Orleatha Smith is the consummate go-getter. This Los Angeles-based dynamo holds a biology teaching credential and a master’s degree in education, and she is a published author who has written books about healthy eating. She’s also a certified holistic lifestyle and wellness coach, with expertise in e-commerce. During the pandemic, she co-founded Sip Herbals, which makes a gluten-free, acid-free, caffeine-free coffee substitute that became an instant bestseller.
All of that would be impressive under any circumstances, but now consider this: “I was born covered from head to toe with eczema and have dealt with it for the last 45 years,” she says. “In fact, I spent an entire month in Mayo Clinic as a child because my skin became infected.” Today, she says, “I can speak to being a Black woman whose eczema has all but cleared, [with the exception of] one spot on my foot.”
How does she keep her eczema at bay? Let’s go shopping with Smith, whose recommendations might help you get your own skin condition under control.
Look for Natural Fibers
Smith always checks fiber content labels while clothes shopping. “I wear cotton 99% of the time,” she says. “I also take great care to make sure that there is not much latex in any article of clothing I buy, as it tends to irritate my skin. If I wear synthetics, I wear cotton undergarments – think bike shorts and tank tops – to make sure there is little contact [between] the synthetic and my skin. I make sure the fabric I wear is breathable as well.”
Buy Fragrance-Free Detergent
“I only wash my clothes in unscented detergent, and always add baking soda to my wash, too,” Smith says. “This is to make sure that allergens and irritants from daily outdoor activities all get removed from my clothes.”
Pick a Gentle, Dermatologist-Recommended Cleanser
Although she uses an oil to lightly cleanse her face daily – in her case, it isn’t irritating – Smith knows this may not be for everyone. “I use Cetaphil products when I feel I need a deeper clean without stripping my skin,” she says.
