I created this brand specifically for those with sensitive skin or skin conditions like psoriasis and rosacea. Now I want to help you figure out how to make these products work for you.

Do you struggle with skin traumatized by chemotherapy treatments? Are you pregnant and concerned about safe skin care? Following are eight questions and answers to help you find solutions to these issues and more. If you have other questions, please add them below in our comment section!

1. I have psoriasis, and so far not much is helping. Do you have any tips?

• Be sure to avoid products that dry out your skin, or that have potentially drying ingredients like sulfates and mineral oil. You do want, however, to exfoliate a little bit—enough to slough off dead skin cells—and get rid of any bacteria that may exacerbate your psoriasis.
• Try a non-toxic cleanser, pat dry, then apply Calming Moisture for Face, Neck, & Scalp on the face, or Repair Body Lotion on the body. These products nourish skin with goodies like aloe vera, oat extract, St. John’s wort, calendula, and more, and contain no harsh chemicals or preservatives.
• For extra dry patches, try nourishing Restorative Skin Balm, which has a trio of plant antioxidants and fat-soluble vitamins to help soften severely dry, rough areas.

2. I’m going through chemotherapy and my skin is breaking out in an acne-like rash. What should I do?

• First of all, don’t use harsh acne products on your skin. Though your rash may look like acne, most likely it’s a reaction to the chemo drugs, which means acne products will only make it worse and could put you at risk of permanent scarring.
• Instead, start with Rescue and Relief Spray on freshly cleansed skin. Its unique Tri-Rescue Complex has anti-inflammatory properties that will help soothe and calm your skin without potentially harmful chemicals.
• Follow with Calming Moisture for Face, Neck, & Scalp, which has cooling aloe and redness-reducing oat extract.
• Oatmeal baths and masks can also help soothe the rash and reduce inflammation and swelling.
• Don’t forget to use a safe, non-toxic sunscreen every day!

3. I’m going through chemotherapy treatments and my doctor says I have hand and foot syndrome. My hands and feet are red and sore. Is there anything that will help?

• First of all, avoid hot water. Wash your skin in lukewarm or cool water, then apply Rescue + Relief Spray for instant cooling and calming effects. This product has no fragrances, parabens, or other toxic ingredients to worry about, but it does have water lily and comfrey to help tone down inflammation. Tip: If you keep it in the refrigerator, it will be even more cooling on hot hands and feet.
• Hand and foot syndrome can also create cracking and peeling, so make sure you’re moisturizing regularly. Try Body Repair Lotion, which is deeply hydrating, and then use the Restorative Skin Balm for extra dry, rough areas like on the heels, knuckles, and palms

4. I’m a cancer survivor and I have scars from the incisions made during surgery. Any recommendations that will help soften them up?

• Scars from surgery are often full of fibrous tissue that makes them tough and stiff. Some can even interfere with movement.
• Try Restorative Skin Balm. This deep-penetrating salve helps soften scars, but it’s completely safe to use—no synthetic fragrances, parabens, or other potentially harmful ingredients. Calendula and sea buckthorn oil help skin regenerate itself, and vitamin E encourages wound healing.

5. I’m a teacher so I’m constantly washing my hands all day to avoid all the germs. Unfortunately, that makes them really dry and now they’re starting to chap and flake. I’m putting moisturizer on whenever I can—do you have other tips?

• Your skin needs some deeply nourishing therapy at night. Try Restorative Skin Balm before you go to bed. Apply this penetrating salve all over your hands before you go to sleep, then cover with some soft, cotton gloves. When you wake up in the morning, your skin will be soft and smooth—recovered and ready to face another day!

6. I have extremely sensitive skin. I can’t use a lot of products out there because they make me break out in a rash or they make my skin itch. Any suggestions?

• Most people with sensitive skin are actually sensitive to the harsh chemicals in most skin care products. The solution is to find products that avoid these chemicals and use safer ingredients instead.
• Try CV Skinlabs. This new line of safe skin care avoids potentially harmful ingredients like synthetic fragrances and dyes, parabens, phthalates, petroleum products, sulfates, and hormone-altering ingredients.
• Instead, the products contain aloe, chamomile, bee’s wax, vitamins, cucumber, and other natural goodies, and are formulated specifically for people with chemical sensitivities, or who have skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis, or rosacea.

7. I wanted to get a tan, but I ended up staying out in the sun way too long. What’s the best way to cool down this burn?

• First, spritz Rescue + Relief Spray directly on the burned area. The chamomile and cucumber in this product helps to speed calming relief to your inflamed skin. Tip: Keep it in the refrigerator for extra cooling.
• Follow with Body Repair Lotion, which has calendula and aloe to calm and soothe inflamed skin.

8. I’m breastfeeding and I have to say, my nipples are sore! This is such a tender area, and I don’t want to use anything that may harm my baby. Is there anything I can use so it doesn’t hurt so much?

• First of all, realize that many things can cause nipple soreness, including using a breast pump improperly, friction or suction from a poor or shallow latch, a thrush infection, or contact dermatitis—a reaction to other nipple creams or medications. Be sure to check with your doctor or dermatologist right away so you can find the cause of the issue.
• Next, rinse the nipple after each feeding with water, then spray with Rescue + Relief Spray, which is 100% free of synthetic fragrances, dyes, and other potentially harmful chemicals and safe for your tender skin. This product also includes calming chamomile and cucumber to deliver cooling and softening benefits.
• Finally, apply Restorative Skin Balm at least once a day, which is an advanced therapy for wounded and irritated skin. It includes U.S. Pharmacopoeia lanolin—a recommended deep-moisturizer for breastfeeding mothers—as well as vitamin E, bee’s wax, and calendula to help heal and safeguard the skin.

Have you tried these SOS skin solutions? Let us know what you think! And let us know if you have other questions about how to use CV Skinlabs.

I created this brand specifically for those with sensitive skin or skin conditions like psoriasis, eczema, extremely dry skin and more, who want to use products free of irritants and potentially harmful chemicals. These products work together to form your family’s new SOS kit—the perfect in-home solution for skin issues that need some rescue, relief and TLC. You may be wondering, though, exactly how to use these products for certain issues. If so, I have answers for you below.

Following are eight questions and answers to help you find solutions to your most common skin issues. If you don’t find what you’re looking for here, don’t worry—I’ll post on this topic again in the next couple weeks! Or you can always contact us with any questions you may have here.

1. I went skiing over the weekend and now my cheeks are all sunburned. What’s the best way to avoid peeling and scarring?

• First, spritz CV Skinlabs Rescue + Relief Spray directly on the burned area. The chamomile and cucumber in this product helps to speed calming relief to your inflamed skin. Tip: Keep it in the refrigerator for extra cooling.
• Follow with CV Skinlabs Calming Moisture for Face, Neck & Scalp. The Tri-Rescue Complex provides anti-inflammatory properties to help calm the burn and encourage faster healing, without potentially harmful chemicals. Apply frequently throughout the day to avoid peeling.
• For sunburns on the body, try nourishing CV Skinlabs Body Repair Lotion.

2. My friend and I took a hike in the woods and I accidently stepped into poison ivy. Help!

• First, wash the affected skin as soon as you can. Use a gentle cleanser and cool water.
• If your skin is itching, take an over-the-counter antihistamine, and wash all the clothes you were wearing on the outing in hot water.
• If you’re experiencing a rash, spray on CV Skinlabs Rescue + Relief Spray, which has a unique Tri-Rescue Complex for anti-inflammatory and antihistamine benefits.
• If your skin is still uncomfortable, try a paste of 3 tablespoons baking soda and 1 tablespoon water.
• Once your skin calms down, apply CV Skinlabs Restorative Skin Balm, which uses calendula and arnica to help heal and regenerate wounded skin, and has no potentially harmful chemicals or preservatives.

3. I’m going through radiation treatments and my skin is starting to burn. What do I do?

• Check with your oncologist, as he or she may have restrictions what you can apply to your skin before treatment.
• Use cooling compresses, and try CV Skinlabs Rescue + Relief Spray directly on the burned area. Key ingredients like water lily and comfrey provide instant cooling and calming relief while helping to support skin healing. Plus this product contains no potentially harmful chemicals or preservatives.
• As long as you don’t have weeping sores, follow with CV Skinlabs Restorative Skin Balm, which provides advanced therapy for burned, wounded, and irritated skin.

4. I’m going through chemotherapy and my skin is dull, fragile, and paper-thin. Is there anything that will help?

• Chemotherapy kills fast-growing cells, which means your skin can’t regenerate itself as quickly as it normally does. The key is gentle, tender care.
• Moisturize often with a safe, non-toxic product like CV Skinlabs Calming Moisture for Face, Neck, & Scalp, and CV Skinlabs Body Repair Lotion. Both are made for compromised skin, contain no potentially harmful chemicals, and deliver the unique Tri-Rescue Complex, which provides anti-inflammatory and antioxidant benefits.
• Use CV Skinlabs Restorative Skin Balm for those areas where your skin is super dry and needing extra care. The Carnauba and bee’s wax safeguard the moisture barrier so your skin can recover.

5. I’ve got eczema on my hands, so they’re always red, dry and itchy. I’m embarrassed by how they look. Any tips?

• Eczemic skin is crying out for nourishing moisture. Try CV Skinlabs Calming Moisture for Face, Neck & Scalp, along with the Body Repair Lotion. Both contain the unique Tri-Rescue Complex, which provides anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties to skin, helping to soothe and soften without harmful chemicals.
• Follow with CV Skinlabs Restorative Skin Balm on places like your knuckles, cuticles, elbows, heels, and other areas that are super dry and rough. A trio of fat-soluble vitamins and plant ingredients provide healing and skin-regeneration properties.

6. My skin is always dry. I moisturize and moisturize, but nothing works. Help!

• Dry skin sometimes needs more than hydration. Often the outer layer has been damaged, which makes it much more difficult for skin to hold onto any moisture it may have.
• Avoid potentially harmful chemicals, sulfates, and parabens. Try safe CV Skinlabs Restorative Skin Balm—a nourishing salve that helps protect and instantly soften severely dry, rough, and chapped skin. It’s got carnauba and bee’s wax to help safeguard that moisture barrier, along with vitamin E, which aids in wound healing. Yet it’s free of any potential harmful chemicals, so your skin will be able to recover without having to defend itself from irritants.

7. I’m going through cancer treatments and I lost my hair, so I’m wearing a wig, but it makes my scalp itch. Can you help?

• CV Skinlabs has a new Rescue + Relief Spray made specifically to soothe itching, burning skin such as that caused by wearing a wig. Formulated with a unique Tri-Rescue Complex, it provides anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties to calm itching and irritation. Plus it’s free of potentially harmful ingredients like fragrances, parabens, and mineral oil, so you can feel safe putting it on your tender scalp.
• Tip: Carry a bottle with you for a quick mid-day refresher. Just take off the wig, spritz your scalp, let it dry for a few minutes, then put the wig back on.
• If your skin is dry, follow with nourishing CV Skinlabs Calming Moisture for Face, Neck & Scalp.

8. I have rosacea, so I’m always battling with redness. I use makeup to cover it up, but are there any other solutions?

• Rosacea can flare up at the most inconvenient times. Try carrying CV Skinlabs Rescue + Relief Spray with you. This cooling product is made with chamomile and cucumber to soothe and cool hot, flushed skin.
• Next, moisturize regularly with CV Skinlabs Calming Moisture for Face, Neck & Scalp. It’s got aloe vera and oat extract—two of the most effective cooling and redness-reducing ingredients available. Plus it has no potentially harmful chemicals, so you can use it as often as you want.
• Try an oatmeal mask at night. Just mix up some fine-grade oatmeal with water or yogurt and leave on your face for 5-10 minutes.
• Don’t forget to use a safe sunscreen every day!

Have you tried these SOS skin solutions? Let us know what you think! And let us know if you have other questions about how to use CV Skinlabs.

“It was as though a giant sponge swooped down and absorbed all the moisture from my skin,” says Pat, a breast-cancer survivor.

What are the signs? Dry skin appears rough and flaky, and can become cracked and peeled.  It may feel tight and itchy, and with scratching, may start to bleed. A slight tear can lead to infection, so it’s paramount you keep your skin as moist as possible.

There are some basic things you can do. Avoid hot water (it makes itching worse); shower or bathe in lukewarm temperatures; pat (don’t rub) dry; and avoid drying soaps—instead, use organic, non-toxic, skin cleansers and creams. Apply moisturizer (or organic body oil like Weleda) when skin is still damp, wash clothes in toxin-free mild detergents, use chemical-free sunscreen (we love Soleo Organics SPF 30), avoid synthetic perfumes and fragrances, use a humidifier in your room, stay away from irritating fabrics like wool and nylons (choose cotton and silk), and protect your skin with gloves and when doing household chores. (You can also purchase thin cotton gloves to protect fragile, sore hands.)

All these things may help, but if you’ve got serious dry skin, you need more. First, let’s talk about relieving the pain or itch. Instead of scratching, dryskin.com suggests massaging the area with an ice cube, or covering it with a cool washcloth. Add baking soda or ground up oatmeal to the tub to further soothe the irritation. Natural-homeremedies.com suggests Vicks vapor rub for immediate relief, vitamin E oil, baking soda and water paste, or an apple cider vinegar and water solution. If you’ve already scratched, natural aloe from the plant can soothe the burn and moisturize skin, or try Santaverde Aloe Body Lotion.

Regular lotions may be moisturizing to the everyday person, but for those going through chemotherapy, they may seem no more effective than water. Many skin-care enthusiasts recommend virgin coconut oil for its protective qualities. It absorbs easily through the skin to heal and moisturize, plus it won’t break the budget. Other oils great for moisturization include almond, grapeseed, evening primrose, and olive. You can find organic versions of these oils at Aura Cacia. (Try coating your hands and feet in oil and lotion and sleeping in cotton socks at night.)

Looking for home remedies? Try mashing a ripe banana and applying it to the dry area for ten minutes, or blend together 1 teaspoon green clay powder and 1 teaspoon raw honey and apply for fifteen to twenty minutes.

If none of these things help, talk to your doctor or dermatologist. Whatever you do, don’t suffer in silence. Dry skin could land you in the hospital with infection, so you have every excuse to pamper yourself with tender care!

Do you have a great solution for dry, irritated skin? Let us know!

Photo courtesy of Snap Village.