One of the biggest triggers is if I change from my regular laundry detergent, or stay at a hotel when they seem to use quite strong detergents.

For many years I have been using the Ecover range and in particular I find the Ecover Zero Non Bio Laundry Liquid a great help with my skin.
It is totally unscented, which I like, but even the regular Ecover detergents don’t have the strong chemical scent of mainstream laundry detergents, which I find very overpowering.

A while back I also recommended Ecover Zero to a friend whose child had eczema all over his body. Although his eczema didn’t clear completely at that time, they certainly felt there was an improvement over other products they’d tried.
I have used Surcare from time to time too and my skin seems to get on OK with that, however, I try to go for Ecover wherever possible due to its excellent eco credentials.

I have always avoided biological detergents as I believed that the enzymes in them might prove irritating, however, most of the time biological detergents also contain synthetic fragrance as well, so if you do react to the product it can be hard to know whether its the enzymes or the fragrance that are causing the problem.

On balance for now my top recommendation for the best laundry detergent for sensitive skin is Ecover Zero Laundry Liquid, and our friends at Big Green Smile UK stock the entire range.

Do you agree? I’d love to hear about your experiences and recommendations for the Best Laundry Detergent for Eczema Prone skin, please comment below and share your advice.

If your skin is feeling a little tired, don’t despair. You don’t necessarily have to throw away your whole routine and start from scratch to change things for the better. One or two simple upgrades to your current programme can show rapid improvements in skin condition, leaving you ready to face the spring with confidence.

After months of dealing with rapid temperature changes from toasty centrally heated homes to the icy chill as soon as you step outside, skin is often left feeling tight and dehydrated at this time of the year. A couple of drops of facial oil under your moisturiser, or even applied at the same time (simply pump both onto the back of your hand and mix before applying) will boost the moisturising effect of your current cream and banish tightness.

Cleansing too, can contribute to feelings of tightness, particularly if you live in a hard water area. Change from a foaming facial wash to a cream style cleanser but still use it in the same way, effectively “washing” your face with it, and you will immediately feel the difference in softer, more comfortable skin.

Pamper time seems to be being squeezed all the time (in my life at least), but if you can find 15 minutes to apply a scrub, followed by a mask, your skin will reward you with a beautiful healthy glow.

Scrubs should gently polish your skin, never scratch it, and once or twice a week is plenty. It can be tempting to scrub too hard, or to use a scrub too often, as skin feels so lovely and soft afterwards, but go easy. Overzealous scrubbing will leave skin red and sensitive, whereas a gentle scrub used twice weekly will slough away dull dead surface cells, leaving lovely fresh new cells on display.

Applying a scrub before you apply your hydrating mask means that none is wasted on skin cells that have had their day, and the newly revealed skin gets an intense moisture hit to help it look its very best and protect it from the elements. 

Until Monday 6th March - Save 15% off Skincare with code "CHILLY" - Shop Now >>

Here’s our top picks for a summer routine to leave skin feeling fresh as a daisy.

If the warmer weather has you reaching for a face wash rather than your regular cleanser, Trilogy Balancing Gel Cleanser (£22.50) is a great choice. Although best for combination skin types its gentle formula won’t strip and can be a good summer choice for drier types too. 

Don’t rule out toners altogether though, as there’s nothing to beat the refreshing spritz of a gentle organic toner when summer weather’s left you hot and bothered. Barefoot Rosa Fina Facial Spritz (£17) is an exquisitely scented treat and as it’s a handy sized 30ml can even be taken as a carry on. Trilogy’s toner (£17.50) is beautiful too and comes in a bigger 100ml bottle to help your budget go further.

Much as we love the sun, it’s important not to forget to protect skin from its damaging rays and in summer a moisturiser with an SPF is a must. New for 2012 is Lovea’s SPF50 face cream (£15.99), which will give your skin ultimate protection in a certified organic formula. If SPF50 is a little too high for you, our perennial best seller is Green People Day Solution SPF15 (£14.95). A best seller for good reason, this is an organic beauty classic that suits all skin types and offers great value for money.  In the evening or when you want a break from your SPF cream, summer calls for ultra light moisturising lotion to hydrate your skin without overloading it with oil, as the warm weather causes us to perspire more and our skin can feel a little oilier in summer too. 

With the all important summer facial routine sorted you might want to consider summer options for body care too.

We love the new certified organic sunscreens from Lovea Bio with SPFs from 15 to 50, tanning sprays and after sun they have the complete package for the whole family at a great price. And for summer picnics, plane trips and other times when you might not have access to water to you’re your hand, Bentley Hand Sanitizer (£3.05) is a perfect handbag standby.

Lavera’s 2 in1 hair and body wash (£6.45) is a brilliant holiday buy to help downsize your bag but don’t forget that after the ravages of sun, sea and sand your hair might need a little extra TLC so why not treat it to a hair mask for either normal or dry hair?

And at the end of the day in the sun, it always feels so good to smooth on some body lotion and treat skin to much need moisture boost. If your budget can stretch the Dr Hauschka Body Moisturisers (from £22.95) are a real delight. Light fluid formulas that absorb instantly but leave skin as deeply hydrated as much heavier creams. 

Don’t forget if you need any advice on choosing the perfect products for you just contact us or call on 020 8465 5600, our skin care experts are always happy to help.

Happy Summer!