Goat Milk Soap Eczema: An In-Depth Guide
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Do you suffer from dry and damaged skin?
Is eczema a problem that you just can’t seem to get rid of, despite using all kinds of lotions and creams?
The solution to your problems may be a simple one. In many cases the very products you’re using to help your eczema can, in fact, be making it worse.
Some soaps, especially strong or fragranced ones, can dry out and irritate your skin.
Eczema is a skin condition caused by inflammation. Eczema sufferers know only too well that dry skin can be a big part of it.
Some people with eczema like goat’s milk soap because it feels gentle. There is little research on it for eczema, though, and it is not a treatment.
If you try it, choose a simple, fragrance-free bar. MedlinePlus advises people with atopic dermatitis to use gentle body washes and cleansers instead of regular soaps.
I’ve found a goat’s milk soap that many people with dry, sensitive skin like. Read on to find out more.
What Makes A Good Goat’s Milk Soap?
The most important thing for any kind of soap is to keep it simple. Goat’s milk soap for eczema is no different.
Many ingredients can impact negatively on the dryness of your skin, which is of no use to eczema sufferers.
To ease your eczema with goat’s milk soap, consider the following factors:
The Quality of Goat’s Milk
Seeing as it’s the main ingredient, buy a goat’s milk soap made from the best quality milk.
Fresh, raw milk from a healthy herd of goats is better than canned milk.
Other Ingredients
Goat’s milk contains vitamins, minerals, fats and proteins.
However, more needs adding to make it an effective cleanser. Read the label carefully and avoid added fragrances and dyes.
Oils like coconut is a great addition for its cleansing and moisturizing properties.
The Process
Keep your eyes out for goat milk soap that’s cold-pressed and cured without heat.
This takes longer, and many soap makers prefer it, though there is no evidence it is better for eczema.
Scent
You’re more likely to use a soap that you like the smell of. Just like any other soap or cleanser, you’ll often find a range of scents so it should be easy to find one that suits your tastes.
If you have eczema, though, fragrance-free is the safest choice. NIAMS notes that fragrances in skin products and soaps can damage the skin’s protective barrier, and natural essential oils can irritate skin too.
Carolina Soap Works Handmade Natural Goat’s Milk Soap
Carolina Soap Works makes a handmade goat’s milk soap marketed for people with dry, itchy or sensitive skin.
The all-natural ingredients, including farm fresh goat’s milk, moisture-rich coconut oil, ensures that the soap won’t dry out your skin.
Some sellers claim goat’s milk soap matches your skin’s pH. That isn’t accurate: true soaps are alkaline, and a study of bathing soaps found most had a pH of 9 to 10, well above normal skin.
The soap looks and feels great. It lathers just like any other ordinary soap and it comes in several scents. If you have eczema, pick the mildest or an unscented option.
Each purchase contains two bars of soap. They’re rich in vitamins, protein, minerals, and naturally occurring glycerin to help create the best goat’s milk soap for eczema.
Each bar will last around 2-4 weeks, depending on how frequently you use it. That means that you can last anywhere between 1-2 months before needing to re-order.
Pros & Cons
Carolina Soap Works uses goat’s milk and coconut oil for a gentle, moisturizing wash.
You may notice an improvement in your skin softness after a few washes, though results vary. You can use it on both your face and your body, making it a very versatile soap for the whole family.
Carolina Soap Works use the cold-press method which allows their soap and glycerin to form without cooking or the application of heat.
This helps produce a fine bar of soap.
Despite the natural ingredients, some people may still experience skin irritation. It’s wise to use a little at first as a test.
Whilst there are four scents, the soap is sold in packs of two which means it’s difficult to avoid scents you don’t like.
In Conclusion
When it comes to goat milk soap and eczema, Carolina Soap Works is a gentle option to try.
Soap alone won’t treat eczema, though. Short, lukewarm baths, a moisturizer applied while skin is still damp and the treatment your doctor recommends matter more.
If your eczema is severe, looks infected or isn’t improving, see a doctor or dermatologist.
Sources
- Atopic dermatitis, MedlinePlus
- Atopic Dermatitis, NIAMS (NIH)
- Evaluation of pH of Bathing Soaps and Shampoos for Skin and Hair Care, Indian Journal of Dermatology (PMC)
