“Finally, aged 36, I don’t have itchy skin.”
Luke 36, is happy in his skin for the first time in his life. Because, for the first time in his life his skin doesn’t itch. As a baby, Luke was diagnosed with eczema and also suffered from hayfever and asthma: with his immune system reacting to a range of allergens.
Throughout his childhood, Luke’s mother followed doctors’ advice and Luke was treated accordingly. He lived with periods when his skin was pretty clear, yet at other times he describes it as being ‘absolutely horrendous.’
Centre stage
Luke had to accept the ups, downs and frequent flare-ups into adulthood: never really knowing what is like not to have itchy skin.
As a dance performer and teacher, Luke’s work puts him centre stage, literally, which means people look to him and look at him. He works part time at The University of Chichester – co-running a masters dance performance course – alongside running his own touring dance company. “My work is my passion and it defines me,” says Luke. Which is why when his skin erupted as a reaction to withdrawing from steroid treatment and he had to leave work for a while, he was devastated.
“At my wits’ end”
“Earlier this year I posted a photo showing how my skin erupted after a show I did,” say Luke. “I had decided after decades of using prescribed medical treatments, to wean myself off them but the reaction of my skin was horrendous,” he says.
“I admit I did zero research as to what might occur but was at my wits’ end and ready to try anything that would help. Had I done research for steroid withdrawal I would not have stopped my medication immediately. I know now I should have done it more steadily but I was desperate!”
Hell on Earth
At the beginning, Luke says the decision felt exciting as he thought he was taking control of his body and health journey. But, instead, his skin started to react to steroid withdrawal.
“I’m used to pain and discomfort and don’t know what having normal skin is,” says Luke. “I don’t know what ‘not being itchy’ feels like. But coming off my steroid treatment was ‘hell on earth’.”
Luke was walking round with cracked, dry skin and weeping sores. He couldn’t sleep for six weeks but his pride didn’t allow him to ‘fail’ at this. He also hoped that going through such an awful period would, at some point, make the rest of his life better.
Body coding coach
A body coding coach made Luke realise that he needed some quality of life as he went on this journey. Accordingly, Luke decided to use the minimum amount of steroid intervention (0.1% hydrocortisol cream) to reduce the rage in his skin. At the same time, Luke accepted he had to stop ‘beating himself up mentally’ for what was happening.
Isolation
Despite reducing the level of pain, Luke’s skin remained inflamed and bleeding. His students begged him to take time away to try to get better and he eventually conceded that was what he had to do. He hated being away from the work he lives for but was lucky to have the strength and support of his partner, Harry. ‘I’m so glad he was there but have to admit this whole episode put a strain on our relationship.
“I received a great many supportive comments and suggestions when I posted what was happening and someone recommended homeopathy. That was a turning point as their approach really helped me tackle my symptoms from the inside and they suggested I try Skin:Genius products to help my skin on the outside.”
“Skin:Genius saved my sanity”
Whilst it sounds extreme, Luke can find no other way to express what happened. In March 2025, his homeopath recommended Skin:Genius as a way forward to soothe and comfort his skin. It quickly had a very positive effect by reducing the redness and inflammation and restoring moisture to his skin. The relief was mental as well as physical. “I had lost my normal way of life,” says Luke. “I usually get up early to walk our dogs, but at the worst point simply couldn’t face being outside. I stayed in bed as if I could sleep, I couldn’t feel the pain or think about what was happening to me.”
Skin:Genius helped Luke restore his routine. “I could safely wash my face and then apply the Oil Day Long oil and Cream Come True cream. The relief was instant: soothing and reassuring. Finally, I had found something to help: it saved my sanity!”
Personal Touch was Amazing
In addition to the relief the products brought him, Luke really appreciated the personal touch he found with the brand. “Skin:Genius is person-led and person-centred. I felt they understood what I was going through.”
Getting back to normal
Luke had set June 5, 2025 as his target date to get back to work. It was a necessity as his Walk of the Dandelion show was set to start touring the south of England with a view to it going national and, perhaps, international. Things didn’t go quite to plan as despite clearing the eczema from his face and skin, Luke had to contend with it in his eyes. Antibiotics failed to clear the inside of his eyelids and Luke was forced to take low-level steroid drops. Thankfully, they calmed his eyes allowing Luke to start the tour, as he had hoped.
Controlling my eczema
Luke accepts he will always have an issue with his skin but now feels his eczema is under control. “Skin:Genius has transformed the way I think about my body and my skin. I now have control over my symptoms as well as softer, stronger skin. For the first time in my life, I don’t have itchy skin. Finally, I am controlling my eczema and it’s no longer controlling me.”
