Using Natural Skincare to combat Allergies & Eczema

Author: K. McCafferty

Using Natural Baby Skin Care to combat Eczema and Allergies By

Karen McCafferty All my life I have been a girl of self

indulgence. I just loved baths, creams and body sprays, with one

major problem, I was severely allergic to those chemical laden

products, and was left using so called pure soaps that still

left me with dry skin that was often accompanied by a rash. With

a chemistry and nursing background, I soon learned enough about

skin conditions and the chemical makeup of some of those product

out on the market. I knew that I could enjoy my baths & creams

once again by making it all myself. I started off just making

some simple soaps and mineral baths. The difference in my skin,

especially on my face was incredible. Next I began working on

cream recipes that would combat the excess oil problem I have.

With my own little creations done, I was thrilled to indulge

once again. Because I know that I am not the only woman in the

world that loves to pamper herself, my little creations made

excellent birthday and other holiday gifts. Soon these gifts

turned into gifts for friends of friends. People kept telling me

that I should be in business, as my products were great. Sure I

thought, I was already working a `real job' and knew I simply

did not have time to start my own business. Eventually, while on

maternity leave from work, Spring Rain Botanicals (

www.springrainbotanicals.com ) was officially born. Pregnant

with my first child I was both excited and scared as most of us

are with the first baby on the way. With my nursing background I

know the implications of having chemicals cross the blood

barrier via the placenta. Pregnant for the first time, I was

amazed to learn what suddenly can become a toxin to your unborn

child. Most of us know of the obvious, like cigarette smoke.

Have you ever thought of the effects, whether short or long

term, of the chemicals in your skincare products? Probably

because I have always had to be so careful in what I choose to

apply to my body, I have thought about those chemicals. Since I

was already making my own skin care I knew that I could also

make things I needed for my pregnancy and childbirth. I created

rich belly butter to combat stretch marks and leg cramp cream to

combat my sciatica problems. Breastfeeding my child was

important to me, and listening to other moms I know of the

impending problems I could have. So needless to say a Nipple

ointment that would protect AND heal would be essential to my

life. When my first child came along, I knew there was a good

chance that he too would have my remarkable DNA for being

allergic to everything. I had also made the decision to use

cloth diapers on my children and needed a product that would

wash off the cloth well, if you have tried any zinc creams you

will know they do not wash off without allot of effort. I

started off making a diaper area and all over body cream. I

researched constantly to come up with the most beneficial

ingredient that would make this cream actually be effective.

Shea Butter would definitely be the answer. Rich in vitamins A

and E, as well as essential fatty acids, Shea butter would not

only heal skin but protect it as well. Now there is no reason to

be so concerned about protecting baby's delicate skin if you are

going to turn around and use those commercial wipes made with

drying alcohol on your little angel. So here too I developed an

all natural baby wash made with a pure herbal derivative of

lavender. Not once did my son ever have a diaper rash or heat

rash. His skin always looked fresh, clear, and he always smelled

nice, best of all it was done naturally. Living in a world of

chemical laden products, excessive pollution and the overuse of

pesticides, I was determined not only to help keep my children's

allergies suppressed but to also give them as pure of a start to

life as possible. Realistically, the majority of the allergies

that we have are to the chemicals and pollution that we live

with on a daily basis. Because his hair was so thick, and he was

born with lots of it, cradle cap was also an issue we had to

deal with. Professionals kept recommending baby oil to remove

the buildup of skin. Baby Oil is a mineral oil. Essentially a

petroleum by-product. Yuck. So again with a little research I

read about the benefits of Grapeseed oil. This oil is rich in

vitamins E, C, beta carotene, as well as omega fatty acids.

Great for all skin types, and famous for cell regeneration and

moisturizing. Not only was this oil loosening the dry skin

scales, but when I applied it to his hair it absorbed right into

his skin. I didn't have `greasy head' concern with this amazing

oil. It's quick absorption also told me it was going to work

where it was needed. When breastfeeding, I realized it is common

for dad's to feel a little left out of their new baby's life.

This is something I would never of thought of before I had

children. Using a few drops of Lavender Essential oil to help

calm and soothe in the Grapeseed oil , we massaged our son

nightly and it amazing how peacefully he went to sleep. Not once

did one of our children fuss at bedtime or cry themselves to

sleep. Bedtime was an enjoyable as well as relaxing time of day,

not all parents can say this. Daddy was happy too as he finally

felt a part of our baby's life, as he was the one mainly

performing the massages after I nursed. Massage not only leaves

your baby soft , but massage also stimulates your baby's brain.

Stimulation of the brain encourages growth & mental development.

Children who have had this kind of contact at a young age also

grow into more self confident and content individuals. At school

age, both of our children still enjoy having their backs rubbed

at night to get to sleep, and still to this day bedtime is

enjoyable. I believe that because we put massaging them from

birth as an important aspect in their life, today they are

affectionate, happy and secure children. Of course we know that

other factors have contributed, but I totally believe in infant

massage, especially as they still enjoy it at school age.

Shortly after my second son was born it became evident that he

had a hereditary skin condition called Eczema. Because my mother

in law was already using my Baby Body Butter to combat her

Eczema, I knew exactly what would work. We have been able to

totally suppress his Eczema since birth. I have also been

selling my products to consumers in Japan ( www.yackattack.com

). They have a serious problem of atopic eczema ( atopy ) with

their children, and I am proud to say my products have been very

effective in their country. Since they love to play outdoors, I

wanted to ensure that my children were protected. Due to the

controversy of the appropriate level of deet to use on children,

not to mention it is a pesticide, I wanted my children to be

protected naturally. I knew this could be done with pure

essential oils, as historically groups like our native Indians

have been using plant extracts for centuries. Bye Bye Buggy is

an effective way to keep you and your family `bite free'. We

have been using it faithfully for over five years now and now so

do many families. We debuted a new product this year called Bye

Bye SUN. This is a natural mineral based titanium dioxide

sunscreen. Unlike commercial sunscreens that protect you from

UVA & UVB rays with chemicals that sink into your skin, our

sunscreen provides a physical sunblock by applying an invisible

`film' to you skin. The microfine titanium dioxide actually

reflects the suns rays, UVA and UVB, away from your skin. It

does need to be reapplied every 2-3 hours, and more so after

swimming or excessive perspiration. Applied properly, it is an

effective sunscreen. Like any sunscreen, it is meant to be used

in conjunction with minimized exposure and proper clothing such

as hats, long sleeve shirts, etc. Best of all it can be safely

used on children over 4 weeks of age. We recommend that our

sunscreen have a SPF of 15- 18, based on the directions from the

manufacturer of the titanium dioxide. The Shea butter we use in

the cream also contributes to the SPF as it has a natural SPF

value of between 6- 8. Because we use natural ingredients to

maintain our SPF, we cannot put and exact SPF level on our

product by Health Canada Standards. We use this product most

importantly on ourselves and our children, you can trust it on

yours. Bye Bye SUN is created using the same Shea Butter cream

base as our Baby Body Butter, so it is safe & healing for skin

conditions such as Eczema & Psoriasis. Although Spring Rain

Botanicals ( www.springrainbotanicals.com ) started out as a

safe way to pamper myself, the heart of the company centers

around the Baby and Pregnancy products which are truly my

passion. Since they were created for my own pregnancy and

babies, you can trust Spring Rain Botanicals line of amazing

products. Enjoy ! For further Information you can contact Karen

McCafferty, owner of Spring Rain Botanicals.

Km@springrainsoaps.com www.springrainbotanicals.com PO Box 257

Fonthill, Ontario CANADA L0S 1E0 905 892 2944

About the author:

Sef made business woman uses personal experience to help others

with their allergies & skin conditions

Buying Pregnancy stuff on the web

US:

At Motherwear you'll find a complete selection of nursing clothes, nursing bras, pumps, and accessories - everything for a nursing mom!

Aaron's Baby Baskets - gifts for babies and new parents.

UK:

Great Savings at Mothercare.com - for UK shoppers.

Using Natural Skincare to combat Allergies & Eczema

Article : Using Natural Skincare to combat Allergies & Eczema