As a beauty professional there is an expectation to look a certain way, including having flawless skin. All my life, I have struggled with eczema and angry, red, itchy flare-ups that seem to get worse with the use of perfumed, harsh chemical products, certain foods, cold weather and stress. 

I’ve worked in the beauty industry for over 20 years now and have had many clients with the same skin-condition issues as myself. In most cases, it seemed that hydrocortisone cream was the popular solution and it is what I used myself. I must have tried hundreds of products, from really cheap to extremely expensive, high street to luxury salon brands, but nothing made an impact. I even tried sunbeds, for some time which is probably my biggest regret as I now understand the full damage they can cause on the skin’s structure, but at the time I was just desperate to clear my eczema. 

From speaking to healthcare professionals over the years, I learned that eczema is found in a person with an overactive immune system and is part of a triad of conditions that can often be connected within a person or family. These include eczema, asthma and hayfever and can affect people who are susceptible to other allergies. I also found that there were specific reasons or factors that would trigger my own flare-ups.

Triggers can vary from person to person and knowing your triggers can minimise flare-ups. Typical triggers that affect me include: 

• Stress;
• Tight clothing/rough fabrics;
• Climate, dehydration and sweating;
• Infection and illness;
• Hormones;
• Allergens (environmental or ingested); and
• Irritants, eg. soap, fragrances, harsh chemicals, etc.

I have heard it said: ‘a sensitive skin is a sign of a sensitive person’. I don’t know if there is any truth in it but I do know from my own experience that stress can be the biggest trigger of skin sensitivity.

Stress can also trigger acne, rosacea and other skin conditions as well as illnesses, so I definitely would advise to lowering or managing stress, in order to maintain healthier skin.

Reducing stress levels is easier said than done but I find the following four stress-relief points can really help:

• Getting enough sleep (eight hours per night);
• Exercise (walking, running, yoga, etc.);
• Meditation (clear the mind and recharge); and
• Eating a balanced diet (eat for nutrition).

Recently, at the two-day Future Beauty Show, I was scouring the trade and exhibitor stands to see what new skin treatment and skin products had entered the marketplace, and I stumbled across the RELIFE stand.

At first, I thought what a strange name that was for a skincare brand, but I soon came to realise it was actually the perfect name! This product gives you a chance to start over with your skin. I feel that I have been given skin confidence for the first time in my life – my embarrassing red, itchy, flaky patches have cleared without stripping or damaging my skin. 

Most importantly, I have two young daughters, who are showing signs of inheriting my eczema-prone skin and I’m delighted to know there is a solution at hand that even they can use. According to the Irish Skin Foundation, over 90 per cent of Irish people suffer from skin sensitivity of some kind at different stages of their life. When it comes to eczema, one in 12 adults and one in five children suffer with the condition. For these people, if they are like me, RELIFE may provide a real solution. 

Invest in your skin, it’s going to be representing you for a long time. Your skin is the largest organ in your body; it lives and breathes, so treat it well!