Favorites: scar-care

Disclaimer: I am not being paid by anyone to review these products.

I take skincare very, very seriously. Around 6% of IBD sufferers may actually have eczema as a symptom, and with all the meds we are taking, our skin can go through some changes, Azathioprine for example, makes your skin extremely light sensitive. So, be careful, wear your SPF, and always read ingredient lists on your products. I try to avoid anything with mineral oil in it- for ethical reasons, and because I think it gives me a rash.

My scar is pretty thick and wider than most people’s- mostly because they are technically two on top of each other- when I had my emergency surgery two years ago, they conveniently just cut along the old scar. The thickness also means tension pain and now that I started working out again, cracks and dry skin are happening, and I often notice way too late. Any of the scar gels out there don’t really work on me, I have yet to notice any lightening of that scar. So, what I work on is making it soft.  Here are my favorite things to put on my scar (in no particular order):

1.) Herbivore, Jasmine Body Oil ( $44): I will admit it, the pragmatic German in me loves products that can be used not just for one thing- such as a body oil. The Jasmine oil not only has a lovely scent, but it also has marvelous ingredients- such as grape seed oil, jojoba oil, concentrated Jasmine Sambac oil, and Bergamot fruit oils. Not only am I a sucker for anything containing Jasmine and Bergamot, I also like the light consistency of this oil and that it does not get you all nasty and greasy. It’s pricey, but it lasts pretty long.

2) Beaute Nouveau, ReLeaf Balm ($60): This was a present, and it is a lovely present. I use this mostly on my scar, and I’ll be honest, for bum rashes (some use it for their babies’ diaper rashes). It’s first ingredient is shea butter, but it also contains a whole lot of botanicals, including sea buckthorn, grapefruit oil, and hemp seed. (here’s a full ingredient list). Its consistency is creamy and you don’t need a lot, it is very concentrated.

3) Burt’s Bees Handsalve ($9): This product was recommended when I got one of my tattoos. At first I was skeptical, but, it works! Now, I can’t do without.  Burt’s Bees is from North Carolina (although Burt was from Maine- check out the Netflix documentary!). I use it for everything, but it does feel nice on that scar. It contains olive and sweet almond oils as first ingredients, with beeswax as a binding ingredient. It has a bit of rosemary and eukalyptus in it, so careful on open wounds. In the summer, I prefer handsalve on my scar- I don’t need a lot of it, and it has a bit of a cooling effect (at least I think it does…)

4) Booda organics, Booda Butter ($14): I love, love, love this. I have a can in my car, and one at home, and one in a bag. If you have dry skin, this will make it better. The nice thing about Booda Butter is that it almost instantly melts in your hands, and you don’t need to use a lot of it. It has no scent, so for people with allergies, or if you are wearing perfume, this is great. It’s first ingredient is also shea butter followed by jojoba oil (I can see a pattern…).