Recently I developed some kind of rash on my fingers. The spots were itchy and sore at the same time. I couldn’t figure out what it was that caused the rash. I can only drill it down to a different dish washing liquid I was using but still unsure if that’s the true culprit.
In an attempt to ease the itch, I applied some L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream regularly on the affected areas. It did help to provide some relief and I stayed away from doing the dishes and even washing the milk bottles.
I found that after just 2 to 3 days of using the L’Occitane Shea Butter Hand Cream, the condition of my rash improved and some of the spots subsided and some even disappeared. I was glad for that. I was contemplating on seeing a doctor should they still continue to cause me discomfort. Now I don’t have to do that. 
Ordinarily, I would have just passed on this product as creamy and rich, with a nice aroma to it. But since it helped my rash significantly, I am very happy with it. Although the texture of the hand cream is thick, I am happy with the fact that it doesn’t leave an oily layer as it absorbs very well.
The Shea Butter Hand Cream contains honey and sweet almond extract and is blended with light and alluring aromas of jasmine and ylang-ylang essences. It also contains vitamin E that provides nourishment to the skin. Texture wise, as I mentioned earlier, it is thick and creamy but it absorbs rather easily and is great in helping to combat dry and dehydrated skin. It is no wonder that the Shea Butter Hand Cream is one of L’Occitane’s best selling product.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi,
This is going to be a long one
…I can pinpoint exactly what’s causing that rash. It’s the synthetic chemicals in the liquid washing detergent you’re using. You see, most detergents are made with petrochemicals that are actually unfriendly to the skin and environment. BTW, do you know that cleaning and personal care products you use in your home are three times as likely to cause cancer and allergic reactions as airborne pollutants from outside.
Most common dishwashing detergents contain naphtha, a fuel ingredient that is also a nervous system depressant similar to hemlock or Valium. Dishwashing detergent and other cleaning agents may also have diethanolsamine (a liver poison), chlorophenylphenol (a toxic metabolic stimulant), chlorine, or carbamazepine (another central nervous system depressant).
Here are some example of the ‘toxic soup’ of ingredients in detergents that most manufacturer wished consumers won’t wise up too…. (Do you notice that most mass-produced washing detergents here in Msia have no ingredients labels on them?)…here are some of the culprit:
1. Phosphate-a toxic ingredient that can cause cancer
2. Surfactants-chemicals that are known to kill aquatic animals
3. A-pinene -a sensitizer that is damaging to the immune system
4. Benzyl acetate-linked to pancreatic cancer and can be absorbed by the skin through systemic effect
5. Cocomide DEA-also listed as Cocamide diethanolamine) nitrosamines can form in all cosmetic ingredients containing amines, nitrosamines and amino derivatives with nitrogen compounds, are known to be carcinogen causing allergic reactions and contact dermatitis.
6.DEA (Diethanolamine): a synthetic solvent, detergent and humectant (moisturizer) widely used in brake fluid, industrial degreaser and antifreeze.Can be harmful for the liver, kidneys and pancreas.
7. Imidazolidinyl Urea: skin sensitizer, can instigate immune system response that include itching, burning, scaling, hives, blisters of skin, severe respiratory reaction, gastrointestinal or liver toxicity hazards suspected, used in a huge variey of cosmetics and personal care products
8.Mineral oil: petroleum by-product that coats the skin like plastic, clogging up pores, interferes with skin’s ability to eliminate toxins, promoting acne, eczema, resulting in premature aging, can be absorbed through skin contact
9. Parabens: trade names are benzyl, butyl, ethyl, isopropyl, methyl, propyl (alkyl-p-hydroxybenzoates) acting as preservatives in cosmetics and personal care products preventing bacteria, fungus and microbes. The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) reported that parabens displayed estrogenic activity in several tests and can have endocrine-disrupting action. Dr. Philippa Darbre at the University of Reading, UK detected in a study in 2004 parabens in 18 0f 20 samples of tissues from breast tumour biopsies.
10. Propylene glycol-Is a skin sensitizer, causes irritation of nasal and respiratory passages and if ingested can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, itching, burning, scaling, hives, blistering of the skin, alters skin structure, allows other chemicals to penetrate deeper into the skin, increasing the amounts of other chemicals that reach the bloodstream, contact dermatitis. Research has shown to be mutagenic and can cause cardiac arrest, degreases the skin. Japanese studies have shown that it can damage cell DNA (genetic code), toxic.
11. Sodium laureth sulphate (SLES): chemical name sodium lauryl “ether” sulphate. Irritates skin and scalp and creates itching, may cause hair loss.
12. Sodium oleth sulphate: used in shampoo, liquid hand soap, makeup-remover, conditioner, body wash, cleansers, bubble bath, antibacterial skin cleanser, may contain levels of ethytlene oxide and or dioxane, both potent toxins.
13. Triethanolamine (TEA):synthetic emulsifier, highly toxic, over 40% of cosmetics containing it, have been found to be contaminated with nitrosamines, which are potent carcinogens, harmful if swallowed, irritant corrosive and serious damage eyes, avoid skin and eye contact.
14. Triclosan: is basically used as an antimicrobial to prevent growth of harmful bacteria, also called an anti-bacterial, virus and fungi in a huge variety of household good, personal care products (antibacterial soaps, liquid hand soaps, deodorants, toothpaste, processed food, clothing, dish soap, detergent, floor wash, counter and disinfecting spray, glass cleaner, mouthwash, laundry soap, lotion, moisturizers, children’s toys, cleaning supplies. Other antimicrobials include antibiotics, anti-virals, anti-fungals, disinfectants and antiseptics. Studies in Sweden, Institute of Odontology, Huddingen, USA, Virginia Tech University, Blacksburg and Canada, University of Victoria, B.C. have shown that triclosan may promote the emergence of bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics, creates allergy and asthma in children, can interfere with the thyroid hormones and is a health hazard to humans in general and wildlife. The American Medical Association suggest that consumers should check product ingredient lists for triclosan, tricocarban, quaternary ammonium compounds and it is sometimes listed as Microban.
15. Synthetic Fragrance – Ah, here’s the loophole…fragrance is considered a trade secret, a generic term where companies don’t have to declare the ingredients used for it. When you see the word fragrance or parfum in ingredients labels know that it may contain allergens, phtalates (really ugly stuff that can even be found in your common ‘gentle’ and ‘loving’ baby products), sensitizers and neurotoxins.
The list actually goes on and on….I think it’s about time Malaysia implement Truth-in-Labeling upon all manufacturers before their products goes on the shelves. Make sure that all products are labeled with the ingredients listed properly.
BTW, other than switching to a greener and healthier biodegrable washing liquid, don’t use the same washing liquid for a long period of time…switch brands often or wear a glove when you’re handling detergents.
Live Well, Be Healthy…Have a Blessed Day, Cheers!
Thank you for such a detailed explanation. I appreciate the info you shared here. My rash has since gone since I switched to my normal brand and one that also happens to be a bio-degradable one. Save myself, save the earth!
wow, this sounds great! might i ask how much is this retailing at?
Sorry, Elle, I bought this in a set along with other products, so I don’t know how much it retails for. I have yet to replenish it, but when I do then I should find out the damage!
Thanks! I’ve tried it at the store recently and found that i liked the smell of the foot cream better, must be cause of the lavender.. Anyway, i wanted to know cause it’s quite exp in SG and i have a friend coming over from KL, so if it’s cheaper there i wanna ask her to help me get it.. Thanks anyway! Lovely blog! I like the post on Thomas Sabo, I’m thinking of getting one now! =)
Hmm, I don’t think it’ll be cheaper here than in Singapore. It might just be cheaper in Singapore! Aww…so nice, which Thomas Sabo are you getting? Those charm bracelets? So nice, aren’t they?