I spent years wondering why the supposedly-awesome coconut oil for skin wasn’t cutting it for the dry skin on my face. It was SO frustrating! This discovery totally rocked my world, and I’m still using it daily, 5+ years later.
Huge thanks to Wilder Supply Co. who asked me to try some of their skin care products and originally sponsored this post. (All sponsored partnerships on this site are 100% my own thoughts, and I only publish work for products/companies I’ve personally tried and love.)
Written by: Beth Ricci
Every winter without fail, I get terribly dry skin on my face. The day after the we turn on the furnace for the first time in the fall, it starts. My face – especially in my T-zone – gets itchy, dry, and flaky. After my shower, it feels tight and awful, like that feeling you get when wearing a face mask that has dried and is ready to wash off. I do not appreciate this facet of my undeniably otherwise-flawless beauty. 😉 Not cool, face, not cool at all.
So what’s a natural living, crunchy mama to do?
[Enter, stage left, hero character]
Does Coconut Oil for Skin Actually Work?
Coconut oil is the darling of the natural living crunchy community. Every real food blogger worth their (unrefined sea) salt will tell you that there are literally hundreds of ways to use the stuff, from making delicious baked goods, homemade toothpaste, or eye makeup remover, to lubricating your you-know-what and using it as a massage oil in the bedroom.
Ever seen My Big Fat Greek Wedding? Remember how Windex is the cure-all? Same idea, less hilarious and more natural.
It’s commonly claimed that using coconut oil for skin is the Awesomest! Moisturizer! Ever! too. For years I kept some in a little sealed container in my bathroom, carried it in my purse, and even packed it for trips, just so I could swipe a little out with my finger to help moisturize my dry skin. It worked… sorta, but not great. I also tried jojoba oil for a while (holy expensive, batman). It was better, but still not awesome.
The Ideal Moisturizer for Your Skin, According to Research
According to this recent study on moisturizing products for dry skin, the ideal moisturizer will have the following attributes:
Reduce and prevent further TEWL (trans-epidermal water loss)
Restore lipid barrier, i.e., duplicating and enhancing the skin’s moisturizing retention mechanisms
Hypoallergenic, non-sensitizing, fragrance free, non-comedogenic
Absorbed immediately, providing immediate hydration
Cosmetically acceptable
Affordable.
How I First Learned About Coconut Oil Alternatives
My life was forever changed when an email landed in my inbox from Hannah at Wilder Supply Co. (Update September 2016: Wilder was formerly called Taproot Farms. Same great company, different name.)
(Seriously though – if any face moisturizer could be called life-changing, it’s this one.)
Wilder Supply Co. is a family-owned business located on an off-grid homestead in Chickaloon, Alaska. They offer a variety of products including lip balm, face/body oils, shea butter, perfume, and goat milk soap (made from fresh goat milk from the family homestead).
[annnd… now cue the dramatic music]
She wanted me to review some skin care products from their shop. I was all like, OK, sure, sounds fun. I was tired of using coconut oil for skin and being disappointed. Little did I know that my face moisturizing routine as I knew it was about to be forever changed.
I tried a few different products: a peach lip balm which works beautifully, and a sandalwood goat milk handcrafted soap – smells incredible, feels totally luxurious in the shower. I LOVE the silky smooth feel of it.
Then… I tried the Moroccan Argan Oil.
Backstory: when Hannah asked me what I’d like to try from their shop, I mentioned that the argan oil looked interesting (I had never heard of it before) because I had suffered from dry, itchy skin on my face for so long, and my current coconut oil for skin routine was not really cutting it.
This was followed by a discussion of the various oils and some brilliant explanations from her which pretty much explained everything as to why the other oils hadn’t worked for me. Here’s what I learned from her, and from my own rabbit hole of research that blew my mind:
What Does the Scientific Research Show About Argan Oil and Coconut Oil?
Well, first of all – the body of research on plant oils for therapeutic skin purposes is fairly small. Unfortunately, the laws in the United States on what skincare and cosmetic companies are allowed to include in their products are extremely loose. The U.S. only bans 11 ingredients, which is in stark contrast to the 1,328 chemicals banned by law in the European Union (28 countries). Canada’s laws are similarly strict to the E.U. with hundreds of ingredients banned.
According to the Campaign for Safe Cosmetics, the E.U. also requires safety assessments on all products prior to being sold, whereas the U.S. does not. They point out that “the hazard-based, precautionary approach of the E.U. acknowledges that chemicals linked to cancer and birth defects simply don’t belong in cosmetics – regardless of the concentration of the chemical being used.”
What does this all mean? It means that the biggest cosmetic brands (the ones who could afford to fund studies) have little need to do so, and wouldn’t want to anyway, because the results on their products wouldn’t be good.
Here’s What we DO Know, Based on What’s Available:
- According to this 2013 study on jojoba in dermatology, jojoba oil isn’t actually an oil. It’s a wax ester that is very similar to the skin’s natural sebum. So, while it feels really nice on the skin (and worked better than coconut oil for me), it can’t soak in to the layers of the epidermis and moisturize as effectively as an oil like argan.
- Coconut oil for skin is a very light moisturizer that sinks in quickly, which appeals to a lot of people because it doesn’t leave a greasy feeling on the skin. It works well for some, but not those with very dry skin. This 2019 study found that coconut oil was effective as an emollient (softening skin) but that it was not found to leave an effective barrier to seal in moisture (aka “occlusive” – for the “most occlusive” example, think of petroleum jelly leaving a thick layer on skin). Dry skin needs something more occlusive than coconut oil, but less so than petroleum jelly (not a product I recommend, for the record).
- According to Table 1 in this study, coconut oil is not considered an effective occlusive (protective barrier), emollient (softens rough skin), or humectant (draws moisture). That same study points out that it does have excellent anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties, so if you don’t have very dry skin or acne-prone skin (see comedogenic note below), it may be a great choice for you. (It’s also worth noting that other studies do refer to occlusive and emollient effects of coconut oil, and I’m sure there’s truth to that, however other plant-based oils seem to be referenced as more effective in this regard.)
- According to this comedogenic chart, argan oil is non-comedogenic with a rating of 0, so it won’t clog your pores.
- Conversely, coconut oil is listed with a rating of 4 (which means it can easily clog pores). That doesn’t bother many people, but if you have a tendency to get clogged pores (blackheads, acne breakouts, etc), coconut oil may exacerbate that problem.
- It is worth noting that the concept of comedogenicity requires more research before we can draw too many conclusions. Still – anecdotally, many people report that coconut oil just doesn’t leave their skin feeling hydrated (like me), or it leads to acne breakouts (hence the comedogenicity discussion).
- To sum up my own experience – while jojoba oil provided a protective layer without sinking in well, and coconut oil sinks in but doesn’t leave much of a protective layer, argan oil does both (see research below), making it more effective overall.
- In this 2014 study involving 60 women, the researchers concluded that argan oil improved skin hydration by restoring barrier function (keeping irritants, microbes, and allergens out) AND maintaining the water-holding capability (keeping moisture in).
- A follow-up study in 2015 by the some of the same researchers concluded that argan oil has an effective anti-aging effect by significantly improving skin elasticity.
So while coconut oil might work well for people who have skin in the middle of the spectrum (generally non-problematic skin), it doesn’t usually work great for those of us who tend to have dry or oily skin issues.
My Personal Experience with Argan Oil
As soon as I got the package in the mail, I started using the argan oil every morning, especially after a shower (I don’t shower every day – it helps to avoid drying the skin too much)
I dab a few drops on my driest areas (right between my eyebrows, forehead, around the base of my nose) and massage it in. It literally only takes a few drops, and my skin drinks it up thirstily.
It is especially effective if I give my face a quick, gentle exfoliation first. In the shower, I just gently scrub my face with a washcloth and it works great. I don’t feel a need to buy special products, or to be particularly harsh with scrubbing. It’s also most effective when applied to damp skin because your pores are more open.
Since using the argan oil, I have noticed an absolute 100% improvement in the way the skin on my face feels on a daily basis. That tight, dry feeling is gone!
As far as I can tell, the results are long-lasting too, because on the days I don’t shower, I sometimes don’t even use the oil because my skin is still happily moisturized from the day before.
It’s incredibly effective (this is about as close to defining something as a miracle product as I’ve ever gotten) and it’s frugal too, considering how little of it you need at a time. At the risk of overstating my case, to be honest, I am utterly blown away and thrilled with this product. Truly.
Now, not only does it work well and not cost me an arm and a leg (side note: yes, the price seems high at first glance compared to drugstore junk, but my first bottle lasted me almost four years!!), but consider these amazing factors as well:
Interesting Facts About the Origins and Production of Argan Oil:
- Argan oil is one of the rarest, most highly-valued oils in the world (source). It is a plant-based oil that comes from the Argan tree, which is exclusive to Morocco. It is called the “tree of life” there, and it has been used by locals for centuries.
- Every part of the plant is utilized: “Getting oil from the fruit of the argan tree involves drying it, extracting the nuts, cracking them to reveal the kernels, and pressing them to release the oil. The byproduct of pressing is a thick argan paste, which is sold locally for cosmetic products. Nothing else is wasted, as the outer pulp provides food for village animals, while the shells are burned for fuel.” (source)
- The process of extraction and selling this oil is done in a sustainable fashion. Almost all Argan oil is distributed by local co-operatives of women in Morocco (source). To this day, the most efficient method of extraction is hand-pressing the kernels, which provides valuable jobs to women in the country.
What are the Health Benefits of Argan Oil?
- Argan oil has incredible health benefits. According to this study, it’s rich in fatty acids and Vitamin E, which are both traits held in high regard in the beauty industry. The industry often adds synthetic versions of these things to products to be able to market them as anti-aging and healing, but of course, the natural (non-synthetic) version is far superior.
- According to the same study, “daily topical application of argan oil has also been shown to improve skin elasticity and skin hydration by restoring the barrier function and maintaining the water-holding capacity. Additionally, topical applications onto skin provide a softening and relaxing effect on the skin.”
- This study discusses multiple amazing health benefits of argan oil beyond skin moisturizing, including UV protection, and even cancer prevention (yes, really!)
The Bottom Line?
I first wrote this post in 2013, and it has been viewed nearly four million times since. There has been some pushback to criticism of our beloved coconut oil (of which I’m still a huge fan – I use it all the time for cooking, and a few other things!) but overall, I have heard from a ton of others who were relieved to know that they weren’t the only ones struggling with coconut oil for skin as a moisturizer!
I still use and love my argan oil to this day – I get mine from the same company: Wilder Supply Co. (<– get a special R&H discount through that link). I trust their quality.
They’re a small family business that prides itself on offering natural, affordable products of exceptional quality. They also value sustainability and top-notch service, which pretty well makes them my ideal company.
Related:
What do you use to moisturize your skin? Have you tried argan oil?
Sources:
- Sethi, A., Kaur, T., Malhotra, S. K., & Gambhir, M. L. (2016). Moisturizers: The Slippery Road. Indian journal of dermatology, 61(3), 279–287. doi:10.4103/0019-5154.182427
- Pazyar N, Yaghoobi R, Ghassemi M.R, Kazerouni A, Rafeie E, Jamshydian N. (2013). “Jojoba in Dermatology: A Succinct Review”. G Ital Dermatol Venereol , 9(1): 5–14. doi: 10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.06.012
- Varma, S. R., Sivaprakasam, T. O., Arumugam, I., Dilip, N., Raghuraman, M., Pavan, K. B., Paramesh, R. (2018). In vitro anti-inflammatory and skin protective properties of Virgin coconut oil. Journal of traditional and complementary medicine, 9(1), 5–14. doi:10.1016/j.jtcme.2017.06.012
- Chularojanamontri, L., Tuchinda, P., Kulthanan, K., & Pongparit, K. (2014). Moisturizers for Acne: What are their Constituents?. The Journal of clinical and aesthetic dermatology, 7(5), 36–44.
- Draelos Z.D, DiNardo J.C. (2006). A Re-Evaluation of the Comedogenicity Concept. Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology 54(3):507-12. doi: 10.1016/j.jaad.2005.11.1058
- Boucetta, K.Q, Charrouf, Z, Derouiche, A, Rahali, Y, and Bensouda, Y. (2014). Skin Hydration in Postmenopausal Women: Argan Oil Benefit with Oral and/or Topical Use. Menopause Review 13(5): 280–288. doi: 10.5114/pm.2014.46470
- Boucetta, K.Q, Charrouf, Z, Aguenaou, H, Derouiche, A, and Bensouda Y. (2015). The Effect of Dietary and/or Cosmetic Argan Oil on Postmenopausal Skin Elasticity. Clinical Interventions in Aging 10:339-49. doi: 10.2147/CIA.S71684
- Lin, T. K., Zhong, L., & Santiago, J. L. (2017). Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils. International journal of molecular sciences, 19(1), 70. doi:10.3390/ijms19010070
- Villareal, M. O., Kume, S., Bourhim, T., Bakhtaoui, F. Z., Kashiwagi, K., Han, J., … Isoda, H. (2013). Activation of MITF by Argan Oil Leads to the Inhibition of the Tyrosinase and Dopachrome Tautomerase Expressions in B16 Murine Melanoma Cells. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM, 2013, 340107. doi:10.1155/2013/340107
Teresa
I think I need to try this.
Beth
True argan oil smells very woody. I have 1 gal of it. Now morrocan oil they put perfumed scent in it and it smells pretty. I’m not too sure I’d use true aran oil on my face or hair. I find it to be more greasy than coconut oil plus the smell is offensive. I spent over $230 on the gal that was awhile ago the shelf life is long. But I now use it for cooking. I intended to use it for my face and hair.
Lucy
Scented ? My Jisie Maran from QVC has no describable scent . A GALLON?????!? Good grief that should last 7 generations !
Courtney
So glad you wrote this! I was just about to start using this on my baby, but now I think I’ll try some of the other natural and possibly more effective alternatives. Thanks!
Jenni
I have never used coconut oil for my skin because I think I am slightly allergic to coconut.
Alli Horst
Interesting. Thanks!
Odysseia
Many women make the mistake of not knowing what their skin really needs..Is the skin dry or dehydrated?? If the skin is dry it needs a combination of oil and water. If it is dehydrated, it’s water it mostly needs instead of oil as it tends to ‘choke’ the skin with something it does not need making it unable to breathe! Most women are very dehydrated therefore water should be the main ingredient in their body lotions and face creams. One of the best moisturizers would be a combination of aloe vera and olive oil, aloe vera and coconut oil or aloe vera and apricot kernel oil or just plain aloe vera for some types of skin. Add seaweed and you’ve got yourself an super anti-aging skin!
Caroline
Very true about the skin being dehydrated as opposed to being dry as is the case with my skin. I have fair, sensitive and highly reactive skin on my face (if you touch it too much it gets red) . I used different oils – oil cleansing method (jojoba, coconut, castor oil) on my skin and at first everything was fine. Then, after about two months my face looked heavy, very dry and really clogged. Needless to say, my esthetician told me that my skin needs water not oil! My pores were so clogged it was crazy. I stopped using all oils (used GM Collin products), to normalize my skin. It got back to normal, but now I’m using jojoba oil, honey and apple cider vinegar (The Love Vitamin) in equal parts to wash my face at night to remove light makeup. Appears to be working, keeps my face clean and I’m watching the pores. The only problem so far is that my skin is dehydrated on the cheeks and the rest of my face needs more moisture. I sometimes put a dab of jojoba oil on the dry spots but it doesn’t “cure” the dryness like a good moisturizer. I have tried aloe vera gel on my skin to moisturize and it works great, but it’s not enough to get rid of all the dryness. I will try mixing it with an oil as suggested by Odysseia. I’m so tired of experimenting with my skin, but I really want to go off all chemical products. I recently went for a facial and my face is so dewy from the moisturizers used by my esthetician, so how can I get that feeling from a natural product or something made at home? Btw, avocado oil is great for reducing fine lines under the eyes, but it is very rich and will make you break out.
Beth
Have you tried argan oil?
HTTR
Argan Oil is okay, I have using it for years but as I get older I need something that works really,really well (I will be 46 in two months). I need something that not only moisturizes & gets ride of my dry winter skin but can also work on my lines/wrinkles & reduce the redness/scars that I have from previous Acne. I started using Marula Oil not to long ago. I use Acure Marula Oil, I usually order it from vitacost.com, it works like a charm on older skin. Once the heat comes on & the fireplaces start up I know it’s time to change my Oils.
As far as everyone out there suffering from eczema, sure Argan Oil, Marula Oils, Coconut Oils etc.. can help but have you ever tried using Dragon’s Blood? It’s sap from a Tree not real Dragons Blood. It has anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-viral properties. There is a balm called Dragon’s Blood Body Balm by Caseb Naturals. It’s a bit pricey imo but you can find many,many others on Amazon. You can take DB internally as well. It has been known to cure eczema, Psoriasis, or Seborrheic Dermatitis & a lot of other skin issues. Just make sure you get a good one that has the best ingredients. I am sure you know what to look for. As far as taking it internally make sure it’s Food Grade & as close to 100% as possible. I gave this advice to an older woman that I know that has been suffering from Psoriasis all of her life & she can’t stop thanking me. I am just glad she isn’t suffering anymore. I hope this helps.
Susan Winslow
Thank you so much for the suggestion of the Dragons Blood. My 16 yr old daughter has suffered from excema her whole life. She has always used coconut oil with not such great results. She is now studying in Spain and begging me to send her something. I will look into this right away.
Jessica Carter
Are there any oils that fall in between coconut and argan oil as far as how well they moisturize?
I was so glad to find an explanation of jojoba oil, and also finally another person in the world that doesn’t think cocnut oil is very moisturizing! Thanks!
Jessica M
Hi Jessica, have you tried hemp seed oil? Hemp Seed Oil has a Comedogenic rating of 0 – meaning it won’t clog pores or leave an oily residue. I started using Aviva Pure Hemp Seed oil a couple months ago and love it so far. http://avivapurebeauty.com/collections/hair/products/hemp-seed-oil-unrefined-cold-pressed
Karen
Jessica M.
I just tried the Avila Pure Hemp Seed Oil with the pump,and I LOVE it !!! I am 50+ and every winter get the dry skin on my face and in my eyebrows of all places ! It leaves my face feeling smooth and hydrated.And I don’t see as many lines or wrinkles,and have no clogged pores.This is one happy Grandma !
ItIsWell
I use to suffer from a dry face that burned and peeled deep. I now make my own lye soap with coconut oil and then after rinsing use coconut oil as a extra cleanser to make sure all makeup is removed. When I am sure I am completely clean I wipe everything off and massage coconut oil one more time all over face and neck. It feels greasy but it works awesome. After about ten minutes my skin absorbs it. I am 34 and started doing this when I turned 30 because I had noticed my skin was aging. My skin looks better now then at 30 so it must work. I do a glycolic peel every now and then as well.
Aisha
Gadzooks! I’m so happy I read this blog and the comments!
I’ve been using coconut oil as my facial moisturizer for 1.5 years (36 y/o, vegan for 1.5 years) and after reading the posts, I realized – THAT’S IT! – that’s what my face was looking like! Dull, itchy, most pronounced lines, and just recently, the super duper dry cheeks with peeling and flaking and small acne! I have super mild rosacea on my jaw line but it’s barely visible (no, I didn’t blush my jawline). I’m blaming it on the coconut oil! It was semi-fun, coconut oil, but you’ve gotta go.
I’m currently waiting for my all-natural rosacea wash and serum to arrive from Gratitude Bontanicals (https://www.etsy.com/shop/gratitudebotanicals). Maybe my rosacea just advanced? Well, see.
Eileen Fox
I’ve been using organic coconut oil as a moisturizer for a year now and my skin feels awful. Anyone ever had this problem?
Bethany
Yes! I have black heads like crazy.. Pimples on cheeks (I never had them there), I’m dry and peel, VERY red. It was making me wonder if I had a slight allergy to coconut. I tried jojoba and didn’t love it, rose hip seed oil was so-so, argan oil felt incredibly drying to me. I’m interested in this dragon’s blood as well as manula oil . I’m 36 and have the skin issues of a teen these days. :/
shalini
I have been using coconut oil for nearly two months now. I have very dry skin! I was looking for good oil for my skin as I want to get rid of the chemicals. For the first month, my skin was clean, glow and moisturized. But now I have alot of break out on my cheeks and forehead! Also my whole body feels very dry and tight! I never had this before. After reading about side effects of coconut oil, I realized that I need to stop using it! But anyone can suggest me good oil for very dry skin?
Luc Seto
I am a life-long sufferer of extremely severe eczema. I’m 18 y/o now. The skin of my face does get pretty dry. I am currently using Organic Coconut Oil and it does great things for me. I apply it right after my shower, and let it sit on my skin for a few minutes (2-3). I move on to using my ring and middle finger to gently press the oil into my skin some more. It’s relaxing and that way the oil isn’t just sitting on top, because we all know that’s a gross feeling. After pressing around and giving my face a mini massage, I stop! Then, after a couple more minutes if there’s any more oil I press gently again. If there isn’t I move on to a face cream. What I’m using is Dior’s Hyrdra Life Creme Serum – Hydration Jeunesse (Youth Essential – Hydrating Essence in Creme.
Doing great! Also, if my skin gets dry throughout the day, I carry a small pump bottle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil and apply, gently pressing into the dry patch. 🙂
Vicki Cannon
Luc: After 10 years of expensive and ineffective eczema treatments from the dermatologist, I launched an extensive investigation to learn how to ‘cure’ my eczema. Ultimately, I created my ‘cure’ with a combination of on-going vitamin supplements and lotion, and a one-time 3-week diet. I have been eczema free for 4 yrs. If you are interested, I’ll send you (and anyone else) the details. No charge—just want to help others who suffer like I did.
Viktorijos namai
Dear Vicki, I have daugther with eczema. I tried all possible emolients, also lotions that are in Lithuania. That is the main reason why i tried to make my own cosmetics: lotions and body butters using only natural bio vegetal oils and butters as well as essential oils in order there were no unnecessary ingridients like Parabens and other chemical stuff. Nothing helps except regulation of food. Also shea butter and coconut oil helps a bit , but only if situation is not too bad. She is only 3 years old and suffers a lot from itchy skin. Thank you for your answer.
anna
Hi, I was pretty much born with eczema, and a wheat and soy allergy.
Doctors always prescribe steroids which thin the skin over time and break down the immune system. By eating small amounts of wheat and soy for years I slowly built an immunity to them. Taking a high quality omega 3 on a regular basis along with proper iron intake made a huge difference in my skin. Also, a high quality water filter is imperative.
All topical products must be fragrance free and simple. Sea Salt applied topically can greatly soothe inflamed skin. As far as I’m concerned sunblock is harmful and I protect from the sun with hats and clothing although 15 minutes of sunlight can also help…but that’s it, 15 minutes. If eczema is acute then immediately eliminate All dairy and sometimes meat.
Viktorijos namai
Dear Anna,
Thank you for your answer! It helped a lot. Also, i have made my own emolient, which was very helpful for my daugther’s skin. It contains shea butter, sweet almond oil, water, glycerin and i used emulsifier derived from wheat (She does not have allergy for it), also tea tree essential oil, which helps to prevent infections on skin. Good luck! 🙂
thambiah
What is extra virgin coconut oil?
south India and srilanka , the coconuts creaked and left for a week to dry and then take into machine to press them , get coconut oil , but here in the west says make a milk and boil to get a oil ????
i lived under coconut farm , we know the which coconut is very much dry by lifting and shaking the coconut , some of them when you open the coconut oil ready to take them out (dried and matured)
nancydefrane
please send me the eczema info!!!
Jo Latwaitis
Please send me the information. Thanks
natalie
Please send me the details Vicki. Ill try anything
Jasmine
could you please send me the info!
Jayme
I would be interested in this. Could you email me? Babyxj13 at gmail
Leigh Kramer
I’ve had eczema since I was a baby. I’ll try anything! Please email me at [email protected]
Alayna
eczema is usually complicated/caused by breakdown in the immune system. My son has been taking a high end natural probiotic for over ten years and that stopped his. That and WATER- seriously, minimum 1/2 oz of water for every pound you weigh. There’s a reknown gentleman named Dr. Batman (short for his very long real name) who studies the effects of water on our body. “you’re not sick, you’re thirsty”- best read of your life. It changed evry aspect of my life- might be worth checking into.
Leah
I would also like the info too! 🙂
Annette
Vikki please send me the information I have been suffering for years the only thing that help me isTriamcinolone [email protected]
samina
Hi Vikki,
My mom sufferes from Ezema, I’ve tried everything from going to dermatologists, and doing all natural therapy nothing has helped. Could you please help me. My email is [email protected]
Sheryl
I am also suffering from eczema. I hope you can share with us your tips on how you ended your eczema problems. I will be forever grateful.
Sue
Please send me the info. I have a 2 yo worth terrible excema. Of my seven children he is the only one with the problem. Incidentally he was a c-section baby due to dire situation whereas none of the others were.
steph
send me the eczema info too please…
JenJen
VICKY Please help!! 3 year old with SEVERE ECZEMA…. sadly to only thing that sometimes helps is an aweful steroid ointment. She now has hair on her legs because of it 🙁 . We are done with prescription medication. But daily and nightly she goes through HELL… bleeding and oozing it has recently spread all over her body, including her face. Willing to try anything at this point. Thanks [email protected]
Elizabeth
Try looking into hazelwood at hazelaid.com , I got to review a necklace for free through someones for my daughter. She still had a reaction when she came in contact with perfumes but her skin would heal up so much faster and felt smoother after only wearing it for a day. She has had eczema since birth and sometimes her reactions to perfumes (looks like burns) have been so bad I literally cried for her, she is 2. I actually just ordered another necklace and their hazelwood zinc ointment today. I hope you can find help for your toddler, I understand how hard it is to see them suffer and not knowing how to help and literally trying anything to get them relief!
mrs sadler
I have a 3yo with eczema(more so than me or my other kids but I have also suffered with it all my life) I did some research and developed a program which has so far kept me and the kids eczema free for 6 months now ! Firstly the most important thing is diet… only fruit veg and lean meat, whole grains (no wheat!) And lots of nuts and seeds. No dairy. I also put everyone on a course of high dose omega 3 fish oil. Secondly, I only wash myself and the kids with oats. Yeah I know it sounds strange! Every bath time we are covered in porridge but it works! I had awful red eczema around my eyes and the only tjing that would soothe it is the water squeezed from a handful of oats in a muslin cloth. You can use a cloth to scrub as well. Soaps and commercial body washes are over rated. You can be perfectly clean without them. Thirdly, a good moisuriser with no nasties. Dr organics rescue cream is the only thing I trust to put on my face and my kids bodies. Lookinginto natural sunscreens next as all commercial brands bring us out in contact dermatitis. Added to that we are all extremely fair and cannot get the slightest bit of sun on my skin otherwise… hives. Hope that all helps!
Elizabeth
Please email me the info too! By daughter has suffered from eczema since birth. [email protected] Thanks!
Linda
Dear Vicky,
please send me the info too: life long excema sufferer.
[email protected]
kris
Dear Vicky,
please send me the info . [email protected]
Mary
I have dry and itcy skin on the palms of my hands,could you send me the ingredients, I have tried every thing. I have had this for 3 years. I am 60 years old. Thanks
lori
I’d love any info you have
Carlene
Hi Vicki. I would like to have to have the info also please. carlene89 at g mail. Thanks!
Aishia
Hi, I’m very interested in your natural cure for eczema, as I have an 8 year-old and a 5 year-old with a bad case (scars on legs, etc.). I’m also beginning to notice early signs of psoriasis with me (I’m 38 years old).
Thanks for your help.
Jessica
Would really like to know what you did abs give it a try! Thank you
robin
Please send me your eczema cure asap.
Rach
Could you please send me your info on treating eczema?
[email protected]
Rebecca Ford
Please send me your treatment for eczema. Grateful!
http://[email protected]
Robyn
Please send me the info at rfew@comcast. Thanks so much!
Hannah
I would love your info on eczema! I am 28, had a baby 4 months ago and have had the worst eczema on my face for the past couple of years and am willing to try anything! Thanks so much!
Elizabeth
Vicky PLEASE send me your findings and remedy!!!! I have suffered with eczema since I was a child and now as a 43 yo have dermatitis on my hands. I work with the public and it is quite embarrassing. THANK YOU! You are a true blessing.
Please email to [email protected]
Kristin
Ahhh! Please send me everything you’ve ever done to clear up your eczema. I suffer real bad in the fall and winter and it seems to never clear up after that.. It’s a vicious cycle really. The dermatologists keep insisting on creams that never work and it’s real annoying. Steroid pill treatments are the only things that semi work but I hate taking them all the time (especially because of all the weight I gain with them). I would greatly appreciate the info! [email protected]
Muusa
I had a big issue with my hands back after babies. Suffered about 5 years with dry, itchy, cracked and irritated skin. Tried every cream and so on. Got sick that wear cloves/ put a lot of cream thing. Cold and water dit it worse. Finally i did a few changes thanks to a friend. I switched dishwasher liquid, shampoo, soap and body wash to organical with as few ingridiens as bossible. Ate more fish (omega 3), almonds (vitamin e) and some hair and nails supplement (zinc, silicon…) And now it is first fall when my hands don’t bleed and i don’t put cream on everyday but my hands are normal.
So… IF you have skin problems start with good diet and maybe you have an allergy for something you wear on your skin.
Marsha
I would appreciate the info you have.
Mpho Molobi
please send me the information Vicky.
analicefoo
Please send it to me, please!
silverize
Interested! pls send here [email protected]
Thanks
Mary
To Vicki Cannon ~ please send eczema treatment info. Your generous spirit is greatly appreciated!
Mary at [email protected]
Sarah
Hi Vicki,
Thanks for your post. I’ve suffered from eczema for over 7 years now. It has gotten much better and I use only organic products or diy for years now. I have it on my hands now and just can’t get rid of it. I would love to hear your methods.
Thanks, Sarah
Judy Stephens
Please send info…Thanks!
Margaret
Please send me the info
Andrey
Please send me the info ❤️
Robophilia
For my skin, the only oils that seem to moisturise me well so far are avocado, jojoba, rose hip and argan. Coconut oil has always make my skin feel as if I’ve just stepped out of the shower after bathing myself with clay. Another thing is that due to its drying properties, I found coconut oil wrinkling my skin and making it itch. Additionally and contrary to more evangelisation, I found it too light to be used in my hair and it promoted scalp dryness. Should I add that its scent stales very quickly and not pleasantly either?
Basically, I think it’s best ingested.
aj
You should probably use a shower filter..
Katie
My skin broke out right after Christmas. (I have oily skin & am in my 30’s). Despite continued use of proactive & other OTC methods, it wouldn’t clear. 3 weeks in, I began using Tea Tree oil as a spot treatment. Saw no significant improvement. Then a week later, I ran across a post for oil cleansing with coconut oil. It suggested adding some frankenscence, but I didn’t have any on hand. After 8 days of using coconut oil, my skin in almost completely clear and baby soft. Simply cleansing with coconut oil at night and washing with warm water. I also followed a recommendation to do a weekly baking soda scrub once a week to remove blackheads, followed by a natural toner (I used lemon juice and water.) I have less blackheads and my face is clearer than it has been in years. I really hope the good results continue. I haven’t noticed an increase in oil on my face during the day, but I still suffer some oiliness in the t-zone area. I’d love some suggestions for natural oil control for daytime use.
Peach Lee
Can you share the Baking Soda Scrub formula and instructions, please? Happy your new regimen is working so well!
Thanks!
xOx
Peach
walli
This winter’s been very rough on my skin, but ive been using the somaluxe argan oil has helped immensely. Its for hair and skin and you can use it on your face – thank god for this. It smells so good and doesnt leave me greasy.
Moniq
I have a few dark spots on my cheek from my pregnancy fourteen years ago and some pigmentation on my forehead from coloring my hair at home. Any suggestions on how to get rid of the spots?
maria
I’ve been reading in a lot of places that coconut oil is very good as a moisturizer. I was just wondering if that would apply to my skin type. My face is pretty oily and is prone is to acne and I’m 16. . I’m just asking if this would make me breakout. Would the oil clog my pores? I was planning to use it as a moisturizer but i’m worried that i would breakout more.
Nicky
I have oily skin too and I found that the more moisturizer I put on the less oily my skin would get. The excess oil is usually due to your skin trying to balance itself after being too dried out by soaps etc. even as a teenager I found that a plain natural soap mixed into a paste with baking soda and water worked great as an exfoliant and makeup remover. Just soap for eye makeup. Currently I use Nubian Heritage lotions for my entire body. I use their hand lotion on my face. I like the African Black Soap lotion the best because it has the least fragrance. I do have argan oil and I’ve used coconut oil for cleansing as well. I felt the coconut oil didn’t give enough moisture unless my face was still moist from the hot washcloth. Even then I felt I needed more. I will try my argan oil again since I still have some (usually use it for my hair because I color it and it’s dry and blonde).
Spicy Thomas
For the past 3 years I’ve used a Moringa based skin care system that penetrates 7 dermal layers and adjusts to your skin. Completely natural. Simple system that keeps my face happy ask year and reverses the signs of aging. There is an oil that is made from the seeds and I carry it everywhere I go. (Great for burns, cuts, etc.) This year my 12 year old son was bit on the ankle by a copperhead. I applied the oil to his leg and his skin tissue never died. 9 days after the bite you could barely see it. (This treatment was only for his skin, he still had tio get the anti venom Crofab) GenM skin care is all I’ll ever use!!
Julie
it quickly became apparent that coconut oil was too light for my very dry skin. I’ve been oil cleansing with it for years, but I do have to use a bentonite clay treatment to remove blackheads every few months.
What really moisturizes my face best is beef tallow. I made my own, but my rendering technique needs improvement because the tallow stinks to high heaven – it’s really gross. At first it was so awful, even after liberal amounts of lavender eo were added to try to mask the scent, that I nearly gagged each time I used it. But I kept using it because my face looks and feels better with tallow than anything else.
I read somewhere that the saturated fat in tallow helps our skin keep its cellular structure, and maybe that helps, but for me, the tallow completely prevents the dry flaky patches I’ve been prone to all my life. My face is just right now – not dry or greasy at all. I even put tallow under my makeup in the morning. I’m 50 years old, but people always think I’m younger. Just throwing this out there in case it would help anyone.
Rebecca
Hi Julie — I LOVE tallow, too… it is closest to ANYTHING in nature to our own body’s sebum. In fact, in Latin “tallow” and “sebum” are interchangeable.
I make a tallow night cream but use 10% liquid oil, in the past I have used avocado, sweet almond, jojoba. But I am thinking of trying out the argan oil with the tallow.
I also am going to do a body butter — I have a good recipe now but I am going to add tallow to it and possibly a bit of argan oil, and also jojoba oil, and whip it up. I will be working this month on perfecting my homemade recipes!! I can’t wait. But I also LOVE tallow and nothing works as good as it on my skin 🙂
I am 40 but have skin like a 25 year old. In fact, my mid-20s sister who has decent skin always complains that I have better skin than her!!! I will stick to my tallow 🙂 I know it works.
K Ruth
Also am in love with tallow!!! Tried coconut but I seem to be sensitive to it…makes my skin blotchy. For my body balm, I mix the tallow with 10 percent emu oil and that is wonderful. I too have to add many, many drops of lavender essential oil to mask the scent. It must work though because I get loads of compliments on how I smell. I have given out samples as well with good feedback on how well it moisturizes. I do have argan oil and might just add that to the mix when I make my next batch. Thanks for the post.
Leigh
Hi! Read your post and was wondering if you sell your products? I would be interested in buying some from you
Chris
I’ve known about the magic of coconut oil for about 2 years now but for some reason never bothered to use it as a moisturizer. I just started 3 nights ago since I ran out of BareMinerals moisturizer (haha) and I’ve noticed it’s really making my skin glow! I have oily skin but it will be VERY dry right after a shower, so a little coconut oil helps and as the hours progress my skin still looks perfect not too oily or dry. I guess if you have mainly dry skin it’s not going to be for you but yeah the products you mentioned do sound nice as well! Wish I could try. For now I’ll see what happens with the coconut oil for the next month or so.