World Atopic Eczema Day - 14 September 2019

Our skin is our largest organ, with every adult having about two square metres of skin. It has an important function as it protects our body against harmful external influences. So of course you take good care of it, but you can try your best and yet not everyone can be blessed with a healthy skin. When there is a disturbance in the skin barrier, it can result in severe skin problems such as eczema. The 14th of September will mark the second World Atopic Eczema Day, raising awareness on the topic. ​ 

What is eczema?

First things first, what exactly is eczema? It is the skin’s inflammatory response and one of the most prevalent skin conditions. According to research*, around 10 - 20% of children and up to 6% of adults have to deal with eczema at one point in their lives. Simply put, eczema is the result of a dry skin. When the skin is dry, the skin is more prone to losing extra moisture and fats, that are naturally present in the skin. Eczema comes in many different forms. One of the most common forms is atopic eczema, where the skin is overly sensitive.

Eczema can be very annoying to say the least and there are a lot of pesky symptoms you have to deal with. Due to the irritating stimuli and bacteria entering the skin an inflammatory response can occur. This can lead to further irritations and make the skin feel extra itchy. Other signs can include red spots, dryness and flakiness.

How SELF can help?

Eczema calls of course for an adjusted skin care. All our products at SELF are especially developed for sensitive, dry and problematic skin. Made with only 100% natural and vegan products, SELF products can offer relief of the symptoms of eczema and help the skin’s restoration process. We trust on six key ingredients that have a proven benefit for the skin and are specifically selected for their advantages.

Coconut oil has been a precious beauty and care secret for over a thousand years. Its restorative nature made it a must-have for every natural chemist in helping to treat all kinds of wounds, burns, bruises and even broken bones. Macadamia, also known as the golden nut of the Aboriginals, has nourishing and caring properties. Argan oil is the secret of the North-African Amazigh tribes. The ultra-hydrating essential fatty acids (omegas) and antioxidants protect and nourish the skin while vitamin E slows the process of wrinkle skin aging. Sheabutter, Cleopatra's true beauty secret, contains vitamins A, D and E and allantoin, for a good moisture effect, and to protect against dehydration. It draws very deep into the skin and nourishes and repairs the skin barrier. With their blue-green pointy, prickly leaves, the Aloe Vera plant resembles cacti. However, they are succulent plants. The jelly-like gel from the leaves can be well absorbed by the skin and helps to heal the skin faster. Last but not least, mandarin oil helps with both dry and oily skin and geranium oil has anti-inflammatory, anti-sceptical and cleaning attributes.

Discover SELF's 100% natural and vegan products

All Day Dreamer

This luxuriously replenishing and soothing facial day cream is made with 100% natural active ingredients that provide intensive nourishment and optimal protection for the skin. Ingredients include aloe vera which is packed with vitamin E to help improve the barrier function of the skin, argan oil which helps to protect the skin against extreme conditions and coconut oil which contains high levels of laurine and ciprine acid that help in rebuilding damaged skin layer.

Fine Delicate Body Butter

Rich and light at the same time, this body butter melts smoothly on the skin for consistently glowing results. It provides intense nourishment for the skin while repairing and restoring its natural moisture balance with every use. The shea butter in this product hydrates the skin and macademia helps reducing redness.

* Jochen Schmitt, Christian J Apfelbacher, Carsten Flohr. BMJ Clin Evid. 2011; 2011: 1716. ​ Published online 2011 May 17. ​