Eczema and Me

This post is developed as part of a competition with Epaderm, #BlogonEpaderm

I grew up with Eczema, I remember the rash on my arms and legs and the uncontrollable itch.  I seemed to grow out of it for quite a few years but when I was taking my final exams at university it came back with a vengeance and it was quite a shock having to swap back from all the products I was used to using and sticking with something simple and that didn't aggravate my skin, Epaderm.  I again got through it and it went away but I have found as a parent that it keeps popping up and I think stress might be to blame, especially when I look at the big flare up I am having that started at the same time as the current pandemic!

My skin can't tolerate any products at the moment other than a simple emollient and the change in weather certainly isn't helping.  As an adult my flare ups aren't always in the obvious places (elbows and behind the knees) that I had as a child and I am finding it more important to use only the right products for my whole body as I don't know where the next itch will start.  As I type this I am supressing the urge to scratch my right shin which has been inflamed for several weeks!

None of my children had eczema or skin problems as babies but with my history, I have always been very conscious of what products I use for them and how often we use products on their skin.  As they grew however, two of the boys have developed sensitive skin and patches of eczema  and so Epaderm junior cream has become a staple on the bathroom shelf.  Thankfully neither of them suffer as much as I did as a child but I hope that by using the right products from the beginning we can keep their skin healthy and moisturised.

If you or your child suffers from eczema or sensitive skin then here are some tips that work for me:

-Get rid of all the products and stick to just one that does everything (for me this is Epaderm emollient that I use as a shower gel and a moisturiser).  It lowers the risk of you reacting to something and keeps the bathroom from getting cluttered!

-Don't cover up your skin all the time.  I currently have a flare up on my shin, but I still wear dresses.  My skin needs the air and it means no risk of anything rubbing on it and irritating it further.  

-Once you are in a routine with specialist products, stick with them as these conditions don't tend to disappear, just stay at bay for a while sometimes.

How do you cope with problematic skin?

Read more ⇨

Looking After My Skin With Aveeno

There are so many things I love about winter from the fairy lights on the tree to the crisp frosty mornings and hot chocolate under a blanket in the afternoons. I hate how cold it gets on the school run though, how my feet never quite feel warm enough and how dry my skin gets.


Long walks in the sharp winter strip my skin and the central heating and hot baths which I very much rely on seems to dry out what is left and whilst I use very few products in the summer, it is a different story in the winter. I have always had to be careful with what I use on my skin as I had bad eczema as a child and I am still prone to flare ups. Aveeno® Skin Relief Nourishing Lotion and Restoring Hand Cream are gentle on my skin with its triple oat formula and they sent me a lovely hamper to help look after my skin this winter.

This winter I am determined to look after myself a bit more too,


My Hands


I have buggy mitts to keep my hands protected from the wind when we are out walking and AVEENO® Skin Relief Restoring Hand Cream for restoring moisture and keeping them silky smooth. There is nothing worse than dry hands and the 75ml tube is perfect for popping in my handbag to use on the go!


My Skin


The AVEENO® Skin Relief Nourishing Lotion with Shea Butter comes in two sizes and I have the pump lid one in the bathroom for after a bath or shower and the 200ml tube in my
bedroom. It is clinically proven to moisturise skin for up to 24 hours and help to prevent that tight irritable sensation of dry skin.

We already have the new AVEENO® baby range for the little ones and I am enjoying focusing on myself a bit more this year too, looking after my own skin as well as I look after theirs. None of the children see bad weather as a reason to stay outside so if my winter is going to be spent at parks and the beach then my skin definitely needs a little bit of TLC!

This post is in collaboration with Aveeno® but all thoughts and opinions are completely my own. #ad

Read more ⇨

Win // Skin Doctors

I was recently sent some lovely items to include in a Mother's Day gift guide which included Skin Doctor's Beelift face cream and Younger Hands hand cream.  I am only a few days into using them, but I am really enjoying pampering myself and looking after my skin.

Here is what Skin Doctors have to say:

Beelift helps fight premature ageing ensuring that your skin is nourished, renewed and revitalised. Beelift contains the Bee Venom (Melittin), Manuka Honey, the collagen treatment Trylagen® and Hyadisine® - a complex mix of peptides, amino acids, proteins and key enzymes. Together these ingredients trick the skin into thinking it has been lightly stung, instantly working to control facial muscles for cumulative tightening, lifting, plumping and firming of the skin.

Beelift is clinically proven to 

• Increase Collagen by up to 300%
• Cumulative skin tightening
• Plumping and firming of the skin

Take 10 years off your hands in just 6 weeks! The combination of active ingredients in Younger Hands works on the most common skin concerns, with dramatic results:

• Skin is visibly plumper with thickness and texture returning to the levels of 10 years ago
• Fine lines and wrinkles are dramatically reduced, with the appearance of wrinkle depth and roughness reduced by more than half in 28 days
• Age spots and freckles are visibly lightened. Skin is resurfaced, unveiling a smoother, more uniform appearance
• Skin is hydrated and softened
• Contains SPF 15 UVA/UVB protection to help prevent further ageing

I have a wonderful Mother's Day bundle to give away consisting of beelift, younger hands and a pair of The White Company cashmere socks, total RRP is over £100!  his is perfect for the Queen Bee in your life and entry is via the simple rafflecopter form below.

Good luck!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Read more ⇨

M&S Holiday Essentials Review

You may have seen that we have recently spent a fantastic week on a family ski holiday, where we enjoyed the sun, the snow and some time away together.  The lovely people at M&S sent me a few bits to pack in my suitcase and it was lovely to have some little treats whilst we were away.

Read more ⇨

Mama Mio Skincare

I hate to say it, but my body is just not the same as it was pre-baby.  There are lumps and bumps in places that were once smooth and my tummy has a silver map of something resembling the london underground etched into it thanks to stretch marks.  As much as I tried to look after my body during pregnancy and afterwards, motherhood has taken it's toll.

I was invited along to learn about Mama Mio's pregnancy skincare range and their new 'Fit Skin Test' and I was interested to see whether their products could make any difference at all to me. 

The fit skin test is

Read more ⇨