Routine care: from skin to soul

The inconvenience that Ichthyosis carriers have to suffer goes beyond just the disadvantages of appearance, as they also have to deal with the irritations caused by an overdried skin. Those are the symptoms that can be felt the most easily by themselves, followed by various psychosocial troubles. That is why developing a routine for skin care is an essential aspect of our daily life. As someone who believes in minimalism, I do not run behind sophisticated methods and products. I believe there are other things that are worth our time and money more than that. In this article, I will be sharing my approach to skin care, which I have obtained after trying and testing various solutions for a long time.

Ideally, to begin with, if you know of any climate that improves your skin condition, please stick with it for as long as possible (in fact, this was the main reason I moved to France). If you cannot change the environment you are in, then you have to create better circumstances for yourself.

In every beauty journal, a nutrient-rich diet is always mentioned as the golden key to maintain or anti-age your skin. This is true for people with healthy skin, and even more important for those of us with ichthyosis. Starting with a balanced diet that is rich in vitamins and minerals, I love incorporating fruits and vegetables into my meals while ensuring variety in my diet. I have found that managing stress levels is also crucial for the state of my skin. Interestingly, the worse your skin becomes, the more stressed you are, and vice versa.

On the other hand, topical products play an irreplaceable role in the improvement of our skin’s overall health. I have learned that washing products can worsen my skin's hyper dehydrated state, and only products with a neutral pH, such as those for babies, are suitable for me.

In the following section, I will divide general skincare into three main parts: hair, face, and body skin.

- Body skin: After taking a shower, I always apply Nivea Care cream to my entire body. I find that it is more effective in keeping my skin hydrated and soft when there are still some water residues on the skin surface, even after wiping it off. I pay particular attention to the inner folds of my elbows, knees, and neck, where I apply a slightly thicker layer of cream since these areas are where hyperkeratosis is more severe. However, I must admit that I do not pay as much attention to my body trunk unless it becomes more irritating. If I can give you professional advice I would say: “It is also important to moisturise and protect the skin on your trunk regularly, even if it is not as prone to irritation”. As harsher products can cause further dryness and irritation, you may also want to consider using a gentle body wash or soap that is formulated for sensitive skin. I am loyal to using cleansing oil for both hair and shower.

- Hair: As I mentioned earlier, it's important to choose hair cleansing products carefully to avoid further dehydrating hair follicles. That's why I use a cleansing oil that contains no detergents. Occasionally, I also make a hair mask by emulsifying aloe vera gel and castor oil. Applying it once a week for 15 minutes before showering can improve the condition of my hair, or at least have a psychological effect.

- Face: Facial skincare is similar to body skincare, however, I prefer not to use a too greasy cream on my face unless it is necessary. After showering or washing my face, I immediately apply a layer of aloe vera gel on my face and neck, gently massaging it to help the skin absorb the hydration. Once a week, I also apply a facial mask made of equal amounts of aloe vera gel and "Nuxe huile prodigieuse." I find that it keeps my facial skin softer, and I love the scent of that prodigious oil!

Apart from all that I have described above, I also use the products that are prescribed exclusively for my skin by the dermatologist. It is highly recommended to see your dermatologist for more effective treatments. I will write about that on some other occasion.

All and all this can help me quite a lot in everyday life. Sadly in summer when the weather becomes harsh, there is nothing I can do to improve the skin conditions. During that moment of the year, all I do is stay positive and try not to put more pressure on myself. It may sound “cliché” but focusing on the inner beauty and improving everything on the skin (literally ^^) is how I live my life.

Please share in the comments your way of dealing with ichthyosis and its results.

Love you all!