Healing Touch Barrier Cream

Description

Our skin has a natural barrier called the stratum corneum. However, many common activities wear away this protective layer of skin. That’s why cracked skin is a common problem for gardeners and people who spend hours in the kitchen. It’s also a common problem for those who wear plastic gloves regularly. What can you do about it? Use a barrier cream. It’s what dermatologists recommend.

My Story

My mother works in her garden and kitchen for hours every year. As soon as she can work the ground, she’s planting and weeding. She loves to save her own seed, so she usually has starts going in March and April..

All that exposure to dirt (and washing it away with soap) turns her fingers into a rough and cracked mess. Only one thing has helped—the barrier cream her dermatologist recommended. Wearing plastic gloves makes the problem worse.

Even though the commercial barrier cream works for Mom, I began exploring the potential of making an essential oil enhanced barrier cream that would help protect Mom from developing the cracks in her fingers in the first place. I discovered I just needed to alter my recipe for Healing Hands Lotion.

Barrier Cream with Soothing Oils

I discovered that calendula-infused oil has been used traditionally to reduce pain and swelling and to treat skin that’s not healing. [Source] In addition, I learned that some research has suggested that black currant oil helps reduce stiffness from rheumatoid arthritis. [Source] So I have kept this oil in my barrier, too, because arthritis is a common problem for seniors.

West Indians use castor oil for all kinds of skin problems. Anecdotal evidence suggests it is anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial. I include carrot seed essential oil, rosemary oil and camomile oils for the same reason.

Then there’s shea butter. It is Africa’s natural go-to for arthritis, dry skin, wound healing—essentially anything going on with the skin.

The FDA doesn’t allow me to make any claims for this barrier cream without going through rigorous testing. However, this formula is similar to barrier creams such as O’Keefe’s Working Hands Hand Cream, except it might be even better if the soothing oils in this formula really do what herbalists have been claiming for years.

If you have severe cracking, like my mom did, try this product. However, if you only have mild dryness, you might want to try Healing Touch Lotion.

*The FDA has not evaluated this product, and it makes no claims to treat or heal any disease. Please consult a doctor if you are experiencing symptoms that might be connected with a disease. Do not self-diagnose.