I have horribly dry skin, especially on my legs and face. This is coupled with sensitive skin. Can anyone recommend something for body, and for face (different products of course). I use dove sensitive skin body wash in the shower, and that is fine, but I am looking for a good lotion, or cream for after. Also I have tried Dove Sensitive Skin facial cleansing cream, and face lotion. I really don't like the scent of the "unscented" cleansing cream.
I am looking for relatively inexpensive products, nothing that would be found in a Department store counter.
Dermatologist checking in:
CeraVe Cream is one of the most advanced moisturizers on the market.
It is affordable (1 lb jar about $13), easily found in major stores like Walmart and Target, and appropriate for face and body.
Make sure you get the CREAM, not lotion. Products high in water like lotions cause a paradoxical drying effect when the water evaporates on the skin.
Creams have more oils, and keep the water IN your skin.
It's best to apply all moisturizers on moist skin. Their purpose is to seal in your body's own water.
thanks for the tips ladies. Not all the products are available in Canada but I will be traveling to Illinois an a couple weeks, I will be on the lookout then.
Eat good oils like nuts, flax seed oil. I think a lot of dry skin is caused when people don't eat oils. Also hydrate. Drink plenty of water. Also- and ask the dermatologist about this-- you may be using a harsh soap that is stripping your skin of natural oils. Do not shower or bathe using hot water- just tepid. Especially your face, don't use hot water on your face. Use a cold cream to clean rather than soap and water. Wash with soap and water only when you are really dirty. Those are things you can do that do not cost much.
Seriously-- although it is a vetrenary case, I have an italian greyhound. They are nearly naked and have ultra thin skin-- Vets Dog experts tell you to wash them only twice a year with soap. All other times, just wipe them off with a damp cloth. You wouldn't scrub down fine wooden furniture with hot water and soap. Human skin is not made for srubbing or the harsh detergents people use. I feel some salt water is actually all that is needed. I know a masage therapist who only washed the "hot spots" with soap and water. Also-- here is another tip. Use a natural animal soap. Yes, I mean one made for washing horses, dogs, cats. They are formulated to improve the skin, they also have low suds. To rinse off you just spray with water for a few seconds and it is all gone-- no soap residue at all. They are expensive, but last a long time. I use "mane and tail" (for horses) on my hair and actually shampoo less often than I did with human shampoo-- no soap scum.
Anyway, those were some tips. I am near 50 and people think I am in my 30's. Why? I don't wash my face (much). No acne either.
Well, as someone who has struggled with eczema her whole life (to the point where it became like welts or sores on my body, I would even make myself bleed in my crib from scratching!)... I'll tell you what I do and what's come to work for me. And other than occasional flare ups that I have to target with steroid cream, the rest of my body is like satin.... to the point where people compliment me all the time, so yeah... I think I've got it pretty down pat. Most of these came from dermatologists/specialists over the years, but some I've learned on my own.
-Soap only on those "hot spots", as mentioned above, except for the occasional full body scrub.
-When you do use soap, use a very mild, unscented soap, such as a Dove body wash. Scents in soaps can actually cause sensitive skin to have a lot problems.
-Moisturize at least once a day, your entire body, and every time after you shower. A great mild moisturizer that a specialist in San Antonio recommended to me two years ago is Cetaphil (bought at Walgreens, Target, Walmart, etc, for about $13 a jar). Like someone said above... use the CREAM, not the lotion! So much thicker.... I also love Cetaphil's Gentle Face Wash, also recommended by the specialist (my face is my worst spot).
-Since I've started my healthy lifestyle kick these past six months or so and explored new things... I've discovered crushed flaxseed (which I put in yogurt, cereal, or oatmeal) & Fish Oil pills taken daily have done WONDERS for the softness and feeling of my skin, not to mention my nails and hair have gotten much thicker and shinier.
-Vitamin D supplements have helped too!
I have dry skin too. I use Extra Virgin Olive Oil to remove make up at night time, it removes even water proof mascaras etc very easily. It is also the only thing which has left my face really hydrated and free of dry spots.
You can make homemade scrubs with it too, mixing sugar,honey,olive oil and optional essences (to make it smell nicer ). You can also just add a little to a bath (But be careful to wash the bath down after, or it could be slippery)
I am not overly keen on the smell of olive oil without essences, but if you use it for your face/hands/body in the evening, and shower in the morning it's fine
I am really thankful I can stop buying expensive products which don't work for me and stick with something more natural now
Loads of great suggestions here! Something just to keep in the back of your mind, in case nothing else works, is my experience - any time I've cut my diet back to less than 30% fat, I've run into my skin flaking off in, literally, sheets ... along with fingernails shattering. I've had to boost my good fats through fish oil, avocados, and nuts into the upper 30's. Part of that was resolved when I started being treated for low thyroid, but I seem to be "blessed" with a metabolism that likes to run on fat. Dunno ...
Loads of great suggestions here! Something just to keep in the back of your mind, in case nothing else works, is my experience - any time I've cut my diet back to less than 30% fat, I've run into my skin flaking off in, literally, sheets ... along with fingernails shattering. I've had to boost my good fats through fish oil, avocados, and nuts into the upper 30's. Part of that was resolved when I started being treated for low thyroid, but I seem to be "blessed" with a metabolism that likes to run on fat. Dunno ...
I do best above 30% too. And I know others have said they don't have problems until they go under, say, 20%. So I think we all have to find our happy fat level! But I am happy that I can think of fats as a good thing now .
Dermatologist checking in:
CeraVe Cream is one of the most advanced moisturizers on the market.
It is affordable (1 lb jar about $13), easily found in major stores like Walmart and Target, and appropriate for face and body.
Make sure you get the CREAM, not lotion. Products high in water like lotions cause a paradoxical drying effect when the water evaporates on the skin.
Creams have more oils, and keep the water IN your skin.
It's best to apply all moisturizers on moist skin. Their purpose is to seal in your body's own water.
I REALLY second the CeraVe products. My derm recommended them and I had terrible eczema in the winter months... NOTHING was working until I tried CeraVe. They also have a moisturizing body wash that you can use in the shower, in addition to the cream and lotion. I cannot say enough about this stuff!
I'm a big fan of Vaseline intensive rescue moisture locking lotion.
I bought it once for tattoo after-care, since it's hypoallergenic, and I actually really like it. I'm with you on not liking the smell of 'unscented' products, but I don't mind this one. And I survived some dry Canadian winters using it!
I've also had good luck using Nivea cream on my face in the winter. Just at night - too heavy for the day. I use it for everything - on my lips, for my elbows to boost my body moisturizer...
Dry Skin All Over
). You can also just add a little to a bath (But be careful to wash the bath down after, or it could be slippery)
