A Highly Sensitive Person’s Confessions: Part 2 - Skin Issues - Sulfates and Fragrances
Preface: This is the second post, so if you missed the first… Short Version: I’m “sensitive to life”. The first post was on light sensitivity and I now wear rose-tinted glasses (FL-41 tint).
Skin Allergies & Eczema
Dry Skin? Rashes? Scaly Skin? Broken Skin?
If you answered yes to any of the above, I may have an easy, drug-free solution for you: removing sulfates and fragrances from your life.
Sulfates are one of primary causes of eczema and are very drying to one’s skin and hair. They are an excellent cleaning additive and can be derived naturally. Therefore, 98% (my guesstimate) of the soaps, shampoos, and cleaners are made with sulfates, including the natural ones. Sulfates are also bad for curly hair, so going sulfate-free will improve your curls as well. All sulfates will have sulfate as part of their chemical name and sulfate-free products typically state that they are on the label.
Fragrances further irritate sensitive skin, so using fragrance-free products will further aid in your skin’s healing. Essential oils do not typically irritate the skin.
Lye can also be an irritating ingredient, so if searching for homemade products, keep an eye out for sodium hydroxide.
After being sulfate-free for a year, I no longer use steroids to help reduce outbreaks and I rarely have more than a very minor rash. I no longer suffer from broken skin nor deep, scaly rashes, nor the like. The kids’ eczema has been kept to very minor rashes as well. Now, I can occasionally use sulfate-based soaps without breaking out immediately and severely.
A few of my favorite sulfate-free products:
Dr. Bronner’s Castile Soaps
Hairitage by Mindy
Shea Moisture
Bar Soaps at Dollar Tree (marked sulfate-free)
*****Please note, I was not asked to review these products nor am I getting paid. My goal is only to perhaps help family and friends who also suffer from skin issues.*****
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