Hi Physiogel, Bye Itchy Skin!

Skin sensitivity issues are on the rise these days, and the prevalence of eczema is increasing. Around the world, 15% – 20% of children and 1% – 3% of adults [1] suffer from this inflammatory skin problem. There are several forms of eczema, with atopic dermatitis being the most common amongst sufferers.

Atopic dermatitis occurs when the stratum corneum, the outermost epidermal layer of skin, is damaged. This important layer of skin acts as a barrier to prevent loss of moisture and prevent foreign bodies from entering. When the barrier is weak, the overall skin condition will be compromised. The skin thus lacks natural lipids and will become very dry. In more serious cases, bacterial and viral infections can occur due to the dysfunctional protective barrier.

Factors such as emotional stress, chemicals exposed on a daily basis, having an allergic food reaction can be causes which contribute to inflammation. Thus, it is difficult to pinpoint what the is exact cause of the problem.

Eczema is prevalent especially in developed countries. Singapore alone has one of the highest numbers of eczema sufferers with 1 in 5 children diagnosed with it [2]. In many cases, the child would have outgrown the condition once he or she has reached adulthood. However, some will continue to live with atopic dermatitis throughout their adulthood. I am one of those who make up that statistic.

Now, I know the introduction to this post sounds all doom and gloom. Fret not, there is hope! Being an eczema sufferer since I was a baby, I have tried many products to alleviate my skin condition. I’m happy to share how Physiogel has helped improved my overall skin condition!

For this post, I’m going to focus on three products that I use in my daily routine – Calming Relief Face Cream Rich, Calming Relief A.I. Body Lotion and The Daily Moisture Therapy Dermo Cleanser.

The Daily Moisture Therapy Dermo Cleanser

This cleanser can be used with or without water. The best part? It is soap free. Thus it is free of sulphates and usual chemicals found in soap which may irritate the skin. After I rinse my body with water, I apply the cleanser all over and rinse off with water. It has a gel-like consistency and it is semi-transparent. Texture wise it is very runny and glides smoothly on wet skin. I like how soft my skin feels after showering. It is good to note that for this product, there is a mild fragrance in it. It does not affect me, in fact I kind of like the clean and tender fragrance it leaves. However if you are concerned, I recommend the Shower Cream of the same range. It is free from fragrance, colourants and preservatives.

Calming Relief A.I. Body Lotion

After my shower using the Dermo Cleanser, I pat my skin dry with the towel. Remember, it is a good habit to pat the skin dry gently instead of rubbing it hard. When my skin is still moist, I apply the A.I. Body Lotion all over my body. As my skin dries out quickly, I really like how it absorbs the lotion and therefore relieves any form of tightness that will last for several hours. The texture of the lotion is quite runny and the consistency is very smooth. There are no particles, no lumps or clumping. Thus it glides very well on the skin. When I am in an air-conditioned environment, I re-apply it few times a day. The 100 ml bottle you see here is great for bringing around as it is small and handy.

Calming Relief Face Cream Rich

After my usual routine of cleansing and toning, I apply this all over my face. As you can see, the texture of the cream is definitely richer and creamier than the lotion. Similarly, there are no particles, lumping or clumping together. To be honest, I love how smooth it feels on the facial skin too. The consistency of the cream is also very thick and feels quite luxurious. Even though it has a thicker consistency, the skin absorbs the cream very quickly as well. I choose to use the Face Cream Rich as I consider my skin to be very dry and flaky, especially in air-conditioned environments. It keeps my skin moisturised for longer periods under my makeup. What I like best about it, is that it is also non-comedogenic as I tend to get white heads easily on top of having dry skin!

For both Calming Relief products, there are no fragrances, colourants or preservatives at all. If you notice, they are designed with red coloured lines. This range was designed for people with eczema prone skin as it has anti-inflammatory properties. Not only it relieves redness and dryness, it also aids in repairing the skin barrier which is very important for healthy skin.

Alright, so that’s it for my post for sensitive skin peeps! Apart from using products which are suitable for your skin type as everyone has varying degrees of skin sensitivity, healthy habits should still be cultivated to maintain good skin health. Drink lots of water, eat your veggies, exercise and having good nights sleep are keys to good overall health too. Remember, a little goes a long way!

Review by Yina, images by Qi Yun. Follow us on Instagram!

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