When Ancient Minerals contacted me about their Magnesium Bath Flakes, I wasn't quite sure what to think. It seemed a little New Age-y, but when when I read that these all-natual flakes were gentle enough to use on children's eczema, I was interested in giving it a shot.
Dylan has had a persistent patch of eczema on the back of her knee for a while. When it flares up, it bothers her quite a bit, and nothing truly stopped the itching. I posted about the luck we had with emu oil, but that only helped to heal the red, broken skin, and it didn't actually heal the itching that made her scratch it raw.
I didn't exactly have high hopes, but I was willing to try anything non-chemical and non-prescription to get relief for my little girl, and mineral salts fit the bill.
The verdict? Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes are AMAZING.
According to the website:
Ancient Minerals Magnesium Flakes dissolved in warm water provide the user with a medicinal bath of cell restoring magnesium chloride...Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes are also highly effective for healing skin conditions such as psoriasis, eczema, and dermatitis. Soaking in magnesium salts has been shown to markedly improve skin hydration, speed wound healing, enhance skin barrier function, and decrease inflammation.The flakes come in a big, 6.5 lb tub, and the instructions say to dissolve 1-3 cups in warm water and soak for 30 minutes. (We use 1 cup.) After the first soak, the back of Dylan's knee began to heal, and she hasn't scratched it raw since!
Another cool thing is that, beyond working topically, the magnesium flakes appear to work from the inside out. (According to Ancient Minerals, the beneficial properties of magnesium are absorbed by the body better through the skin than through dietary supplements.) Just as we got the flakes in the mail, we noticed the eczema spreading in an itchy red patch under Dylan's arm, and it completely disappeared, even though Dylan sat upright in the tub and didn't actually soak her little underarm.
Similarly, two milder patches of eczema on her cheeks also disappeared. The patch behind her knee, though significantly diminished, stubbornly remains, but her skin is much smoother and has not itched or flared up since we started soaking with magnesium bath flakes.
Jim and I also used the flakes as a relaxing foot soak, and that is pretty nice, too. In addition to helping with skin inflammation, magnesium is supposed to be good for tired muscles. I've worked out twice this week (first time in a long time!), and I'm barely sore at all; it's possible that the magnesium is the cause.
I would wholeheartedly recommend Ancient Minerals Magnesium Bath Flakes to anyone struggling with eczema. It works gently and fast, and the results have been long lasting.
A large 6.5 lb tub sells for $55, and Ancient Minerals also sells a smaller 1.65 lb size for $9.75, but they are giving away a large tub to one lucky {so much: reviews} reader!
To enter, just leave a comment saying something that you've found that works (or doesn't) for eczema, or share any favorite natural health product or remedy. Please make sure to include a way to get in touch if you're not a blogger.
Want a second entry? Follow this blog or subscribe and leave another comment telling me that you do. Get a third entry by following or subscribing to my main blog, so much shouting, so much laughter, leaving a comment here saying you do.
The last day to enter is Tuesday June 1, and I will announce a winner on Wednesday June 2. Good luck!
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I received Magnesium Bath Flakes but was not otherwise compensated (or compelled) to write this review. Eczema is awful, and I wanted to share something that helped my child.
25 comments:
Thank you for the information on this product. - Lora
readingcoach (AT) yahoo (DOT) com
I subscribed. - Lora
readingcoach (AT) yahoo (DOT) com
I also subscribed to your other blog.
Thanks again,
Lora
readingcoach (AT) yahoo (DOT) com
Please, oh please, oh please I would love to try those magnesium flakes. My 2 year old has eczema behind her knees and occasionally it flares up under her arms. Hydrocortizone cream works but I hate to use it because of the side effects. We do have a natural moisturizer made locally that helps to keep it away once the hydrocortizone clears it up but it only works for a few days.
alicen(dot)thorne(at)gmail(dot)com.
Thanks!
Three of my four children deal with eczema. My four-year-old has it the worst and is not very cooperative when it comes to the creams and ointments. The derm recommended Cervae, a daily moisturizing cream, and we also use a steroid cream which I get a bit wary of using too often. I'd love to try this bath product. I like the idea that it is natural:) Generally, I just have my kids take showers to avoid flare ups caused by sitting in the tub, but then they miss out on the fun of playing and splashing around. Thanks for offering what sounds like a great giveaway!
Tricia
t(dot)oshea(at)yahoo(dot)com
Thanks for the recommendation. My son, now 8, refuses to let us put anything on his eczema! His legs have scars from where he has scratched so deeply. I tried the emu oil but, the nice lady who sold it to us was tryign to be cute and funny at the time (he was 4) and told him "Make sure you only use a little - use too much and you wil turn into an emu." Needless to say the onyl time got it on was if I waited until he fell asleep. It did help some but, like you said, not the itching. Any I really did not like th slightly "meat fat" smell. I will be buying some of this, though!
Christie
ropp dot 5 at wright dot edu
I have used Aveeno on eczema, which helps a little, but not enough.
My son is 14 and has suffered with this since he was a toddler. We have an Rx cream, but it stings when he puts it on so he doesn't like to use it. Sigh..
I just subsribed with Bloglines.
Melanie
g l mixon @ msn. com
My husband has eczema, so we are always looking for products. Nothing so far is really a winner.
Melanie
g l mixon @ msn. com
Oh my goodness...I couldn't have found this at a better time. We are struggling with my 2 year old's eczema. We found out she has a mild wheat/soy allergy so we are making dietary changes. I have also been using coconut oil and a friend gave me a recipe for lotion.
Something we just started that seems to work is after her bath I squirt her down with cold pressed extra virgin olive oil and rub it all over like lotion before she gets out of the tub. It feels good and is good for her.
She is so itchy.
I subscribed!!
I just subscribed to your other blog!!
My 6 1/2 year old has had severe eczema since she was a mere 2 weeks old. It has been such a struggle for her. we finalyl foudn out what was causing her eczema. She has environmental allergies. Pretty much everything that you can't get away from. Dust, mold, mildew, grass, trees, weeds, pollen, you name it! She is now on weekly allergy shots and they have done wonders for her! She still breaks out, but nothing like she used to! We tried for 5 years to find her some relief and nothing worked other than oral steroids, which is just not safe! This sounds like an awesome product. Thanks for the info!
I am 34, and have struggled with chronic eczema/contact dermatitis since age 17.
I have tried every form of skin cream (from your basic OTC hydrocortizone cream to diproline to Elidel to betamethazone creams). I have taken Prednisone to control the flare-ups, when my hands are oozing so much that I can't even wear gloves. And cortizone shots when it's severe.
Ironically, both times I had steroid shots for preterm labor (my son was a 32-week-preemie), these shots helped my eczema!
But I am unable to find any sort of long-term solution.
Doctors tell me I should look at managing symptoms, rather than finding a cure . . .
thank you for the review! The most gentle products work best - one of my natural beauty tips is to use honey as a facial moisturizer - spread it on a few minutes before a shower and then gently wash it off.
june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com
I use hydrocortisone cream.
Hannah C
psychopathicpixie @ yahoo
I am a subscriber.
Hannah C
psychopathicpixie @ yahoo
I subscribed to So much shouting, so much laughter.
Hannah C
psychopathicpixie @ yahoo
I noticed that when I got bad eczema on my knuckles, Chapstick roll on for your lips in Cherry worked when I needed a way to soothe them.
babybunny1983 at comcast dot net
We use a warm bath with a cup of whole milk to soothe the itching
captainharper06 at Yahoo dot com
So far, the best thing we have found to ease my one-year-old's eczema has been Aveeno cream. It seems to help a ton, but I'm looking for something to use in the bath, as the Aveeno soap doesn't seem to help much.
kgpackard@gmail.com
I hate that the only thing to help our sweet Jed is Elidel or a steroid cream. I would LOVE to try this out as an alternative!!! Pick me!!!
I have not found anything to make my son feel better besides the steroid cream. This stuff sounds awesome! Fingers crossed! :)
grahamcracker03@hotmail.com
I will have to buy this stuff, my daughter also has problems with Eczema. Thanks for the info and for visiting my blog :)
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