I absolutely love getting new makeup. Trying the different colors and products, choosing a favorite, bringing it home and opening that pretty new package. It's even better when I get something I haven't tried before. Like makeup from CIRCA Beauty, a cruelty free makeup line that's affordable, long wearing, trendy, and appeals to different skin tones. And oh yeah, the Creative Director just happens to be Eva Mendez.

Left: BB Cream in 03 Medium. Right: Liquid Foundation in 07.

I usually cannot find foundations or a BB cream that doesn't end up being too dark or makes my skin looks ashy. This makeup line is simply amazing! My skin tone would be considered medium brown with yellow undertones and both the Color Balance BB Cream (03 Medium) and Color Balance Liquid Foundation (07) matched my skin without being chalky. My skin looked smooth and radiant! The BB Cream provides full coverage, it's hydrating, lightweight, oil free and it gives my skin a soft focus finish while evening out my skin tone. I normally don't use foundation because I pretty much gave up on finding one that would match my skin tone. This foundation worked well for my skin; it didn't match exactly, but it was close! It provides medium to full coverage, it definitely hid my imperfections, didn't feel dry or flakey and just like the BB Cream, it evened out my skin tone.

Color Treatment Tinted Lip Butter in Apricot.

The Color Treatment Tinted Lip Butter is absolutely wonderful! It's moisturizing, conditions and soothes your lips without being sticky. I use it before applying any gloss or lipstick and it keeps my lips soft and smooth. I also use it before bed and wake up with a soft moisturized pout. It comes in a variety of colors and the Sheer Apricot that I received was a bit too light for me, so on my lips it looks like my natural lip color with a subtle shine. Enriched with oils and shea butter, this Lip Butter is a must for your makeup bag or purse! I love that although the Color Absolute Velvet Luxe Lipstick in Marilyn (a darker red), provides full coverage in just one swipe, I can also lightly dab it on and add some Lip Butter for just a hint of color. It's rich pigment adds rich, beautiful color while being weightless and non-drying.

Color Absolute Velvet Luxe Lipstick in Marilyn

For my eyes, the Fade to Black Precision Eye Ink adds a dramatic finish that stays all day and doesn't smudge. Used along with the Absolute Lash Icon Mascara in extreme black, these two products accentuated my eyes without irritating and leaving little black flakes or smudges. The mascara coats my eyelashes giving it a natural glossy finish along with some awesome length and the thin tip on the Eye Ink is perfect for just that one line or for going bold!

Before and after with Absolute Lash Icon Mascara

The highly pigmented Eye Shadow Palette is smooth, weightless and adds dramatic color to your eyes. I love that all three of these products can go from day to night!

Color Focus Eye Shadow Palette in Provocateur

I would absolutely love for the Lip Butter and BB Cream to have SPF in them and maybe have some of the packaging be a little less bulky, but otherwise this line is fun, versatile and nothing is over fifteen dollars! Have you tried CIRCA Beauty products yet? Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! *Disclosure: Press samples, affiliate links

With increasing frequency, I'm finding that I'm getting pitched more often to review sunscreen pills and drinks. I am a true skeptic when it comes to replacing what I know already works (topical sunscreen), and has worked for YEARS, with something so new that claims the same benefits. So I set out to find out the answers to the following questions about sunscreen pills: Do sunscreen pills really work? Do sunscreen pills offer the same protection as topical sunscreen? If sunscreen pills work, how? Are sunscreen pills meant to only be a supplement to topical sunscreen or to actually replace it? Are there side effects to sunscreen pills? Maybe you've had these same questions... "Sunscreen pills contain an active ingredient that may play a role in protecting cells from damage from UV rays. The active ingredient is an extract from a fern plant. This botanical appears to serve as an antioxidant that increases the skin's threshold for sun exposure before sunburn and damage. The benefit is not enough on its own though. The pills don't have an SPF rating because they are not applied topically, but it may provide about as much protection as a topical sunscreen with SPF 3 to 5." says Sally Rafie, PharmD, BCPS, who is a Pharmacist Specialist at UC San Diego Health System and Assistant Clinical Professor of Health Sciences at UCSD Skaggs School of Pharmacy & Pharmaceutical Sciences. While sunscreen pills, which contain polypodium leucotomos extract, have been clinically shown to have photoprotective properties and when taken orally, can help fight UVA and UVB rays, Dr. Jill Waibel, Board Certified Dermatologist, and owner of the Miami Dermatology and Laser Institute says she is a bit skeptical and doesn’t believe that these pills should be used as a single and sole protectant from the sun. Something that I kept hearing repeated as I reached out to dermatologists and estheticians for this article. As she told me, "They should always be taken in conjunction with a sunscreen that has an SPF 30. There is no better way to protect yourself than with sunscreen, so make sure you don’t skimp on the sunblock regardless of other methods you’re using to help protect yourself from the sun’s harmful rays." While I knew little about sunscreen pills and sunscreen drinks prior to doing the research for this article, I can say it only reinforced for me that just a pill (or a drink) cannot give you the same physical protection that topical sunscreen can. Additionally, while the brands that pitch me say it is "clinically proven," I do think it is a misleading statement. The tests done have only been by the brands themselves (and honestly "clinically proven" means nothing and is more or less marketing words), and although they claim to work, they usually leave out mentioning that they work as a very low SPF and not the amount recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology, which is SPF 30. Essentially sunscreen pills work as an anti-oxidant, which can help repair damage and provide some protection from UV rays, but not to the same strength and degree as something that is applied directly to your skin. As for side effects, Dr. Waibel told me that sunscreen pills have not been extensively studied, so the side effects, if any, are unknown at this time. So I'm going to skip the beauty trend of sunscreen pills and sunscreen drinks and stick with what I know works - topical sunscreen. Our favorites? Sun Bum (and their lip balm), Supergoop (their gradual self-tanner is good too) and MDSolarSciences. What are your thoughts? Have you tried sunscreen pills and drinks? What has your experience been? Leave a comment and let us know! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

St. Ives recently sent me their continous spray lotion in Naturaly Indulgent Coconut Milk & Orchid Extract and the new Smooth & Glow Apricot Hydration Lotion. This is the first time I've ever tried a spray lotion and wasn't sure what to expect. Will it be similar to spray sunscreens where it gets absolutely everywhere and not just targeted to where you are spraying it? Will it be greasy? I intended to find out! The St. Ives continous spray lotions are made with 100% natural moisturizers, are easy-to-apply, spray on lightly and are quickly absorbed, leaving your skin energized and refreshed. Using the lotion was easy enough, simply twist the cap to unlock it, aim and spray. While this lotion had a mist similar to sunscreen sprays, I found that it landed directly on my skin in one spot and didn't mist absolutely everywhere. You then rub it over your skin with your hand and you're done. Both lotions absorbed super quick and left my skin feeling silky and not greasy. Sometimes I applied the lotion by spraying it directly on my skin and sometimes I just sprayed it into my hand and applied it - especially in those more difficult to reach places like the back of my thighs and arms. There was no mess involved, and when I was done, I just switched the cap back to lock. (A great feature when you have kids!) While most people think they only really need to apply moisturizer in the winter when dry skin is the most prevalent, it's necessary during the warmer seasons too due to activities the lend to parched, dehydrated skin. For example, chlorine from time spent in the pool will dry out skin, multiple showers to rinse your skin of bug spray, sunscreen, sweat... can dry out your skin. And simply sunbathing for long periods of time can dehydrate skin. It's important all year round to be using a hydrating body wash, body scrub and a hydrating lotion. I realize "hydrating lotion" sounds like a foolish description, because after all, aren't all lotions hydrating? Many claim to be, but that isn't always the case. (But I'm sure you've probably discovered that yourself with a lotion or two.) Something often associated with pregnancy (I am 32 weeks today!) is glowing, radiant skin. I can tell you that sometimes that glow needs a little help! Something I truly loved about these lotions, is that it made it really easy to get every inch of my skin with ease. If you've ever experienced attempting to bend down to apply lotion to your feet and ankles at 8 months pregnant (that's if you can even see your feet at this point), it's like playing twister. And I'm rarely successful. This Summer I'll #LiveRadiantly with smooth hydrated skin, enjoying my gorgeous surroundings of the Pocono Mountains and in a few weeks enjoying our new addition to the family (boy #6.) How will you live radiantly this Summer? Have you tried these lotions from St. Ives? Leave a comment and let me know! Buy St. Ives lotion here. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of St.Ives. The opinions and text are all mine.

By now, we all know...or should know the health and beauty benefits of drinking water. Approximately 50 to 70% of our body mass is made up of water so it is important to replenish our bodies with the water that we lose on a daily basis. Water is essential to our health because it removes toxins from our bodies thus cleanses it and is required to process all of the nutrients from the food we eat and carry the assimilated nutrients to the cells by circulating through the lymphatic system. Drinking water also has a ton of beauty benefits.  Drinking water prevents dehydration, which becomes most noticeable in your skin first. If you've ever gotten the flu and became dehydrated you may have noticed it first in your lips cracking and becoming dry and then on your face as well. Drinking water also aids in weight loss by acting as a natural appetite suppressant.  Now imagine going one step further towards a healthier more beautiful you by drinking alkaline water. Alkaline water has all of the health and beauty benefits of drinking regular water, but it goes further by helping to balance the body’s acidity levels by mitigating the negative effects caused by stress, lack of sleep and poor diet. I am currently in love with 1907 Alkaline Water.  1907Water is sourced 680 feet deep at the foot of New Zealand’s Kaimanawa Ranges, resulting in pure, uncontaminated water. I absolutely love the taste of this water, and I know what you're thinking, it probably tastes like any other bottled water, but it absolutely does not!  It has a really refreshing, clean smooth taste due to its high alkalinity and low mineral content. 1907Water helps neutralize acid in the bloodstream by keeping the body's pH levels between 7.1 to 8.2, which leads to increases in oxygen levels, energy and metabolism.  1907Water bottles are 100% BPA-free, 100% RPET and are 100% recyclable. 1907Water is available online at Amazon.com and select retailers nationwide (Whole Foods, Shop Rite, Sprouts, The Fresh Market, etc.) Do you drink alkaline water? Leave a comment and let me know! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Disclosure: Press sample, affiliate link

One part of our beauty routine that we tend to neglect quite often is ensuring that our makeup brushes are kept clean and bacteria free.  Dirty makeup brushes can transfer old makeup, germs, and bacteria to your skin each time you use them, so it is important to regularly wash your brushes to get rid of buildup. As a bonus, washing your brushes also makes them work better as well.  When it comes to cleaning my makeup brushes I will be the first to admit that I am absolutely clueless, so I decided to consult with an expert and consulted LA based Makeup Artist Lauren Snyder for her tips on cleaning and caring for makeup brushes. A Girl's Gotta Spa!: What are some of your favorite makeup brush cleaning tricks? Lauren Synder: Mixing warm water with brush cleanser is a good way to make the cleanser a little more flexible when it comes to cleaning while also helping the product last longer. Products can be expensive so any way to make the most out of them helps. Another tip I have found useful is when using a cleanser, let the brush soak for only a couple of minutes. I mix warm water with the cleanser (pretty equal proportions) in a bowl, swirl and mix the brush for about 30 seconds, and then let the brush soak with the actual brush at an angle. I keep the brush at an angle because as long as there’s movement in the brush, there’s movement in the liquid, which means there’s movement in the makeup that needs to come out. Movement is key when it comes not only to cleaning, but coverage as well. After the brush has soaked at an angle for a couple of minutes, I continue to work it through the cleanser just to quickly break anything up from soaking and then a very good rinse with the brush head facing directly under the faucet. Thoroughly dry with a towel and then I suggest letting the brush air dry overnight because no one likes unnecessary moisture. Especially when it comes to blending. AGGS: Which makeup brush cleansers would you recommend? LS: Neutrogena Cleansing Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover – I started using this almost on accident because I was out of MAC Brush Cleanser. It was the only liquid makeup remover I had that I could actually pour into a bowl and I didn’t want to use up pure alcohol. After cleaning my foundation brush with it, I don’t think I’ll use anything else. The remover really gets into the brush without sitting in the head and also doesn’t leave any residue. The best part is that the cleaner doesn’t leave any scent either. Just like any cleanser, working the cleanser and the brush is crucial – the cleanser doesn’t do all the work for you. Plus it’s not nearly as expensive as most brush cleansers. Parian Spirit Brush Cleaner – This cleaner is a little more on the expensive side, but it’s definitely worth the money. The liquid is fast acting and you don’t have to put much muscle into cleaning the brush and making sure it’s getting worked in throughout. Scent is a very subjective and preference based thing. With that being said, this cleanser has a fairly strong orange scent to it that will stay with your brush to some extent. While the orange is certainly a part of the cleanser that contributes to the actual cleaning, if you don’t like the scent then it may not be for you. AGGS: Which brush cleansers do you think are not really worth the price? LS: MAC Brush Cleanser –This unfortunately is an overrated cleanser in my opinion. While there is no strong or lingering scent to it, that doesn’t make up for the fact that is doesn’t really clean brushes at all. In my opinion, it seemed more like I was giving my brushes a light rinse without actually doing anything, like removing makeup, bacteria, excess product, etc. It isn’t a very expensive cleanser considering its size, but it is expensive considering it doesn’t really do what it’s supposed to do.  Lauren Snyder is an LA based Makeup Artist who has been doing makeup for film for six or seven years and specializes in  practical effects makeup artistry. Have any makeup brush cleaning tips you want to add or a brush cleanser that has worked for you? Leave a comment and let us know! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! *Disclosure: affiliate links

I am very much a fan of leading a healthy lifestyle.  I strongly believe that being active and eating a clean, well-balanced diet is the best way to prevent illnesses and look and feel your best and most energized. For the most part, in addition to working out regularly, I try to avoid caffeine and sugars and instead consume foods that are naturally energizing whenever I am feeling run down and like I need an extra boost of energy. Energize Greens Dietary Supplement is a natural supplement of nutritious green superfoods that I have been using for the past two weeks that not only boosts my energy level, but also improves my health, alkalizes my body and boosts my immune system. Energize Greens is a powerful combination of Spirulina, Nova Scotia Dulse, Chlorella, Barley and Wheat Grass, and Beet Juice.  These superfoods together have been proven to inhibit or prevent cancers and tumors in humans and animals, alkalize your body and keep your body’s pH level between 7.35 and 7.45 , lower cholesterol levels by at least 50%, boost your immune system’s resistance to harmful bacteria, viruses, and infections, reduce mortality risks from all types of cardiovascular disease and increase overall fitness and energy levels by 16% without doing any exercise.  In addition to the superfoods, Energize Greens also contains a blend of 29 other nutritious healing ingredients and vegetables such as alfalfa juice powder, wheat sprout powder, barley malt, brown rice bran, bee pollen, probiotic culture, spinach, parsley, enzymes like bromelain, papain, and pepsin - all of which are GMO-free. Benefits of Alkalizing Your Body: Improves skin texture Promotes a deeper, more restful sleep Increased natural physical energy Boosts your immune system Improves digestion Decreased susceptibility to arthritis Increased mental alertness Energize Greens Dietary Supplement is incredibly effortless to consume.  It comes in a powder formula that can be easily combined with water.  I also love putting one scoop of it into my protein shakes, green smoothies or fresh pressed juices.  I have been taking this healthy supplement every day for the past two weeks and normally take it in the morning. Upon taking Energize Greens for the first time I immediately noticed an energy boost, like having a shot of espresso but without the crash that follows or the jittery feeling that I would normally experience with caffeine.  I have also noticed that my workouts are more effective, instead of taking long breaks in between my sets, I am better able to power through my workouts without feeling depleted. I know that my body is benefitting immensely from taking Energize Greens even though I may not be able to see and feel all of the benefits immediately. As I've mentioned, it's only been two weeks since I have been incorporating it into my lifestyle and my body already feels rejuvenated, restored and more healthy and energized.  If for some reason you do not like the taste of the supplement with just water, it can be easily mixed with your healthy juices, shakes and smoothies so that you can get all of the benefits of this supplement. Receive 25% off your order of 4 bottles or more via this special link for A Girl's Gotta Spa! readers: Energize Greens discount Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

Anyone who is of mixed ethnicities knows how hard it is to find shampoos and conditioners for our hair types. I'm always on the look out for products that will keep my hair healthy, smooth, moisturized and soft. My mixed ethnicity (Afro-Guyanese, Indonesian, Amerindian and Portuguese), sometimes makes it difficult to find a product that works well for my hair type. Although my hair is thick and coarse, most products that are extra moisturizing tend to leave my hair oily and flat or sometimes even adds more frizz and leaves it feeling dry. Not so with HASK products! With exotic oils like Argan, Macadamia and Manoi and using high quality ingredients, HASK provides "high performance, salon quality results at an affordable price." HASK shampoos and conditioners are free of sulfates, parabens, drying alcohols, phthalates, gluten and artificial colors. And of course they do not test their products on animals! My kit included the Macadamia Oil Shampoo and Conditioner, Moisturizing Shine Oil and Moisturizing Deep Conditioner. All of the Macadamia products are made especially for dry, thirsty hair, smells fabulous and actually works! I used the shampoo and conditioner, which are both thick and luxurious, left my hair feeling soft, silky, healthy and smelling so wonderful. Then I let my hair stewed for a bit (about 4 days), before using the Moisturizing Deep Conditioner. It's recommended to leave it in your hair for at least ten minutes, but after using the shampoo, I left it in for twenty minutes. Usually after using most deep conditioning treatments and rinsing it out, I still end up adding more conditioner to my hair, but with the HASK Moisturizing Deep Conditioner I didn't have to. My ends were a bit brittle from styling and this deep conditioner worked to make them soft again. My hair is thick and long, but the packet was enough for two treatments. My absolutely favorite product from the kit would have to be the Moisturizing Shine Oil. It's lightweight and absorbing, doesn't leave my hair greasy and my hair felt smooth and soft every time I used it, which has been every day since receiving it. And a little goes a long way so it will last for a while. I took it with me to Florida for a girl's vacation and everyone ended up using it. It definitely stood up to the Florida heat and humidity! You don't have to spend a fortune to have beautiful, healthy hair. With HASK products, you're sure to find something for your hair type and be happy with the results. Have you tried anything from the HASK hair care line? Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Disclosure: Press sample, affiliate links

This is a product-provided, sponsored conversation that contains affiliate links. I received the Infiniti Pro by Conair 3Q Styling Tool and the True Glow by Conair Sonic Skincare Solution for my own personal use. All opinions, text and experiences are my own.

It's not really a secret that I have a love affair with Conair hair products. Over the years I have really loved (and religiously used) styling tools from their Infiniti line, and the latest hair dryer, the Infiniti Pro by Conair® 3Q™ Styling Tool, is no different. 3Q™ stands for "Quick, Quiet and Quality," all of the hallmarks of this new brushless motor styling tool. It may not fit into the Q theme, but this dryer is also extremely light weight. I didn't feel like I was giving my biceps a workout while drying my hair. I absolutely adore how much quieter this dryer is - their patent pending noise reduction technology makes it up to 40% quieter (which is a huge plus when you have a large family like I do and don't want to wake anyone early in the a.m. or when you can only squeeze in a shower at 10pm after a long day of work and want to keep your beauties sleeping.) The Infiniti Pro by Conair® 3Q™ Styling Tool has a brushless motor that will last 10x longer - up to 5,000 hours of life vs. 500 hours for an AC motor hair dryer. Something to consider when debating about if the $119.99 pricetag is worth it (I always say you get what you pay for.) What has drawn me to the Conair Infiniti series of styling tools over the years is the ionic and titanium ceramic technology they all have. This styling tool is no different. It promises enhanced shine, up to 75% less frizz and infrared heat to gently dry hair. Additionally with this dryer, the temperature it produces heat at is 70% lower to also minimize heat damage to your hair. I can tell you that I honestly noticed the heat was less, yet due to the faster airflow, my hair was drying quicker. My hair may not be very long, but when you are running a business, are 7 months pregnant and have a gaggle of children to take care of, every minute counts. Having a quality, yet quick beauty routine is something I strive for. Not to mention, that at a few months shy of turning 41, my hair is not like it used to be and heat damage is a big deal and very noticeable. So I appreciate the features of this new hair dryer.

(It's difficult to take a selfie while drying your hair!)

You can purchase the Infiniti Pro by Conair® 3Q™ Styling Tool at the majority of mass retail and drug chain stores. Of course, bringing the salon and spa home wouldn't be complete without a quality skin care tool. I'll be honest, I had no idea that Conair made a sonic cleansing brush, but I had the opportunity to try their True Glow Sonic Skincare Solution ($79.99.) The sonic technology powers of this high-performance cleansing brush are 300 oscillations per second. It includes two brush heads, one for face and one for body. The brushes are firm yet soft, so they aren't abrasive on your skin and gentle enough to use as part of your everyday cleansing regimen (it's also dermatologist tested.) I only used it on the lowest speed (it has 3) and that was just right for my skin without feeling over-exfoliated. I was impressed with how quickly this sonic cleansing brush charged and how simple it was to use. It does beep to indicate that you need to move to another area of your face, but it doesn't pause as you do so. I liked that feature because it meant I could just keep moving the brush around my face continuously. It's pretty much no frills, so if you've never used a sonic brush before, this would be a great tool to start with. Using a cleansing tool like the True Glow is also beneficial when it comes to getting the most out of your serum, toner and moisturizer as it preps the skin for better absorption. Conair #DoItYourSELFIE Photo Sweeps: Beginning Monday, June 8th at 3 p.m. ET until Thursday, July 2nd at 12:00 p.m. ET, share your Conair-inspired hair selfie in the latest round of the #ConairDoItYourSELFIE sweeps! It’s super easy to enter and your selfie might win you the latest in Conair hair styling appliances and gift cards! Five winners will be randomly selected. Bookmark this link so that you can enter on the 8th! http://bit.ly/1EhfNeC This is the picture I'll be submitting of my skin and hair after using the Infiniti Pro by Conair® 3Q™ Styling Tool and True Glow by Conair® True Glow Sonic Skincare Solution. Note this is my hair 2 days after using the 3Q - no dry shampoo needed or anything! I was amazed that the style stayed intact and my hair wasn't even frizzy!

(28 weeks pregnant here!)

Follow Conair on these social channels: http://instagram.com/conair www.pinterest.com/ConairBeauty www.Facebook.com/ConairBeauty http://twitter.com/ConairBeauty Have you used either of these tools from Conair? I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments! Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too!

Personally speaking, why do I only get eczema in the spring and summer? My husband and teen-aged son also have an onset of eczema at the same exact time as me, yet two of my younger sons only get eczema in the winter. But why?

I decided to go to the experts for answers because I can't imagine I'm the only one plagued with wondering why spring sets off two seasons of itchy bumps taking up residence on my elbows, inner corners of my arms and my hands - and the more I scratch, the more it spreads.

It was only in the last few years that I suddenly began to have eczema flare-ups and once the summer is over, my skin returns to normal... like it never even happened. Does this happen to you?

"In some ways, eczema is a bit of a mystery. It can pop up in all seasons for many reasons. Causes run the gamut from genetic to an auto-immune issue. In general terms, eczema, also known as atopic dermatitis, is a non-contagious, recurrent inflammation of the skin. It is different from a true allergy, but eczema can get worse if a person is exposed to irritations." says Dr. Barney Kenet.

Fayne L. Frey, MD, FAAD of Dermatology & Dermatological Surgery tells me that to date, there is no cure (although plenty out there say they have the miracle cure.) Eczema is often found in individuals with asthma and hay fever. The exact cause of seasonal outbreaks is also unknown.

However, there seem to be many "triggers" that cause eczema to flare.  According to Dr. Frey, they are:

• Dust mites (that hot forced air may blow around a home in the winter.)
• Pets (cats & dogs)
• Pollen (some people flare-up in the spring when pollen counts are high or in the fall when ragweed pollen counts are elevated.)
• Hot weather (may cause summer flareups)
• Low humidity (causes more water to evaporate from the skin which may lead to flare up in the winter)
• Certain foods, like nuts, eggs, soy products, may trigger eczema flare ups (possibly a particular food is eaten seasonally to cause a flare up)
• Hot showers or many showers (could account for flare-ups in the winter or summer for some.)
• Wool in blankets and clothing

When it comes to my younger sons and their eczema onset every winter, it was clear that it was due to our wood stove and thermostat zapping the moisture from our house. It was easy enough to treat by eliminating baths (when they were really little), limiting their showers to every other day and making sure I kept their skin moisturized daily.

However, it wasn't until Dr. Frey mentioned pollen as a culprit that I realized that it must be the trigger for my eczema each spring. Like clockwork when my oldest son, who has severe seasonal allergies, starts with his allergy symptoms, my eczema seems to also appear. I have seasonal allergies, but just not as bad as my son. It all makes sense now that pollen is my trigger. Liz Fuller of Makeup Artistry Inc. brought up the idea that eczema could be triggered by dairy, as well. She had suffered from eczema since she was a baby, but at 43 decided to go dairy-free and within two weeks her eczema was gone and has not returned for over a year now. (I'm not ready to give up my ice cream and frozen yogurt just yet.)

As a side note, dairy is also a culprit when it comes to cystic acne. Now that we know some of the possible triggers, I wanted to find out some of the ways in which we can treat eczema to either help minimize it or at best, prevent the itching that can lead to it spreading to more areas.

Dr. Elizabeth Rostan of Charlotte Skin & Laser suggests using a humidifier in the winter to add moisture back into the air to prevent the skin from drying out. She says that severe cases are helped with soaks in diluted bleach baths and with wet wraps overnight.

My one son and I are going to try AD RescueWear sleeves, which you can wear for wet wrap therapy. (Update: We LOVE this product, read our review!)

Dr. Chynna Steele of Steele Dermatology's recommendations for combatting eczema are: "It is best to keep the skin well moisturized year round to keep eczema flares at a minimum; also, to keep the skin covered (long sleeves and long pants) during the changes in season when environmental allergens are at their highest.

Taking an antihistamine during "allergy season" also helps keep the inflammatory cells in the skin under control and prevent eczema flares. Use gentle, moisturizing soaps and fragrance and dye free soaps, detergents, hygiene products to keep skin calm."

Dr. Barney Kenet says to look for products that say "emollient" and "fragrance free" when it comes to moisturizers. According to Debra Jaliman M.D., Assistant Professor of Dermatology at Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, you can also apply moisturizer containing glycerin, Shea butter or hyaluronic acid. Again, make sure they are fragrance free, as it can be irritating to your skin. Avoid all products with acid, such as lactic acid in glycolic acid.

When using a sunscreen, avoid chemical sunscreens and only use a physical sunscreen containing a high concentration of zinc oxide as this is more soothing to the skin.

Pregnant and have eczema? While an anti-histamine like Benadryl is considered pregnancy safe, you may not want to take any medications during those 40 weeks out of erring on the side of caution. Dr. Steele recommends pure shea butter as a moisturizer since it is an anti-inflammatory for the skin and completely natural.

She also suggests Vanicream, which has the seal of approval from the National Eczema Association, because it is also a great product that those with sensitive skin can use and they have some lighter weight options that are good for the summer.  (I couldn't determine if this was a cruelty free brand or not, though.)

Some other good cruelty free options are our very own natural body lotion, Waxelene (petroleum jelly alternative), Yes to Coconut Eczema Relief Spray and Nature's Gate Colloidial Oatmeal. I hope you found this article helpful! 

I couldn't have received these products at a better time. With the extremely cold weather and the flu making its rounds at my home, it's left my skin dry, flakey and tight. My usual skin savers weren't doing the trick and my face was starting to look a bit dull. I needed something with some serious hydration and wanted my glow back. The masks I received from Manuka Health provided exactly what I was looking for. All it took was one use for my face to become hydrated again! My skin felt soft and smooth, the few blemishes I was starting to have disappeared overnight. I have found my new addiction and I want everything from this line! Manuka Health is a New Zealand based company whose products are a combination of science and nature. They are committed to being a sustainable business as well as not testing these products on animals, being 100% natural, chemical free and no preservatives. Besides skin care, they also provide products for oral and wound care, among others. The high antioxidant levels in the Manuka Honey nourished and repaired my skin making it revitalized and radiant. The ManukaClear Intensive BB Gel is great for trouble prone skin; it smoothed my skin texture, moisturized and give it a healthy glow. For a more intense hydration and to soothe aggravated or dry skin, the ManukaClear Mask  works wonders! With some hydration masks you get a temporary relief, but after using both of these masks just once, my face still felt hydrated several days later. To get the full effect, I started using the Intensive BB Gel first for a week, every evening. If I felt I needed extra hydration, then I would use the ManukaClear Mask. They work best on a clean face so cleanse and dry your face first before application. I applied a thin layer and used my fingers to spread upwards and outwards. The consistency is like, you guessed it,  honey, and so is the smell. (Didn't taste too bad either!) Keep it on for at least a half hour to an hour; just don't fall asleep or try to blow dry your hair with either mask on. You'll end up with a sticky mess! (Don't ask me how I know.) Pin your hair away from your face or use a headband. Although the masks are sticky and thick, they are easily washed or wiped off with warm water, leaving your face nourished and healthy looking. These masks should be a staple in your beauty routine and for sure during the winter months when the weather can wreak havoc on your skin. Sometimes my skin can be very sensitive, but these masks didn't dry or irritate my skin. Neither masks left my face feeling dry or tight. Both of these masks can be used daily or as needed and can also be used on your hands (with cotton gloves), and I did try the ManukaClear Mask on my feet. I left it on for about an hour while wearing cotton socks and my dry, cracked heels were thanking me! I wish I can use it over my entire body, but that's time I do not have. These are one of the best masks I've used in a long time, they provide long lasting results you can actually see and feel and I can't say enough about them! Manuka Health products can be found on Amazon. Subscribe to A Girl’s Gotta Spa! beauty blog. Watch our reviews on YouTube, see our pins on Pinterest and check us out on Instagram and G+. Got a Kindle? We’re on Kindle too! Disclosure: press samples, affiliate link