| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| lonestargal |
Posted - Feb 14 2006 : 07:06:18 AM
I'm at my wits end trying to keep moisturized this winter. My skin is very rough and scaly feeling. I use lotion everday after showering and several times after. I also exfoliate when I remember with sea salt or sugar and either olive oil or jojoba oil. That isn't really helping much right now either. My hands and feet are very dry and cracked. Any suggestions, what are you ladies using to combat the dry air? |
| 14 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Feb 23 2006 : 10:49:45 AM
I was shopping yesterday and was just curious to see what was in Eucerin, Nivea, etc -- the lotions that the dermatologists recommend. The second ingredient is mineral oil! And after that was a long list of chemicals. Mineral oil is a cheap filler and is not good for your skin. It can actually cause drying and premature aging.
Mine is just a little old fashioned garden where the flowers come together to praise the Lord, and teach all who look upon them to do likewise.
-- Celia Thaxter
http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
http://rusticcottage.blogspot.com/ |
| Annab |
Posted - Feb 23 2006 : 10:36:44 AM
Also remember...hotter water dries skin out too. I forget and sometimes make it too hot, dry off and end up an itchy mess.
But after working outside all day, especially when it's cold and damp it just feels good to draw a hot bath and soak sometimes 
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| lonestargal |
Posted - Feb 19 2006 : 09:27:08 AM
Anna, yeah my mom suggested Eucerin but I can't stand that stuff. It's greasy and it has mineral oil in it. I try to stay away from that as much as possible. It has no smell though which is good!! |
| Annab |
Posted - Feb 18 2006 : 07:43:56 AM
I'm trying hard to fight off a headache right now, 'cause someone in the office slathered their hands in the most rank smelling hand lotion.
I use Burt's Bees hand salve, the almond hand cream and a natural hand crack healer from a cook's company in Vermont (sorry can't remember the name)
I work outside all year, and my hands feel like sandpaper throughout the day. I slather a few of these natural products on when I'm settled in for the evening. All soak in pretty quickly and I wake up with smoother hands in the a.m. Hubby used the Eucercin. It has no smell and soaks in ok, but leaves a shiny sheen on my hands.
I'd rather use the Burt's Bees and salve cakes. So far, hands are rough, but no cracks in the corners of my fingers. |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Feb 16 2006 : 09:49:16 AM
I would personally never buy commercially made soap again. Any handmade soap has to be better than the stuff over the counter. I've never used Susan's soaps but others swear by them. Do you wear gloves when you go outside in the cold? Do you wear gloves when you do dishes or clean? That would help bunches. Get some rubber gloves to wear when doing dishes, lather your hands with a good cream, put on the gloves, and the heat from the water will help the moisture go into your skin. I would also try to use unscented stuff too as fragrance can be irritating -- at least until you get this cleared up.
Mine is just a little old fashioned garden where the flowers come together to praise the Lord, and teach all who look upon them to do likewise.
-- Celia Thaxter
http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
http://rusticcottage.blogspot.com/ |
| lonestargal |
Posted - Feb 16 2006 : 08:12:27 AM
Rusticcottage--I'm so bad at remembering to exfoliate, I need to do better. I'll have to check out Missy's shop.
KarenP--what is Dry Brushing? Coconut oil is wonderful stuff, it's the only moisturizer I can use on my face without breaking out. I just never seem to have it in my the shower with me to try on my body.
Quilt8305--yes I've heard that most drugstore stuff is a waste of time too and besides I don't like the smell of most of it. In general I use Dahlems soaps but I'm wondering if even those are too harsh for during the winter. I venture to drugstore stuff when I'm out of those soaps but man, instant dry skin. My dad used to use Bag balm, I've forgotten all about that stuff. Doesn't it stink if I remember right?
Jana--I've tried cocoa butter and it made me break out. The smell got to me after a while too. Thanks though. |
| quilt8305 |
Posted - Feb 15 2006 : 09:24:24 AM
Kristi, Here is what my dermatologist said about dry skin. "Lotions (Keri, Vaseline Intensive Care, Jergens, Cetaphil)are really a waste of effort and money. They last about 30 minutes. Creams (Cetaphil cream, Nivea, Oil of Olay, Moisturel, Lubriderm)last approximately 3 hours and are more expensive. Ointment (Eucerin, Vaseline Creamy Petroleum Jelly Ointment, Vaseline, Aquaphor) last approximately 8 hours." He recommended reducing the time and frequency of bathing or showering, using lukewarm water, and replacing standard soap with a substitute like Oil of Olay Complete Body Wash, Cetaphil or Neutrogena nonsoap cleansers. For feet, I have had good luck with Bag Balm and cotton socks at night.
Mary
Peace cannot be kept by force. It can only be achieved by understanding. Albert Einstein |
| Jana |
Posted - Feb 14 2006 : 10:27:55 PM
My daughter discovered cocoa butter and it really helps her skin. She is 18 and her face still tends to break out so its only for body. As for me I don't use any moisturizer that makes my hands feel sweaty after I use it. I don't know why but that seems to be a warning that if I put it somewhere else I will break out. I myself haven't tried the cocoa butter but I may have to. My feet are so dry they hurt and my hands feel just tight! My face, I use olive oil, only a little.
Jana |
| KarenP |
Posted - Feb 14 2006 : 2:43:19 PM
The best things that help I have found is...
Dry Brushing
and when I get out of the shower I do not
towel off until I put coconut oil all over and then towel off.
Has kept my skin very nice this winter!
KarenP
"Purest Spring Water in the World" |
| therusticcottage |
Posted - Feb 14 2006 : 2:37:11 PM
One thing to do is to make sure that you are exfoliating before applying moisturizer. That doesn't mean do it on a daily basis but at least once a week. When you don't exfoliate then the moisturizer can't penetrate your skin. When my feet have been rough and dry I exfoliate them every day in the shower, then immediately follow with a shea butter cream. Lately I have been using pure shea since I have that on hand. If your hands and feet are cracked I would recommend using a sugar scrub as the salt will burn any open places. Missy also makes a cocoa mint foot balm that is fabulous for your hands and feet. She has it in her Etsy shop.
Mine is just a little old fashioned garden where the flowers come together to praise the Lord, and teach all who look upon them to do likewise.
-- Celia Thaxter
http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
http://rusticcottage.blogspot.com/ |
| lonestargal |
Posted - Feb 14 2006 : 10:59:54 AM
quote:
Originally posted by ThymeForEweFarm
Lotions can create a viscious circle! Check the ingredients of your bath bars and lotions. Are they high in alcohols and petroleum products? If so, there's your culprit.
Robin
www.thymeforewe.com
http://www.localharvest.org/store/M572
That's a good point Robin. That's why I have tried to stay away from drugstore stuff. I prefer natural products and if they are organic even better. The lotion I have been using is all natural so no petroleum products there but I ran out of my Dahlem soap and while waiting to place another order I have been using some Suave body wash. I wonder if that's what my problem is. I've since received my new shipment of soap so hopefully this will go away. |
| ThymeForEweFarm |
Posted - Feb 14 2006 : 10:20:34 AM
Lotions can create a viscious circle! Check the ingredients of your bath bars and lotions. Are they high in alcohols and petroleum products? If so, there's your culprit.
Robin
www.thymeforewe.com
http://www.localharvest.org/store/M572 |
| Krisathome |
Posted - Feb 14 2006 : 09:21:08 AM
I have terrible dry, cracked and bleeding hands. Too many dirty dishes. I've recently discovered Burt's Bees Hand Salve. It's made a big difference! No more cracks and old looking hands. It says on the tin to use it after gardening or outdoor activities but I use it after every dish washing session. |
| Libbie |
Posted - Feb 14 2006 : 09:12:52 AM
I've found that when I need heavy duty help for hands/feet, Aquaphor and cotton gloves/socks overnight does the trick. It's really greasy, and I don't use it very often, but when I do, it does work for me. For "regular" body stuff, I am always out in the sun, so I religiously use Lubriderm SPF 15 ALL OVER - even on my face.
For the dry air, since we heat with wood much of the time, I always have a pot of water on the stove. I usually put in a couple of drops of essential oil to scent the house, which is kind of fun, too. Lately we have had some congestion issues, so I've been using eucalyptus oil, which not only smells good, but helps that, too!
XOXO, Libbie
"Nothing is worth more than this day." - Goethe |
