Skin Care for People with Diabetes
MANAGING YOUR SKIN AS INTELLIGENTLY AS YOU MANAGE YOUR DIABETES.

• Keep skin clean. Wash with a soap-free, gentle cleanser. Bathe in warm water. Hot baths and showers dry the skin by stripping away your natural oils. After bathing, gently pat dry your skin with a soft towel. Be sure to dry well between your toes. Immediately after drying, apply P.O.L. Cream to retain your body’s own natural moisture and deliver powerful healing anti-oxidants deep into the layers of your skin. Pay attention to problem areas like the hands, elbows, and feet. Never apply creams or lotions between your toes unless instructed by a physician.

• Prevent dry skin. Scratching dry or itchy skin can open it up and allow infection to set in. Moisturize your skin often to prevent chapping, especially in cold or windy weather. P.O.L. Cream’s rich Pure Omental Lipid formula moisturizes and protects working synergistically with vitamins A, E, Allantoin, Dimethicone and Hyaluronic Acid. These ingredients have been demonstrated to be beneficial to help strengthen your skin’s protective function.

• Drink plenty of water to keep your body hydrated and your skin healthy.

• During winter months, use a humidifier to add moisture to the air. Indoor humidity should be at 50%.

• A good sunscreen helps further protect at risk skin by preventing sunburn. Sunscreen should be used year round. Sun damage does not only occur in the summer.

• Treat all cuts, scrapes, and skin cracks immediately to help prevent more serious problems from developing. Be sure to see your doctor for major cuts, burns, infections, or other skin problems.

• Keep your diabetes well managed. People with high glucose levels tend to have dry skin and less ability to fend off harmful bacteria. Both conditions increase the risk of infection.

• See a dermatologist (skin doctor) annually for a skin health assessment.

• Take good care of your feet. Check them every day for sores and cuts. Wear broad, flat shoes that fit well. Check your shoes for foreign objects before putting them on.

• Moisturize your feet daily to prevent cracks and calluses.

See HEALTHY FOOT CARE TIPS

Eczema

Eczema, also called atopic dermatitis, is usually associated with dry skin. Itching, inflammation and rashes are all associated with this chronic skin disorder. The skin becomes irritated by allergens, overdrying, or environmental changes. A doctor should always diagnose eczema. Once it is diagnosed you can treat most flare-ups at home. Oat protein is especially soothing to irritated upset skin and Avalon products with liquid oat protein are good to keep on hand as part of your eczema management program. Dermatologist recommended, oil-free and fragrance-free Avalon is safe for children, adults and the elderly.

• Limit bathing. Daily bathing isn't necessary. Spongebathe the areas of the body that need it most.
• When you do bathe in the tub make it quick. 
• For those who prefer to shower use Avalon soap-free Sensitive Skin Body Wash, also helps reduce irritation and razor burn use when you shave.
• Use a soap substitute. Avalon Sensitive Skin Body Wash and Avalon Clear Oatmeal Glycerin Bar are both soap-free. The oat protein they contain is a skin soothing plus.
• Bathe or shower in warm water. Hot water can over dry the skin.
• Choose products that are fragrance-free. Fragrances can trigger eczema flare-ups.
• To help skin hold moisture, apply Cabot POL Cream right after bathing while skin is still damp.
• Get in the habit of moisturizing the entire body and not just the parts of the body that are affected with eczema.
• Cool compresses can soothe itchy areas. 

Aging Skin

Because aging interferes with your skins ability to hold moisture, moisturizing your skin becomes increasingly important as you grow older. Hormone therapy and various medications can have the side effect of drying out the skin and leaving it sensitive and itchy.

Studies provide strong evidence that certain vitamins can protect the body cells and tissues form damage caused by natural body processes such as aging and environmental stresses like harsh weather, sun damage and pollution.

In turn, other vitamins can provide the proper environment for the correction of such damage. Of particular interest are Vitamins A, C & E. These vitamins are called anti-oxidants and the protection they provide is a plus for aging skin.

CABOT and Spa Magistrali can help you pamper and care for your aging skin with gentle cleansers, anti-oxidant protection and a variety of moisturizers and treatment products designed to help repair and restore. If your skin is sensitive and itchy, Avalon products with oat protein are a good choice.

• Use gentle cleansers on your face and body.
• Moisturize daily with products containing anti-oxidants to help repair damaged skin and reduce the visible signs of aging.
• Look for products with hyaluronic acid which restores elasticity and attracts moisture to the skin giving it a more youthful appearance.
• Avalon Clear Oatmeal enriched products provide the best relief for itchy or irritated skin.

Chicken Pox

To ease itching:

• Avalon Sensitive Skin Body Wash and Avalon Clear Oatmeal Glycerin Bar are gentle cleansers that  help relieve itching in the shower or bath.
  

Oily Skin

Oily and acne prone skin is often sensitive and needs to be treated with care. Too much alcohol, dyes, fragrances and oil can be a real problem for sensitive acne prone skin. Read labels. Look for products that are oil-free, Non-Comedogenic, hypo-allergenic and fragrance-free.

Don't over wash your face with harsh cleansers and soaps. This may aggravate your skin causing it to produce more oil. Oily and combination skin needs moisture but choose water based, oil free moisturizers. Fluids and gels are better than rich creams for oily skin. Look for products that control oil and shine without overdrying the skin.

Weekly purifying masks can help keep skin clear. Products with glycolic acid may help reduce blemishes by increasing exfoliation with a gentle peeling action.

• Cleansers should be water based and oil-free.
• Protect your skin with an oil-free moisturizer.
• Use SEBAN daily to control oil and shine.

When you breakout

• Keep skin clean but don't over wash.
• Apply Seban Spot Treatment to trouble spots.
• To help keep skin clear use Cabot's Anti-Stress Face Pacs or Purifying Peel-Off Mask once or twice a week.
• Use an oil-free medicated cover-up that covers as it heals the breakout.
• Glycolic Acid may reduce blemishes by increasing exfoliation.

Dry Skin

Skin types of all kinds can suffer from dryness at certain times of the year. Dry, scaly, flaking skin occurs when the natural moisture evaporates or is otherwise removed from the top layer of skin. Because aging interferes with your skins ability to hold moisture, moisturizing your skin becomes increasingly important, as you grow older. Skin also relies of moisture in the air to remain hydrated. Low temperatures and low humidity strip the skin of moisture, causing dry or mature skin to suffer the most. Forced air heat and frequent bathing, especially in hot water, further dehydrate your skin. Hormone therapy and certain medications can have the side effect of drying out skin, leaving it sensitive and itchy. Cooperlabs formulates the World's Smartest Moisturizers:

Vitamin E Anti-Oxidant Plus Super Moisturizers.

Cabot P.O.L. Cream to hydrate and rejuvenate even the most vulnerable skin.

Magistrali anti-aging formulas for sensitive skin.

Avalon Clear Oatmeal - Natural Oat Protein Anti-Itch formulations.

• Moisturize! Moisturize! Moisturize!
• If you are exposed to harsh outdoor conditions or the drying effects of central heating you need to may need to reapply moisturizers throughout the day.
• Whether choosing a moisturizer for face or body remember that creams are more hydrating than lotions.
• Use gentle moisturizing cleansers on your face and body.
• Moisturize daily with products containing anti-oxidants to help repair damaged skin and reduce the visible signs of aging.
• Look for products with hyaluronic acid which restores elasticity and attracts moisture to the skin.
• Oat products provide the best relief for itchy or irritated skin.
• Skin needs to be hydrated from the inside as well as from the outside. Drink plenty of water throughout the day.

Sun Damage

• Dermatologists say that sun protection is the most important thing you can do for your skin.
• Use a sunscreen with SPF 15 or higher for all parts of your body if you are going to be in the sun for any length of time. Wear a hat and protective clothing.
• Anti-oxidant moisturizers help repair sun damaged skin and protect against future damage.

Dull Skin

• Skin dulling impurities can rob your skin of its clear healthy looking glow. Use a purifying mask once or twice a week.
• Cabot Moisturizing Cucumber Peel-Off Mask deep cleans as it replenishes lost moisture leaving skin soft and bright.
• Cabot Purifying Peel-Off Mask deep cleans, tightens and refines pores. A real pick-me-up for dull skin.
  
• A good diet, plenty of water, a good night's sleep and moderate exercise can do wonders to perk up a dull complexion.

Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin reacts easily to both external and internal factors including sun, wind, cold, chemicals, medications and stress. Before you purchase a skincare product, read the label. Look for words like "mild", "gentle", "for sensitive skin" and "hypo-allergenic". Products that are fragrance-free and soap-free are a good choice.

Certain medications can make your skin more susceptible to sensitivities; such as Retin A, Accutane, some antibiotics, sulfur drugs, diuretics and anti-depressants. Many of these medications will make your skin supersensitive to the sun. When that's the case, your pharmacist will apply warning labels advising you to avoid sun exposure.

You may find it helpful to pre-moisten skin with plenty of water before cleansing. The water will dilute the product, which will make it milder for your delicate skin. Apply moisturizer to pre-moistened skin for the same reason. You may use a smooth sponge or soft washcloth but avoid any rough cleansing tool that might cause you irritation.

Magistrali was developed by a woman dermatologist in Italy and has gentle cleansers and moisturizers for even the most sensitive skin. Avalon is a great choice for people with skin sensitivities including more serious skin conditions. moisturizers are one of our best sellers and recommended by dermatologists.

Poison Oak

Poison oak and Poison Ivy are botanically and chemically related. A person sensitive to poison ivy will also react to poison oak. Poison ivy tends to grow east of the Rockies and poison oak tends to grow in the western states as well as western Canada and Mexico.

The poisonous oil that irritates the skin is called urushiol. This almost colorless laquer like resin is found in all parts of the plant - roots, stem, leaves, flowers and fruit. It is present even when the plant is dormant and looks dead. Urushiol does not dissolve in water, is difficult to wash off and its toxic properties last a long time. It settles onto skin and quickly penetrates. Pets are another source of contamination because the oil attaches to their fur and is then transferred to their owners. Unwashed contaminated clothing retains toxicity for a long time.

Prevention

• Learn to recognize Poison Oak and teach children to recognize it as well.
• Wear protective clothing.
• Change clothing and wash as soon as possible after you have been in areas where poison oak grows.
• Do not let pets run in poison oak areas.
• Ask your pharmacist about barrier products to use before you go hiking or camping.

Treatment

Anyone with a severe eruption should see their Doctor or Dermatologist at once. The sooner treatment starts the more effective it will be.

For moderate to mild reactions treatment mainly consists of relieving the itching and preventing infection.

• Avalon Sensitive Skin Body Wash helps relieve itch in the shower or bath.