This is going to be a lot different than anything I've reviewed. While it isn't technically a beauty item, you see my hands so much... it might as well be LOL
| Cheryl Lee MD True Lipds Relieve & Protect Ointment and Eczema Experts Anti-Itch Hydrocortisone Barrier Cream |
Hi, I'm Lacey and I have eczema.
No, it's not a big deal - I realize there are worse things in life - but it is something I have suffered from ever since I was born. I paid visits to multiple doctors and participated in a drug study throughout my childhood. I stopped visiting doctors about 10-15 years ago. Around 9th grade, puberty was a blessing and took my severe eczema to something I could at least live with. I could keep my flare ups and hot spots at bay with over the counter creams, natural beeswax salves and prescriptions from my little sister (who also has struggled with it all her life).
Today, I am 25 years old. My eczema has become something I just contribute to who I am. People tell me "it's hardly noticeable", "I don't see what you mean", or "it's not a big deal". While it is comforting to hear those words, there are also those words that hurt. I don't take many things to heart. Comment about my hair, attitude, makeup, clothes, the way I talk, my race - whatever! Sweat off my back. But for some reason commenting on my skin hits close to home. "Granny hands", "When did you get burnt?", "what happened?", and when someone looks at my hand/their hand after a handshake... cancels all reassurance of having my eczema under control. And these are things I've experienced as early as 1st grade - and they're still things I experience about today.
I've prided myself on being a nail blogger with eczema. Eczema effects what day, what hour, and how long I swatch. Eczema effects what my pictures look like. Will my pictures look super lobster-esque? Will my cracks, raw, and rough patches show? And you know what? For over 2 years now - I still pride myself on my perseverance with this imperfection in an industry that strives for perfection.
I know other readers, people on I've known on Instagram, also struggle with eczema of different degrees. When this company declined my application to review their product - I wrote to them begging to see if their product could make a difference in MY hands. Why? To help myself of course (won't lie!) and to help other who suffer with the same skin disorder.
Since I don't have enough product to cover all my problem areas - feet, hands, knees, neck, parts of my torso, back and face - I am going to give it a shot on my hands, since that's what you see the most.
I would like to let you know that after 10-15 years of doing this on my own with nonprescription topical creams and ointments. Those have entirely stopped working for me. It's like my body is tired of fighting eczema after all these years lol. I've thrown in the towel. I give up doing this alone. I decided to let a dermatologist take the reigns.
For the last month, I have been doing weekly full body light treatments. So take that for what it's worth, in case you might think it affects my review! I used The Cheryl Lee MD True Lipids system for 3 weeks. I would of gone 4 weeks but I received a prescription topical corticosteroid, for spots that popped up during the treatments, and I don't think it would be fair to review True Lipids with the ointment. Y'know?!
Here are my 3 week results (I apologize of the light sucks -.-)
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| True Lipids: Start - Week 1 |
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| True Lipids - Week 2 |
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| True Lipids: End - Week 3 |
I ditched my arsenal of 10 different lotions and ointments and used all True Lipid items in their places.
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| TrueLipids Relieve & Protect Ointment $49.99 |
First up is the TrueLipids Relieve & Protect Ointment. This was my go-to hand lotion for 3 weeks. Every morning, handwash, after shower, bedtime, or if my hands just felt dry - I applied this. It is meant to "work at the source of dry, cracked skin by providing a patent-pending blend of essential skin lipids. This ointment relieves and protects dry, itchy, chapped, cracked, wind-burned and irritated skin, and it is effective for all ages and skin types".
I didn't see a whole lot of improvement in my skin, to be honest. I saw a little, but nothing more than the usual - which is keeping the spots at bay but not healing. I really, really liked the formula though. I can see this being GREAT in the winter, for anyone. It has a thicker formula, similar to Aquaphor if you've used that. It isn't quick absorbing, but it really keeps your hands moisturized and protected. I liked it, but I didn't love it. I think if you have a mild, less chronic form of eczema this might work for you better than it did for me. I'm not sure this would be something I would repurchase.
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| TrueLipids Eczema Experts™ Anti-Itch 1% Hydrocortisone Barrier Cream $49.99 |
The 2nd part of the system is a Hydrocortisone Anti-Itch Cream. This is "formulated for skin irritations such as itchy skin, inflammation and rashes". Hydrocortisone creams are a pretty common thing to find in a first aid kit and can be picked up for pretty cheap at any drug store. I've tried a store brand and Neosporin Eczema Essentials' Hydrocortisone creams in the past. To stop the itch during a flare up, none of those worked.
Since Hydrocortisone creams don't usually work when my hands are itchy, I didn't have toooo much hope for this product. But actually, it DID work when I had a flare up. I was quite surprised. I used this on other parts of my body too; my feet flare up quite often. It was a life saver, or a hand saver I should say since it prevented me from ripping into my own skin lmao. I would consider repurchasing this product. While it is a small size for the price, you only need a thin layer.
I did also receive a few samples of the TrueTherapy Ceramide+ Cream, TrueLips Lip Balm, and TrueLipids Hydrate, Correct, & Perfect Lotion. I only tried out the Hydrate, Correct, & Protect Lotion. It is made for body and face. I do have patches of eczema on my face, mainly under my eyebrows and between my eyebrows. So I gave it a shot. I don't think I used it enough to see a difference so I can't attest to how well it works. I do kind of want to purchase the full size and give it a shot. I would only use this at night since there is no sunscreen in it.
For more information about TrueLipids and products by Cheryl Lee MD, you can find them here:
Website | Order [Exclusive: $15 off + Free Shipping!] | Facebook | Twitter | Youtube | G+ | Pinterest
If you have any questions for me about these products, I'll try to answer them to the best of my ability! I know eczema can be frustrating, and I'd love to share my knowledge and experiences with anyone who needs help!
Wanna try these products for yourself? The price point is a little steep, I understand. They DO offer a 30 day money back guarantee though! BUTTTTTTTTTTT lucky for YOU, Cheryl Lee MD TrueLipids is allowing me to giveaway an Eczema Kit!
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| The giveaway is open to US residents 18 years and older. The giveaway prize is an Eczema Kit put together by TrueLipids. This giveaway is sponsored by TrueLipids, Tomoson, and hosted by Lace & Lacquers. For full rules and details, click here. |
If the Rafflecopter is being a butt, click here to see the widget.
Hope you enjoyed this write up :]
See ya tomorrow!
I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. Please read the disclaimer tab for more information about my reviews
