If you suffer from dry skin or itchy skin conditions like eczema or psoriasis, you've likely tried an assortment of creams and moisturizers to try to beat the itch. Some of these creams may have temporarily alleviated the itch, while others may have exacerbated symptoms or caused an adverse reaction. Sadly, many skin care products are made with harsh chemicals or toxins that can do more harm than good. We are big advocates for natural skin care products free from harmful ingredients like parabens, phthalates, siloxanes, and artificial fragrances.
In this post, we share our favorite organic cream that is safe for your skin and our planet, our Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream.
Benefits of Honey for the Skin
Honey is a natural healing agent that offers so many health benefits to the skin. For this reason, humans have been using honey for centuries to soothe skin ailments and provide soothing relief to dermal problems. So what makes this sweet substance so unique?
First of all, honey is exceptionally moisturizing. This gives it the ability to combat the dry, flaky, and scaly symptoms of skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Its incredible moisturizing powers also help it fight itchiness and give the skin a radiant glow. So if you're looking for a complexion boost, honey can help.
Also, honey is full of antioxidants and anti-aging benefits, like reducing fine lines and wrinkles. You can also use honey for wound care and to soothe burns, cuts, or scapes. Its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties make honey a helpful remedy to treat and prevent acne. It can also prevent infection if relentless scratching causes the skin to crack or bleed.
So how do you reap the benefits of this natural substance? While you can apply raw honey directly to the affected area, this often is a messy and sticky experience. That's why we recommend you enjoy honey's healing powers by applying it to the skin in the form of a cream.
What is Manuka Honey?
Have you ever heard of Manuka honey? This is a powerful type of honey that comes from New Zealand. It's produced by bees who pollinate the manuka bush. Manuka honey is renowned for its antibacterial properties, which give it maximum healing benefits. It is more potent than traditional forms of honey due to its high concentration of Methylglyoxal. Besides offering skin benefits, manuka honey can also help improve digestion, boost the immune system, and ease stomach pain.
Manuka Honey vs. Regular Honey
The most crucial difference between traditional forms of honey and manuka honey is a unique enzyme called Methylglyoxal. Compared to traditional honey, manuka honey has a higher concentration which gives it supreme healing abilities.
Manuka honey makers label their products with a unique Manuka factor (UMF) rating. This scale rates the potency of Manuka honey. The higher the UMF number, the higher the level of these compounds. To be considered strong enough to benefit the skin, honey needs a minimum rating of 10UMF. A rating of 16 is deemed to be superior, as it indicates that high-grade levels are present.
To illustrate just how powerful Manuka honey is, it contains 1,000x more Methylglyoxal than traditional forms of honey. Now, do you see why Manuka honey reigns supreme? It truly is effective for treating skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis, thanks to its renowned antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties.
Clean Beauty for the Skin
Clean beauty is a celebration of organic skin care. It puts the health of our skin and our earth first by focusing on natural products that are cruelty-free and free from any harmful ingredients. Instead, clean beauty promotes organic and wholesome ingredients that work in harmony with your skin. You can rest assured that clean beauty products are free from cheap fillers, toxic chemicals, and mystery ingredients. That's because clean beauty products value transparency. Not only will you know what is going onto your skin, but you will also know exactly how the product was made and how it impacts the environment. Clean beauty holds companies and skincare lines accountable for their production processes, ethical standards, and safety regulations. They do not test on animals, and they are GMO-free.
We are happy to say that an increasing number of skincare companies are turning towards and adopting clean beauty values. That being said, it can still be difficult to determine whether a product is truly clean or sad. Unfortunately, words like 'organic,' 'vegan,' and 'natural' are used loosely to describe skin care products to look better than they are. This is why it's important to be a conscious consumer. You can do your due diligence by continuing to read labels carefully, check out reviews, and hold companies accountable for their actions. Although it can be difficult to know whether a product label is clean, our general rule of thumb is that it probably isn't great for your skin if you can't pronounce the ingredient.
You may think that your shopping choices do not make a difference, but that could not be further from the truth. Where and how we shop matters. All of our decisions have the power to be part of the solution or part of the problem. Your choice matters. We can all do our part, no matter how small, in protecting our skin and reducing the negative impact on our planet.
In short, clean beauty is truly a win-win for both your skin and our planet. By choosing to nourish your body with pure ingredients, your skin will start to thrive. At the same time, fewer chemicals and toxins will find their way back into our earth.
The Best Organic Manuka Honey Cream for the Skin
One of our best-selling products in stock is our Organic Manuka Skin Soothing Cream. There's a reason this creamy pot of goodness has many positive reviews. An oil-based cream, it's perfect for those with sensitive skin anywhere on the body, including the face, because it's nut-free, gluten-free, GMO-free, and vegan. The cream is also free from harmful chemicals like parabens, phthalates, formaldehyde, and petrolatum. These chemicals can have damaging effects on the skin and can even interfere with hormone function.
When it comes to sensitive skin on the body and face, less really is more. Our customers love this gentle cream because it's made with just six ingredients: organic olive oil, organic beeswax, filtered water, grape seed oil, organic Active 16+ New Zealand manuka honey, and manuka oil extract. These nourishing and wholesome ingredients were handpicked by a mother searching for a natural solution to heal her son's eczema-prone skin.
This oil-based balm is an excellent choice for anyone dealing with psoriasis, rosacea, eczema, diaper rash, burns, acne, cuts or scrapes, or allergy-prone skin. It's perfect for kids, adults, and everyone in between. With its non-burning and non-stinging formula, you can even use this cream on delicate parts of the face like the lips and eyes.
Sounds too good to be true? Check out the positive reviews from our customers or order one for yourself. Don't forget we offer free delivery for any order over $75.
Try these Other Soothing Remedies
If you're looking for other natural ways to soothe the face and body, check out what else we have in stock. For example, we love this Coconut and Sunflower Oil Soap Bar. This natural soap combines the healing powers of coconut oil, shea butter, and sunflower oil. You can use it as a natural hand soap to help maintain moisture throughout the day or as a full-body soap for cleaning the skin from face to toe. Because it's free from chemicals and other harsh ingredients, it's safe and effective on kids and babies too. It truly works wonders on eczema, psoriasis, and chapped or dry skin.
To make the most of what we have in stock, why not take advantage of our Body Care Essentials Bundle? This gentle package includes our famous oil-based Manuka cream and the nourishing coconut and sunflower oil soap mentioned above.
Another great bundle that we have in stock is our Love Your Face Bundle, an excellent choice for those with sensitive facial skin or who might be suffering from 'maskne.' It includes our best-selling Manuka honey cream our super soft Remedywear Face Mask. Made from eco-friendly TENCEL and embedded with anti-inflammatory zinc oxide, it provides comfort and protection from bacteria that can build up inside or outside the mask. Say goodbye to chafing and facial irritation!
Natural Remedies to Try at Home
If you suffer from a chronic condition like eczema or psoriasis, we believe in healing from the inside out. One way to do this is to determine and eliminate the triggers that are causing flare-ups. Although no one knows the exact cause of a condition like eczema, food is considered a common trigger. One way to figure out if the food you're eating is causing symptoms to flare is through an eczema elimination diet. This involves removing specific food consumption for a certain period (usually a month) and then slowly incorporating them back in. Be sure to speak with your doctor or nutritionist beforehand, especially if you are cutting out a large food group. This is to make sure your body is still getting all the proper nutrients.
We also recommend reducing shower times and using lukewarm water instead of hot. Although it may feel nice at the moment, hot water tends to dry out the skin further. Also, make sure to keep washing times between 5-10 minutes. Don't forget to use natural washing products to reduce the risk of your skin reacting negatively. When you are finished washing, be sure to pat dry the skin with a towel. Harsh rubbing can exacerbate symptoms and cause more irritation. And of course, don't forget to replenish lost moisture by hydrating your skin with a natural cream.
Another excellent way to soothe irritated skin is to use natural remedies like aloe vera, coconut oil, and colloidal oatmeal. Like manuka honey, aloe vera is a natural healing agent used to soothe the skin for centuries. It's known for its soothing, cooling, and refreshing effect on burns and broken skin. The gel from its leaves, which contains over 75 different nutrients, can also help reduce inflammation, lessen pain, and provide a much-needed boost of moisture. Coconut oil is also ultra-hydrating. It's known for relieving dryness and alleviating itching because of its ability to penetrate the skin quickly. You can apply coconut oil directly to the skin, but we recommend taking a coconut oil bath. Finally, colloidal oatmeal is full of antioxidants that improve skin roughness, relieve itching, and reduce flakiness. Because it is rich in beta-glucans, it also helps reduce inflammation. To benefit from colloidal oatmeal:
- Start by grinding 2-3 cups of the oatmeal in a coffee grinder or food processor.
- Pour the oatmeal into a tub as the water is filling.
- Relax and enjoy!