HELLO SKIN

Well it's been a while since I've posted a review of the products I've been using and the reason for that is that I recently stumbled upon HelloSkin and was lucky enough to stock up on all these goodies which have been keeping me going for quite a while. In case you haven't heard of them they're an online shop specifically catering to all of us who suffer with skin ailments which is of course very exciting- but in addition to that their site also recommends products tailored to individual symptoms/ requirements and they also have an awesome blog which is worth keeping up with. Read on to check out my reviews of the above psoriasis friendly products. 

BECOR NALOC NAIL TREATMENT 10ML: 7/10
I recently posted about how I've suddenly had a flare up with my nail psoriasis and this product has been a great help in reducing the discolouration which had affected my nails. I think it's also one of the first products I can also say that I have actually enjoyed applying with it's rollerball- you just give the tube a squeeze and then it's like painting your nails, very therapeutic feeling. It slightly reduced the brittleness but given the product description I was always expecting the reduction of discolouration to be the main aim of the product so even just the slight reduction in brittleness was a plus. It also didn't seem to get rid of any indentations on the nail and the main possible problem I can think of is that it might take a while to dry into your nails but no longer than you would for any other nail paint products. It seems like this product is good value for money, I still have some left in the tube even though I've been using it every night for 2 months and I'll definitely be continuing to use it to see if the moisture it provides further helps to reduce the brittleness. 
(https://helloskinshop.co.uk/products/becur-naloc-nail-treatment, £13)

ART NATURALS SCALP 18 COAL TAR SHAMPOO 473ML: 8/10
Forget about Capasal- this has to be the new go-to coal tar shampoo for any psoriasis sufferer. Aside from the fact that it looks really interesting and shimmery in the bottle ( it doesn't look as ugly on show in the bathroom as other bottles) this product smelt SIGNIFICANTLY less potent than all the other tar shampoos. Don't get me wrong there is still a hit of that familiar tar smell however it's no way near as strong as other products I have used. But forget those superficial points- the real reason I am in love with this is that it really has helped to keep my itching at bay and my scalp seems a lot less flaky. I've been using it everyday and my lumpy moundy of scales have been abolished to an occasional flaky patch whilst leaving me with fairly shiny hair. I also tested it for product removal & was pretty happy with how well it washed out my cocois scalp treatment, there was no residual greasy bits of hair and I mean the smell of the cocois did stick around I really don't know anything that can get rid of that smell. BUT IT DOESN'T STOP THERE, this shampoo has lasted me AGES & I still have lots left that to go so another good value product from Hello Skin- and a product that I had never even heard of before or would've considered trying without their website! The only reason It's not got a 10 is because I'm still experiencing some hair loss. I didn't expect this shampoo to solve that but yeah, I have high standards!
(https://helloskinshop.co.uk/products/art-naturals-scalp-18-coal-tar-shampoo, £12.95)

QV INTENSIVE OINTMENT FOR VERY DRY SKIN CONDITIONS 450g :6/10
I've always wanted to try QV products after hearing and seeing so much about them but I haven't been able to find any of their products in UK shops so I was really excited to try out this tub (I love when moisturisers come in tubs) of ointment (I also really love ointments). The texture of this ointment is divine! For those of you who have experienced the delightful softness of white soft paraffin- this product felt exactly like that and it wasn't greasy which is incredibly unusual for an ointment so you can imagine how much I loved using this. Unfortunately there was one down side for me- I've written before how about with some ointments I end up itching them off because soon after applying it for some reason it gets very itchy and that seemed to occasionally happen with this product when I had applied it after having a shower. I found the best way to solve this occasional issue was to mix the ointment with a little bit of steroid ointment (eumovate is my chosen one) OR if you're not into steroid you could try simply mixing it with a skin friendly cream, it worked well with the Relivio creams pictured above. One the other hand- I know that everyone's psoriasis reacts differently to moisturisers so this may not happen to you, and if it wasn't for the itchy reaction the ointment I would have given it a 10/10 because the moisture it provided throughout the day was excellent with me only having to apply it twice on a good day. The tub lasted me a good few weeks which again is unusual for an ointment & it is very reasonably priced. 
(https://helloskinshop.co.uk/products/qv-intensive-ointment, £7.89)

RELIVIO DRY SKIN BODY CREAM 200ML : 5/10
So I believe that 'Relivio' is a new range formulated by Leo Pharmaceuticals (whose name will ring a bell for any current or previous Dovonex/Dovobet users). I loved the texture of this cream, it's very lightweight and absorbs quickly into the skin and it doesn't seem to really have a scent either which is always a plus for psoriasis specific skincare. Because it is so lightweight, a little of the moisturiser goes a long way, meaning that the tube lasted me quite some time. The only downside to this product is that the moisture didn't quite last long enough for my skin and due to my psoriasis spots being so quick to dry out, numerous applications were required throughout the day - I found on average I was moisturising about 5 times a day as opposed to my usual three times. Due to the product being good value for money though it's definitely worth trying, it's a product formulated by psoriasis specialists so chances are that even though it probably wouldn't be an efficient product for me- it could work better for you. Furthermore, after looking at the product description on the website the product works best as barrier to bacteria so it will be a good one for all of you who often find yourself bleeding from scratching so much as it will prevent infection. Oh..and it contains ingredients which help to rebuild the skin. 
(https://helloskinshop.co.uk/products/relivio-dry-skin-body-cream, £10.50)

LA ROCHE-POSAY ISO UREA MD BAUME PSORIASIS 100ml: 6/10
I was really attracted to this product with it not only being specifically for psoriasis but also because it contains Urea which I believe is fab for relieving itching...not to mention the reputation of La Roche-Posay for skincare (they have a spa which is supposed to be amazing for psoriasis sufferers). This was probably my ultimate favourite out of all the moisturisers. Again, it was a cream so it was lightweight and quickly absorbed HOWEVER this time my moisture hit seemed to last longer, I was back to my usual 3 times a day application regime which made me happy. The texture was dreamy too- it felt soo velvety and comfortable. My only hang ups here were that although it was good for moisture, the anti-itch effect wasn't as strong as I had thought (perhaps my expectations were too high though) and the price is a little to high for me to be able to afford to use it on a regular basis. 
(https://helloskinshop.co.uk/products/la-roche-posay-iso-urea-md-baume-psoriasis, £19.41) 

RELIVIO PLUS PSO BODY LOTION 295ML: 6/10
Another easily absorbed lightweight cream specifically for psoriasis!! I found the cream did ease my itching ...for a short period of time. The problem for me was that it didn't provide enough moisture so I was having to re-apply quite frequently. With my scales being rather thick I have found that thicker and greasier ointments are more suited to my skin- so if this was in the form of an ointment I think it would be perfect for me! that being said, if you have moderate psoriasis this could be the product you've been searching for. Again, it's good value for money and it comes in a pump bottle which is always easier to use than a tube. 
(https://helloskinshop.co.uk/products/relivio-plus-pso-body-lotion, £16.50)

HELP ON THE HIGH STREET...AGAIN

FONTUSDERMA APRODERM EMOLLIENT CREAM 450G: 3/10

Whenever I hear about new emollients I always get excited so when I went to my dr. begging for a new moisturising option I was embarrassingly happy that I managed to get a free sample in the form of a whole bottle! I'm used to teeny weeny one application style samplers (like the hydromal cream you can barely see on my bath salts pack in the photo) so this was a real treat. Like many emollients however it just didn't work for my skin! I know emollients are supposed to be fab for people with dry& itchy skin issues but for some reason they just don't work for me. First of all the pump was a bit dodgy -but maybe that's just cause I got a one off badly engineered bottle (it was free so can't complain too much!) In addition to this I found that my skin would become very itchy again soon after application and I would end up itching it off. Like always I would like to remind you that this is my own personal experience of it, emollients seem to work for a lot of psoriasis sufferers...just not me! 

(https://www.amazon.co.uk/AproDerm-Emollient-Cream-Pump-Dispenser/dp/B00ZU8TO5Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1464489665&sr=8-1&keywords=aproderm, £10)

TIDMAN'S SEA SALT BATH 1KG : 3/10

As I was doing my weekly grocery shop I came across these bath salts which claim to help prove skin conditions and considering how easily available it is & how cheap it is I thought I'd be a fool not to try it. I am a big fan of baths but the problem is that some times I just can't be bothered with how long it takes, not a quick way to soothe your skin. I found that my skin felt a lot smoother and a lot less flakier after soaking in the salts, I also noticed all the flakes of skin dirtying up the bath tub afterwards which made me feel like it had help to get rid of the build up of skin cells. Main problem is that after a while I felt that my skin was drying out and that the therapeutic effect had worn off & it didn't help to reduce redness If I'm going for bath salts I'd prefer to go for epsom salts based on my experience so far.

(http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/shop/gb/groceries/tidmans-sea-salt-bath-1kg, £2)

DOVE DERMASPA GOODNESS BODY LOTION 200ML: 5/10

I did really love this stuff but unfortunately body lotions just don't do the job for my psoriasis, I tend to need something a bit thicker. I loved how it made my facial skin look radiant too and when I get clear skin this will probably be a regular in my skin care routine.  It didn't fare too badly during the day but as a night time moisturiser I found it to be ineffective. Oh and it smells nice too & I like the marketing of it. 

JOHNSONS BEDTIME BABY CREAM 250ML: 7/10

Sometimes the best remedies come from unexpected places! I always think it's worth checking out baby skin care products because they'll be catered to sensitive skin. This is the best before bed moisturiser I have used yet and found that I mostly managed to sleep through the entire night! I don't know if it's something to do with the scent, I mean I did still have a good itch in the morning but if like me you especially struggle sleeping at night this is well worth trying out. I know I'll be using it in the future and the texture + packaging is ideal. 

(http://www.boots.com/en/Johnsons-Bedtime-Baby-Cream-250ml_954242/, £2.49)

HYDROMOL CREAM: 3/10

As a big fan of the ointment I was hoping the cream I got as a free sample would be equally relieving and moisturising but I found that although the cream lasted a good few applications considering the amount I was using the cream didn't suit my severe guttate psoriasis. It seemed to be too lightweight and  the moisturisng effect didn't last at all long enough. Safe to say I'll be opting for the ointment. 

OLIVE OIL TO TREAT PSORIASIS?

OLIVE OIL: 5/10

When I first got to see a dermatologist I was advised to try slightly heating some olive oil to massage into my scalp. For some reason I always dismissed it and thought it had no chance of penetrating my stubborn scales but now I'm willing to try anything. And since i was trying it on my scalp i thought I may as well try it on the rest of my skin too. 

First things first I'm not sure if you're supposed to use a certain type of medicinal olive oil rather than just your average cheap bottle of extra virgin from sainsburys but ah well, if i find out that there is a difference then I shall go back to the drawing board and try again. 

OK so as a moisturiser for my skin it worked quite horrendously. It was a nightmare to massage into my skin, it smelt of olives and I felt all slippery. I found that my skin was beginning to itch again before it had all absorbed into my skin and it didn't help to reduce redness at all. I think it aggravated my skin more actually. HOWEVER when it came to my scalp it was a different story.

Granted I hate applying oils to my scalp because it can be difficult to know if it's actually reached your scalp if like me you're a hairy one. And there's that not so little problem of trying to wash it out of your hair. BUT I did find it to be quite soothing and that after combing my hair loads of flakes came out also. I definitely would not recommend trying to use this if you have places to be within 24 hours of application as your hair will be greasy and snowy & I'd also recommend to be gentle to your delicate scalp when it comes to massaging and combing. I'll use this for my scalp again ... just not as a moisturiser! 

GOING ORGANIC

GROOVY FOOD ORGANIC EXTRA VIRGIN COCONUT OIL 283ML: 3/10:
The first time I tried coconut oil on my skin I bought the cheap KTC stuff only to find out that it was processed. I read everywhere that for the best results  you must go organic/cold-pressed. So call me crazy but I didn't notice any difference at all apart from that the organic stuff smelt of coconut where the processed one had no scent but then again maybe it's only for cooking where such a distinction matters and cooking is probably the only place for coconut oil in my future. Actually I'm being slightly harsh, I did enjoy a dollop during bath time(but watch out for a super slippy & scummy bathing experience). It didn't do too much for my scalp either, mainly because it was quite hard to apply in the first place and wash out in the last. It's also not the cheapest option if you're heading down the oily route. When it came to applying to my skin I found that it sometimes inflamed my psoriasis patches and I became itchy quite quickly. On the other hand lots of people rave about the stuff so it must be beneficial for some people, worth a try to see if it's more suited to your skin! 
(https://www.ocado.com, £5.99)

AYUMI PURE ALMOND OIL 150ML: 7/10
So had a bit of a love/hate relationship with this oil. Feel like i always bang on about how annoying oils are to apply but I do really hate applying them. I was surprised when I saw how cheap it was after stumbling across it in the hair care aisle of my local morrisons supermarket and even though I know nothing about almond oil I thought I should try it given the health benefits linked to skin which are attributed to almonds. The oil didn't ease my itch much on my skin but was sometimes soothing on my scalp (again hard to wash out though) and it absorbed quite quickly which may be good for some but my psoriasis patches sucked up all the moisture extra quickly leaving me needing to re moisturise not long after application. So why are you giving it such a high rating ? I hear you ask and my reply is that by the time I was nearing the end of the bottle I had noticed a noticeable reduction in the redness of my patches and even a slight reduction of redness= huge optimism. I will definitely be using this in the future to see if it's success can be sustained. 
(https://groceries.morrisons.com, £2) 

GARNIER ULTIMATE BLENDS MULTI-PURPOSE SOOTHING BALM 200ML : 2/10
The marketing of this product makes it seem so soothing and comforting for all skin types with it's soft , rounded pastel tub & use of words like 'fragile' and 'delicate'. I thought this was going to be the ULTIMATE comfort cream - but no- of course I was taken in by the marketing lloyds yet again. Not long after applying this I was itching it off, and when I did manage to stick it out long enough for it to absorb my skin became SO SO flaky when I was itching. Do not be as foolish as me, avoid this falsely reassuring product!
p.s. it does smell gorgeous though & I would probably love it if I didn't have psoriasis
(http://www.boots.com/en/Garnier-Body-Ultimate-Blends-Multi-Purpose-Soothing-Balm-200ml_1793043/, £3.99)

GARNIER ULTIMATE BLENDS RESTORING BUTTER- HONEY TREASURES: 3/10
Not as bad as the above mentioned garner product but still- with it mentioning honey and all, the warm packaging colours & words like 'restores & repairs'- I was expecting more. I could get a good few hours before I was itching again but when I was itching again I was flakin' all over the place. Nich so gut. 
(http://www.boots.com/en/Garnier-Body-Ultimate-Blends-Restoring-Butter-200ml_1743691/, £3.99)

GARNIER BODY REPAIR ANTI-DRYNESS RESTORING BALM 250ML: 3/10
And if this product name isn't marketing genius then I just don't know what is, if only it was anti-itch too then it would just be perfect. So maybe this balm does repair normal skin but defs. not the skin of psoriasis sufferers. Looks like no garner products so far will be making it to my ultimate skin care basket! 
(http://www.superdrug.com/, £3.39


BOOTS TRADITIONAL SKIN CARE MOISTURISING CREAM WITH VITAMINS A&E 200ML: 3/10
I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a sucker for pretty packaging so this vintagey looking pot with an affordable price tag AND vitamin E made me wanna try this out. To be fair I didn't have high expectations and it wasn't all that awful, mainly I really like thick lotions and ointments and this was a bit light for me, it absorbed too quickly for my liking which sometimes meant I was back to being itchy. I won't be using it again as part of my psoriasis skin care regime however it did look nice on my bed side table for the short period of time it was there. 
(http://www.boots.com/en/Boots-Traditional-Skin-Care-Moisturising-Cream-With-Vitamins-A-E-200ml_846148/, £3.05)

STRIKING THE 'MOTHER'LOAD?

RAW HEALTH ORGANIC APPLE CIDER VINEGAR, 500ML: 2/10
Having heard a lot about the wonders of raw, unpasteurised Apple Cider Vinegar (or ACV if you should prefer) and how it is great for both applying topically and drinking for healthy skin I thought it would be silly of me to not give it a go.
So after conducting my research (which I'll give you a summary of below this review) I discovered that the optimum amount to consume was between 1-2 teaspoons a day so I reluctantly downed the unpleasant tasting health tonic and also doused my skin in it the unpleasant smelling stuff every day until the bottle was done. Unfortunately the results didn't quite match up to the wonderful reviews I read.
Although the ACV did on one or two occasions slightly soothe the itching, the itching came back very soon after application as it caused my skin to dry out. It also sometimes stung a little and if that's not enough to put you off the smell alone is, paired with the fact that it's not that easy to apply.
Unfortunately I didn't get to try out it's effectiveness as a bath additive as some people have recommended doing but I'm not confident that it would improve my opinion of it.
All in all there has been no noticeable difference in my skin since starting to take & apply ACV -  although I'm convinced that it's helped me to lose a little bit of weight. I may not be using this vinegar as psoriasis treatment again however I think it will become a permanent fixture in my food cupboard to experience it's other health benefits by including it in recipes.

DITCHING THE ITCH PART IIII: CALAMINE LOTION

SAINSBURY'S CALALMINE LOTION 200ML: 4/10

I have always associated calamine lotion with childhood chickenpox. I remember being covered in the pale pink chalky stuff head to toe in order to relieve the intense itching that accompanies the rite-of-passage. Now that it's my psoriasis that needs relief from the intense itching i thought I would give this a go, I love how gentle and calming even the word calamine is! 
This was a hit and miss affair. Sometimes it worked it a dream in soothing my late night itching woes and it really did calm my skin right down and help me drift off to sleep. Other nights it dried really very quickly on my skin, leaving my skin dry and still irritated. That's the main problem with calamine lotion, it completely dries the skin. Sometime it didn't matter too much if I jumped back in to bed quickly to get straight back to sleep, other times it led to a frantic scramble around the house searching for something to ease the itch. 
Also, it's very messy! I usually ended up standing in the bath at midnight pouring it over me because of course when I'm in that irritated state I don't have time to look for cotton balls! It would also usually then transfer to my bed sheets or clothes. 
All in all it's probably one of the best itch relievers I've tried so far so if all else fails I'll be using it again...still holding out for something more effective though.

(http://www.sainsburys.co.uk/shop/gb/groceries/skin-treatments/sainsburys-calamine-lotion-200ml-6005129-p-44, £1.00)

NEUTROGENA

So I was going to wait until I had tried out all of Netrogena's  body moisturising products before I did my review but I haven't been able to get hold of their intense repair body lotion or the dermatological cream (which is annoying as it states it specifically helps psoriasis!)so if I manage to get my hands on it i'll review it separately. I decided to try out Neutrogena products as part of my experimentations with high street products. I can't say that any of these were particularly good for helping with psoriasis but ah well, at least now I know! 

Netutrogena Visibly Renew Elast-Boost Body Balm: 5/10

You've got to love the complex wordiness some beauty companies use for their products! Anyway this was the product I had low expectations for as it's primary purpose is to help skins elasticity. If I didn't have psoriasis I'd use this on a daily basis as I loved how my skin felt and although it was my favourite neutrogena product, unfortunately the moisture just wasn't penetrating enough for my flaky spots. I loved the smell, texture and of course the pot! It also works well to use on the face. 

(http://www.boots.com/en/Neutrogena-Norwegian-Formula-Visibly-Renew-Elasti-Boost-Body-Balm-200ml_1651114/, £4.99)

Neutorgena Nourishing Body Balm with Nordic Berry: 4/10

I initially thought my skin would love this, probably because of the word 'nourishing' but unfortunately my clothes seemed to soak up all the moisturiser rather than my skin when it was applied. I found that my itchiness would return not long after applying and i definitely couldn't make it through the night with this alone as my moisturiser. It's a shame because the smell was divine and I think it would work a treat on normal skin, even though it states for very dry skin I wouldn't rely on it to provide relief. 

(http://www.boots.com/en/Neutrogena-Norwegian-Formula-Nourishing-Body-Balm-with-Nordic-Berry-200ml_1440744/, £4.29)

Neutrogena Deep Moisture Comfort Balm : 5/10

This product was ok, again I was seduced by the marketing of the product but unfortunately it didn't provide as much comfort for dry skin as you would think from seeing the product on the shelves. Again I like the texture and pot but it absorbs quickly so skin quickly becomes rough, dry and itchy again. 

(http://www.boots.com/en/Neutrogena-Norwegian-Formula-Deep-Moisture-Comfort-Balm-300ml_1040074/, £4.49) 

Neutrogena Body Oil: 3/10

This product looked divine when I was in the shops, I thought this could be the one but one thing I've learnt is that oils aren't as moisturising and relieving as they look. Like most oils it was messy to apply and not worth the effort. Almost immediately after applying my skin would become itchy again. In fact I think it provided more irritation than relief. Whilst using this product my sleep was horrendous. It does state that you can also use this in the bath, I didn't actually try it for that purpose dues to it's ineffectiveness for it's main purpose.

(http://www.boots.com/en/Neutrogena-Norwegian-Formula-Body-Oil-250ml_2129/, £7.99)

Neutrogena Deep Moisture Creamy Oil Body Lotion: 5/10

This reminded me of the comfort balm, I didn't notice any difference between the two at all apart from it was in a pump bottle and had a slightly lighter texture. I was able to wear this for quite a while without recurring itching but my skin still felt rough. Not for me I'm afraid.

(http://www.boots.com/en/Neutrogena-Norwegian-Formula-Deep-Moisture-Creamy-Oil-For-Dry-Skin-250ml_1277228/, £4.99)

THE CLASSICS

I'm sure the majority of psoriasis sufferers are familiar with the two creams pictures above and will require no review of them but I did say I would review everything I try so here goes.  As always I must remind you that these are my personal experiences of these products, just because something doesn't work for me doesn't mean it won't work for you! I apologise -yet again- for not posting much recently, I blame life and stuff for getting in the way. I plan to be back on form very soon. 

Cetraben Cream 479ml: 6/10

Thing thing I like most about Cetraben is that you feel like your skin being properly moisturised as opposed to many high street products which often make you feel as though it's only moisturising the very surface of your skin. The main problem for me is that this moisturiser doesn't last for long enough and it doesn't always soothe the irritation and itchiness which accompanies the dryness. If I applied this just before I went to bed I found that I would wake up feeling like I immediately needed to moisturise again, my skin felt tight and itchy again. Cetraben is also very expensive considering that it wasn't that effective so I won't be purchasing this cream again. Maybe the lotion version will work better for my skin. 

(http://www.boots.com/en/Cetraben-Cream-475ml_1658598/, £12.99)

Epaderm Cream  500g: 5/10

Although I found the two creams to be very similar, this one was slightly more displeasing, especially  during the evening. I found that I would wake up in itchy fits in the middle of the night and my skin would still be screaming with itchiness after I had reapplied it. It was similar to Cetraben in the sense that you feel it was penetrating the skin with moisture but unfortunately it didn't soothe my irritation at all. I don't understand at all why it is so expensive, some people really recommend these two products so it may be worth trying them out but for me they won't be making the cut. 

(http://www.boots.com/en/Epaderm-Cream-2-in-1-Emollient-and-Skin-Cleanser-500g_1220331/, £12.20) 

SCALY SCALPS

Dentinox Cradle Cap Treatment Shampoo 125ML: 6/10
You may think I've gone crazy trying out cradle cap shampoo but desperate times and all that! Below I've included the first in my 'knowledge is power' series on cradle cap should you wish to learn a bit more(if you don't already know). I have to admit it wasn't all that bad! The price was the main selling point of giving this a go. With most psoriasis shampoos being very overpriced (in my opinion, based on my experience with their effectiveness) this was very reasonably priced. I was using this after I had been using an anti-dandruff shampoo called Nizoral which you can read about in my previous post. My scalp reacted much better to cradle cap shampoo than some of the targeted shampoos. My scalp was MUCH less flaky and itchy. Unfortunately I still had very thick scales and although it was an improvement on anti-dandruff shampoos, it's not quite psoriasis strength stuff. Might be worth a try if you have very mild scalp psoriasis? 
(http://www.boots.com/en/Dentinox-Cradle-Cap-Treatment-Shampoo-125ml_6709/, £2.09)



KNOWLEDGE IS POWER: CRADLE CAP

I'm starting a new series on the blog which will be chronicling various skin ailments people suffer with. Since being diagnosed with psoriasis I've been inspired to research everything skin related and as the title of the series says- knowledge is power, who knows, I may even find something that helps with psoriasis whilst looking at what helps other skin problems. I know that I may not first hand experience of everything that I'm writing about but as I've found with psoriasis, awareness is so important, as is sharing that awareness. I'll normally be posting in the 'DEAR DIARY' section but as I was reviewing a cradle cap shampoo I thought I'd post the first in the series here. 

Don't worry, I'm fully aware that cradle cap is a form of sebhorroeic dermatitis specifically experienced by babies (aka. honeycomb disease, infantile/ neonatal sebhorroeic dermatitis, milk crust, crusta lactea) and usually occurs within the first two months of their existence -because may as well teach them early on about skin problems- but I thought I would start at the very start (skin problems experienced from birth) and I will do another post on sebhorroeic dermatitis at some unknown point in the future. Anyway, around 50% of all babies born on planet earth will experience cradle cap and most that experience it will usually experience a mild form as severe experiences are very rare. It is one of those things that normally clears up on it's by 6-12 months of age after a few weeks/months and if you're precious bundle of joy is lucky enough to be experiencing a mild as opposed to a severe form then it is likely that it won't be causing your beautiful baba any irritation or discomfort, you might just find it unsightly (I personally think it's quite beautiful & photogenic though).  It is not completely uncommon for this to continue into toddlerhood or childhood but this is less common & when it continues into adolescence it will usually then be classified simply as sebhorroeic dermatitis. 
There aren't any conclusive studies on the subject (but please don't hold me to this) however it has been speculated that babies with cradle cap may develop dandruff / another form of sebhorroeic dermatitis when they are older. It's occasionally linked to immune disorders but this is unlikely unless babe is suffering from other problems such as diarrhoea  and in which case you should consult your GP/health care provider. In an Australian study about 15% of diagnosed bebes had eczema 10 years on. Sometimes cradle cap can turn into atopic dermatitis and rarely it can turn out to be misdiagnosed psoriasis (however if the latter is true then, judging from my experience, you will notice baby experiencing irritation & discomfort) 

The Picture above shows a very mild case of cradle cap but as you may know it is easily identifiable from large or patterns of small greasy, yellow or brown scales on the scalp. The scales may later start to flake and after the flakes come loose, the skin underneath may appear red and although the hair may come away with the flakes the hair will grow back again soon enough! It is also worth noting that cradle cap can also occur on the face, ears, neck, nappy area or in folded skin areas such as at the back of the knees and armpits. Like a lot of skin issues IT IS NOT CONTAGIOUS! 
If your babies cradle cap starts to look red and swollen you should see a doctor as it could be infected. If it is infected your doctor will most likely prescribe some antibiotics along with anti-fungal medication to sort it out so no need to worry. 

It's not certain what causes cradle cap but it is believed that an overactive sebaceous gland (which produces an oily substance called sebum) and this gland is most likely to be overactive when us humans are babies and teenagers. There is also a fungal germ which lives in this sebum and a reaction to the germ causes the skin inflammation. In particular it is thought that the yeast Malasezzia along with the bacteria in the sebum cause the inflammation and it is also thought that this Malasezzia yeast is linked with adult dandruff. 
Cradle cap can also occur as a reaction to some baby shampoos and lotions, especially those that contain alcohol or other harsh ingredients. Alternatively it can also be a result of an allergic reaction to the type of formula or certain solid food your baby is consuming. It has also been attributed to hormones passed from mother to baby, extreme weather or antibiotics taken by mum during pregnancy. 

If you decide to treat cradle cap please avoid the temptation to pick off the scales as this can lead to infection. If your baby has eczema you should avoid using shampoos but instead try out petroleum jelly, or a medical emollient and simply wash off. Doctors may prescribe anti-fungal or a mild anti-dandruff shampoo whilst others may warn against the use of medicated shampoo for newborns due to the risk of systemic absorption (although research has shown that anti fungal medication is not absorbed into the bloodstream). Shampoos and creams containing Ketoconazole have proven to be the most effective treatment of cradle cap. Salicylic acid, coal tar, zinc and selenium are also used to treat dryness and flaking. It is sometimes advised to keep a humidifier in the house to reduce skin dryness by keeping moisture in the air, it is recommended to resist over washing (as it increases oil production) your little human and instead bathe them every two to three days and you could try moisturising the scalp post-washing to prevent dryness and scaliness. 

If you would prefer to go natural (aside from leaving it to clear up on its own) this website provides some great methods which I know I'm definitely going to be trying to help soothe my psoriasis too!:

http://homeremediesforlife.com/cradle-cap/

HELP ON THE HIGH STREET?

So since I started my pre/probiotic diet experiment thing I haven't been posting many product reviews but that doesn't mean that I haven't been trying out new stuff. As most psoriasis suffered know, lotions and potions that are specifically for psoriasis can be very expensive so I thought I would give my purse a break and see what 'off-the-shelf' products are available. Before you call me silly or give me a lecture on all the chemicals etc that are in these products, I am aware that most of them aren't going to help, but like I've said before, I am leaving no stone unturned in my quest for skin comfort. 
Ok so I've been hoarding these tubs and bottles until I found myself finally getting a moment to be able to review them and I'm going to keep the reviews short and sweet. 

Garnier Hydralock 400ml: 7/10
Out of all the products pictured, this is the only one that I would bother using again. I've seen that it has been available in other countries for a while but I've only recently noticed it on the shelves of UK stores. I absolutely hate the consistency of thin and runny moisturisers like this, it is described as 'moisturising milk' though to be fair so I can't complain too much.  Despite the consistency it contains 5% Urea & urea is great at offering relief from itching. It's not a product that deeply moisturises but I found it really soothing for my intense night itching problem. It scored so highly because I had A WHOLE WEEK of sleeping well!!It's strange that after a week of use it seemed less effective for some reason. It's not a moisturiser I'd use in the day but I think I'll keep a bottle handy for those night time itching fits. 
(http://www.superdrug.com/Garnier/Garnier-Skin-Naturals-Hydralock-Moisturising-Milk-400ml/p/524018?gclid=CjwKEAiA27G1BRCEopST9M39gykSJADQyqAlXX0-lznwJms3e-RQaiSwOeOOQTSpGDHOhqc3Wwm2jBoCSrrw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds, £2.69)

Nivea Soft 200ml: 3/10
Well done Nivea for the marketing of this product, when I saw this 'soft' looking product on the shelves I thought it looked and sounded like something that would offer comfort to my skin. Unfortunately it wasn't to be. This would offer long-lasting moisture to non psoriasis sufferers and I like the consistency. However, because it does have quite a thick & heavy consistency it often stuck to my clothes (you know when you're clothes get cold and damp because they've become saturated in moisturiser). I'd probably need a bigger pot too, as you can imagine the 200ml pot didn't lost long. At least it smelt nice though!
(http://www.tesco.com/groceries/product/details/?id=257275188&gclid=CjwKEAiA27G1BRCEopST9M39gykSJADQyqAl0VST4hF3EXykSKnaAY8qAP41QRe94r_zvRM8yjPFrBoCsdfw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds, £4.10)

Lotil Original Cream 114ml: 4/10
This is one that seems to sit on the skin for ages, it takes a while for it all to absorb leaving you with the saturated clothes problem. It did offer some comfort immediately after applying but I was back to my itchy self before too long. Not effective enough to make the short list I'm afraid. 
(http://www.boots.com/en/Lotil-Original-Cream-114ml_865711/, £6.29)

Atrixo Enriched Moisturising Hand Cream 200ml: 5/10
Ok so I didn't notice that it was specifically a HAND cream when I bought it but of course I still tried smothering it over the whole of my spotty body. As it is enriched with camomile I thought it would be soothing, and it was to some extent just not quite as soothing as I was hoping for. I'm sure it makes a lovely hand cream for non psoriasis sufferers but the moisturiser doesn't penetrate deeply enough on those lesions of ours. 
(http://www.tesco.com/groceries/product/details/?id=255338187&gclid=CjwKEAiA27G1BRCEopST9M39gykSJADQyqAlnFAE49J0vuDtNmxMd8LMmZH7NXw6B01LUyZmguRG3hoCIRLw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds, £3.70)

Nizoral Dandruff Shampoo 100ml: 1/10
In my defence it's not just an anti-dandruff shampoo, it does mention dermatitis so I though that might include other skin conditions also. Boy was I wrong! DO NOT USE THIS ON SEVERE SCALP PSORIASIS. It was hell, I was flaking all over the place and was so so so itchy. I wash my hair before I go to bed at night and I was scratching one patch on my my scalp all night so of course it bled and made my hair smell like I can't even describe, it was horrible. 
(http://www.boots.com/en/Nizoral-Dandruff-Shampoo-100-ml_11359/, £9.19)

Astral 200ml: 5/10
Loads of people swear by this cream and it does make a nice facial moisturiser. I personally didn't find it that effective and wasn't too keen on the smell. It's a nice consistency but my skin got back to being itchy again relatively quickly after applying it. 
(http://www.boots.com/en/Astral-All-Over-Moisturiser-200ml_51896/?cm_mmc=bmm-_-google-_-PLAs-_-Boots%20Shopping%20-%20Category%20-%20Beauty, £3.89)

Elegance Skincare Goats Milk Psoriasis Cream 200g: 4/10
This was given to me as a present, the guy who sold it to my auntie claimed that it clears psoriasis. It definitely does not clear psoriasis. It has a nice light and airy texture but is still thick enough for my liking. The little pot didn't last long for it's ridiculous price!
(https://www.natural-skin-care.com/product_info.php?products_id=279%A0osCsid=grf2hg78pi0g8fld1qi1juoq85, £22.50)


Palmers Cocoa Butter Formula Moisturising body Oil 250ml: 5/10
Love love love the smell of this. Like with all body oils it's annoying and messy to apply. It did leave my skin feeling moisturised but you would have to apply it about 5 times a day to stay properly moisturised. 
(http://www.feelunique.com/p/Palmers-Cocoa-Butter-Formula-Moisturizing-Body-Oil-250ml?utm_source=GoogleBaseUK&utm_medium=gen&option=32627&aff=mrn&utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_term=&utm_campaign=Google+Shopping+-+Suppliers_Other&mkwid=sifM0Nky8_dc&pcrid=54960034239&pkw=&pmt=&utm_content=sifM0Nky8_dc%7Cpcrid%7C54960034239%7Cpkw%7C%7Cpmt%7C, £4.99)

Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Body Gel 200ml: 3/10
When I saw this in the shop I thought this was going to be the one. It looked so full of moisture. Again, I was fooled by appearances. I really didn't like the smell of it and it actually stung a bit after applying sometimes. 
(http://www.superdrug.com/Vaseline/Vaseline-Intensive-Care-Cocoa-Body-Gel-200ml/p/309900?gclid=CjwKEAiA27G1BRCEopST9M39gykSJADQyqAlTP7FJxPUfzwMiqCwcpfSWgbDA_d34LgNeZ0Mjfx3sxoC4qrw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds, £5.69 )