Kim Kardashian Pregnancy Woes: Will Her Child Inherit Psoriasis?

Photo by Eva Rinaldi

Kim Kardashian has a lot on her plate these days. The reality TV sensation is currently embroiled in a messy divorce from second husband Kris Humphries, expecting her first child with baby daddy/rapper Kanye West and costarring in "Tyler Perry's Temptation: Confessions of a Marriage Counselor," which debuts this Friday.

The 32-year-old mom-to-be also suffers from psoriasis, which causes irritated, itchy skin and red scaly patches. The chronic condition, considered the most common autoimmune disorder, generally follows a pattern of flare-ups and periods of remission. In addition, it appears to be aggravated by sunburns, stress and anxiety, skin injuries or medications. 

Will baby "Kimye" inherit the disorder? It's impossible to predict, but psoriasis tends to run in families. So it's likely Kardashian got it from her mom, Kris Jenner, who also suffers from the condition. However, a child doesn't necessarily develop psoriasis just because the parent has it. 

No known cure exists, but sufferers can control symptoms with skin care containing hydrating and healing properties. Take a look at the latest sprays, bath and body products, and oils that soothe psoriasis. Here's hoping that Kardashian's baby will be born with beautiful, healthy skin. 

SHINE: MoonEssence Point Reyes Whey Soap and Mojito Bath & Body Oil. BEAUTY: The soap utilizes coconut, olive and palm oils, and Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Company whey to help moisturize and mend dry, flaky skin. The bath and body oil also soothes and smoothes skin with grapeseed oil and vitamin E. BEACON: Vegan, gluten free and certified organic. Free of parabens, mineral oils, synthetic petroleum and sodium lauryl sulphate. Supports the Carousel Fund.

SHINE: Swedish Skin Care Prosanol Instant Soothing Spray. BEAUTY: Designed to relieve and repair chronic skin conditions such as itchiness, irritation, dryness, flaking and cracking. BEACON: Free of parabens, fragrances, synthetic dyes and steroids. Supports the National Psoriasis Foundation.

SHINE: Sumbody Bathsalt. BEAUTY: Nourish your skin and speed the healing process with dead sea salt, jojoba and avocado oils, colloidal oats, and licorice and bupleurum roots, which are known for their soothing and anti-inflammatory properties. BEACON: Free of parabens, animal oils, sulfates, artificial preservatives and synthetic chemicals.

SHINE: VMV Hypoallergenics Know-It-Oil. BEAUTY: Reduce inflammation and address severe dry skin issues with 100% pure virgin coconut oil. BEACON: No animal testing. Free of fragrances, phthalates, dyes and parabens. Supports The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.

Call in the Marines: Sea-Based Ingredients Help Combat Lifeless Skin & Signs of Aging

I think I may have been a fish in a previous life. I learned to swim as soon as I was old enough to walk. Plus, I often favor vacation spots that involve a lake or ocean setting.

One of my fondest memories of marine life came from a scuba diving trip to the Cayman Islands. I couldn't believe my eyes as I explored the depths of the Caribbean Sea. The colors, creatures and corals took my breath away. I was truly awestruck by the endless beauty of this below-the-surface setting.

Photo courtesy Twilight Zone Expedition Team 2007, NOAA-OE

Underwater treasures rock our world above sea level as well. Algae, marine muds and clays, and seaweed contain vital nutrients from vitamins and minerals, which give them the ability to hydrate and heal the skin. These marine extracts also help increase the production of collagen, which leaves your complexion feeling and looking smoother, softer and younger. 

So let's call in the marines. The following face and body products feature the latest sea-based ingredients. They arm you with the ability to combat dull or dry skin, and keep fine lines and wrinkles at bay. Don't hesitate to dive in!

SHINE: 100% Pure Lavender Seafoam Facial Cleanser. BEAUTY: Remove impurities and restore radiant skin with kelp and green tea leaf extracts, green sea clay, lavender essential oil, and vitamins C and E. BEACON: Vegan, and gluten and cruelty free. Also contains no detergents, synthetic chemicals, or artificial fragrances or colors.

SHINE: Babor Algae Active Fluid. BEAUTY: Algae plankton, amino acids and hydrogenated castor oil seal in moisture to step up suppleness and softness. BEACON: No animal testing. Supports Dolphin Aid.

SHINE: Clarisonic Opal Sonic Infusion System with Anti-Aging Sea Serum. BEAUTY: This palm-sized sonic device uses gentle pulsating massage technology to deliver an Anti-Aging Sea Serum that contains algae, plankton, ginger root and red seaweed extracts, and hyaluronic acid to help reduce the severity and depth of fine lines and wrinkles in the eye area. BEACON: The Anti-Aging Sea Serum contains no parabens.

SHINE: Dermalogica Skin Hydrating Booster. BEAUTY: Perk up parched skin and maintain a younger looking appearance with algae extract, lavender oil and hyaluronic acid. BEACON: Contains no artificial fragrances or colors. Championed joinFITE (Financial Independence Through Entrepreneurship), and the Dermalogica Foundation supports S.K.I.N. (Skincare for Kids in Need).

SHINE: Mineral Fusion Ultimate Moisture Facial Cleanser (for Dry/Sensitive Skin Types). BEAUTY: Marine clay, sea kelp, cucumber fruit extract, aloe vera leaf juice and vitamin E detoxify and deeply hydrate the skin's surface. BEACON: Free of gluten, parabens, SLS, phthalates, and synthetic colors and fragrances. Supports the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

SHINE: Nature Pure Labs Azulene Seaweed Masque. BEAUTY: Balance skin's moisture and boost cell renewal with hyaluronic acid, vitamins A and E, and sea algae. BEACON: No animal testing. Contains no parabens, or artificial colors or fragrances.

SHINE: Phytocéane AQUASAPHIR Essential Renewal Cream. BEAUTY: Marine vegetal coral, blue microalgae extract, marine samphire oil, shea butter and vitamin E smooth signs of aging and shield the skin from free radical damage. BEACON: No animal testing. Preserves marine resources used in products with a program focused on seasonal algae harvesting and farming.

SHINE: Refineé Firming Mineral Moisture Cream. BEAUTY: Maximize moisture retention while minimizing fine lines and wrinkles with red algae, hyaluronic acid, and vitamins A, C and E. BEACON: No animal testing.

SHINE: Ren Clean Bio Actie Skincare Seaweed and Sage Body Wash. BEAUTY: Fucus seaweed extract, and geranium, cypress, rosemary and sage oils help remove impurities and rejuvenate the skin during bath or shower time. BEACON: Vegan and no animal testing. Contains no synthetic colors or fragrances, petrochemicals, sulfate detergents or parabens. 

SHINE: Skyn Iceland Arctic Hydrating Balm. BEAUTY: Repair skin, and restore its radiance and natural balance with hyaluronic acid, red algae, and strawberry and cranberry seed oils. BEACON: Cruelty free and vegan. Contains no parabens, petroleum, phthalates, mineral oil, sulfates or dye. Supports Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

SHINE: Swedish Skin Care Razor Burn Freedom for Women. BEAUTY: Gorgonian extract, a natural marine algae known to reduce irritation and redness, vitamin C and chamomile extract serve to calm and comfort tender skin after hair removal, including waxing, shaving and electrolysis. BEACON: Free of parabens, fragrances and synthetic dyes.

SHINE: Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist. BEAUTY: Replenish lost luminosity with olive extract, liquid silk, green tea leaf extract and red algae. BEACON: Contains no parabens, mineral oil, synthetic colors or fragrances, sulfate detergents, urea, DEA, TEA or phthalates.

SHINE: Thalgo Micronized Marine Algae. BEAUTY: Use this fine powder of micronized algae in the bath to detox and remineralize the skin, and relax muscles and joints. BEACON: Vegan, and free of parabens, mineral oil, propylene glycol and GMOs.