UGH Very dry skin. help!

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

This happens most winters to me but for some reason much worse this year. My skin is so dry and flaky. I moisturize every time after showering and I drink lots of water. I did buy a different lotion last time and that could be part of the problem.

Not to mention that I can't find filters for my humidifier...

What do YOU do?

[Glitter Brunello Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close Glitter Brunello]

This happens most winters to me but for some reason much worse this year. My skin is so dry and flaky. I moisturize every time after showering and I drink lots of water. I did buy a different lotion last time and that could be part of the problem.

Not to mention that I can't find filters for my humidifier...

What do YOU do?

Lotion lotion lotion. There is a big difference across products. Try one of the heavy duty ones like maybe Eucerin (?). Try sweet almond oil if lotions don't work, very yummy. just don't put it on right before you get dressed - can be before/after showering and/or nighttime before bed.

you can also try to avoid dehydrating things like tea/coffee/alcohol and winter.

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

Lotion lotion lotion. There is a big difference across products. Try one of the heavy duty ones like maybe Eucerin (?). Try sweet almond oil if lotions don't work, very yummy. just don't put it on right before you get dressed - can be before/after showering and/or nighttime before bed.

you can also try to avoid dehydrating things like tea/coffee/alcohol and winter.

yeah. right.

OK tossing the heavy duty, medically proven, lotion and going back to old faithful. This is horrid!

The almond oil sounds interesting.

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

I use Eucerin or Keri. Both are good. I do it after showers and before I go to bed. shaggy

[lawren2 Malibu Beach Barbie & A Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close lawren2]

I use Eucerin or Keri. Both are good. I do it after showers and before I go to bed. shaggy

Keri is my "old faithful". There are times when saving a few pennies is not worth it. This is an extreme example of that.

[bigfrank Administrator Find all posts View Profile Close bigfrank]

Funny you posted this. My wife said just tonight that I had dry skin flaking on my nose and ears tonight. Must be the winter heat,

[shaggy Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close shaggy]

Every winter when the furnace starts running it makes it dry in the house and I start itching to death, thus the alligator skin. It also helps to use a humidifier.

Luckily this year it's been warmer than usual and I've been spared, but I doubt for long. shaggy

[CarolF Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close CarolF]

Some ideas to correct a dry skin.

Add a couple of teaspoons of good quality oil (olive, canola, safflower, linseed/flaxseed or sunflower) each day to your diet.

Take a supplement like Evening Primrose Oil capsules (check it doesn't impact any other medication you are taking).

Exfoliate your skin before you moisturise it (it's important to get rid of the dead skin cells so the lotion/oil can penetrate).

Almond oil is a good, healthy and relatively cheap way to go compared to shop potions/lotions. However, over time it can be difficult to get out of clothing (clothing smells of rancid oil). To overcome this problem there are a couple of options. Exfoliate in the shower, put the oil on then put on a towelling bath robe whilst you do your makeup/clean teeth etc. The towelling takes the excess oil away and saves your good clothes from smelling too much. Better still, if you wear clothes to bed, do this routine before you go to bed and you will only have to deal with the smell of oil in your bed clothes.

Another oil which is a great moisturiser and ideal for winter is sesame oil. Sesame oil is a warming oil (according to ayurvedic principles), however it does have a more pungent smell which won't be evident on you but will certainly impregnate your clothing after a while. Follow the directions for use above.

Wear sunscreen on exposed body parts when you go outside.

Quit smoking, it dehydrates your skin.

Put bowls of water around the house to counteract the drying effects of heating. You can float flowers in them if you want them to look better.

[StressCadet Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close StressCadet]

Stick to what works. I had never in my life called a company to complain/question until a certain lotion was discontinued. I live in the desert and have a skin condition on top of it. I know of what you speak. I can only use certain things and when they take them away from me

That said, have you ever tried the in shower moisturizer/lotion? I think (Oil of ) Olay makes it...when I go to Hawaii (where it's humid) and I use it-I almost don't have to use regular lotion..though I still do...for a desert rat-it's like a vacation on top of a vacation. No skin problems AND no make up! I need to schedule a trip! My skin LOVES Hawaii!

[wackymother Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close wackymother]

Have you checked in with a dermatologist? If you have really dry skin, it might be a good idea to see if a doctor could help.

Regarding the oil, you might like Neutrogena Body Oil. You put it on after a shower, and it has a pleasant smell.

Neutrogena - Body Oil

[ArtsieAng Super Moderator Find all posts View Profile Close ArtsieAng]

Lawren.....Try putting extra virgin olive oil on your skin.......Sounds messy, but it's not if you use the right amount, and it really can make a difference. Europeans have been using olive oil as a moisturizer forever......


SKIN CARE AND OLIVE OIL

Skin Moisturizer
Whether applied to face or body, olive oil will penetrate deep into the skin and provide a long-lasting shield of moisture to keep skin smooth and supple. Used either as a night cream or daily moisturizer, it is best applied to damp skin, when water can help reduce any feeling of greasiness. We recommend using extra virgin olive oil.

Our readers have also suggested that a little lemon juice mixed with olive oil can provide a more bracing and refreshing feeling. In her best-selling book The Passionate Olive, Carol Firenze suggests making a moisturizer made of Italian parsley, water, and extra virgin olive oil.

[mav Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mav]

Try Cera Ve. It works very nicely. I second adding extra virgin olive oil in your food.

[nsstampqueen Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close nsstampqueen]

Taking a cooler shower can make a difference - the hotter the water the more drying to the skin.

The more natural a product is the better it will help you (both in the short term and long term). I can recommend a couple of products: Mary Kay makes a product called Extra Emollient Night Cream - it is a super thick pink gel type cream that makes a difference in one application, especially if you exfoliate first; Arbonne products are made from botanical and natural ingredients and they have some really great moisturizers - try their detox spa products they would help with really dry skin.

Make sure you check the list of ingredients and if you see any kind of "alcohol" ingredient in there it's going to be drying to the skin instead of helping.