You may have heard of eczema, know of someone with eczema or possibly have even experienced eczema symptoms yourself. There are over a million Australians thought to be living with eczema and dermatitis, which is a lot of inflamed, dry, itchy skin!
The term eczema is used broadly by medical professionals to describe a group of skin conditions, all of which are connected by a commonality of symptoms.
Dermatitis is the medical term for inflammation of the skin, whereas eczema is a type of dermatitis which is chronic. It is known to cause symptoms such as dry skin, itchiness and a flaky or scaly rash.
Differentiating between the two is often made more difficult due to eczema being referred to as varying forms of dermatitis, e.g. atopic dermatitis, or contact dermatitis.
Eczema can be debilitating and uncomfortable, lasting some people a lifetime.
With a belief in honest, simple care, Kenkay focuses on providing high quality skincare solutions for Australian families suffering from mild eczema and dermatitis.
This article aims to help you understand eczema a little better and provide helpful tips that may help ease your discomfort and manage symptoms.
People with eczema and dermatitis generally have dry and scaly skin that is severely itchy and inflamed. Commonly eczema is found on the face, hands, neck, ankles, inner elbows and back of the knees. You may even experience redness and heat, swelling or small fluid-filled bumps on the outer layer of the skin. Weeping or oozing of severe lesions is typical too.
Although the exact cause of eczema is unknown, some possible triggers are:
Before acting on any of the below suggestions please consult a medical professional to ensure it is the right option for you.
Trim your nails
When suffering from dry itchy skin, unconscious scratching can be a common occurrence. Both eczema and dermatitis are common in early childhood, so parents may be looking for relief for their child because kids do not necessarily understand that scratching the itch can make the symptoms worse. You could try trimming your nails short to reduce possible irritation caused by scratching. Alternatively, some people opt to wear mittens or gloves while sleeping.
Moisturise
Try to keep a convenient smaller pack size moisturiser with you for easy use and reapplication throughout the day.
A good trick is to apply within 3 minutes of showering to lock in as much moisture as possible. The Kenkay Extra Relief Range of face and body products is designed for long-lasting skin hydration, specifically formulated for people suffering from mild eczema and dermatitis.
Meditation & Breathwork
A common cause of eczema is excess stress. Stress is not always something you can control but spending a portion of each day on mindfulness and breathwork may help to lessen stress levels.
Avoid Rough Fabrics
Do your best to wear soft, loose fabrics to help reduce friction and irritation. Synthetic fabrics such as polyester, rayon and nylon for example are best to avoid, as they do not offer optimum breathability to limit sweating compared to natural fibres like cotton.
Take Lukewarm Showers & Baths
Any extreme temperature changes could worsen your condition, bathing in lukewarm water may help ease your discomfort. After bathing remember to pat dry your skin, carefully avoiding any rubbing motions, prior to applying moisturiser.
Learn your Triggers
One of the most effective things you can do is learn your eczema triggers. Everyone has different reactions to certain foods, products, and conditions. So, if you’re able to define your common triggers it will hopefully make managing the symptoms easier.
Eczema can be difficult to treat and exhausting to deal with every day. Head to our Kenkay Extra Relief product page now to learn more about our simple, no-nonsense skincare specifically formulated to help relieve symptoms of mid eczema and dermatitis.
Why and what is squalene?
Squalene is naturally produced by our bodies, and is an important component of sebum. It keeps our skin moisturised by keeping water in and protected by keeping bacteria out. It is rich in antioxidants which is great for fighting free radicals and keeping skin in tip top condition.
In order to make this ingredient stable, we use the hydrogenated form, squalane, in our products. Squalane has a lighter texture and is suitable for all skin types including oily and acne-prone skin. Squalane rapidly absorbs into the skin to bind in moisture and improve skin elasticity by boosting collagen production.
As we age the amount of squalene we produce decreases, which can lead to dry and saggy skin. Using squalene can improve cell turnover and keep our skin supple.
What is it good for? Absolutely everything!
Research on squalene has found that this amazing product has antioxidant, detoxifying, soothing and skin hydrating properties, and being related to our own body’s natural moisturisers, less likely to upset sensitive skin.
Will someone think about the pores!
Squalane feels like an oil when you apply it, but it’s actually non-comedogenic! This means it won’t block your pores or contribute to breakouts. Being related to the moisturising components our body naturally produces, squalane gets absorbed quickly and is used easily by our skin.
All the goodness with no fillers
Because squalene is not water based, it does not require the addition of preservatives, which a lot of people with sensitive skin can react to. This means we can give you 100% pure goodness in every drop!
But is it cruelty free?
Squalane was traditionally extracted from shark liver, but we use vegetable-derived squalene.
Vegan-friendly, our skincare formulations contain no animal-derived ingredients. We prefer ingredients made from plants and minerals. Cruelty-free, which means we never test our products on animals, nor are any of our ingredients tested on animals.
Discover the radiant power of sunflower oil – a versatile ingredient extracted from the seeds of the sunflower plant – offering a multitude of benefits for your skin and a perfect addition to your daily routine!
Sunflower oil is extracted from the seeds of the sunflower plant, making it great for those who are conscious of avoiding animal based ingredients. Sunflower oil is also used in cooking, making it a versatile product for use inside and out!
Because of all the skin benefits sunflower oil has to offer, we’ve put it in many of our skin products. From our Dry Skin Body Wash, to our Extra Relief Moisturising Cream, check out Kenkay’s extensive range of specialist skin products to find an item to suit you!
https://www.healthline.com/health/sunflower-oil-for-skin
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4518179/
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22995032/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25656133
As we celebrate 40 years of Kenkay, we’d like to take you back to one of our original and favourite creams – Sorbolene!
Sorbolene cream is something most Australians are familiar with. That staple in the cosmetics cupboard that everyone from grandma to the baby uses. This multi-purpose cream can be used for so many things, so let’s get started!
You may have noticed the small writing on the pack that looks like it’s written in another language. Fear not, this just means that our Sorbolene is made to the standard formula set out by the Australian Pharmaceutical Formulary, so that you know it will be of consistently high quality. Not all Sorbolene creams are made to this standard, so always check for the APF.
Pretty much everything! Sorbolene cream is primarily a moisturiser. Fragrance and colour free, it’s great for sensitive skin and does not clog pores. You can use it all over to maintain your skin barrier, from the face, hands and body. Because of these great qualities, it is often used as a base for those special creams that doctors prescribe for unique skin conditions. But it’s not just restricted to that! Keep a tube in your handbag to keep your hands smooth throughout the day, or a jar in the bathroom to put on after a shower to beat the dry skin winter itchies and keep your skin moisturised.
Soap substitute
for those with really dry skin, Sorbolene cream can be used in place of soap and body wash. It is designed to remove dirt and grease, without drying out your skin.
Make-up remover
Sorbolene can be used with or without water to gently remove make-up.
Shaving cream
yup, there’s even one for the boys! Get a smooth shave by adding Sorbolene to your grooming kit.
But wait, there’s more!
Because our Sorbolene has been loved by so many for so long, we’ve expanded the range to include Sorbolene with 10% Vegetable Glycerin, and Sorbolene with Vitamin E, as well as our original Pure Cream.
Sonia Taylor | Presented by Kenkay
Anyone prone to the discomfort of dry, flaky skin knows that effective and fast solutions are worth their weight in gold. And while many of us associate rough, sensitive and parched skin as a seasonal, winter thing, those dealing with this challenging skin type are often locked in a year-round battle.
Thankfully, there are simple ways to stay soothed and hydrated.
9Honey Style spoke with Dermatologist, Dr Leona Yip, to learn more about dry skin and what we can incorporate into our skincare routine to keep our skin hydrated.
What is dry skin?
It’s important to know that dry skin is actually a skin type, as opposed to a temporary condition.
“In normal skin, lipids (skin oils) and proteins form a seal and hold skin cells together on the top layer of the skin. This is called the skin barrier. Amongst other important functions, normal skin barrier integrity is required to maintain and trap skin moisture within the skin,” explains Dr Yip.
When there is a breach in the skin barrier’s ability to function optimally, you’re left with water loss and therefore dry skin.
What is it like to have dry skin?
“Dry skin makes the skin look flaky and scaly, and when dryness is really severe this gives the appearance of a network of cracks that can look like fish scales,” says Dr Yip.
She also explains how it is the most common cause of skin irritation and itching, and if left untreated, can lead to secondary eczema.
If you don’t have dry skin, you might not even realise that this skin type affects people’s lifestyles – even clothing choices – “as dry white flaky skin is usually visible on darker coloured clothing and surfaces.”
What are common causes for dry skin?
“Dry skin can both be genetic and environmental,” says Dr Yip.
This is why some people have seasonal skin dryness – in winter, you’re dealing with temperature changes that can dehydrate, especially due to overheating with layers of clothing, dry air, heaters and air conditioners.
Acne-related medication and products, as well as fragrances in products, can also promote dryness.
From a genetic standpoint, you’re looking at conditions like eczema.
What to incorporate in your routine to ditch dreaded dry skin
Whether your dry skin is environmental or genetic, “repair, replace and maintain the skin barrier is the mantra for dry skin treatment,” says Dr Yip.
1. Use gentle, unscented skin care products that don’t strip the skin
It’s important not to lose any of the skin’s natural oils and moisture. Dr Yip’s #1 tip? Ensure you’re using a soap-free wash to prevent aggravating skin dryness and irritation. Find a product like Kenkay Dry Skin Body Wash that’s free of soap, parabens and fragrances, too.
2. Avoid long, hot showers
Dr Yip says you should avoid taking scalding hot showers — or long hot showers — as they’ll actually exacerbate dry skin further.
3. All hail mighty moisturiser
“Moisturising helps to maintain a normal skin barrier to prevent dry and irritated skin,” says Dr Yip.
Using a skin moisturiser regularly – specifically, one that can trap and draw moisture into the skin – is crucial, according to Dr Yip. It’s also especially important for those using acne or anti-ageing creams, which cause and aggravate dry skin further.
Many moisturisers simply act as a barrier, preventing what moisture you already have from escaping. But dry-skinned folk are already low on moisture so need a little more oomph – Dr Yip advises to look for ingredients lists that include glycerine and/or paraffin.
4. Boost hydration with a mask
If you love a good sheet mask moment or know you’re headed out somewhere that will aggravate your dryness, then Dr Yip has the hot tip on what masks work best: “Hyaluronic acid and ceramide-enriched sheet masks can be soothing and great for hydration.”
Should you be drinking more water specifically for your skin?
“Contrary to popular beliefs, drinking a lot of water does not effectively restore skin hydration as it is also distributed to other organs in the body and little reaches the skin,” explains Dr Yip.
She reiterates that using the right products (like a soap-free wash) to prevent moisture loss and applying a skin moisturiser to restore hydration are the most effective ways to have nourished and hydrated skin.
With skincare less is more, Kenkay is Australian made and owned with a focus on providing high quality skincare products and solutions. Dry Skin? Kenkay has you covered. Ask for Kenkay by name.
Katie Cunningham | Presented by Kenkay
Hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid, lactic acid, AHAs, BHAs, peptides, niacinamide, pycnogenol… deciphering skincare language can be headache-inducing.
But the good news is that a simple routine is actually better for your face than slapping on 20 different products with unpronounceable names every morning. In fact, overdoing your routine can cause dryness, breakouts and even extreme reactions like perioral dermatitis, dubbed the “vanity rash”.
So how do you master the art of the simple skincare routine? Follow these five tips and you’ll be glowing in no time.
#1 Identify your skin type
Different skin types have different needs, so your first step in building your routine is identifying whether your skin is oily, normal, dry or sensitive and picking the products to match.
A good way to get to know your skin is to cut out all products except a gentle cleanser for a few weeks to see how it reacts. Why? Well, lots of people think they have oily skin — but are actually just using harsh products that are causing their skin to overproduce oil as a defence mechanism.
#2 Get back to basics
The unglamorous truth is that you should really only be using three products at a time on your skin. In the morning, that’s cleanser, moisturiser and sunscreen. At night, swap out the sunscreen for a retinol or a serum that suits your skin concerns. Everything else can stay on the shelf.
#3 Choose the right products for your wallet
That $150 face oil in a cute bottle might look enticing but if you have to whip out the credit card every time you need a replacement, are you really going to stick with it?
You’re better off creating a consistent and affordable routine than constantly swapping out products based on your budget that month. Cleanser, especially, does not need to be expensive — the ones dermatologists most often recommend are around the $10 mark.
#4 Invest in multi-purpose products
You’ll save time — and money — when you pick up versatile products. Kenkay Sorbolene with 10% Vegetable Glycerin, for example, can be used as a moisturiser and a soothing lotion for sunburnt or peeling skin, but it can also serve as a cleanser or shaving cream replacement. Keep some in your cupboard and you’ll be ready to tackle whatever your skin can throw at you.
#5 Don’t forget face masks
Face masks are a great supplement to your daily routine. If you’ve got oily, pimple-prone skin, use a clay mask once a week to help cleanse your skin. If you lean towards the dry end of the spectrum, a moisturising sheet mask might be better for you.
Whack it on every Sunday night, pour yourself a glass of wine and make it a relaxing self care session — two birds, one stone.
With skincare less is more, Kenkay is Australian made and owned with a focus on providing high quality skincare products and solutions. Dry Skin? Kenkay has you covered. Ask for Kenkay by name.
Interested in becoming a pharmacy stockist?
Contact our distributor Alita Sales today on www.alitasales.com.au