Help & advice
Got a question about Dermalex or how to treat your skin condition?
Can dermalex help my dry skin?
Dermalex Repair and Restore is clinically proven to provide long-term hydration, by locking in moisture and treating dry skin symptoms such as dryness, itching, and flaking.
The cream leaves your skin soft and supple whilst also strengthening the skin barrier function.
What causes my dry skin?
Dry skin is often caused by not following the right skin care regime or weather conditions, so if it’s particularly cold and dry or hot and humid, it can cause your skin to dry out.
What is the difference between eczema and dry skin?
Eczema is the name for a group of skin conditions that cause an inflammation that in turn causes itching, flaking and redness. Dry skin is a common symptom in patients with eczema, especially in the most common types such as atopic dermatitis and irritant contact dermatitis. Dry/very dry skin itself can also cause itching and redness (without causing an inflammatory response) but usually to a lower extent. However, dry/very dry skin is not necessarily connected to eczema and can be caused by environment (frequent contact with water, detergents, dry, cold climate or due to individual factors such as aging). If you are unsure about your symptoms, please consult a medical professional.
How do I avoid dry skin on my face?
Avoid long, hot showers and reduce the temperature. Also don’t wash your face in very hot shower water and wash it in your sink instead.
Scrubbing your skin might make you feel you’re cleaning it correctly but in fact, scrubbing any skin can be detrimental to your skin’s health if you’re not using a facial scrub. So when you wash your face use a facial scrub and use soft, gentle circular motions.
Should I moisturise my dry skin?
We use moisturisers to keep our skin hydrated, but they can contain ingredients that pull moisture from your skin. The reason is some moisturisers contain a humectant. They can end up drawing the hydration out of your skin when the weather is dry. The way to counteract this and prevent losing moisture is to use a moisturizer that contains both humectants and occlusive, so you’re sealing it in, keeping your skin soft.
Does the type of makeup I choose affect my dry skin?
Oil-based makeup might seem like an excellent choice to keep your skin hydrated, but it could potentially be doing you more harm than good if you have dry skin. Oil-based makeup can result in your pores clogging up which in turn absorbs your skin’s natural moisture. Highly fragranced skin care can also irritate your skin, it’s best to choose fragrance-free products which will put less stress on your skin. It’s recommended to do a test to see how your skin reacts to specific products.
Does alcohol in beauty products affect my dry skin?
Lots of beauty products contain alcohol, but it’s the levels that are important when it comes to causing you to have dry skin issues. Alcohol is a fat solvent which destroys the natural layer of sebum on the skin. If the alcohol content is below 5% in most cases, it mostly evaporates the moment you apply it. Some products, particularly things like toners do contain high levels of alcohol and used regularly they can start to dry your skin out.
If dry skin is an issue, it always makes sense to research what ingredients a product contains. If alcohol is near the top of the ingredients list and you have sensitive skin, it might be better to leave that one on the shelf and choose something else. Here’s a list of ingredients to look out for ethanol or ethyl alcohol, denatured alcohol, methanol, isopropyl alcohol, SD alcohol, and benzyl alcohol.
Does drinking alcohol affect my dry skin?
Drinking alcoholic drinks can cause your skin to become dehydrated. This can leave your skin dry and make you appear looking older and tired. If you do have alcoholic drinks keep your skin hydrated by drinking water.
Does stress cause dry skin?
Stress can cause your skin to become dehydrated and can prevent it from repairing itself. When you get stressed your body produces higher than usual levels of a stress hormone called cortisol.
What vitamin deficiency can cause dry skin?
A vitamin C deficiency causes scurvy, which is first manifested as rough, dry skin. If you’re low in vitamin A it can cause skin cells to shed faster than they should which can mean your skin becomes dry.
Can my clothes affect my dry skin?
Materials such as wool or synthetic fibres can sometimes irritate and worsen dry skin.
How many times a day should I apply dermalex psoriasis cream?
Apply the cream 2 to 3 times a day.
What are the types of psoriasis?
Psoriasis appears in a variety of types with distinct characteristics. There are seven types: psoriasis vulgaris (plaque), guttate, inverse, pustular, erythrodermic, nail psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. The most common is psoriasis vulgaris.
When should I apply Dermalex psoriasis cream?
Apply the cream after washing.
What are the types of psoriasis severity?
Mild psoriasis: symptoms cover 3% of your body.
Moderate psoriasis: symptoms cover up to 10% of your body.
Severe psoriasis: symptoms cover more than 10% of your body.
Can psoriasis affect nails?
Yes, psoriasis can also affect the fingernails and toenails, causing pitting, thickening and irregular contour of the nail.
Can psoriasis affect the ears or face?
Psoriasis can occur on the external ear canal and behind the ear drum in the inner ear. If you develop psoriasis in the ear, it is not uncommon to also see it on your face: around the eyes, nose and mouth.
What causes psoriasis?
The exact cause is unknown. But scientists believe that it is a multi factorial disorder: caused by a combination of several genetic mutations, stress and environmental triggers.
Is psoriasis contagious?
Psoriasis is not contagious.
Is psoriasis hereditary (genetic)?
Yes, about 1/3 of patients with psoriasis have a parent or siblings with psoriasis. However, the development of the disease is quite complex. It results from a combination of genetic (inherited), immunologic and environmental factors.
Is psoriasis caused by stress?
The development of severity of psoriasis lesions is often associated with stress that influences the immune system.
Who suffers from acne?
While acne is most closely associated with puberty, it is the world’s most common skin condition, not restricted to teenagers.
Acne typically starts in puberty, becoming worse during adolescence. Most acne outbreaks occur between puberty and the age of 30.
What are the symptoms of acne?
Acne is a common skin condition that often causes spots, oily skin or skin that is hot or painful to the touch. There are six different kinds of spots normally attributed to acne and these include:
- Blackheads– small black or yellowish bumps that develop on the skin. These are black because the inner lining of the hair follicle produces pigmentation (colouring)
- Whiteheads– have a similar appearance to blackheads, but may be firmer and won’t empty when squeezed
- Papules– small red bumps that may feel tender or sore
- Pustules– similar to papules, but have a white tip in the centre, caused by a build-up of pus
- Nodules– large hard lumps that build up beneath the surface of the skin and can be painful
- Cysts– the most severe type of spot caused by acne; they’re large pus-filled lumps that look similar to boils and carry the greatest risk of causing permanent scarring.
Acne typically appears on your face, neck, chest, back and shoulders. These areas of skin have the most oil-producing glands. Forehead acne might be specifically caused by food and digestive problems, while acne on your jaw area could be caused by hormonal changes.
What causes acne?
The skin is naturally covered with a thin layer of acidic mantle, which acts as a barrier against pathologic micro-infections. So anything that disturbs this pH-balance can contribute towards acne forming.
Acne occurs when your skin’s pores are clogged with a combination of an oil called sebum and dead skin cells. This creates an ideal environment for bacteria to multiply. The severity of the acne is related to the level of bacterial inflammation.
What triggers acne?
Changes in hormonal levels often set off acne outbreaks, especially during puberty, pregnancy and the menstrual cycle.
Stress is another well-known trigger, as are certain medicines like some antibiotics. Some cosmetics can lead to acne outbreaks by clogging the pores. Soaps that are too harsh, and scrubbing your skin excessively can contribute to acne through skin irritation and drying out your skin. Dry skin will produce even more sebum than before to protect against water loss, and this can cause further worsening of acne symptoms.
Environmental factors can trigger outbreaks of acne too. Getting dirty or dusty, being exposed to air pollution and sweating, all have clogging effects on the pores in the skin if it is left unwashed.
How can I prevent acne?
There is no way to completely prevent acne, but following these tips can help reduce the number and severity of outbreaks:
Cleansing
Wash your skin regularly, especially after exercising, as sweat clogs your pores. As a general rule, wash your face gently twice a day, using a low – pH cleanser designed for acne-prone skin. Don’t overdo it however. Too much washing can dry out the skin and worsen existing acne. Harsh cleansing can also affect your skin’s protective layer, making it vulnerable to an acne outbreak.
Make up and lotions
If you use these products, choose ones that won’t block the pores. These are known as non-comedogenic products. Clogging of the pores is a major contributor to acne.
Things to avoid
- Popping or squeezing pimples can push pus deeper into the skin, leading to more swelling, inflammation and even permanent scars.
- Many hairsprays and gels contain oil. Oily substances aggravate acne, so it’s better to use hair products that are water-based.
- Tight clothes can chafe and irritate acne on the back and chest.
How can I treat acne?
There are many different kinds of acne treatment. The choice of treatment depends on the severity of the condition. Mild and moderate cases can be treated with over-the-counter products, while more serious cases require advice from a healthcare professional.
Treatments include:
- Cosmetic cleansers and creams that lower sebum production and reduce skin oiliness
- Topical over-the-counter creams and gels that kill the acne bacteria
- Antibiotics
- Birth control pills and other medicines that regulate the hormones
- Drainage and extraction of large acne cysts by a dermatologist
Will my child ‘grow out’ of eczema?
The tendency for sensitive skin may remain even into teenage years or beyond. However, in most cases your child’s eczema will gradually improve as they get older. The age at which eczema ceases to be a problem varies. Many are better by the age of 3 years, and most will have only occasional trouble by the time they are teenagers. It is estimated that about 2/3 of children “outgrow” their eczema, although they may always have a tendency for dry skin
How many types of eczema are there?
There are several types of eczema. They include atopic, contact (an allergic reaction or irritation), adult seborrhelc, infantile seborrheic, discord, pompholyx, asteatotic or varicose.
Can I use makeup if I have eczema?
It depends on the makeup and its quality. In general, it is better not to use makeup products with colourants and fragrances on skin that is prone to eczema, in order to avoid irritation, allergy or further drying the skin.
What is the difference between atopic eczema and contact eczema?
Atopic eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is mostly driven by genetic factors. External factors are secondary. It develops all over the body. Physical contact with an irritant is not necessary to develop the disease. Atopic eczema patients have oversensitive skin that can react even to dust, pollen or dry air. Contact eczema, also known as contact dermatitis, is driven mainly by external factors and develops at the site of physical contact with the irritant or allergen. Genetic predisposition comes second.
What is the difference between irritant contact eczema and allergic contact eczema?
Irritant contact eczema results from chronic exposure to irritant substances, which causes physical damage. It is often referred to as occupational eczema or hand eczema. It is particularly common in people with jobs involving cleaning, catering, hairdressing, healthcare and mechanical work. Allergic contact eczema results from an overreaction of the body’s immune system against a substance in contact with the skin. Reactions can occur in a delayed stage. For example, after many years using perfume you can suddenly develop an allergy to it. A very common allergic reaction is to nickel, which is often found in earrings, belt buckles and jean buttons.
What is severe eczema?
Eczema can range from mild to severe. SCORAD (SCORing Atopic Dermatitis) is used by doctors to assess the extent and severity of eczema. The SCORAD evaluation is complimented by a standardized documented used throughout the treatment. How it works: healthcare professionals measure the extent of the eczema (% of body area) and its intensity. The patient reports the severity of itching and insomnia. Based on this information an overall score is calculated: Below 15: mild 15-40: moderate. Above 40: severe
What causes eczema?
The specific cause of eczema remains unknown, but it is believed to develop due to a combination of hereditary (genetic) and environmental factors.
Can infants have eczema?
Eczema usually starts within the first five years of life, most often in the first six months. It typically lasts into childhood and adolescence. In some cases it may last into adulthood. The location and appearance of eczema changes as children grow. In young babies, eczema is most prominent on the cheeks, forehead, scalp and flexing areas (elbows, knees, wrists, ankles). At 6-12 months of age it is often worst on the crawling surfaces: elbows and knees. Around the age of two it tends to involve the creases of the elbows, knees, wrists, ankles and hands. It may affect the skin around the mouth and the eyelids. Older children and adolescents may have eczema only on the hands. In young babies eczema tends to be more red and weepy. In toddlers and older children it often appears more dry, and the skin may be thickened with prominent skin lines (a skin change called lichenification).
What triggers eczema in babies?
Eczema flare-ups occur when the skin is very dry, when it is infected or when it comes in contact with irritating substances or allergic triggers. Eczema tends to be worse in the winter when the air is dry and tends to improve in the summer when it is more humid. In babies, saliva from drooling may cause additional irritation, particularly to the cheeks, chin and neck. In such cases, applying an ointment can prevent direct contact with saliva and decrease skin irritation. Specific triggers can vary based on the child and can include pets, carpet, dust mites, fabrics (such as wool), cigarette smoke and scented products (such as perfume, laundry detergent and air freshener).
What is the link between eczema and allergies?
Studies show that if one or both parents have eczema, asthma or seasonal allergies, their child is more likely to develop the most common type of eczema: atopic dermatitis. What’s more, children with eczema may be more at risk of developing allergies or asthma. In fact, one study found that 35% of adults who had eczema as children had hay fever or asthma as adults.
Why choose dermalex?
Dermalex Rosacea is used to target the mild to moderate symptoms of rosacea. It does not contain steroids, or antibiotics.
It works through a unique Tri-solve® technology:
Repairs the skin barrier
The ceramides in the cream help to restore the weakened skin barrier. This is important to prevent further moisture loss and to keep external threats from entering and causing new flare-ups
It creates a protective film for protection against external triggers
The loss of ceramides results in a thinner top layer of the skin (the so-called epidermis). This makes the skin more vulnerable to external irritants that cause flushing. Our product protects the skin with a film containing UVA and UVB filters.
Targets mild to moderate symptoms
Dermalex Rosacea reduces redness, dryness and the visibility of spider veins. It protects and soothes the skin.
Who suffers from rosacea?
Rosacea is a rather common skin condition: 10% of the world’s population suffers from it. Around one in 600 people is diagnosed in the UK every year. Rosacea is most common among people over 30 who have fair skin. It normally starts around the age of 30 and affects three times more women than men. It rarely affects children.
What are the symptoms of rosacea?
While rosacea can vary substantially from one person to another, most people will have some (rather than all) of these signs and symptoms.
Primary signs of rosacea:
Flushing
Many people with rosacea have a history of frequent blushing or flushing. This facial redness may come and go, and is often the earliest sign of the disorder.
Persistent redness
Persistent facial redness is the most common individual sign of rosacea, and may resemble a blush or sunburn that doesn’t go away.
Bumps and pimples
Small, red, solid bumps or pus-filled pimples often develop. While these may resemble acne, these are rarely blackheads and may often sting or burn.
Visible blood vessels
In many people with rosacea, small blood vessels become visible on the skin.
Eye irritation
Your eyes may be irritated and appear watery or bloodshot, a condition known as ocular rosacea. Your eyelids may also become red and swollen, and sties are common. Severe cases can result in corneal damage and vision loss, so it’s important to seek medical help.
Burning or stinging
These sensations may often occur on the face. Itchiness or a feeling of tightness may also develop.
Dry appearance
The face may be rough, and appear very dry.
Plaques
Raised red patches, known as plaques, may develop without changes in the surrounding skin.
Skin thickening
The skin may thicken and enlarge from excess tissue, most commonly on the nose. This condition, known as rhinophyma, affects more men than women.
Swelling
Facial swelling, known as edema, may accompany other signs of rosacea or occur independently.
Signs beyond the face
Rosacea signs and symptoms may also develop beyond the face, most commonly on the neck, chest, scalp or ears.
What causes rosacea?
What triggers Rosacea is not clear. While several different theories and possible explanations have been proposed by scientists, the true causes are still not fully understood and are the subject of ongoing research. Increasingly, dermatologists are of the opinion that rosacea may have more than one cause. These may include: family genes, faulty blood vessels, microscopic mites called Demodex Folliculorum, bacteria in the digestive system called Helicobacter Pylori, or an immune-system compound known as Cathelicidin.
Once the underlying skin disorder is present, rosacea is mainly triggered by external factors. Triggers can be different for everyone but some common ones include:
Weather conditions
Weather conditions are known to be a culprit. If you have rosacea you should try to avoid hot or cold weather extremes
Food and beverages to avoid:
- Hot drinks and soup
- Tea and coffee
- Spicy food
Certain medicines
Medicines like the ones used to enlarge blood vessels or lower cholesterol – can cause flare-ups.
Cosmetics
Ones containing alcohol or perfume irritate the skin and aggravate rosacea.
Stress
Stress is also a common trigger of rosacea.
Intense workouts
In the gym or other excessive exercise overheat the body and increase redness.
How can I prevent rosacea?
There’s no foolproof method to prevent rosacea symptoms, but you can avoid the things that trigger flare-ups, like spicy food, hot drinks, stress and intense exercise.
Make sure to use daily sun protection, as exposure to the sun is a common trigger of rosacea.
Rosacea is a dry skin condition, so we strongly advise that you use an appropriate moisturising cream on your face. Avoid cosmetic products that contain alcohol or perfumes, and use soaps and shower gels that don’t dehydrate your skin.
You can use make-up to help cover any patches of persistently red skin. If your condition is more severe, it is best to consult your doctor or pharmacist.
As with all skin conditions, a healthy diet, enough sleep and regular gentle exercise can help improve the symptoms of rosacea.
How can I treat rosacea?
Rosacea cannot currently be cured, but it can be successfully managed. We advise treating rosacea at an early stage, not only to relieve the symptoms, but also to prevent the condition from getting worse.
Identify the triggers of your rosacea and avoid them
For instance sun exposure is a common trigger of rosacea, so daily sun protection for your skin is vital.
Care for your skin properly
It is important to take care of your skin properly, using gentle products for rosacea-prone skin.
Apply topical creams
Topical creams are creams that are applied directly to the skin’s surface. These primarily reduce the inflammation and redness.
Antibiotics
Your doctor may prescribe antibiotics to tackle the inflammation. These can be topical or taken in pill form.
Laser therapy and cosmetic surgery
Laser therapy reduces the incidence of visible red blood vessels. In severe cases cosmetic surgery may be used to reduce thickening of the nose.
Steroid treatment
While steroids (primarily hydrocortisone) can be used temporarily to ease the symptoms of psoriasis and eczema, they should not be used to treat rosacea. In fact, they can aggravate rosacea, as they cause similar effects. They can cause couperose, pustules and reddening of the skin on the face, a condition known as steroid rosacea. If you have any questions about how to treat rosacea speak to your doctor or pharmacist.
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The benefits of using dermalex.
To treat your skin condition
Our clinically-proven range of over-the-counter creams and gels moisturise and protect your skin, to treat and relieve symptoms and create a strong barrier that prevents future flare-ups. All our products are free from steroids or antibiotics and they are suitable for every day, long-term use.
About us- Provide relief from flare-ups (Eczema Treatments, Repair + Restore & Psoriasis only)
- Helps to strengthen the skin barrier (Eczema, Psoriasis, Repair + Restore)
- Free from steroids
- Are suitable for long-term use
