Which Emily Skin Soother Is Right for You?
Willard Sheppy Dipl. OM, LAc, BS
Willard Sheppy is a licensed acupuncturist (LAc) and Founder of Valley Health Clinic specializing in using Traditional Chinese Medicine to treat acute injuries and chronic conditions, and to improve sports performance and rehabilitation.
Table of Contents
Which Emily Skin Soother Is Right for You?
A Complete Guide to the Full Product Line
One of the most common questions I get from customers at Valley Health Marketplace is some version of this: “I know I want Emily Skin Soothers, but I don’t know which one to get.”
It’s a fair question. The product line has grown, and from the outside, several of these look similar. They’re all herbal, they’re all gentle, they’re all made by Mike Arsenault with the same deep commitment to quality. But they’re not interchangeable — and picking the right one for your skin type or condition is going to make a real difference in your results.
I’ve been using and recommending Emily Skin Soothers in my clinic for a while now. In this guide, I’m going to walk you through every product in the line, tell you exactly who each one is for, and give you the clearest possible answer to the question: which one is right for me?
Let’s start with the most important thing: understanding your skin’s biggest complaint.
The Quick Answer: Match Your Skin to the Right Product
| Your Skin Complaint | Start Here | Add-on for Better Results |
|---|---|---|
| Dry, itchy, red — eczema, mystery rashes, “chicken skin” | Emily Skin Soother (Original or Lavender) | Add Mild Bar Soap (daily gentle cleansing) |
| Psoriasis, cracked heels, extreme dryness | Super Dry Skin Soother | Add Mild Liquid Soap (daily gentle cleansing) |
| Diaper rash, yeasty or fungal rashes, hot skin folds | Diaper Plus Skin Soother | — |
| Hot, sweaty rashes, burns, fungal skin issues (adults) | Hot Skin Soother | Add Herbal Ice Mild Bar Soap |
| Do you have a tail, 4 legs, and like to scratch? | Furry Friend Shampoo & Skin Soother | — |
| Your Skin Complaint | Start Here Primary Recommendation | Add-on for Better Results Optional Support |
|---|---|---|
| Dry, itchy, red — eczema, mystery rashes, “chicken skin” | Emily Skin Soother (Original or Lavender) | Add Mild Bar Soap (daily gentle cleansing) |
| Psoriasis, cracked heels, extreme dryness | Super Dry Skin Soother | Add Mild Liquid Soap (daily gentle cleansing) |
| Diaper rash, yeasty or fungal rashes, hot skin folds | Diaper Plus Skin Soother | — |
| Hot, sweaty rashes, burns, fungal skin issues (adults) | Hot Skin Soother | Add Herbal Ice Mild Bar Soap |
| Do you have a tail, 4 legs, and like to scratch? | Furry Friend Shampoo & Skin Soother | — |
Emily Skin Soother — The Original (Unscented & Lavender)
Best for: Eczema, keratosis pilaris, rosacea, dry itchy mystery rashes
This is where it all started, and for good reason. The original Emily Skin Soother is the most soothing product in the entire line for eczema — and honestly, it’s one of the most soothing things I carry in the whole store. Five simple ingredients. No unnecessary fillers. No added fragrance in the unscented version. Just a clean, barrier-supporting formula that gets out of its own way and lets the herbs do the work.
If you or your child have eczema and you haven’t tried this yet, this is your starting point.
What Does it Do?
Beyond eczema, I’ve watched this formula surprise people in a few specific ways. It’s genuinely effective on keratosis pilaris — that rough, bumpy “chicken skin” that shows up on the backs of arms and legs, and often flares worse after swimming or pool exposure. The salve calms the irritation and smooths the texture in a way that drugstore lotions just don’t.
I’ve also seen it work well for rosacea-related redness. The lavender version in particular seems to have an extra edge here — the cooling, anti-inflammatory properties of lavender pair well with the base formula for flushed, reactive skin. If you have rosacea or persistent facial redness, I’d point you to the lavender version first.
And for those frustrating “mystery rashes” — the itchy, dry, red patches that show up seemingly out of nowhere and don’t fit any neat category — this formula consistently helps. Whether it’s a contact reaction, a stress flare, or just dry winter skin with inflammation on top, the original Emily Skin Soother is usually my first recommendation.
Unscented vs. Lavender: Which One?
Unscented: Best for babies, very sensitive skin, fragrance-reactive skin, or anyone who wants the cleanest possible formula. Also better for the drier types of eczema.
Lavender: Adds a gentle anti-inflammatory and cooling quality. Great for rosacea, flushed redness, and anyone who doesn’t have fragrance sensitivity.
When in doubt, start unscented. You can always add the lavender version later.
Super Dry Skin Soother
Best for: Psoriasis, severely cracked heels, extreme dryness, windburn, sunburn, winter skin
If the original Emily Skin Soother is the everyday workhorse for eczema, the Super Dry Skin Soother is what you reach for when things are seriously, stubbornly dry. This is the cream I point people to when they describe skin so dry it’s cracking, peeling, or painful.
It’s our best option for psoriasis. The extra emollient richness in this formula helps address the thick, scaly, moisture-starved quality of psoriatic skin in a way that lighter creams can’t.
What does it do?
The feedback I hear most often about this product involves feet. Cracked heels, “sandal feet,” rough calluses — the kind of dryness that builds up over time and resists everything you throw at it. The Super Dry Skin Soother is genuinely impressive here. People report softened, healed heels within days of consistent use, not weeks.
It’s also excellent for winter skin: chapped lips, cracked knuckles, dry nostrils, cracked cuticles, and the kind of windburn that comes from spending time outside in cold, dry air. If your skin feels parched and tight in winter, this is the cream.
I also recommend it for sunburn — not the acute, blistering kind, but the dry, peeling aftermath when your skin is trying to repair itself and desperately needs moisture. Apply a thin layer after cooling the skin, and it noticeably speeds up the comfort and recovery phase.
Who This Is For?
- Psoriasis
- Cracked heels and calluses
- Severely dry hands, fingers, cuticles
- Dry, cracked nostrils in winter
- Windburn and sun-dryness recovery
- Anyone who has tried “regular” moisturizers and been consistently disappointed
Diaper Plus Skin Soother
Best for: Diaper rash, yeasty or fungal rashes, hot skin folds, angry red skin of any kind
The name says “diaper,” but don’t let that limit your thinking. This product is for any hot, angry, red, inflamed skin — it just happens to be formulated in a way that’s also completely safe for babies and cloth diapers (no staining, no buildup, cloth-diaper safe).
The key distinction with this product is the type of skin problem it addresses: hot, damp, reactive skin. Think skin folds, the groin, underarms, anywhere that traps moisture and heat. This is the formula for rashes that look red and irritated, rashes that smell funky, and rashes in areas where yeast or fungal overgrowth is a factor.
When to Choose Diaper Plus Over the Original
This is one of the most common points of confusion, so I want to be clear about it:
– If your eczema is dry, flaky, and itchy — reach for the original Emily Skin Soother
– If your eczema is hot, red, weeping, or inflamed — reach for the Diaper Plus.
– If your eczema is hot, red, weeping, or inflamed — reach for the Diaper Plus.
The Diaper Plus has herbs specifically chosen for their cooling, antimicrobial, and antifungal properties. That makes it the right tool for the “angry” type of eczema, not the dry type.
For swimmers, this is also a standout product. Swimmer’s rash — that hot, irritated reaction from prolonged chlorine exposure in warm, damp areas — responds beautifully to this formula.
Who This Is For
- Diaper rash (cloth diaper safe)
- Any red, hot, inflamed rash in damp areas
- Skin folds, groin, underarms
- Swimmer’s rash
- Yeast or fungal-type rashes
- Hot, angry eczema flares
Hot Skin Soother
Best for: Adult sweat rashes, burns, fungal skin issues, hot inflamed skin, sore muscle massage
Think of the Hot Skin Soother as the adult version of the Diaper Plus — same core idea (cooling, antimicrobial, antifungal herbs), but slightly tweaked for adult skin concerns. It contains herbs that promote circulation and cooling, as well as antifungal and antimicrobial compounds.
One thing that makes this product stand out from the rest of the line: some of the herbs are analgesic. They actually reduce discomfort from skin irritation. That means it doesn’t just address the appearance of irritated skin — it helps with the pain and burning sensation too. This makes it useful beyond rashes: it works as a massage balm for sore muscles in areas where you’d also benefit from its antimicrobial qualities.
When to choose Hot Skin Soother
Sunburns and windburns are a strong use case. The cooling herbs calm the heat quickly, and unlike many after-sun products that contain alcohol or fragrance, this one won’t sting on already-angry skin.
For anyone who deals with sweat-related skin issues — heat rash, chafing, rashes in high-friction areas — this is the product. The antimicrobial herbs address the bacterial component that often contributes to chronic skin problems in those areas, while the cooling herbs bring down the inflammation.
Fungal and bacterial skin issues like athlete’s foot, ringworm, or recurring skin infections in warm, damp areas also respond well here.
Who This Is For
- Sweat rashes and heat rash (adults)
- Sunburn and windburn
- Fungal and bacterial skin problems
- Skin fold irritation (groin, underarms, under-breast)
- Chafing and friction rashes
- Sore muscle massage in affected areas
Mild Bar Soap & Mild Liquid Soap Soother
Best for: Daily cleansing for sensitive, dry, eczema-prone, or psoriasis-prone skin
I wrote a full blog on these two products recently, so I’ll keep it brief here — but they deserve a place in this guide because they’re an essential part of the Emily Skin Soother system.
Here’s the core principle: if you’re using Emily Skin Soother salves and balms to heal your skin, but you’re washing daily with a harsh, SLS-laden body wash, you’re undoing your own work. Soap is something you do every single day. What you do most of the time matters more than what you do some of the time.
The mild soap line was built to complement the balms — to clean without stripping the skin barrier that everything else is trying to rebuild.
Both soaps are unscented, emollient, and herb-powered. They won’t sting on eczema or sunburned skin. They clean without drying — which matters a lot for conditions like cracked heels and dry feet where the cleanser itself is often making things worse.
Choose the Bar Soap if you prefer a classic lather, want the simplest formula, and want palm oil-free construction.
Choose the Liquid Soap if you want a head-to-toe daily wash with a super-fatted formula that leaves skin feeling more moisturized after washing.
Both are appropriate for children. Both pair beautifully with the salves.
Furry Friend Shampoo & Furry Friend Skin Soother
Best for: Dogs and cats with hot spots, itchy skin, allergies, lick sores, sensitive or reactive skin
I’ll be honest — I didn’t expect to carry pet products when I started Valley Health Marketplace. But Mike Arsenault’s Furry Friend line earned a place on our shelves the same way all our products do: it works, it’s made with the same integrity as everything else in the line, and it fills a real need.
Our pets get many of the same skin conditions we do. Hot spots, seasonal allergies, itchy patches, lick sores, happy tail (the raw, irritated tip of a wagging tail that just keeps re-injuring itself) — these are common, frustrating problems that often get treated with steroids or antifungals when a gentler herbal approach can be just as effective.
What Makes These Products Different
Both the shampoo and the skin soother are unscented — intentionally. A dog’s sense of smell is roughly 40 times more sensitive than ours. Heavily fragranced pet products can be genuinely unpleasant for animals. The Furry Friend products are scented only by their raw herbal ingredients, which is subtle and not overwhelming to a sensitive animal nose.
They’re also **lick-safe**, which matters enormously for any product going on a dog or cat. Animals groom themselves and lick their skin — whatever you put on them, they’re going to ingest some of it. These formulas are safe for that.
The line is carried by holistic veterinarians, which is the kind of endorsement I take seriously. These aren’t novelty pet products; they’re real herbal medicine formulated for animal skin.
Who This Is For
- Dogs or cats with hot spots
- Pets with seasonal allergies and itchy skin
- Lick sores and raw areas from over-grooming
- Happy tail
- Sensitive or reactive skin from any cause
- Pet owners who want a gentler, herb-based alternative to steroid creams
How to Layer Products for Best Results
One of the things I love most about the Emily Skin Soother line is that the products work together. You don’t have to pick just one. Here are some combinations I recommend regularly:
For eczema that has both dry and hot phases:
Use the original Emily Skin Soother during calm periods and the Diaper Plus or Hot Skin Soother during flares. Your skin condition isn’t static — your product choice doesn’t have to be either.
For daily skin care routine:
Wash with the Mild Bar or Liquid Soap, pat dry while still slightly damp, then apply your salve while the moisture is still in the skin. This sequence supports barrier repair at every step.
For psoriasis:
Super Dry Skin Soother as your primary moisturizer, Mild Soap for cleansing. Consistent daily use matters more than occasional heavy application.
For pets:
Shampoo with the Furry Friend Shampoo, dry well, then apply the Furry Friend Skin Soother to problem areas. For hot spots, apply the soother multiple times daily to the affected area.
The One Question That Points You to the Right Product
Is your skin primarily dry and itchy, or primarily hot and inflamed?
Dry and itchy
Start with the original Emily Skin Soother (unscented or lavender)
Extremely dry and scaly
Super Dry Skin Soother
Hot, red, and angry — in a damp area
Diaper Plus Skin Soother
Hot, red, and angry — adult skin, burns, fungal
Hot Skin Soother
Most people find that once they nail that distinction, the right product becomes obvious. And if you’re still unsure, reach out. I’m happy to help you figure it out.
Emily Skin Soothers earned their place at Valley Health Marketplace the same way every product we carry does: I used them, I tested them in my clinic, and I watched them work. Mike Arsenault built this line with the same philosophy I practice — simple, quality ingredients, traditional herbal knowledge, and genuine care about outcomes.
The right product for you comes down to knowing your skin. Dry and itchy gets the original. Hot and inflamed gets the Diaper Plus or Hot Skin Soother. Severely parched gets the Super Dry. And whatever salve or balm you choose, pair it with the Mild Soap for a cleansing routine that works with your healing instead of against it.
If you have questions or want a personal recommendation, I’m always reachable at will@valleyhealthclinic.com or (541) 760-9670. That’s part of what Valley Health Marketplace is — not just a store, but someone who actually knows these products and wants you to find the right one.
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By Will Sheppy, L.Ac
Will Sheppy, L.Ac., is the founder of Valley Health Clinic and Valley Health Marketplace in Albany, Oregon. He specializes in sports acupuncture, pain management, and Chinese topical medicine. Valley Health Marketplace carries only products he has personally tested in his clinic.
FAQ's
Can I use more than one Emily Skin Soother product?
Absolutely. Many people use the original for general maintenance and switch to the Hot Skin Soother or Diaper Plus during flares. The products are designed to work together.
Are these products safe for children?
Yes — the full line (except the pet products) is formulated to be gentle enough for children, including babies. The Diaper Plus is specifically safe for infants. If your child has severe or infected eczema, consult your pediatrician.
Do any of these products contain steroids or synthetic ingredients?
No. Emily Skin Soothers are herb-based with simple, clean ingredient lists. They do not contain steroids, synthetic fragrances, or harsh chemicals.
Which product is best for psoriasis?
The Super Dry Skin Soother is my first recommendation for psoriasis. Pair it with the Mild Soap for cleansing.
Can I use the Furry Friend products on cats?
Yes — both the shampoo and skin soother are formulated for dogs and cats. The lick-safe formula is particularly important for cats, who groom constantly.
What if my condition isn’t improving?
Herbal topicals work best with consistent daily use. Give any new product at least two to three weeks before evaluating results. If your skin is worsening rather than improving, or if you see signs of infection, please see a clinician.
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