Knowledgeable Black Entrepreneurs Share Eczema-Friendly Clothing, Creams, Cosmetics, and More

Auritha Smith is a complete go-getter. This Los Angeles-based dynamo has a teaching certificate in biology and a master’s degree in education, and she is also a published author who has written books on healthy eating. She is also a certified holistic lifestyle and wellness coach with expertise in e-commerce. During her pandemic, she co-founded her Sip Herbals, which makes gluten-free, acid-free, and caffeine-free coffee alternatives that quickly became a best-seller.

All of this is impressive under any circumstances, but consider this: “I was born covered in eczema from head to toe and have battled it for the past 45 years,” she says. “In fact, when she was a child, her skin got an infection, so she spent a whole month at the Mayo Clinic,” she says today. She said, “She can speak as a black woman who has almost recovered from her eczema. [with the exception of] One spot on my leg. ”

How does she manage her eczema? Let her go shopping with Smith. Smith’s advice may help her take control of her skin condition.

When Smith buys clothes, she always checks the label for fiber content. “I wear cotton material 99% of the time,” she says. “I’m also very careful to make sure the clothing I buy doesn’t have too much latex in it, as latex tends to irritate the skin. If you wear synthetics, make sure there’s less contact. Wear cotton underwear (such as bike shorts or tank tops) to [between] Synthetic leather and my skin. We also make sure that the fabric we wear is breathable. ”

“I only wash my clothes with unscented detergent, and I always add baking soda to my laundry,” says Smith. “This is to ensure that your clothing is free of all allergens and irritants that result from daily outdoor activities.”

She uses oil to lightly cleanse her face every day, which in her case isn’t irritating, but Smith knows this isn’t the case for everyone. “She uses Cetaphil products when she feels she needs a deeper clean without stripping her skin,” she says.

Smith likes to choose and mix and match a variety of natural products, but also some commercial brands. “I use a mixture of shea butter and castor oil after my shower,” she says. “I like to use Aquaphor on rough areas. I also use Cerave and keep that brand’s hand cream in my bag.”

This is a difficult question. Smith has yet to find the makeup that perfectly suits her skin. Still, she has found her brands through trial and error and wears them little by little. “Neutrogena products don’t seem to cause irritation, as long as you clean them as soon as you get home,” she says.

“It doesn’t pill and doesn’t dry out your skin,” says Smith. “It also tends to keep me cool, which helps prevent itching from overheating.”

In addition to purchasing the right products, Smith relies on calming techniques to soothe her eczema. “Stress-specific meditation has really helped me manage my irritability,” she says. “When you have an itchy itch, you know you’re mentally stressed or irritated. When you calm your mind, your skin calms as well. It didn’t happen overnight, but meditation helped me It was very helpful for me.”

Another top priority for her is a good night’s sleep. With that in mind, Smith decided to ditch traditional coffee. “At first it was Really It’s tough,” she says. “I tried cold turkey, then it gave me a headache and I went back to coffee. I tried tea, but it didn’t help. I tried coffee substitutes, but it gave me a headache. That inspired her to create her own coffee substitute. “Within a week of slowly introducing her to the alternative, she was finally able to sleep well and with peace of mind,” she says.

Take a close look at your diet to see which foods and drinks keep you going. Are you addicted to caffeine? Does eating heavy foods at night cause discomfort or gas in your stomach? If so, reduce them and then cut them out. You may be able to sleep better. And the deeper you sleep, the less likely you are to be distracted by the itch.

When it comes to shopping, Smith is happy to share her finds, but she knows that eczema is very individual. “Know that each of us is a unique snowflake, and what works for one person may not work for you,” she says. “Keep looking for unique solutions.”