Orleatha Smith is a consummate go-getter. The Los Angeles dynamo has a biology teaching certificate and a master’s degree in education, and she is a published author who has written books about healthy eating. She is also a certified holistic lifestyle and health coach with expertise in e-commerce. During the pandemic, she co-founded Sip Herbals, which makes gluten-free, acid-free, and caffeine-free coffee alternatives that became instant bestsellers.
All of this would be impressive under any circumstances, but now consider this: “I was born with eczema from head to toe and have been dealing with it for the past 45 years,” she says. “I actually spent an entire month at the Mayo Clinic as a kid because my skin was infected.” Today, she says, “I can say that as a black woman whose eczema is almost gone, [with the exception of] A place on my feet.
How does she avoid eczema? Let’s go shopping with Smith, whose advice might help you take control of your skin condition.
Smith always checks the fiber content label when buying clothes. “I wear cotton 99 percent of the time,” she said. “I’m also very careful to make sure there’s not too much latex in any clothing I buy as it can irritate my skin. If I wear synthetics, I wear cotton underwear – like bike shorts and tank tops – to ensure almost no contact [between] Synthetics and my skin. I make sure the fabrics I wear are also breathable.
“I only wash my clothes with unscented detergent and always add baking soda to my laundry,” Smith said. “This is to ensure that allergens and irritants from daily outdoor activities are removed from my clothing.”
Although she uses the oil to gently cleanse her face every day (it’s not irritating, as far as she’s concerned), Smith knows it might not be for everyone. “When I feel like I need a deeper cleanse without stripping my skin, I use Cetaphil products,” she says.
Smith chose a variety of natural products that she likes to combine, as well as some commercial brands. “I use a mixture of shea butter and castor oil after I shower,” she says. “I like to use Aquaphor on rough spots. I also use Cerave and keep the brand’s hand cream in my purse.
Here’s a tough question: Smith hasn’t found makeup that works perfectly for her skin. Still, she wore a little and found her favorite brands through trial and error. “As long as I cleanse as soon as I get home, Neutrogena products don’t seem to make me red,” she says.
“They don’t pill or dry out my skin,” Smith says. “They also keep me cool, which helps prevent me from getting itchy from overheating.”
In addition to buying the right products, Smith relies on calming techniques to help treat her eczema. “Meditating specifically for stress has helped me control my emotional outbursts,” she says. “I find that when I feel itchy, I feel emotionally stressed or irritable. Calming my mind helps calm my skin. It didn’t happen overnight, but meditation has helped me a lot.
Another priority for her is getting a good night’s sleep. With this in mind, Smith decided to move away from traditional coffee. “In the beginning, it was real It’s hard,” she said. “I tried cold turkey, but the headaches made me run back to coffee. I tried tea, but it didn’t work that well. I tried coffee alternatives, but the ingredients in them seemed to turn me on. That’s what prompted her The reason for creating her own coffee substitute. “Within a week of gradually using the substitute, I finally found relief and good sleep,” she said.
Take a close look at your own diet to see which foods and drinks might keep you awake. Are you addicted to caffeine? Do you eat a large amount of food in the evening that causes an upset stomach or bloating? If so, reduce them and then cut them off. You may find that you sleep better—and the deeper you sleep, the less likely you are to be distracted by an itch.
As for shopping, Smith is happy to share her favorite finds, but she’s well aware that eczema is highly personal. “Know that each of us is a unique snowflake, and what works for one person may not work for you,” she said. “Keep looking for your unique solution.”
