Four of the main types of dermatitis are:

•    Atopic dermatitis
•    Contact dermatitis
•    Dermatitis eczema
•    Seborrheic dermatitis

Atopic dermatitis is a common skin complaint that affects both men and women. It may be aggravated by low humidity and other environmental factors. Living in an urban area can increase your risk of contracting this condition.

Contact dermatitis is caused by any substance or allergen that irritates the skin on contact.

Dermatitis eczema is otherwise known as eczema. Read our article on eczema skin allergies for more information.

Seborrheic dermatitis generally affects the skin of the scalp, face and trunk and is more common in men. It is thought to be a fungal infection.

Dermatitis symptoms
Symptoms of dermatitis differ depending on the type of dermatitis you have, although most dermatitis conditions have in common inflammation, redness and itching of the skin.
Some forms of dermatitis appear as a flat rash, a bumpy rash characterizes others. Blisters and lesions may also be a problem.

Dermatitis causes
There are a number of factors that contribute to dermatitis. Genetics play a part so if you have a close family member with one of these conditions you may also be susceptible. Allergies and skin irritants are also known to cause dermatitis.
Cleaning products such as soap, detergents and laundry detergents can be responsible for the condition, as can other beauty products, especially those that contain fragrance. Jewelry, metals and rubber may also aggravate dermatitis.

Dermatitis treatment
Treatments for dermatitis include steroid creams and medications, antihistamines and other nonsteroidal medications depending on the nature of your condition. These medications will need to be prescribed by your doctor.

Dermatitis self-help
If you are prone to sensitive skin conditions you will need to choose your beauty products carefully. Avoiding products that contain alcohol and perfumes will help. You can also:

•    Do a patch test. Try out any potential new products on the inside of your lower arm by dotting a small amount of product onto the skin. Wait 24-48 hours to see if there is any reaction.

•    Spring Clean. Make sure you don’t hold on to your beauty products for too long. If stored well most products have a good shelf life (12-36 months) however once you have opened the product several times the ingredients used to control the growth of bacteria will lose efficiency.

•    Make a change. Even your old favorites can eventually let you down. After long-term use it is possible that you may become allergic to a much-loved product. Sad as this is it’s time to move on!

•    Choose wisely. Check the packaging carefully to see if the product contains any ingredients you know for certain irritate your skin. The most expensive creams that are packed full of ingredients aren’t always the best. A good brand name doesn’t necessarily mean that the product won’t irritate your skin. If you have sensitive skin you may be better off using products with a simpler and shorter list of ingredients. Less can be more.

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All About SPF
Simply put, a Sun Protection Factor, or SPF, stands for the amount of sun protection found in a sunblock when tested.  The higher an SPF, the longer a sunscreen will prevent sunburn during exposure.  Typical SPFs in sunblock products range from SPF15 (for medium to dark skins) to SPF30 or higher (for sunburn-prone skin types).

Broaden Your Spectrum!
The best type of products are labeled Broad Spectrum Sunscreens, meaning they protect skin from the sun’s UVA and UVB rays.  Both types of rays are responsible for creating sunburn, wrinkles and diseases such as melanoma (aka skin cancer) which greatly harm the skin on both face and body.

Sunscreen is Not Just for Sunny Days
Think clouds shield your skin from the sun’s damaging rays?  Truth is, up to 80% of UV rays pass right through clouds and onto your skin.  That’s more than enough to cause sunburn!  The only way to prevent aging and skin disease is to wear sunscreen every day, all year long.

The Best Sun Protection by Skin Type

Very Fair to Fair Skin is considered more sensitive to sunburn than medium or dark skin types.  Protection should include a sunblock containing SPF20 or higher. Invisible Zinc Face + Body Sunscreen SPF 30 + is a non-irritating, low allergy sunblock containing Zinc Oxide, a trusted ingredient in sun protection.  This lightweight, broad spectrum sunscreen can be used on both the body and face.  It is also suitable for babies and children.

Medium to Darker Skin may be less prone to sunburn than its light-hued counterpart, but sunblock products are still a must!  Choosing SPF15 or 20 helps to reduce the risk of skin cancer and aging sun damage. Dermalogica Sun Oil-Free Matte Block SPF20 uses a beautifully natural, microsponge technology to sop up oil on your face and provide the body with all-day sun protection!  This sunblock product is perfect for glamor girls who prefer a non-greasy, non-drying sunscreen to wear under cosmetics year-round.

A Post-Sunburn Relief
Accidents happen.  Soothing the pain from excessive sun exposure is made easier with products containing calm and natural ingredients.  Dermalogica Sun After Sun Repair is a non-sticky balm with special algae and seaweed extracts that undo damage caused by UV sun exposure.  This formula also contains luxe botanical ingredients that retain skin’s moisture and restore it to a youthful condition.

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Eczema Skin Allergy

Eczema is a skin allergy that affects many people. It shows up in the form of skin rashes and patches of dry skin that itch and can become inflamed. The word eczema comes from the Greek language and literally means ‘to boil over.’

Eczema symptoms

The symptoms of eczema include:

• Red patches on the skin
• Dry areas on the skin
• Thickened patches on the skin made worse by scratching
• Lumps, sores or blisters in the affected are
• Weeping or crusting of the skin where there is superficial infection

Eczema causes

There is no single cause of eczema although it is thought to be mix of genetics and environmental causes.

Genes – You are more likely to experience eczema if you have an immediate family member who also has the condition.

Environment – House dust mites, pet fur and pollen are all common allergens that can trigger eczema.

Food allergies – Certain foods have been proven to trigger eczema in the susceptible. These include cows’ milk, eggs, wheat, soya and nuts. This is often the case when babies develop eczema.

Skin irritants – Harsh soaps and products that are highly perfumed like shampoos, bubble bath and washing up liquid can dry out the skin and make the condition worse.

Eczema treatment

Many conventional eczema treatments are prescribed by your doctor, these include Corticosteroid creams and ointments to soothe dry skin and itching, antihistamines to reduce itchiness and antibiotics to treat any infection caused by scratching.

Eczema remedies

Keeping eczema prone skin hydrated is vital and you should use moisturizing soap substitutes and specially formulated moisturizes to keep the skin moist.

Moisture helps to maintain the barrier function of your skin and this reduces itching and will prevent further irritation from allergen triggers.

Avoiding products that contain harsh chemicals or high levels of perfume is vital.

Products for Eczema
Payot Dermforce Cleanser
This Payot Cleanser is suitable for even those who’s skin is so sensitive or compromised, that they have sensitivity to water. It helps to stabalise the skins barrier overtime, is fragrance and preservative free.

Payot Dermforce Day Cream
This Moisturiser from the same range is soothing and protective for ultra-sensitive skin. It also reinforces the immune system of the skin and protects from environmental aggressors.

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What Can I Do to Prevent Oily Hair?
Looking after greasy hair is an ongoing process which consists of regular cleansing. All shampoos are designed to clean the hair, however some specialise in clarifying the scalp to not only remove excess oil from the hair, but also focus on maintaining a healthy scalp, that isn’t producing more sebum than necessary.

You should be shampooing every 2-3 days. Frequent or over shampooing will actually cause your scalp to product more oil, more quickly. Remember that the oil that your scalp produces is designed to maintain your scalp in optimum condition, therefore cleansing too frequently, will require it to produce more oil to replace what is being continuously washed away.

If you are experiencing oily hair regularly, then you can opt for a clarifying shampoo that are designed to remove excess oil. I love and recommend both the Redken Oil Detox Shampoo and KMS Head Remedy Clarify Shampoo

Many celebrities with perfect hair choose to “freshen up” in between traditional shampoos by using a multitasking water-free formula such as KMS Hair Play Makeover Spray.  This special dry shampoo styling spray sops up oil, adds instant bounce and contains grape and peppermint ingredients.  Evo Water Killer Dry Shampoo is a 2-in-1 specialty product that works as a cleanser and volumizing styler; great for any hair length. This is a fantastic industry tip for those days where you don’t have the time to shampoo, or those in between shampoo days, you should always have a bottle handy!

Lay off the deep conditioner when it comes to oily hair — it will only add further buildup and attract more dirt to hair strands.  Stick to a light conditioner that is specially formulated for fine and/or greasy hair.  If you have oily roots, and extremely dry ends, and cant live with out your deep nourishing moisture treatment, focus the product only on your lengths, and don’t take it any higher than your ears.

Even the greasiest hair will benefit from a professional haircut.  The driest part of hair is the ends, which will most likely split (even on the oiliest strands).  Trimming regularly, along with clarifying, are the surest ways to bring your style back to looking its very best.

If you have any self learned tips and tricks to tackling Greasy Locks, feel free to share them with me.

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Get regular trims

Snip, Snip, Snip!!! If your hair is split, damaged, ratty or in need of a cut, then styling and smoothing are only going to prevent your frizz so much. Hair professionals recommend a trim every 6 weeks to keep your hair in tip top shape. Me, a lover of my long locks, understand that even a slight trim can be traumatic, and not an experience that needs to be ensured every 6 weeks! As long as you are taking fantastic care of your hair, you can eeeeek it out longer than this if you need to. Just bare in mind that as your hair grows, you are going to develop split ends, which if not trimmed, are going to continue to split higher, make your hair look frizzier and start to snap off! So don’t be a dill, have a trim every few months, your hair will love you for it!

Use an ionic hairdryer

Humidity, or a high level of moisture in the atmosphere is a big culprit in frizzy hair. High humidity or wet days expose your strands to excess moisture, this roughs up the cuticle or hairs surface, which will give a frizzed, brittle appearance.  Blow-drying is an essential part of smooth hair, but be sure to use a high quality professional hairdryer. The Parlux Hairdryer is used by hairdressers around the world, and for good reason. The patented ‘K-Lamination’ motor is ceramic and ionic, which in lay man terms means quicker drying, ionic air flow, which both result is de-frizzed, smoothed static free hair. These powerful hairdriers lock in moisture to the hair’s cuticle, thus not creating damage, or drying out your hair. If you are like me, and blow-dry your hair anymore than once a week, you really should look at a salon quality dryer, both for long term damage prevention, and smooth styling results. Professional Tip : always blow dry “down” the hair shaft, this is the direction of the cuticle, creating a smoother finish.

Switch to a smoothing shampoo & conditioner

If you are a serious frizz head, then you should be using a luxuriously dense Shampoo and conditioner for smoothing results – I LOVE the Redken Real Control range, it is heavy enough to smooth and nourish frizzy locks, but also has repairing protein benefits, you know the saying – Two Birds, One Stone. Not all frizzbies are thickly haired, thin haired beauties often suffer from the frizz also, and this is sometimes a little harder to control, as fine hair can become oilier far quicker with smoothing products. If this sounds like you, then be sure to focus your conditioner to the lengths of your hair, and not putting it on the roots where frizz is not a concern. MoroccanOil is the it product this season, and for good reason. Its just so good!! It is a smoothing weightless oil, a thermal protectant, a shine serum and so much more. I haven’t yet recommended this product to anyone who hasn’t loved it. There is an Original formula, and a Light formula, which has been developed for finer, lighter coloured hair.

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Scented Candles add character, appeal and atmosphere to any room or situation. They relax and calm the air around us all.

Candles are traditionally, and most commonly made from Paraffin wax which is a petroleum by-product. There are many opinions and studies that have been taken out on the risks and hazzards of paraffin wax. It is now known that a soot is produced when burning paraffin candles, the effects of this soot are the root of many debate, which you can form your own opinion on, however with the increased availability of Soy based wax candles, you can now go green in luxury!

Conscious consumers look to design his or her home and workspace with irresistible, attractive scented candles that promote the important aspects of health and pleasure. Ecoya candle scents are more than just clean: The fruits, floral notes and spices chosen for Ecoya soy candle blends are picked from the ripest parts of the world. Only natural and fine, planet-friendly ingredients go into creating Ecoya candle products.

Why Ecoya Soy Candles?

Australian-made Ecoya candle products are created from mixture of “green” Earth-derived goods that blend effortlessly, providing a long-lasting fragrance (20 to 55 hours, dependent on product type) and wax made from 100% natural soy. The differences between Ecoya products and traditional wax candles are the healthful benefits. Regular wax burns with a petroleum-based “soot” which pollutes the air we breathe in soon after. Ecoya soy candles burn cleanly, helping to reduce allergic reactions and smoky air associated with old-fashioned wax. Ecoya products are made with an all-cotton wick that lasts longer than original wax candles. The natural ingredients are biodegradable, which makes candle burning an enjoyable way to promote green living and a healthier life. Who knew enjoying candles could be so wonderful?

Your Favorite Candle Products for Anyplace

Ecoya soy candles are now enjoyable in 5 fabulous products: Pillar candles, soy melts, natural glass metro jars and easy-to-use tins for travel or daily use. Ecoya candles make a delightful gift for yourself or anyone who enjoys the warmth of refreshing new moods and scented notes. Imagine the excitement one can feel when experiencing Ecoya soy candle scents time and time again! A pineapple and cotton candy-blended Lotus Flower, the warmth of butterscotch and toffee mixed with Vanilla Bean. Spirit altering scents such as these are meant to enjoy: Anytime, any place. The hardest part about buying Ecoya soy candles is deciding which scents to choose!

• Liven up an office space with refreshing Sweet Pea & Jasmine, infused with cucumber and watermelon;
• Stir up some drama at home with French Pear, a sweet and passionate candle scent blended with tropical fruits and berries.

Feed any passion for Earth-friendly, long-lasting soy candles with boundless decorative ideas. Purchase Ecoya soy candles right now at RY.com.au.

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My hair is quite long and fine, very straight and dyed blonde. As you all probably know, blonde hair can take a great deal of maintenance and I am also not too proud to come clean about my laziness in that area as well. Not to mention some EXTREMELY unfortunate hair disasters I had brought upon myself in the previous year. I could definitely say that my hair was in the worst condition it has ever been. It was bristly, had very little shine and was always getting tangled. I’ve always said “there’s no difference between so called ‘quality’ products and supermarket products other than the price… right?” Well, I had a complete beauty awakening during my first week at RY when I was handed three little sample bottles. I was politely asked to try out the Colour Vitality Blonde Shampoo, Moistrepair Conditioner and the Moistrepair Revival Creme. My assignment was to use the products for a couple of days, see how I liked them and then have a go at writing a review. Of course I was jumping with excitement when I got home. Not only by the chance to write this review but also to use something on my hair other than $4 bottles of shampoo and conditioner from my local supermarket.

When I first placed the Colour Vitality Shampoo in my hair I was overwhelmed by bubbles and as I massaged it in to my scalp the volcano of bubbles grew and grew. I came to the conclusion that I had clearly used too much and I only needed a little bit which made me think that this shampoo would last me forever! It also had a rhubarb and vanilla smell which was really yummy. The blonde shampoo was of a purple colour like most and was to maintain a nice blonde colour by toning down the yellowish colour in my hair. Honestly, I didn’t really notice a difference but like I said the colour was pretty off and would have needed a hairdresser to fix it. After rinsing the shampoo out, my hair already felt softer and I moved onto the Moistrepair Conditioner. This was an aloe and vanilla conditioner made for dry, brittle hair. I thought to myself “Ahh, this is what I need!” The product was a lot thicker and gluggier than other conditioners I had tried and I had a little bit of trouble getting it out of its tiny sample bottle. I was also told not to put it on the roots of my hair because it is a lot heavier than regular conditioners. I smoothed it down to the ends and left it for a few minutes then rinsed.

I then towel dried my hair and put in the Moistrepair revival crème which was a leave in treatment that you apply to the middle section of your hair to the ends, avoiding the roots. I allowed my hair to dry and took a look in the mirror. My hair was much shinier and just looked so much healthier. When I ran my fingers through it, the dry, coarse ends had become a lot smoother and softer.  Also throughout the day my hair wasn’t so tangled and it was easier to brush through it. I was so amazed at the results that I actually went and bought the full sized bottles! And get this, it was at what I thought was a fairly reasonable price. Obviously more expensive than things like Pantene and Fructis but I can guarantee you are getting what you paid for. I can’t say that this is the best product on the market because I haven’t tried all the products on the market. But for all the people out there who have always used your average supermarket brands (like me), upgrading to what is known as “quality products” is definitely worth the extra bit of money.

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I don’t think that I am addictive in nature, I never had, and it took a while for the issues I had to come together, and for me to realise what was causing them.

As an RY employee, I have a variety of, arguably, the worlds best Skin Care, literally at my fingertips. Even so, I think I have a relatively simple regime, and I have had it, with minor changes for long before my RY days.

My issues: firstly, increasingly dry skin. I always experience this on a small scale as the weather cools down each year.  What would seem to some ironic, I was also experiencing a significant increase in breakouts, and yep… I’m a squeezer.

Just as I was about to add a hydration booster to my routine, I realised, it was my over obsession for my favorite exfoliant that was causing it all!

Most of us are aware of the need to regularly rid our face – and body – of dead skin cells. Otherwise the layers of dead cells we shed every day can leave our complexion looking dull and lack luster and can cause congestion and unwanted break-outs – especially for anyone suffering from oily or acne-prone skin.

Oily skins tend to expel an increased number of dead cells and if these are not effectively removed, they can block the pores, trapping any excess oil and bacteria with them. As we remove unwanted dead skin, the regeneration of new, healthy cells is encouraged and we are left with an overall brighter and healthier-looking complexion.

When we exfoliate too much, it almost has the reversed effect, by removing too much of the skins surface, your skin goes into overdrive and produces excess oil to help protect the reduced natural defenses of the skin.

I had to have my boyfriend hide my much loved MD Formulations Face & Body Scrub from me (after my first attempt of taking it out of the shower, I managed to convince myself it was necessary to get out of the shower and retrieve it) now i don’t know where it is, i cant use it! It has been coming up to to 3 weeks of not exfoliating, at all, and my skin has amazingly nearly cleared. No new deep wooping breakouts, and the older ones are clearing away.

Moral of my dilemma. Don’t get addicted to Glycolic exfoliants!

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The following statistics and information comes directly from St Tropez.

“New research has uncovered that body image remains a major concern for young people, with nearly three quarters of 16-30 year olds confirming that they regularly do not feel self-confident.

The results were revealed by Kelly Osbourne who has been signed up by St. Tropez as an ambassador for self-esteem issues affecting young people in the UK. The UK wide research* was commissioned by St. Tropez in collaboration with youth charity The Prince’s Trust.

The rise of young people ‘self-bullying’ was shown in the results of the nationwide research, which discovered that 60% of young people cite being unhappy with their bodies as the main reason for low self-confidence and self-belief. This was compared to only 30% who said that their self-esteem had been knocked by external factors such as bullying.

One third of people surveyed also stated that they had not got a job because of low self-esteem causing them to perform badly in an interview.

The research also showed that the recession has clearly had a dramatic impact on the attitudes of young people, as career development, job security and money all came in higher than green issues as a point of concern. Only 20% of 16-30 year olds were worried about the planet. 90% of people also said that they spend time worrying about the future.

Kelly commented: ‘“It really saddens me that so many young people suffer from low self esteem and feel unhappy with their appearance. I think that at times we can be very hard on ourselves, which is certainly something I have experienced in my own life. I managed to overcome those negative thoughts by being healthy, thinking positively and making small changes to my lifestyle that make me feel good about myself, such as taking more exercise and being true to yourself.

“Dancing With The Stars and having my first ever St. Tropez spray tan was a huge confidence booster for me – it helped me to get fit and allowed me to look and feel beautiful from the outside, in. More over it also helped me to see that I can achieve anything I put my mind to, which was a huge accomplishment for me – I’ve never really been able to finish something I’ve started, and to do so feels amazing.”

Kelly Osbourne has been an ambassador for The Prince’s Trust for three years and believes passionately in The Trust’s work, helping young people overcome issues such as depression, drug addiction and long-term unemployment.

*The survey was carried out by YouGov and polled 2000 people from 16-30 years of age.

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How do you get KP?

Many factors can cause Keratosis Pilaris including:

Blocked or clogged up hair follicles. Normally the dead skin cells on our skin fall off and are replaced by new healthy ones. As we get older this cellular turnover process slows down rapidly. As a result the dead skin cells can build up and clog hair follicles. Keratin an ingredient that makes up hair and skin can also block follicles. These blockages will result in small, impacted bumps, which create a rough, sandpaper-like texture on the skin with small white bumps often under the skin. These small bumps are most commonly seen on the back of the arm. The small bumps are not likely to be painful but can be a real pain.

By trying to avoid hot baths, cold weather, synthetic fibres, you can go some way to alleviating the condition. Currently there is no known cure for Keratotsis Pilaris, But buy using good skin care you can treat flare ups and smooth away the bumps. A bonus to remember is that this condition often goes away on its own with age. Kp flare ups have been linked to during puberty and while woman are pregnant. This is most likely due to the increase in hormones in the body

Our top tips for treating Keratosis Pilaris are.

Exfoliating : lightly scrub the affected area in circular motion while showering. If the bumps are on your arms, Ultraceuticals Ultra Clear Exfoliating Gel
After exfoliating, clean with a rich moisturiser that does not clog pores (i.e. use one recommended for dry skin because it should be moisturizing)

Apply lotion creams that contain lactic compound and Bha. Apply to the area after you get out of the shower. The best lotions to use are lotions designed. Apply the lotion twice a day for best results. MD Formulations Vit-A Plus Clearing Complex this complex also contains 5% Salicylic acid that is also used to treat acne.

Try adding a humidifier to your room if you live in a particularly dry area.

You may not be able to cure KP, but sticking to a dedicated skincare regimen can treat the irritating signs of this common condition. Proper care can control KP symptoms, leaving your skin smooth, and virtually bump-free.

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