How I Treat My Psoriasis
Okay, so, it has been a LONG LOOOONG time since I've posted on here. I've had exams and working 6 days a week throughout summer I feel like I've not had a minute to myself. So whilst I'm dying in bed with a virus, and heaps of uni work looming over my shoulder, what better time to write a blog post? Am I right?
Psoriasis is a long-lasting autoimmune disease thought to be related to a problem with the immune system. It causes red and flaky patches of skin with silvery scales.
When I first started my blog my psoriasis had just started appearing but it wasn't really anything of a concern. Exams and revision started piling up, resulting in my stress levels increasing rapidly as well as the patches on my body. Exams were finally over (which I got a 2:1 in may I just add) and the stress was lifted off my shoulders, I thought finally my psoriasis would go down. How wrong I was. Psoriasis can be flamed up by delayed stress as well, so although my stress levels felt like they should be lowering, my skin was only getting worse. Especially on my back, in my scalp, on my arms, on my face, in and around my ears and in my belly button (lol). Although psoriasis isn't a life threatening disease people forget how life altering it can be. The amount of money I have spent on creams and lotions for them to not work is just so frustrating and not good for anyones mental health. I have tried hard to never let my psoriasis to effect me and to just embrace it but the temptation is always so real to edit over my patches in pictures and cover up completely so no one can see it, but I think what I didn't realise is how common psoriasis really is. So since my last skin care post, it has changed quite significantly. I have combination skin so sometimes it's hard to find things that work best for me but don't flare up my psoriasis. So I after trying an unbelievable amount of products my psoriasis is still not clear, but probably the best it's been this year, I thought i'd do a blog post based on whats worked for me. BUT remember just because it works for me doesn't necessarily mean it will work for you so don't get worked up about it, it's a long tiring process to find things perfect for you.
SCALP
I'll get the worst over and done with. My scalp is by far the worst part of my psoriasis. When i say my scalp is covered in it I mean COVERED. It's hard to find a patch that is clear. For my scalp I have tried every single psoriasis shampoo and cream you could imagine. Without sounding gross the scales on my scalp are so thick that simply putting shampoo and cream on them just wasn't breaking them up. The doctor suggested leaving creams on over night and combing through by the creams are so thick and greasy I hated them and it wasn't working enough to be worth all the hassle. Then I came across the Fuiji Green Tea Hair Scrub from The Body Shop, with it being £15 I thought I best try some samples first to make sure it's actually what I want, and I can't believe how much it has actually worked. I used to get embarrassingly bad white flakes all over me, which is horrible since I have dark hair and wear black for work and they have basically gone! Definitely worth investing.
SKINCARE
Like I mentioned before, I have combination skin and would tend to use more 'teenage' skin care products as I am prone to a few spots so it is just what suited me. With my psoriasis worsening, putting all sorts of a
lcohols all over my face just wasn't working and was only drying my skin out.
So I had to do a little shifting about to find things that help me with my spots but also don't flare up my psoriasis on my face. So I switch between the Clean & Clear exfoliating wash and the SuperDrug Vitamin E oatmeal scrub, using my Remington Facial brush with the daily face wash. The whole vitamin E range from Superdrug is amazing and so affordable.
In terms of toner, I am the WORST for remembering to use it. But it is key for a successful skin care routine. I've just recently started using The Body Shop Chinese Ginseng and Rice Milky toner and my skin feels so fresh after using it. The change in weather always has a massive impact on my skin and this has really helped it calm down.
A wise person told me that the day you change your coat should be the day you change your moisturiser. If you're needing a thicker coat because it's cold, you're more than likely going to be needing a different moisturiser. The one you use in summer most likely won't be as effective in winter. I've been using The Body Shop Vitamin E moisture cream and i genuinely can't fault it. It makes me skin look extra glowy especially when it is looking a little dull. It's also so gentle that I don't have to worry about it harming my psoriasis.
FACE MASKS FACE MASKS FACE MASKS
Face masks are a massive part of my skin care routine, not just because it helps my skin but I think it's important to have a bit of me time and have a bath and a face mask.
For a daily mask, I use every night and it just completely brightens up my skin in the morning. A little goes a long way and you do not need a lot of product at all.
For more of a less frequent use face mask I use Creightons Coffee and Coconut Detoxify face mask. This is perfect as it doesn't feel really heavy on the skin. And it is £1.99 !!!! Which you'll get many many uses out of. Clay masks are just all round very very good at waking up the skin especially now it's winter and you can't rely on the weather to brighten your skin.
If anyone has any questions based on my psoriasis journey or any of my other blog posts, please don't hesitate to ask. Just contact me through any of my social media handles!
Thankyou,
Emily x
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