[Help for your skin problems]

Question: I'm a black African with a brown complexion. I have oily skin on my forehead, nose and chin and dry cheeks. I suffer from breakouts at least once a month. At the moment, my skin feels dry and stretched and I also have some chapping around my brows. I need something to rejuvenate my skin and help to hydrate it and also to reduce the oiliness. Can you recommend something from Barefoot Botanicals? Marrion - 07 November 2007

Answer: It sounds from your letter that you have combination skin which is prone to breaking out. I would recommend our Rosa Fina. At night apply the cleanser all over the face and neck, massage it in and then wipe it off with a hot, wet flannel. Before bed I would apply Rosa Fina secret essence face & decolletage oil which will nourish the dry skin on your face and eliminate the tightness, while at the same time helping to balance oil production on the T-zone.

Question: My husband suffers from bad psoriasis on his scalp and uses the medicated shampoos (such as Nizoral or Polytar) but they don't seem to have much effect. On looking at your advice for psoriasis you recommend 6 x 1000mg flaxseed oil capsules. I wanted to know: is that per day? Also, should he take the Milk Thistle as well as this? AND, having read you homeopathic remedy advice I would think that sulphur would be the remedy for him but how should he take this? Alison - 10 November 2008

Answer: Yes the 6000mg is daily. Most capsules will be either 1000mgs or 500mgs, so it would mean taking 6 or 12 capsules daily. He should take the Milk Thistle as well. You could get Sulphur 6c (6c is the strength) from a good health food shop or some pharmacies and take one every day for 6 weeks. Dont worry if the problem gets slightly worse before it gets better as this is normal with homeopathy. Also try our SOS intensive care dry scalp shampoo and conditioner. The conditioner should be massaged into the scalp as well as the hair and left on for 10 minutes before washing out.

Question: I suffer from pompholyx eczema on my hands which gets particuarly painful in cold or hot weather when my hands are extra dry or hot. Can you suggest any way of treating it which doesn't involve steroid creams. - 11 December 2008

Answer: Pompholyx is a painful and itchy complaint which usually affects the palms of the hands and the soles of the feet causing blisters which may burst and cause desquamation (peeling). No one knows exactly what causes it. It is classified as a type of eczema, but for many sufferers a fungal element is present and those who sweat profusely on the hands or feet might be more likely to be affected. If you have read our website you will be aware that I am a great advocate of essential fatty acids, I would recommend that you take 3000 grams (3 x 1000g capsules) of hemp or flax seed oil daily. The three most common homoeopathic remedies for this condition are Lycopodium and Graphites. You could try the Lycopodium first, once daily in a 6c potency and if that has not helped after a month move on to the Graphites. From the SOS range of products i would recommend one particular product: our SOS Safety Gloves Barrier Hand Cream, used frequently through the day.

Question: Is SOS rescue me face & body cream safe to use in pregnancy. I use it on my 21 month old son for his eczema but I have broken out in eczema myself. This is quite normal for me in pregnancy but I hadn't heard of your cream with my last 2 pregnancies. Thanks Sara - 14 April 2009

Answer: Yes SOS rescue me face & body cream is safe to use in pregnancy and makes a great nappy change cream for the new born. Due to the natural and gentle ingredients in this cream, it is safe to use by anyone, at any time of life. I hope your pregnancy goes well and that the eczema does not give you too much trouble. It might be worth mentioning that our Rosa Fina hourglass lifting & firming body lotion is great for helping to prevent stretch marks in the last few months of pregnancy.