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five types of skin conditions you should not ignore blog post

Five Skin Conditions You Should Not Ignore

Posted on by Editorial Team

FIVE Skin Conditions You Should NOT Ignore

At one point or another, our high-speed, stressful lifestyles can leave us with skin conditions that are embarrassing or annoying. We might try to deal with them with over-the-counter medications, creams, and cosmetics that mask the problem. However, there are some skin conditions that we should not ignore. These are serious, even life-threatening, conditions that should be treated by a medical professional.

Our skin is second only to our intestines in size, comprising approximately 20 square feet, and is our body’s first line of defense against many pathogens and other substances. Our skin’s condition can reflect a number of health conditions, as described below.

Common Skin Conditions

  • Dehydration – a very common condition which manifests as dry skin that doesn’t bounce back when pinched.
  • Hives – this can be on one part of the body or a whole-body allergic reaction. It is also very treatable.
  • Eczema – also called atopic dermatitis, it can be caused by a combination of genetics and the environment. It can be treated with oatmeal baths and/or cortisone creams.
  • Seborrhea/Psoriasis – a condition that can cause dandruff and cradle cap, it is also found on the body. Red, scaly patches can be brought on by stress; a yeast may also contribute. It can be treated in a number of ways including special shampoos, sunlight, etc.

When Skin Conditions Require Immediate Medical Attention

  1. Redness, warmth, pain and swelling – This clearly points to an infection like cellulitis or other medical condition that requires immediate treatment.
  2. Peeling skin – This often occurs when the outer layer of skin has been compromised, as with severe sunburn or other serious burn. Scrapes from falls can also create an infection, and should be treated professionally.
  3. Changes in a mole’s color, shape or size – This is indicative of potential skin cancer. Do not wait; have your mole checked by a physician to rule this out.
  4. Open sores – This indicates that the skin’s integrity has been severely compromised. Things like bed sores, stasis dermatitis, or another medical condition can raise the potential for a serious infection.
  5. Any skin discoloration – This can be indicative of a wide variety of medical conditions, from frostbite to necrotizing fasciitis to gangrene. Please see a medical professional right away.

Our skin is not just there to make us beautiful; it is designed to protect us. If we recognize the warning signs, we can keep our skin and bodies healthy for many years to come.

Disclaimer: This blog post is meant to provide information; it is not intended to diagnose or treat disease. Please see your medical professional if you have questions about a skin condition.

References:
Healthline article on skin disorders
Wikipedia article on human skin
Article by American Family Physician on Seborrhea

The one device you need this winter blog post

The One Device You Need This Winter

Posted on by Lydia D

What Is The One Device You Need This Winter?

Today I will talk about the importance of using a humidifier in the home during colder months.

Living in a colder climate brings its own set of challenges. Outdoor sports enthusiasts can run the risk of developing frostbite, hypothermia, sunburn and even an asthma attack. It’s important to protect skin, lips and hair when spending time outdoors.

However, often little thought is given to indoor relative humidity and its impact on skin and hair. So what is relative humidity? In simple terms, it describes the percentage of water vapor in the air compared with how high the water vapor could be at that temperature. A relative humidity between 30 and 50% produces a comfortable interior while preventing the growth of mold, mildew and bacteria. It’s easy to measure relative humidity – just get a hygrometer. You can pick up an inexpensive one here.

Colder air is drier than warm air. When you heat your home, the temperature increases but the relative humidity does not. The result is dry skin and hair. This often causes static electricity and cracked lips. It can also dry out mucus membranes (sinuses and eyes), which can leave us vulnerable to sinus infections, nosebleeds, etc.

So how to we solve this? The easiest way to do this is with an ultrasonic cool mist humidifier. Designed to add moisture directly to the air, all that is left is to choose the right size for your particular room. Small, desktop humidifiers are fine for small rooms – up to 300 square feet. Medium size humidifiers cover up to 500 square feet. For a larger room, a floor model may be necessary. Companies like Aircare and Honewell make good ones. There are other features to consider, such as the ease of use, whether it has a timer, etc. A desktop model that we like can be found here.

Staying hydrated is also important. Barrier moisturizers can help prevent evaporation from the skin and hair. We produce vegan body balms and lip balms that provide targeted moisture while maintaining a moisture barrier. The body balm can also be used in the hair to reduce static electricity.

If you buy nothing else this winter, make it a humidifier. Your family will thank you.

References:
Reader’s Digest article on humidifier types
WebMD article on managing indoor air

What Is Dry Oil?

What Is Dry Oil?

Posted on by Lydia D

What Is Dry Oil?

You may have seen promotions for “dry” oils online and asked yourself what they are. Are dry oils used in hair, on skin, or both? Can people with oily skin and hair use a dry oil? These are all good questions, which I hope to answer below.

But first, what dry oil is: A lighter oil that is quickly absorbed. Many of the lighter oils are also high in linoleic acid, which are great for acne-prone skin. Linoleic acid is a polyunsaturated fatty acid that goes on clean without a heavy, greasy feel. Yes, it’s ok for people with acne-prone skin to use a dry oil, as long as they contain the right ingredients. Individuals with acne-prone skin have been found to benefit from using oils high in linoleic acid. Some examples of oils high in linoleic acid include:

  • Tamanu oil
  • Safflower oil
  • Grape seed oil
  • Rosehip seed oil
  • Black cumin seed oil
  • Sunflower oil

What makes dry oils particularly useful is that they are multi-purpose. They absorb quickly into skin and hair, leaving only softness behind. They are useful as a bath or shower oil as well as a lightweight hair oil to tame flyaways and nourish split ends. They are especially good for dry skin and hair, which soak them right up. They can also be massaged into the scalp to aid with flakiness and inflammation. If you’re looking for a lightweight product that absorbs better than a balm, then a dry oil is just the thing.

If you would like to try our all-natural multi-purpose dry oil, you can learn more about it here. We love making products that are naturally derived, cruelty-free, plant based, and biodegradable. It is scented with lavender and bergamot essential oils. Have you used a dry oil? We would love to hear your thoughts on the subject.

References:
Minimalist Beauty article on dry oils and acne prone skin
Firstderm.com article on the best oils for your skin

charities to donate to on Giving Tuesday

Cool Charities To Donate To On Giving Tuesday

Posted on by Lydia D

Cool Charities To Donate To On Giving Tuesday

Tuesday, November 27th is Giving Tuesday. It is a global movement designed to support charitable giving during the holiday season. You may be wondering why I’m talking about Giving Tuesday on our blog. Well, here at WEBA Natural Products, we’re not just focused on providing you with clean beauty products that are good for the planet. We believe in the importance of giving back, too. Every year we donate gift baskets to worthy causes, from environmental and farming groups to food banks. We donate bar soaps to shelters so that families don’t have to worry about how they will pay for personal care items like these.

So we thought it only fitting to include a discussion about some of our favorite charities and why it is important to support their work. Without people like us, non profit organizations might find it difficult to engage in the work that they do. Our list is below:

  • Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine – This organization, comprised of physicians and scientists, conducts research and strives to improve the lives of people and animals with the help of a plant-based diet.
  • Environmental Working Group – Here, they strive to educate consumers on the dangers of environmental hazards and chemicals. Their website provides various databases covering products from foods to cosmetics; they have also created the EWG Verified program. And if you give now, your gift will be matched.
  • Rainforest Foundation Fund – Founded by Sting and Trudie Styler in 1987, this organization works with indigenous populations to maintain precious habitats by providing grants and engaging in various projects designed to preserve our beautiful planet.
  • National Wildlife Federation – This is one of the oldest and largest advocacy groups in the United States. Their mission is to preserve our wildlife and natural habitats by educating and advocating for change. They supply teaching materials and partner with companies like Animal Planet and Aveda to support their mission.
  • Greenpeace – Greenpeace is a world-wide organization that strives to bring about a greener, more sustainable planet. When you give now, your donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar.
  • Conservation International – Based in 30 countries, the staff at Conservation International works to preserve our forests and oceans through funding, field projects and innovative research.
  • Arbor Day Foundation – The Arbor Day Foundation is a conservation and education organization dedicated to saving and preserving our precious trees.

Of course, there are many state and local charitable organizations that are deserving of your dollars, like local animal shelters, victims rights organizations and legal defense funds. We chose these because they align closely with what we at WEBA believe – that our beautiful planet needs our help in order to remain beautiful. And that is a beautiful thing! We hope that you will consider making a donation on Giving Tuesday. To learn more about this movement, visit givingtuesday.org.