Be Nice to Your Skin, It is the Only One You've Got.

Dear Ode Compatriots: I was inspired by Jurriaan Kamp's invitation to share our stories here on this site. I'd like to share a little of what I've learned over the last year since the birth of my dear daughter with eczema. I hope it will help others with skin conditions.

First, soaps, body care products, and detergents (amongst other things that come in contact with our skin) are full of very scary chemicals. Though I am and have been fairly health conscious and am a trained acupuncturist, before the birth of my daughter I never gave this aspect of health much consideration. She has inspired me to pay more attention (in many ways). I would urge you to read your soap labels, body care labels. Notice how many unrecognizable chemical ingredients are in them. Then realize that everything you put on your skin gets absorbed into your body--very scary.

Due to my daughter's needs we have educated ourselves and it has been like taking off blinders. Though we ate well and tried to be aware, somehow this area of health had been off our radar, as I suspect it is with many people. In the course of our education we read an enlightening book: "The Hundred Year Lie: How Food and Medicine Are Destroying Your Health" by Randall Fitzgerald. I can highly recommend it. It is about all of the daily chemical exposures we have through foods, the environment, etc and how the various chemicals mix within our body. Maybe it is slightly alarmist, but I'd rather be aware than in denial. It is a well written book that sites numerous studies and suggests some reasonable lifestyle changes.

We made numerous changes that I would suggest to anyone. First, look out for anything with Sodium Laureth or Laurel Sulfate in it. It is a harsh industrial detergent that many people with sensitive skin are sensitive to and it strips your natural protective oils. That mean usually avoiding commercial soaps and using natural soaps instead. It also means giving up most big brand detergents. You can find real 'soap' detergents if you really look (some brands: 7th Generation, Calben, some Trader Joe's products). Also, have a look at your body care products. Most are full of chemicals. In the ingredient list if you see 'fragrance' this could mean anything. Companies can say that their fragrance is a trade secret and basically hide whatever they want behind the term 'fragrance'. So, try to use body care products with the minimal amount of ingredients possible. In many cases, making these simple changes will take away dry, itchy skin conditions by eliminating the underlying causes.

Im my daughter's case it helped, but was not quite enough, so I used my training in Chinese Herbal medicine and made a salve and a soap powered by chinese herbs and without chemicals, fragrances, preservatives or colors. The salve is simply olive oil, beeswax and three chinese herbs. The soap is of a similar nature. I made them just for my daughter, but because they were so effective I began to use them with patients. After I saw people getting off topical steroids, I knew I had to share the products with others and launched a company inspired by my daughter called Emily Skin Soothers, Inc. Now I feel like I am on a mission to help people with skin problems. When I see before and after pictures of a baby with skin raw from itching whose skin has cleared in just a few weeks I get an immense feeling of joy. It is a beautiful thing to be of service and help someone experience better health. If you know someone who is suffering from dry skin conditions please tell them there is someone who would like to help and send them our way at: HTTP://www.emilyskinsoothers.com . Even if you have normal skin, please consider what you put on it. It is the only skin you've got.

Sincerely,

Mike Arsenault