We had a mini heat wave a couple of weeks ago, with some temperatures in the upper 80s. Then we had some rain, some wind, and some clouds. This week, the heat is on! We're expecting some triple digits in California. Oh summer...You're gonna be a hot one! I know I'll have to turn the air conditioner on for this week (and I'm already not looking forward to that utility bill!). Take a look at our forecast:
In winter we battle dry skin, itchiness, and eczema flare ups. With the heat comes sweat, uncomfortable rashes, more itchiness, and - you probably guessed it - eczema flare ups. My youngest son, Baby Girl and I were already feeling it during that one week when we were feeling the upper 80 temperatures. Baby Girl has noticeable rashes on her inner elbows, behind her knees, and on her face and neck. My eczema has been fairly under control, for the most part, for a couple of months now. But the eczema on my hands have been a problem area, never really clearing up at all.
Being that it had been about three months since we last switched skin care products, I knew it was time to change it up again. If we use the same skin care routine for too long, it becomes ineffective. Rotating what we use has been helping to keep my son's skin from having any infections. He's gone one entire year with no infection. This is a record, my friends. 
With that said, an opportunity came knocking. Cheryl Lee MD, Sensitive Skin Care offered a chance for us to try their products. I jumped at the chance, because I recognized their TrueLipids® Relieve & Protect Ointment from the National Eczema Association (it has been awarded the highly prestigious Seal of Approval).
I was sent two products to try out and review: TrueLipids® Anti-Itch Barrier Cream and the Relieve & Protect Ointment.
At first, I was hesitant about the Anti-Itch Barrier Cream, because it contains hydrocortisone. I'm not too fond of using steroids. We used them on my son for years. Years. We used the steroids (both very high dose topical and oral steroids and in lower concentration doses as well) so much that I'm almost certain the usage was partly to blame for him having so many infections. I emailed my concerns to my contact at Cheryl Lee MD, and they quickly replied in a timely manner and the doctor's expertise:
“The concentration of hydrocortisone in our TrueLipids Eczema Experts 1% Hydrocortisone Barrier Cream is extremely low and safe. It does not cause disruption of the HPA axis. The HPA axis is the hypothalamo-pituitary axis---the system in your body that tells your body when to and when not to make its own cortisol (very similar in structure to hydrocortisone in our products). When high doses of topical glucocorticoids are used on the skin for long periods of time, they can actually interfere with the communication in the HPA axis and tell your body to stop making its own cortisol. This does not happen with the very low, safe doses of hydrocortisone found in our hydrocortisone product. Our TrueLipids 1% hydrocortisone is the only hydrocortisone cream in the world with a skin lipid barrier repair system that provides essential, deficient skin lipids, modulates the pH of the skin to put it back in the range where it is supposed to be, niacinamide, and an added anti-inflammatory agent, 18-B glycyrrhetinic acid (from licorice root). The 18-B glycyrrhetinic acid is included, because is actually makes your own cortisol and any topical steroid with which it is combined to last longer and to be more effective…a novel way to possibly use less steroids and less-potent steroids when your skin is really in trouble. If you or someone you love have ever been covered in oozing, scabs from eczema, then you understand that sometimes a little whiff of a steroid like this can help bring you around the bend towards healed skin-----thus allowing you to get off of stronger steroids. So, this is the scientific basis of the hydrocortisone in our products."
I was in no way expecting such a detailed reply, but I was certainly thankful for it, because it proved to me that this company wants to ease consumer concerns.
I'm going to show you a "before" photo collage, and please don't be grossed out. My hands and fingers have been a big problem area, never fully clearing up at all. Since July, guys. Yeah, not fun at all. Imagine that all over my face and neck too...Nope, I don't do selfies.
Hydrocortisone creams at the 1% concentration level are safe enough for over-the-counter (OTC) products, and we've used some of the OTC varieties for mosquito bites and other bug bites, but they never seemed especially helpful for the eczema. If they did help, it wasn't long-lasting in the slightest.
However, TrueLipids® Anti-Itch Barrier Cream is definitely different. The anti-inflammatory agent that the doctor speaks of (up in that paragraph up there) is really evident! I noticed this with just the first application of the cream. Take a look at my "after" photos. Even on Day 1, the swelling had gone down considerably. I'm not sure it's noticeable in the photos, but it was noticeable to me in the form of RELIEF.
My daughter is the one who had a flare up with our first taste of warmer weather, so I wanted to try these products on her arms. I won't go into too much written detail. I want you to see the results here. Check this out.
Now with hundred degree weather upon us this week, we're really doing our best to stay indoors during the heat. The oozing sores and dealing with scabs is not so much fun. But the itchiness...It's really difficult for small kids to control scratching. It's hard for ME as an adult to control it.
The combination of these two TrueLipids® products is pretty awesome. I know I've said it many times, but we're big fans of Aquaphor ointment. One great thing about TrueLipids® ointment is the natural, anti-inflammatory agent. It makes it different. And it's worth it. The products are also fragrance, paraben, PEG & formaldehyde free. They're hypoallergenic and non-irritating. Both products I was given offer itch relief. And it's longer lasting than a lot of other products we've tried.
In conclusion, I am loving these products. If I had a suggestion, it would be to offer the ointment in a tub-type container, or some other sort of packaging, so that it's easier to apply. It was a little bit hard to squeeze out of its tube. The lids on both products also have to be screwed off, and a flip-top lid would be easier to open. But overall, I'm really happy with both items. I'd love to try the TrueLipids® Hydrate, Correct & Perfect Lotion next, because a really good (& light) lotion is really hard to find.
That's not all! Cheryl Lee MD, Sensitive Skin Care is offering readers a 10% discount on all orders placed.
And something you should also know, these products are unlike any over-the-counter products used for eczema. They provide a patent-pending blend of essential skin lipids, which makes them different than all the rest and highly effective. They offer a 30-day money back guarantee! There's absolutely no risk in giving it a try. Order HERE.
Find them online:
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If you have a question about these products, please ask in a comment. Cheryl Lee MD is more than happy to answer them.
OH WAIT...There's a GIVEAWAY too! (Did you think I forgot that part?)
You can win two products of your choice (up to $100 value).
Giveaway is open to US & Canada residents and ends 11:59 PM, EST on May 31st, 2014.
Enter using the Rafflecopter form below.
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Good luck!!!
Disclosure: We were given complimentary product(s) for the purposes of conducting an honest review. We were not compensated by monetary means. All opinions are 100% my own. Affiliate links may be included in this post. I was also advised by my daughter's pediatrician and my son's dermatologist that these products were safe to use. I am not a medical expert, and I am only sharing our positive experience with these products tested as a testimonial. This disclosure is in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) 10 CFR, Part 255, Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.
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