Information
Discoid Lupus skin care tips
Patients with discoid lupus often contact us and ask for help with which beauty products might be ok for them to use as all of us want to feel glamorous! We have had reports back from many saying E45 creams (they now do an entire facial range as well as baby products etc etc) are extremely good. But for further advice we turned to Mandi also a discoid lupus patient and I'm sure she won't mind me saying an 'old hand' at coping with discoid lupus! Obviously it's very much down to individual needs and tolerances but Mandi has recommended the following:
Hi everyone,
My name is Mandi and I have had Discoid Lupus for 23 years I am now (a funky!) 44 year old mum (see Mandi's full story on patient stories section).
Over the years I have bought gallons of Cleansers and shampoos, buckets of moisturisers and tons of make-up!!
Now is the time to pool all that info and turn it into our own Lupus beauty column which, hopefully, you will pass on and also send any tips back to us!!
I have found (after much expense and quite a few blotches!) that the following products work well with my skin and scalp and can recommend that you try them out.
Sun Blocks.
Gone are the days when we had to go around with completely white faces as the sun blocks were like face paints, these are fab and leave your skin soft as well. All work well under make-up. I went with my family to Mauritius and didn't have one flare up!
Clinique Supercity Block SPF40
Ambre Solaire Ultra Total Sunscreen for Faces SPF60
Clinique Response Body Sun block SPF50
Clinique UV Response for faces SPF50.
Hair Products
Now, as I have patches with hair loss on my scalp these products are nearest to my heart (or scalp as the case may be!).
Weleda Rosemary shampoo and conditioner, are lovely.
Neals Yard Remedies Rosemary and Thyme Shampoo
Neals Yard Remedies Rosemary and Jojoba Conditioner - they come in 200ml glass bottles and not only smell gorgeous but look gorgeous too
Skin Care
Over the years I have tried pots full of lotions and potions with my bathroom almost resembling a classroom out of Hogwarts! At the moment I am hooked on these wonderful products that leave my skin feeling clean, soft and best of all no irritation!!
My number one is by Dr. Hauschka. The good thing about this company is that not only is it all natural but you can buy a travel kit (6 trial size products) and try all the products first before splashing out! Fantastic!
My favourites are the Rose Day Cream and the Cream Cleanser.
I haven't tried the sun blocks as the SPF is only 20 and so not high enough for us delicate ones!
Liz Earle do a fabulous range too which smells divine and again is not too damaging to the purse! They also do a Try Me kit.
The range comes in Dry/Sensitive or Normal/Combination.
Cleanse and Polish starter pack with hot cloth cleanser
Instant Boost Tonic
Skin Repair Moisturiser
La Prairie. Now then ladies!! This is my final recommendation for absolute luxury but it comes with a price and is best asked for on birthdays etc (ha ha). It is like velvet on the skin!
Crème Caviar Luxe moisturiser 50 ml. Foaming Face Wash. (Extremely expensive so not for all budgets!).
Make-up
As I have scarring on my face I always wear a foundation. But there is nothing worse than foundation that makes you look like a drag queen!
Concealers and foundations
MAC Studio Tech (is a compact foundation but works well as a concealer when applied with a brush)
Bobbi Brown Moisture Rich with sponge SPF15
La Prairie Skin Caviar concealer and foundation rrp (Expensive but the best ever and lasts for ages!).
I personally find that any Eye shadows, Mascara, Blusher etc are great from any of these companies.
Bobbi Brown do fantastic free make-overs with no pressure to buy although I always end up spending loads as I come away loving it all!!
I hope you all enjoy and find this information useful and fun and if you too know of any other great products then please let us all know about them!!
Take care and keep out of the sun!!
Much love, Mands
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Thanks to Mandy for all her recommendations, but don't forget to try a small test patch first! I'm sure you'll find all her tips particularly helpful in Summer when poor old lupus patients are struggling with the effects of the sun!
