Westlab Launches National Campaign: ShareYourFlare

In a heartfelt initiative to drive awareness and normalise “normal” skin, renowned skin health brand Westlab is proud to announce the launch of its latest campaign, #ShareYourFlare. Timed to coincide with National Eczema Week and World Psoriasis Day, this campaign seeks to spotlight the real-life stories of individuals living with eczema, psoriasis, Topical Steroid Withdrawal (TSW) and many other visible skin conditions.  The aim is to inspire a conversation that sheds light on the daily challenges faced by millions and encourages others to share their journeys.

With an estimated 15 million people in the UK living with eczema* and 1.8 million grappling with psoriasis*, dry skin conditions affect thousands every day, often in silence. In fact, 60% of British people will experience a skin condition at some point in their lives*. Yet, these experiences are rarely talked about openly. #ShareYourFlare is Westlab’s latest effort to break that silence, offering a platform for individuals to share their stories, support one another, and foster a community where everyone feels seen and understood.

“It was essential to us that we championed real people with real skin conditions, and told their stories in a way that could empower others to do the same,” says Penny Hamilton, Head of Brand and Product at Westlab. “We hope to spark a chain reaction, where people feel inspired to share their own stories, gradually dismantling the stigma associated with skin conditions.”

Real Stories, Real Impact

At the heart of the #ShareYourFlare campaign are three remarkable individuals—Zainab Danjuma, Amy Aston and Katie Mackie - each with a unique story of living with and managing their skin conditions. Through their stories, the campaign highlights the profound impact skin issues can have on a person’s mental and emotional well-being, as well as the importance of access to natural solutions that genuinely support skin health.

Zainab Danjuma shares her struggle with self-consciousness and the constant discomfort of living with eczema and experiencing TSW, a challenge made even more poignant as she cares for her daughter, Noraya, who also battles skin issues. "Living with a skin condition can be overwhelming at times. How you look to others is constantly in the back of your mind. You’re expected to get on with life, but you can feel quite uncomfortable in your own body ," Zainab shares.

For Zainab, listening to her and her daughter's skin needs has been crucial. “What has worked best for me and also my daughter Noraya’s skin, is just listening to what our skin is trying to tell us” she explains. Zainab believes this campaign is vital for future generations, adding, “Campaigns like this have the ability to help my daughter and future generations from feeling as self-conscious as I have in the past, and hopefully protect them from going through the trauma of Topical Steroid Withdrawal. I feel that now I’m a mother, I’m even more passionate about increasing the visibility of skin conditions!”

For Amy Aston, the journey through TSW has been nothing short of brutal. “TSW is not just a skin condition; it’s a complete blow to the entire system. It is an exhausting condition physically, mentally, and emotionally,” she shares. But despite the hardships, Amy remains committed to helping others who may be going through similar struggles. “I made the decision to share my skin story because I didn’t want anyone to go through what I have been through. I thought that if I could help even just one other person, then it would be worth being vulnerable,” she explains.

Amy’s story is a powerful reminder that a skin condition does not define a person. “We need to address the elephant in the room and normalise it. Having a skin condition doesn’t define you. I am Amy, and hopefully, people see me as a kind, friendly, and fun person, despite this slightly different vessel that carries me,” she says. Her resilience and determination to help others highlights the strength and unity of the skin health community.

Katie Mackie echoes the sentiment of acceptance and self-love in her story, detailing her ongoing journey with chronic hand eczema. "The hardest part of my skin journey has been acceptance," Katie shares. "I realised I can’t control my skin, but I can control my mindset." Katie, who has dealt with eczema since she was three years old, even named her hand eczema alter ego "Flarey Mary" to help cope with the unpredictability of her condition.

Katie's story is particularly powerful, illustrating how a simple moment can change everything. “Imagine this… it’s 27 degrees, the summer was so hot, and I was walking around wearing long sleeves. I’ll never forget seeing a girl rocking her full flare and feeling instantly inspired. It was a wow moment. If she can do it, so can I,” she recalls. This moment of inspiration led Katie to stop hiding her skin and embrace it instead.

Katie emphasises the importance of not putting undue pressure on yourself, acknowledging that while she cannot control her condition, she can control how she reacts to it. “One of the ways I react is not by trying to frantically fix my skin but by finding products that support it,” she says.

The collective message from these inspirational individuals is clear: You are not alone. Zainab encourages, “My message to anyone out there needing some help and support is you are not alone, even though it can feel like that at times. So reach out and talk—the -community is always ready to listen!” Amy echoes this sentiment, saying, “Just know that you are not alone and there are so many people just waiting for you to reach out to them. You’ve got this!” Katie adds, “If you can’t change it, change the way you think about it. BE THAT PERSON, inspire others. There is a huge community ready to welcome you with open arms, so talk about it, share your skin story, and know you aren’t alone.”

The campaign follows the launch of Westlab’s Skin Repair Bath Salts which has been approved by the British Skin Foundation. Supported by science and formulated with a unique blend of two powerhouse ingredients: Dead Sea Salts and Colloidal Oatmeal, these innovative bath salts provide instant relief and long-term comfort for those with dry, itchy skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.

Crafted in the UK, in-house and inspired by the Westlab teams’ personal experience with their psoriasis and children's eczema, the Skin Repair Bath Salts offer a safe solution for all the family. Specifically formulated to instantly soothe dry, itchy and irritated skin, this ultra-comforting blend is 100% pure and natural. Its effective combination of Dead Sea Salt, crucial for soothing and calming the skin barrier, and Colloidal Oatmeal, which nourishes and protects, positions it as the ultimate skin saviour, delivering comfort precisely when it’s needed most. Enhanced with a comforting hypoallergenic organic and natural coco-aloe fragrance purposefully developed for ultra-sensitive skin, the Skin Repair Salts provide both an effective and relaxing bathing experience.

The #ShareYourFlare campaign, alongside the launch of the Skin Repair Bath Salts, is a testament to Westlab’s commitment to the skin health community. As the No.1 bath salt brand in the UK, -, Westlab understands the importance of providing natural, effective support for those living with skin conditions.

Westlab invites everyone to join the #ShareYourFlare movement. By sharing your story, you not only help raise awareness but also contribute to a more compassionate and understanding community. As Katie Mackie so eloquently puts it, “There is a huge community ready to welcome you with open arms. Talk about it, share your skin story, and know you aren’t alone.”

For more information about the #ShareYourFlare campaign or the new Health Plus Skin Repair Bath Salts, please visit Westlab’s Website or follow the conversation on social media using the hashtag #ShareYourFlare.