Nina Birnbaum, the mom behind Softress, is another example of what moms can do when faced with an issue involving their children’s health. Take one every day mom, mix in a health issue or scare, a healthy dose of research, and a good sized portion of feist (yeah!) and you’ve got yourself a mom preneur dedicated to helping make and distribute products that are safe for our children.
Nina’s daughter was diagnosed (like both my children) with eczema as a toddler. She dutifully did the recommended practices for dealing with eczema, but found that she was using steroid treatments more often than she felt comfortable with. I, and many moms I know, can relate to this. Steriod (hydrocortisone cream) treatment is remarkable, when my kids have bad flare ups it is the one thing that works. However, my son always complains about it ‘burning’ on his skin, and I find that even my own finger tingles after I apply it which freaks me out. I wash off my finger but my children have it soak into their skin (60% of what we put on our skin is absorbed directly into our bloodstream, talk about unsettling!)
When Nina’s daughter was 8, she was diagnosed with pre-diabetes (metabolic syndrome). Since her daughter had always been slim, this sudden weight gain and diagnosis was troubling. Nina learned that long term topical treatment actually can change the way the body processes sugars and fats leading to insulin resistance or even Type 2 Diabetes later on. This mom has now spent the past 5 years researching the link between eczema, steroid treatment, and diabetes and has a wealth of knowledge to share through her site including information on diet, supplements, and the products used on our skin. If you have children with eczema, definitely take some time to read all the information she has compiled here.
Nina sent me products from the Softress Soft Baby line and Deep Moisture Line. My son’s eczema is more bothersome than my daughter’s and my daughter also has food allergies which made me cautious about using the products (they contain sunflower oil which may be bothersome to those with peanut allergies – again, as with anything, do you own research because the link isn’t substantial and it’s up to mom if she thinks it’s a risk or not).
Speaking of oils, all the oils used in Softress products are natural! The Softress site states that their products are the only ones on the market NOT to use essential oils (they may irritate baby’s skin or even affect a developing hormonal system) The SoftBaby products are so pure, the site says they are even edible. My husband commented that SoftBaby smelled like cooking oil, so I’d believe it! SoftBaby is useful for breastfeeding mamas as well, or just to sooth dry cracked hands (which is how I used it). When you think of oil, you naturally think OILY, but SoftBaby absorbs quickly into the skin and doesn’t leave a gross oily feeling behind – this is the difference between natural products and chemically derived oils (think of the classic baby oils out there).
The real test came in using the Deep Moisture Winter Formula between my son and I. I used it as a lotion/oil after his shower. In talking with Nina we decided the Winter Formula would be best because we live in a dry climate, so in our case it can be used year round. My son’s eczema flares up in the Spring/Summer months (good old seasonal allergies) so I haven’t had the opportunity to use it directly on a flare up yet, but as a regular moisturizer I’ve been happy (no skin reaction and soft skin as a result!) I also have the Summer Formula to use, should we actually have some less-than-dry summer weather this year.
I read on the Softress site that the Deep Moisture Winter Formula could be used for skin AND hair. I wondered how an oil would work to condition my hair (oil in hair?) but remembered those commercials on tv about hot oil treatments for hair (gotta love how they promote ‘made with avocado oil’ but forget to mention the other chemical ingredients used, lol). I felt weird using an oil on my hair and worried I’d have slick hair as a result (ha!) so wow was I impressed with the result! This Spring, I decided to “lighten up in a few ways” as I put it and have a ton of highlights in my usually-dark hair, which means its dryer than usual. Deep Moisture Winter Formula is link a vitamin drink for my hair, that will now be my once-a-week treatment (provided I can actually remember to take a few minutes for mom once a week, good luck right?!) How cool that we have a product now that can not only soothe and nourish my son’s eczema prone skin but can also be used as a hair treatment for a frazzled mommy (and frugal-mom speaking, this is awesome!)
Right now, you can save 15% on your order by using the code FRUGAL at check-out for the next 3 months!
Nina from Softress has offered 1 bottle (2oz) of Softress oil (Deep Moisture, E-Blend, Love Your Hair, SoftHands or SoftBaby) to 4 lucky readers! To enter, just go to the Softress site and take a look at the Eczema Resources area. Comment here telling me one thing you learned in this section AND which product you would like to win.
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Please ensure your profile is public or leave me your email address in your comment. This giveaway will end on May 21st at 10:00pm CT. I will use Random.org to choose the winner, email the winner, and post the win here. Giveaway is open to Canadian and US addresses.
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