How Pet Allergies Contribute to Pet Allergies

I love pets, but sadly I am allergic. I have two pets at home, one short haired cat named Dee, and a long haired cat, named Perdy. In my other house, where I am currently living, a new resident has just moved in: a hamster called Sherman. People are surprised that such a small animal can cause such adverse affects on my skin.

Since Sherman has started living with us, I have had small white bumps emerge on my hand, a dry rash on my face, red puffy swollen eyes. These are the same symptoms that happen when I go back home,especially if I am close to Dee (a short haired cat). As much as I love her, I have to keep my distance. This means, she is not allowed on my bed, although she tries, and I try to avoid her using my lap as a second best option for a bed. As far as Sherman is concerned, I try to keep my distance, although he is currently in a communal area, which isn’t helping my skin and is difficult to avoid.

Long haired pets definitely have a different affect. Perdy is my oldest pet, and because she has long fur, it comes out in clumps which look like cotton wool. Whereas Dee’s fur seems to get everywhere! I have never had a bad experience with Perdy, and as far as I was concerned before we got other pets my only allergies were nickel and hayfever. Therefore, if you are going to buy a pet and someone in your family has an allergy a long haired pet will be best. But, incase it does affect someone, it’s probably best to stick to fish I’m afraid!

It wasn’t until I was away from home for a few months that I realised I was allergic to pets. Since I adore them so much, I didn’t make the link that my bad skin conditions got worse when we got Dee, and cleared up when I was away from her for a long period of time. The addition of Sherman confirms my allergies to pet fur.

But what to do?
The only way I can keep the allergies at bay is by taking Tesco’s ‘One-a-day hayfever and allergy relief’ tablets, that are non-drowsy. It’s so important that you buy non-drowsy tablets, because the only way I have found that drowsy tablets work is by knocking you out! This helps slightly, but my skin is still ridiculously dry and swollen. Sherman will be moving from the communal areas, so I don’t have to come into contact with him, so hopefully this works, because no matter how much moisturiser I apply, it doesn’t seem to be keeping things at bay at the moment.

If you have any advise, or are in a similar situation, I’d love to know how you deal with skin conditions by commenting below!

Let’s hope things improve soon!

Leanne x

Exfoliation: The Golden Rule for Dry Skin

It is a common misconception that people with dry skin shouldn't exfoliate. Up until I received advise from a skin care specialist, I also thought that exfoliating was one of the worst things to treat dry skin. However I, like many others, are wrong. In fact, exfoliation has been one of my skin savers when I break out in a bad spell of eczema. It's important to remember that dry skin is usually very sensitive, and some exfoliators can be very rough. Therefore, I would advise using an exfoliator marketed for use on the face on the whole body, because products designed for using on the face are usually designed to be gentle, which will not upset delicate skin types.

As a general rule, I now do not use any product that isn't marked 'hypoallergenic' or allergy tested. This means I am quite limited to the products that I can use, but it's worth having full confidence that the product I am buying will not aggravate my skin. Therefore, I use Clinique '7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula'. It's £18.50 but a little goes a long way, so the product lasts ages. I use this product at least once a week, depending on how dry my skin is: the more dry my skin is, the more I use it.

To use this product, I wet my face with a flannel using warm water. Then, I put a little blob on my nose, cheek bones, and forehead, and use circular motions to ensure the product covers my face and allows the exfoliation process to work. Once I feel as though the product cannot be rubbed any more, I take it off using warm water and a cotton wool pad. I use cotton wool, because I feel like it removes the residue better than a flannel. After this, I moisturise using No7 ‘Beautiful Skin Day Cream’ for Dry/Very Dry skin. 

My skin instantly feels smoother, and all the flakey skin has been removed, revealing a soft base ready for applying makeup.

My advise is, that any one with dry skin should go out and buy a hypoallergenic exfoliator to be one step closer to achieving perfect skin!

To buy the products mentioned, please click on the links below:

No7 ‘Beautiful Skin Day Cream’ for Dry/Very Dry:http://www.boots.com/en/No7-Beautiful-Skin-Day-Cream-for-Normal-Dry-Skin-50ml_1245032/

Clinique '7 Day Scrub Rinse-off Formula' 
http://www.clinique.co.uk/product/1682/5003/Skin-Care/ExfoliatorsMasks/7-Day-Scrub-Cream-Rinse-Off-Formula/Rinse-Off-Formula-For-All-Skin-Types/index.tmpl 

Leanne x

The Best False Eyelashes for Sensitive Skin

I had to stop wearing false eyelashes; when I wore them, my eyes reacted and instead of having desirable eyes, I had red and swollen eyes, that were itchy and dry. Therefore, I had to layer on my mascara, as I love having long, thick luscious lashes! I am lucky enough to have naturally long and thick eyelashes, but in pictures natural eyelashes seem to be swallowed by the camera's flash, and I missed wearing them!

I previously wore 'Eyelure 107' eyelashes, which vary in price depending where you buy them from, but they're usually just over £5. These are long eyelashes all around the eye area, which I do like, and I am pictured wearing below (right). 

However, I think the glue was too strong, and after wearing for an evening my eyes started to swell.

I aimed to find a hypoallergenic eyelash glue, and as luck would have it, No7 have excelled again for us with sensitive skin! I decided I wanted a change from my usual Eyelure 107 eyelashes, and wanted something a little more natural. However, I have tried 'Eyelure 100' lashes, and the lashes were thinner and shorter than my natural lashes, so I wanted to find something in the middle.

I went to Boots, and had a long search through all the different types of eyelashes. I was either going to buy No7 'Hypo-allergenic Lash Adhesive', which comes in a large mascara-sized tube for £7.50, then buy a pair of eyelashes from another brand, but after a long decision I decided to buy 'No7 Lash 30 Exceptional Definition', which includes a small bottle of their hypo-allergenic lash adhesive.

I did need to add a little bit of mascara to the eyelashes to make them a little bolder, but I think it's because I am used to having high volume eyelashes. I applied the glue, waited a minute for it to go tacky, and then applied it to my eyes. Usually, my eyelids start to tickle and itch. However, I did not notice that these eyelashes were on and experienced no irritation all evening.

I would definitely recommend using No7's Hypo-allergenic Lash Adhesive, but I may keep looking to find my perfect shape false eyelashes.

To buy any of the products mentioned, please the above links.

As always, if you'd like to share your experience with anything I have mentioned, please comment below!

For more information about products suitable for eczema prone, sensitive and dry skin, please refer to my other posts. 

Leanne x

Fake Tanning Solves Eczema and Sensitive Skin Disorders!

I aimed to discover whether fake tanning moisturisers can benefit eczema-prone skin. I was fed up of having to hide my inflamed red skin on a night out. I hated having pictures taken, especially with the flash on, as in my eyes all I saw was my eczema taking over my body. Prescribed creams never seem to help, and the only time my eczema cleared up was on holiday abroad. Although buying a holiday home abroad would be a lovely idea, it’s not a reality, therefore I decided to use a self tanning moisturiser, ‘Dove Summer Glow’, to test whether a similar effect would be achieved, and if a ‘bottle’ tan would have similar benefits to a sun tan.

I applied the self-tanner every day after a shower or bath, usually before I went to bed. I was anxious that it would be streaky, or I would end up looking orange, but neither have happened. I aimed to have a natural looking tan, as I was attending a party and wanted to be able to confidently wear an outfit without having to worry about my eczema being on show. 

The results:

‘Dove Summer Glow’ is without a doubt the best product I have ever used to erase my eczema. My skin immediately improved as soon as I started to use the product, and has got better and better as the days progressed. The redness has gone, my skin is not dry or irritable, and instead it has freshly sun-kissed glow. The product is gentle, and never made my skin sting, or caused irritation. My confidence has been restored, and I could not wait to slip on my dress to show off my skin! I wore a black racer front dress from Zara, which showed off a lot of shoulder (a place where my eczema is usually particularly bad), with a statement necklace, also from Zara. But my best accessory was the confidence that I gained from the look of my skin! 

You can buy ‘Dove Summer Glow’ from a variety of shops, including Boots, Superdrug and supermarkets, for approximately £5, but keep your eye out for offers, as I managed to purchase mine at the reduced price of £3.55 at Sainsbury’s. 

I used the shade ‘fair to normal’ skin, but now I feel that if I wanted to enhance my skin tone I could start to use ‘normal to dark’, but I may wait until the summer to go up a shade so it looks natural. below is a picture of my skin taken on the final day of using the moisturiser, when you compare this to the appearance of my skin before using ‘Dove Summer Glow’, you can physically see the benefits of using this product.

The final day of using Dove Summer Glow

Before using Dove Summer Glow

I will definitely keep using this product, and will stock my cupboard up so I’m never without it! To view my progress, or to find out more about beauty products that are suitable for eczema, dry or sensitive skin, please click here. 

Leanne x

Nail Polishes for Sensitive Skin

I’ve read before that nail varnish can trigger a flare-up of eczema. Since reading the article, I have noticed that certain nail varnishes do make my eczema become inflamed, and my hands become red and dry. For awhile, I stopped using nail varnish to try to keep my hands in the best condition possible, but why should people with sensitive skin be left out when all their friends have perfectly manicured hands? It’s just not fair, I thought to myself.

However, for Christmas I received a set of ‘W7′ nail varnishes. I was so pleased when it didn’t make my eczema worse! One colour is a crimson red, with a pearl undertone, which looks gorgeous! It applies fairly quick, and dries extremely fast, which is perfect for busy women! Unfortunately, I cannot advise you where to buy this from, or the price of the item because it was a gift, but I have included a picture of the product, so you can keep your eyes pealed!

W7 nail varnishes are perfect for sensitive skin

Another nail varnish I would recommend for sensitive and eczema prone skin, is ‘No7 Stay Perfect Nail Colour’, available from Boots, at £6. I brought this product as I use multiple No7 makeup and skin care products, as they are hypoallergenic. In simple terms, this basically means that their products have been tested on sensitive skin, and have fewer allergens in them, therefore this means their products are gentle on sensitive skin. I chose shade ’14 – Oyster’, which is similar to my Barry M nail varnish in ‘Ice Cream Pink’. However, I had to replace it with the No7 colour as it started to go gloppy, but at no surprise considering it is years old! When my hands are sore, they have a red tone to them in places, therefore wearing a pale shade of nail varnish creates an illusion of calmer looking skin, in comparison to a vibrant shade, which enhances red skin tones. This is the first day of wearing this shade of nail varnish, therefore I will let you know how things progress, but so far so good!

No7 is also a perfect choice for eczema prone skin

If you would like to find out more about products suitable for dry or sensitive skin, please click here.

Leanne x

Can Fake-tan Solve Eczema?

It is nearing the end of my ‘Dove Summer Glow’ challenge. My aim is to achieve a clearer complexion! For those who haven’t followed my progress so far, I have achieved positive result from using this product.  From day one, the redness of my skin has decreased, and it is no longer dry, inflamed and itchy.

Today there are hardly any imperfections, apart from a scratch scar across my chest, which will hopefully go down after a few days. To compare this to the condition of my skin before using ‘Dove Summer Glow’, please click here, and you will notice the clear improvements from the past few days.

Today’s Progress

My skin is also gradually starting to tan; I haven’t gone from resembling ‘Snow White’ to one of Willy Wonka’s Oompa Loompa’s, and instead I have a subtle sun-kissed glow!

I would recommend for anyone to use this product, as it is gentle, provides quick results, and provides moisture for thirty skin!

I have applied quite a thick layer of this product this evening, therefore I will keep you posted on the results tomorrow, which is my final day of using this product! Wish me luck!

Leanne x

Can self-tanning moisturisers benefit dry skim and eczema? (Part 3)

It’s day 4 of my Dove Summer Glow review. I have set myself a challenge: I aim to have sun-kissed skin with as minimal eczema possible. I set myself this challenge after noticing that my eczema clears up when I get a ‘natural’ tan, therefore I wondered if a similar effect could be achieved without having to buy a plane ticket! Although I’d love to have a holiday home on a beautiful exotic island, the changes are quite low, and instead I’ve opted for a bottle of ‘Dove Summer Glow’, at the reduced price of just over £3 from Sainsbury’s. 

The results so far have been astonishing. On day 1, I took a photo of my skin before using the self-tanning moisturiser, and in comparison to my skin now it’s unrecognisable! My skin has transformed from being dry, red and itchy, to looking moisturised, healthy and no longer the vibrant red colour that it was previously. I have so much more confidence already; I no-longer feel the need to hide away in high-neck tops, and instead I want to show off my healthy sun-kissed skin! A friend even complimented me the other day and said ‘I can’t believe you still have your tan from the summer’, which shows that not only is the product working, it also looks like I have a natural tan!

Day 4 of using Dove Summer Glow

When you compare this to my skin before using the self-tanner (below), you can see that my skin is no longer looking red and inflamed and all that remains is a scratch on my chest, which will hopefully go!

Before using Dove Summer Glow

Dove Summer Glow has not irritated my skin at all, and I have nothing bad to report on it! The only thing I will mention is to remember to wash your hands thoroughly after using this product, as if not you may end up with fingers resembling carrots… But so long as you remember to wash them, you will be fine!

I advise that anyone with eczema, dry skin,  sensitive skin, or even normal skin tries this product! It is a healthy way of tanning, compared to sun beds and sun bathing, as you are at no risk from being burnt.

To see my full progress and results of using Dove Summer Glow, or to find out more about beauty products for dry and sensitive skin, please click here!

Leanne x

Can Fake-tanning Moisturisers Benefit Sensitive Skin?

I have set myself a challenge to improve the appearance of my skin in just 5 days using the self-tanning moisturiser 'Dove Summer Glow'. As explained in my previous post,  ''Can self-tanning moisturisers benefit skin?' I am testing whether the tanning process helps to reduce eczema, after noticing that when I go abroad and get a tan my eczema completely disappears.  

Progress: Day 2 

I have been using 'Dove Summer Glow' in the shade 'fair to normal skin' for two days now, applying it when I get out of the bath in the evening, and letting it dry slightly before getting ready for bed. In my previous post, I showed a picture of my skin before applying the product; my skin was inflamed, red and covered in eczema. However, after moisturising using Dove Summer Glow, the appearance of my skin started to improve. Day two has provided more benefits! My eczema has started to clear up, my skin feels soft and subtle, it is no longer a harsh red colour, and it is beginning to look radiant and sun-kissed! I am ecstatic with these results, and I feel confident that I will be able to wear any outfit for the party, and not focus on finding one that covers up my skin!

Day Three of using Dove Summer Glow

Before using Dove Summer Glow

Day two of using Dove Summer Glow

When you compare this to the previous two days, it is evident that my skin is already improving! Patches of my eczema have disappeared, in the same way that it clears up when I catch a 'natural sun tan' abroad! In the remaining three days, I will focus on trying to remove the large scratch. But for now, I cannot believe how much my skin has improved in just two days! The image above shows evidence of my eczema on my chest today, and when you compare it to the images below of the past two days, you can see just how much using Dove Summer Glow is improving and providing benefits to the appearance of my skin! If you're interested in buying 'Dove Summer Glow', or finding out more information regarding products for dry, sensitive, or eczema-prone skin, please click here. 

Make-up for Dry and Sensitive Skin

I’m sharing my make-up tips for dry and sensitive skin. It’s tough for any one to know what make-up to use. It’s even worse when you have sensitive, dry and eczema prone skin. It’s took years to find the perfect make-up that doesn’t cause flare ups, but now I think I’ve eventually got the secret. I must also stress, that even if you don’t have dry or sensitive skin, and you are looking for make up products that won’t harm your skin, you will be able to benefit from these products too!

My day make-up consists of:

1. No7 ‘Stay Perfect’ Foundation. I apply this liquid foundation, priced at a very reasonable £14, using a Clinique ‘Foundation Brush’, costing £23.50, which is a little bit more expensive but definitely worth it. If you keep washing it, using shampoo and conditioner, it will last years! No7 have a foundation match finder. The sales assistant uses a gadget to take a picture of your skin, then the gadget automatically finds your perfect match foundation shade, to avoid any orange lines or streaks forming on your face! This foundation includes SPF 15 to protect your skin from sun damage, is hypoallergenic (therefore, a life saver for sensitive skin), and claims to last 24 hours.  I believe this stays on for approximately 15 hours, and then it starts to rub off a little. Nonetheless, this foundation is amazing. It has a soft and silky formula, providing medium coverage, which can be built to provide a full coverage. If you don’t like wearing a powder, you definitely don’t need to use it with this foundation. Before I usedMAC ‘Pro Longwear’ Foundation, however after three years of wearing it, and suffering from what I thought was chronic eyelid eczema, I soon realised I was allergic to MAC‘s foundation. I was gutted, as I love MAC products, however I have had no problems or flare-ups since using No7′s foundation! It’s given me so much more confidence, as I no longer have to suffer from extremely red eyelids constantly.
2. No7 ’Extreme Length Sensitive Eyes Mascara’. After months of not being able to wear mascara, due to believing I was allergic to it, I found this mascara designed for sensitive skin. The unique product has a gentle formula meaning it stays on when you want it to, but wipes off easily when you want it to come off. This saves you from scrubbing your eyelids and damaging your skin during the process of trying to get the excess product off. I like to have long, thick, luscious lashes, and I’m a little obsessed with mascaras and making sure my eyelashes are perfect, so take it from me that this mascara is definitely a good investment at reasonable price of £12.50.To apply, I take the comb-bush and apply it to the bottom of my eyelashes and use a slow motion wiggling action taking the wand from the bottom of my lashes to the top. I do not usually wear false eyelashes on a night out, as they’re so much hassle, but friends have commented that my lashes are longer and thicker than their false eyelashes after I have coated them in this mascara!
   
   
3. Clinique ‘Stay-matte Sheer Pressed Power’ in 101 invisible matte. This is a translucentshade, therefore is perfect for any skin tone. Also, because I use a No7 foundation I don’t need to worry about the colours pallets of different brands not matching. It comes in a range of different colours, for a variety of skin tones, which can be matched in store. All Clinique products are 100% fragrance free and allergy tested, which means they don’t add harmful unwanted chemicals into your skin. However if you have any problems, you can return their products. I love the aqua coloured marble packaging too, which is complete with a mirror and sponge, therefore perfect for on-the-go touch ups. I would recommend this to anyone, regardless of their skin type, as it keeps foundation fixed into place, reduces shine, and stays put for hours! It costs £23, but keep your eyes peeled for any ‘Clinique Bonus Time’ offers, as they usually offer a gorgeous makeup bag full of free products, so you get more for your money. I moved onto this powder firstly after using MAC ‘Mineralise Skinfinish Natural Powder’, which was amazing, but I’m cautious after my flare up from using MAC’s foundation. I then used No7 Perfect Light Pressed Powder, which didn’t last long, or stay put for long, or provide enough coverage for my personal preference.
4. MAC ’Brown Down’ Eyeshadow, £12.50. Although this is an eyeshadow, I use this product primarily as an eyebrow powder using an angled brush. I love the deep rich brown colour of this product, and the soft texture does not scratch sensitive skin, and therefore reduces dryness and inflammation. This product also is a gorgeous eyeshadow, which can be applied to achieve a thick or thin layer, depending on the look you want to go for! If you’re interested in using a MAC eyeshadow as an eyebrow powder pop into your local MAC store, where their sales assistants will give you help and advice on the best shade for you.
5. MAC ‘Powder Blush’ in ‘Mocha’, costing £18. I like to refer to this as my Kate Middleton blusher, as it is quite a pink blusher, but it adds a subtle healthy glow of colour to your cheeks, just like the style Kate Middleton opts for. I apply this using The Body Shop’s gentle and soft ’Blusher Brush’, costing£12, which has lasted years and is worth every penny. I then smile to reveal my cheek bones, and apply the colour following my cheek bones. I also own Clinique‘Blushing Blush Powder’ in ‘Bashful Plum’ which was free in a Clinique Bonus Time set, and is unfortunately no longer available. This is quite a bronzed hue and is quite shimmery, so it’s perfect for making the illusion of sun-kissed skin. I quite like having the option of two different coloured blushers as it can really transform the look of your skin!

I take my makeup off at the end of each day using No7 ‘Beautiful Skin: Eye Make-Up Remover’. If you would like to learn more about this product and my skin care routine please view my blog post Skin Care Routine for Dry Skin or if you would like to learn more about my bodily skin care routine please read The Best Moisturiser for Dry Skin.

As you can see, I like to keep things quite minimal for my day time look, so getting ready for a night out feels like a special occasion. I will post my ‘going out makeup bag’ for you later this week. If you are interested in buying any of the products above, then please click on the linksprovided.

As usual, I’d love to know if you can recommend any makeup products so please do not hesitate to contact me!

Leanne x

Can self-tanning moisturisers benefit skin?

Can self-tanning moisturisers provide skin benefits we find in sunlight?

My eczema disappears when I go on holiday abroad, therefore I wondered if the tanning process helps to erase eczema, and if a similar effect can be achieved when using a self-tanning moisturiser.

I know this may seem a silly question, as sunlight provides us with vitamin D, and you may be wondering why I've thought of comparing it to a self-tanner. However, when I went on holiday last year, my eczema completely disappeared once my skin started to tan, and I had skin I could only dream of in these winter months. I started to wonder if the 'bottle' tanning process would have a similar effect and calm my eczema, therefore I am going to do an experiment using 'Dove Summer Glow'. I aim to have sun-kissed skin, rather than it being red and inflamed. Therefore, my blog will follow my 5-day process of trying to control my eczema using the self-tanning moisturiser, 'Dove Summer Glow'. 

I chose to use this product, because I know that it is safe for my skin. But what I must point out is that everyone's skin is different, and what suits my skin may not suit yours, therefore please do a test patch if you buy this product. I am using the shade for 'fair to normal skin', because I have very pale skin, however my friends with olive skin also use this, so if you have olive skin it is also perfect for you. The price of this product is reasonable, at just over £5, however I am a self confessed bargain hunter, so I brought mine at Sainsbury's two weeks ago at the reduced price of £3.66. 

Results: Night 1:
I had a bath and exfoliated my skin using The Body Shop's 'Ultra Fine Bath Lily', which is £2. This is perfect for dry and sensitive skin, because the material is very gentle. It is important to exfoliate if you are prone to eczema, because it helps to remove dry skin, and it is essential to exfoliate when applying any self-tanner to provide a base for the tan to set on so it doesn't go streaky. When I got out of the bath, I ensured that my skin was dry, then applied 'Dove Summer Glow' in circular motions to provide even coverage. I let it dry a little before putting on my clothes to avoid the product transferring. I then went to bed, and couldn't wait to wake up and see the results.

Before:

After: 

As you can see from the images, Dove Summer Glow has undoubtedly improved my skin! Although some patches still remain, my skin is no longer red and inflamed, and it doesn't look as 'angry' or noticeable as it did before I used the product. I cannot believe the improvement of just one night, and I am looking forward to seeing the results with a continuous result! Therefore, I have concluded that there must be something within the tanning process that helps eczema sufferers!

I will continue to use this product and provide daily updates on the progress of my skin. 

As always, if you would like to share a similar experience then I'd love to hear your story, so please contact me!

If you would like to buy any of the products I have mentioned please click on the links below:

• The Body Shop: 'Ultra Fine Bath Lily': www.thebodyshop.co.uk/bath-body-care/accessories/ultra-fine-bath-lily-aqua.aspx
• 'Dove Summer Glow: Normal to Dark skin': www.sainsburys.co.uk/groceries/index.jsp?bmUID=1391690884586
• Dove Summer Glow: Fair to Normal skin': www.sainsburys.co.uk/groceries/index.jsp?bmUID=1391690936420

Leanne x

Skin Care Routine for Dry Skin

It is crucial that all skin types have a good skincare routine. Every morning, I wash my face with warm water and apply No7 ‘Beautiful Skin Day Cream’ for Dry/Very Dry, costing £12.50. I would recommend this moisturiser to anyone! It brings back the bounce and flexibility that dry skin loses, and makes skin feel like it’s been reborn. It comes in two different versions: a day cream and a night cream. The day cream is lighter (but still very moisturising), whereas the night cream is thick, therefore it is suitable for applying just before you go to bed, so the cream has hours to settle and sink into your skin. I only wanted to buy one cream, therefore I asked for some guidance from the No7 sales advisor. She recommended that I brought the Day Cream, because the Night Cream is too thick for a regular usage. 



My hairdresser, who is also a trained beautician, recommended using the brand No7, because all of their products are hypoallergenic. Hypoallergenic products are crucial for dry and sensitive skin, because they are not comprised harsh chemicals in comparison to other make-up products, and they are tested on delicate skin before they are released into the market. Step one for any eczema sufferer is undoubtedly to stock up your bathroom and makeup bag with hypoallergenic products, you won’t believe the difference they make!

At the end of the day, I take off my makeup (I’ll be letting you have a peak into my make-up bag in my next blog post) using No7 ‘Beautiful Skin Eye Make-Up Remover costing £8.50, which also removes waterproof mascara. I currently use this all over my face, instead of just an eye make-up remover, because solutions marketed for ‘eyes’ tend to be gentler on the skin as eyelids are very fragile parts of our skin. As this is a No7 product, it is ophthalmologist tested, and safe for sensitive skin. 

How to use:
It is important to shake the bottle well, due to the oily formula. A lot goes a long way, so use a small bit of cotton wool and massage over closed eyes.

After this, I reapply No7 ‘Beautiful Skin Day Cream’ for Dry/Very Dry skin.  

An excellent point about No7, is they regularly give out vouchers for skincare and make-up, put on offers such as three for two, and sometimes offer free gifts. This means they do not only help us have healthy and moisturised skin, but they also help us save those much needed pounds and pennies! If you do not know what products would be best for you, then specialist No7 sales assistants are always on-hand to help, and I have never received bad advice yet!

How to buy:If you would like to buy either of the products mentioned, you can click on the links below:

• No7 ‘Beautiful Skin Day Cream’ for Dry/Very Dry:http://www.boots.com/en/No7-Beautiful-Skin-Day-Cream-for-Normal-Dry-Skin-50ml_1245032/
•  No7 ‘Beautiful Skin Eye Make-Up Remover: http://www.boots.com/en/No7-Beautiful-Skin-Eye-Make-Up-Remover_1245018/

If you have any tips, or would like to share your skincare routine please contact me, as I would love to know!

Leanne x

About me

I have created an eczema blog to help raise awareness of products and solutions that are suitable, or in some cases unsuitable, for people like myself who suffer from eczema. My main blog is http://erasingeczema.wordpress.com/, however I wanted to raise awareness of how to control eczema for as many people as possible, so I thought I'd expand by using Blogger too! 

My eczema began when I started studying for my A-levels. Four years later, I am still trying to fight the urge to itch my red and dry skin. I have also developed allergies, such as hayfever, cat and pet hair, jewellery and certain makeup and skincare brands. I had never had these when I was a child, however eczema and these allergies run in my family. Through my experiences, I have concluded that the three main factors influencing eczema are:

• Allergies
• Stress
• Genetics

Unlike some chronic eczema sufferers, my eczema appears in patches in certain areas. My eyelids, crease of my arm, neck, and hands are areas that are particularly affected. However, there have been other times where my eczema has ‘moved’ to other parts of my body. I was inspired by the ‘eczema blogging community’ such as http://i-have-eczema.blogspot.co.uk/, and I wanted to share my own experiences as a way to help other people control and maintain their eczema.

As a writer and avid reader, I would love to hear other people’s experiences and routines with eczema, so please do not hesitate to share your story with me, and as a community we can help raise awareness of how to manage this skin condition.

I will regularly post my trials and reviews of makeup products, allergy relief medicine, jewellery, and skin care solutions, so we can all be one step closer to achieving smooth silky skin!

Leanne x