completely organic moisturiser on my skin – and the results really do speak for themselves.

It’s still early days yet, but I’m hoping that by swapping my usual everyday essentials to the natural ones – that my skin will begin to restore itself overtime and my breakouts will become a thing of the past… wishful thinking I’m sure!

I’ll keep you guys posted on any changes throughout the next couple of weeks, and hopefully I’ll have some good news in terms of the vitamins and if they’ve done anything for my skin!