My Eczema Treatment ( Part 3 ): Pure Aloe Vera Sap

Image from bestsuperfoodlist.com

Many years back, I have heard of what aloe vera can do. I remembered back in the 80's, there was this hype going around with my uncles and parents. They were drinking some liquid 'thing-y' from a fairly large brown bottle that look like this:

I am sure many out there ( from my generation ) would recognise this fella. Yes, my family were quite obsessed with it for a few years, but eventually died down when it has proven too expensive to continue. I, too, eventually forgot about this until recently.

As many would have read from my previous post, I was introduced back to this miracle plant by my TCM ( Traditional Chinese Medicine ) practitioner. Well, she didn't ask me to drink it, but apply the sap topically on my affected area for 2-3 times a day. Little did I know, her advice has been the best discovery of the year!! And that is why, I'm saving this topic for last of my eczema treatment series.

My Eczema Treatment ( Part 2 ): Traditional Chinese Medicine ( TCM )

Picture taken from slinter.com

Suffering from eczema is no fun at all. It comes on and off and it is hard to determine the main source of the problem. Often, we see the culprit mainly from external sources like dust, animal fur, food, pollens or ingredients from skincare products. Very rarely, we pin point the problems to internal reasons. And this is where we need to seek the help from a Traditional Chinese Medicine ( TCM ) practitioner to see what is happening to our body internally. 

After a long battle with my eczema and I've decided to turn to TCM after Western medicine failed on me. I had been popping prescribed medicine by my doctor for months and I personally felt that it only helps to control the eczema, not curing it. I figured that this is not very good for my body in a long term basis. 

My Eczema Treatment ( Part 1 ): Symptoms and Basic Care

Yup...that's my lips!

If you are a avid reader of my blog, you may know that I was suffering from eczema around my lips area ( some may call it perioral dermatitis ) To those who may not know the full story, do read it HERE. In this post, I am going to sum up the symptoms and basic care ( based on my personal experience ), before moving on to my next post which deals with treatments.

Review: Lip Pure Lip Balm

Lip Pure Lip Balm 4g MYR 11.90

Ever since my eczema case, I would say that I am an avid user of lip balms. Not the ordinary 'petroleum' filled kinda lip balms, but those which are made from natural ingredients. Due to my sensitive condition, I am very careful in finding one that does not further aggravate the sensitivity. I must say that finding one in Malaysia, which only contain 100% natural ones, are hard to find.

Before I chance upon this lip balm, there are many varieties of lip balms, easily available at drugstores. Some are tinted, while some claimed to be completely natural and pure. Unfortunately, the ingredients listed contains loads of synthetic ingredients and the most used ingredient, petroleum or mineral oil.

When I found this one, I was glad that it contained mostly of natural ingredients.

Review: Clinelle Eye & Lip Makeup Remover

Clinelle Eye & Lip Makeup Remover 80ml MYR 33.90

I have been wearing makeup lately, especially in the weekends..and LOVING IT as well. Though it's all fun and lovely, I never forget the importance of removing them thoroughly at the end of the day. I always rely on my trusty L'occitane Fresh Face Water to do the job well.

For the eyes, I always fall back on my Lancome Bi-Facil Eye Makeup Remover. Though it is not of organic ingredients, it does the job effectively. It was running low and I decided to venture out to try other natural based and cheaper alternatives. And I found Clinelle. I have used some of the products from this brand in the past and it's not bad...and some not too great either. Well, let's see if this does the job...

( Part 2 ) Treating My Dry & Chapped Lips: Shea Butter

L'Occitane Pure Shea Butter 8ml MYR 60

( Comes in two )

Continuing from my previous post, you may have read that my lips were somewhat, in a bad state. It was peeling and bleeding, and I was feeling a bit uncomfortable especially if I were to drink hot soupy things..and what more, if I were to eat spicy foods and citrus fruits, it will really sting my sensitive lips!

Though my doctor could not diagnose what is causing this, I have a very strong feeling that it is the Hada Labo Super Hyaluronic Acid Moisturising Lotion, which I have been consistently using it every morning since November. I did remember that when I do the lotion mask with this, in a weeks time, I would develop some mild irritation on my upper lips. So the culprit could be this fella.

Anyway, because I was so desperate to soothe my lips area, I went and bought two lip balms. The first was the Eucerin Lip Active and the second one, pure Shea Butter from L'Occitane. The main reason I went for this Shea Butter from L'Occitane because I wanted something which is pure and moisturising for my sensitive lips area. 

Product Description

Travel-size tin of 100% Shea Butter hydrates and protects lips, face, cuticles and hands. This powerful moisturiser is retrieved from the fruit of African Shea trees, and celebrated world-wide for encouraging cellular renewal and repairing the hydrolipidic film, thereby softening, soothing and comforting skin. Non-irritating; suitable for men, women and children.

Ingredients: 100% Butyrospermum Parkii ( Shea Butter )

( Part 1 ) Treating My Dry & Chapped Lips: Eucerin Lip Active

Back in December, my lips were in pretty bad condition. It first started with some little tiny dots on my upper lips and later in a few weeks, my entire lip area went dry, red and the skin surrounding it began to peel off...and it bled!

Off I went to see the doctor but he could not determine what could have caused it because rashes or allergy is pretty tricky. At that time, I conditioned it with my 'almost finished ' Moogoo lipbalm and surprisingly, this time, it did nothing at all. So, new opportunity arises to go hunting for another safe and reliable lip balm. This time, I bought 2! The first one that I bought is this....

Eucerin Sensitive Skin Lip Active 4.8g MYR 13.40

I chose Eucerin over the rest because I personally find this brand to be pretty reliable. I am currently using  their Dermatoclean Cleansing Milk and loving it a lot. This brand score big in my books because it is especially catered to those who have sensitive skin.

Review: Moogoo Lip Balm ( Edible )

Moogoo Lip Balm ( Edible ) 5g RM14.90

How many of us have come across lip balms that are edible? Any hands up? Well, for me, it's the first! In my lifetime, I don't own a lot of lipbalms. My first was the classic Vasaline, then comes the much raved Kiehl's Lip Balm #1 and this is my third one. I am pretty lazy when it comes to applying lip balms because mainly, I dislike the 'petroleum' wax that coats my lips after use and secondly, I would always have the tendency to forget that I actually own one lip balm! So lip balms are not the 'must have' item on my list. The reason I bought this was that I have been having some rashes on my lips and I have no idea what was the cause until now. Easy way out...blame it on hormonal changes???? Anyway, find out more if this lippy helped in my rashes.