Buying gifts for someone with sensitive skin, or with topical steroid withdrawal (TSW) and also potentially someone going through a really terrible time too, can be daunting. You can’t reach for the obvious chocolates and smellies as they may well be avoiding skin care products and watching what they eat.
Unsuitable gifts
It can be very easy to get it completely wrong when buying gifts for sensitive folks, so here are a few mistakes you don’t want to make:
- Any fragranced skincare product you bought on the high street
- Chocolate gift boxes
- Alcohol – they may not be able to drink if it irritates their skin
- Synthetic clothing
- Plants or flowers – can cause allergies! Check before buying that they do love plants and will appreciate them. Think about getting a plant to go in their garden link herbs. You could also get some incredibly realistic Faux artificial plants that are beautiful and will last for years.
Top 20 gifts for someone with eczema
Here are a few ideas of really lovely things that you could treat them to:
- Soft and soothing eczema clothing –
- Clover Skincare – They do a beautiful scarf, gloves and soft cotton face mask.
- Eczema Clothing Company – Endorsed by the National Eczema Society, this range of 100% cotton clothing was created for those who have both lived with eczema all their lives. They sell nightwear, socks, tights, tops, gloves and so much more.
- Books – there are loads of books, from self helps books that help with pain to books dedicated to TSW and actually written by TSW people too!
- The Shape of Skin – eczema poetry (by me xxx)
- Check out my Top 7 books for people with eczema and TSW.
- Real Skin Club Positive Affirmation Cards – I love these so much. They also do mirror vinyls, stickers and more. Visit https://realskinclub.com/
- DermaWarrior skincare products – I’ve tried the Oat Soak and healing balm. They’re all natural and a safe bet for anyone with sensitive skin. Check out Dermawarrior.
- Balmonds Skin Salvation – You guys all know I love Balmonds and use their products all the time. From Skin Salvation to their natural healing body oils, shampoo and body wash, there is a huge range to choose from. Check out their website here balmonds.co.uk and use code WHATALLERGY for 20% off.
- Lyonsleaf skincare – I’m obsessed with their Zinc and Calendula cream on my sore bits and also the marshmallow balm for when you need more moisturiser. Visit their website at lyonsleaf.co.uk Use code WA20 for 20% off.
- Colouring books – Adults can do colouring too. Pair with pretty coloured fine tipped pens or pencils – the perfect unwinding activity. I’ve bought the ones with swear words for people going through TSW and they loved them. Getting distracted from your skin is what it’s all about, and getting out of your own head space for a even a short time can be wonderful and calming.
- Bach Flower healing remedies like Sweet Chestnut, Agrimony, Water Violet, Wild Oat. Who knows if these actually work, there is some science behind them and I’ve used them a lot of my TSW journey. Maybe it’s placebo but I use a remedy depending on how I’m feeling for a boost, calming, relaxation and when I’m very anxious.
- Creative Nature – Top 14 allergen free, perfect for everyone so no need to worry about allergies! Checkout Creative Nature for cake mixes, pancake mixes, chocolate treats, Gnawbles, cacao nibs, protein bars and so much more. All allergen free. They do gift boxes with a selection of products. Check out Creative Nature and use code WHATALLERGY10 for 10%
- West Labs Dead Sea Salts – I swear that using dead sea salts helps my skin heal so much. It helps to reduce flares and help me heal when I do flare. Check out West Labs and use code RUTHH30 for 30% off everything you buy, from bath salts to shower gel.
- Chuckling Goat sleep tea – it’s honestly the best, most delicious sleep tea I’ve ever had and I highly recommend. Whilst it’s not a 100% sleep cure, I definitely think it’s helped me.
- Cosi Care – Cooling stars, rollers and ice – they are so good for adults or kids. I highly recommend, and I still use mine when I’m flaring.
- Eczema Land – Bamboo face cloths
- Itch & Bitch merchandise, itchy stickers, itch n bitch bags, sweaters, so much stuff. Check out Itch n Bitch for inspiration for your itchy friend.
- Bee the Brave’s inspirational quotes and merchandise for TSW and eczema peeps – Check out Beethebrave on Instagram.
- Oil diffuser and essential oils – this is such a good idea and I’m talking about the water based diffusers which then send up steam into the room. You add a few drops of essential oils to fragrance, calm and relax your home. Always get good quality 100% pure essential oils, like Naisssance or D’oterra. Other brands exist, but check it’s pure! Otherwise synthetic perfumes could make things worse for someone.
- Candles – Avoid the reed diffusers and paraffin wax candles as these can contain lots of chemicals. Opt for soya or beeswax candles which are much safer, kinder to the planet and won’t irritate airways and skin.
- Eczema sample boxes – Send them a carefully curated Eczema Sample Gift box from the Eczema Clothing Company. They’ll get small sample products to try before they buy! Check out Eczema Sample Boxes here.
- Beautiful stationery – Not everyone loves this kind of thing so check the lay of the land before buying this, but some lovely note books, journals, pens and stickers etc. could be perfect!
- Membership – Find out what they’d love and think about getting them a membership to something that will help distract them like Netflix, Audible, Calm, there are loads of potential options.
Advice when buying for eczema peeps
It takes a little more planning but ultimately you’ll end up with a well thought out and much more highly appreciated gift.
- Ask them if they need anything, and whether they have any allergies, sensitivities or things you should avoid.
- Try to think of something that will show them how much you care.
- Do your research into the condition and think of something that will surprise them.
Use the list above and support the amazing skin community!
If money is no object
You could really splash out on something like:
- Red light machine
- Ice therapy
- Good quality, bamboo or high cotton thread, luxurious bedding
- Robot hoover for cleaning up all the skin flakes!
I’ll add to this list as things come to me.
If you don’t have much money
It could be as simple as inviting them for a coffee, taking them for a country walk, or offering to clean for them or do a task in the home that they are struggling with. Take them some soup, batch cooked meals, anything like that. It can be lonely and isolating and often people hide at home and won’t go out.
Read 10 tips for caring for someone with chronic eczema or topical steroid withdrawal.
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