Your favorite dry skin cures

[BevP]

Ok cold weather is coming and I noticed on another thread that dry skin is a common complaint. What say we each put in our two cents worth for curing dry skin.

I usually have dry skin in the winter and noticed last winter that I was getting that ucky scaly aligator skin on my legs. I keep baby oil at the tub and put it on while still under the shower spray. When things get really bad, I use crisco (yeah, I know, gross but it really works). After the shower, before drying off apply a very small amount of crisco. This year I'm adding moisturizing from the inside. Yup, water! Drink lots of water. I've noticed those scaley bits at my ankles and elbows have softened since I've been drinking like a fish (and drinking what a fish drinks!).

I love Neutrogena Lotion and pull that out whenever any one is watching and don't want to admit to the crisco thing.

[LIsaP]

My favorite is Body Butter from the Body Shop-it is rich and creamy and thick and does the trick for really bad dryness-also it smells great!
I also like Dove soap.
I use Oil of Olay for my face.

[lindrusso]

Well, if you haven't read the other thread about dry skin, I love Cetaphil. It comes in different forms - a lighter all-over lotion and a rich, heavy cream for face and hands. I love both.

I can't use baby oil at all. I used to put that on every day and would still end up dry and even red and cracked. Once I stopped using that, I was fine.

Sometimes in winter my hands get so dry that they get deep, painful cracks at the tips of my fingers, often near the nailbed. Owwww! I may have to turn to the humidifier this winter to keep the house from getting too dry and my hands from falling apart!

[mightyh]

The best facial lotion I've found is Purpose by Johnson and Johnson, I think.... it comes in regular and alpha hydroxy formulas, I think. My skin tends to be oily yet dry, if that makes any sense at all.... This lotion seems to control the shine, but also get rid of my flakes...

As for dry legs, etc, I think I mentioned on another thread that my mom swears by the salt scrubs from bath and body works. I borrow some whenever I'm home to visit her and like them... They make your skin feel very smooth and soft. I think I'll ask for some for Christmas...

[MrsReber]

I absolutely love the nutrogena facial lotion or cream- whatever it is. I only need a tiny drop of it and it makes such a difference in my complexion during the dry winter months.

Bev, I don't find the crisco that gross- my mom uses olive oil on her face and she loves what it does to her skin!

[SusanD]

Bath & Body Works Body Cream. Skip the lotion and go straight for this stuff, it's all I use during the winter! The hard part is finding a scent that isn't totally overpowering (if any B&BW execs are reading...how about a few more "mild" scents), but if you find one you like, I guarantee it will keep you silky smooth all winter.

[BevP]

Lindrusso, when your hands get really bad, try the crisco. That was what made me first use it. My hands were cracking. I'd wet my hands just a little, follow up with a small amount of crisco. Your hands should be dry when done, if not, too much water at first. Do that a few times a day and voila! better hands.

[HARRYET]

i usually use daily either cetaphil or curel, but I do love the "origins" salt scrubs, they make your entire body feel like silk. If you ever have a chance to try them, I highly recommend it.

[BeckyM]

I get really dry hands during the winter -- usually with cracks (that bleed) around the knuckles. The only think I've found that works is the Curel lotion labeled "Nutrient Rich Severe Dry Skin Lotion". I've tried various other lotions with cocoa butter, but all they seem to do is leave my hands greasy, but still cracked. The Curel lotion rubs into my hands, leaving them smooth but not greasy, and it softens them for a long time. I even think it's better than the Neutrogena hand creme (which I used before I discovered this). I keep a tube of it on my nightstand to rub into my hands before bed, and I also have some in my desk, in the bag I bring to work, and under every bathroom sink in our house!

[phantomcg]

I went to Bath and Body Works during lunch today and tried their salt scubs -- WOW. My hands still feel great. Needless to say I bought some (toasted almond scent). If they leave the rest of me feeling like my hands do right now, I'll be sold!!!

Cheryl

[Laura]

One of my favorite ways to get pampered is a salt glow rub. They massage salt (mixed with some type of massage oil) all over and then wrap you in these heated blankets. Finish it off with a seaweed bath and your skin feels incredible. You won't be able to stop touching yourself! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[HARRYET]

phantomcg,

I agree with you, the salt rubs are incredible! I use the ginger salt rub from "Origins" and it makes my entire body feel so silky. you won't be disappointed with your purchase http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/biggrin.gif Ann

[phantomcg]

Harryet:

How often do you use the salt rub? I used it in my shower last night -- I love it. Do you use it everyday? It doesn't seem like the jar will last very long if I use it everyday (not to mention that it would get expensive).

Cheryl

[mightyh]

You can make your own salt scrub (though you lose that great smell....) Just combine sea salt and olive oil to the consistency for which you're looking and keep it in a jar by your tub. The aesthetician (woman who gives me my facials) told me that once.

Now if someone could just tell me how to make it scented...

[HARRYET]

phantomcg,

I use the salt scrubs a couple times a week, but not after shaving, because it can iritate your skin and burn, I learned that the hard way http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif They did tell me at the origins store to shave with it and you will have great results, and I have done that and boy were they correct. I do agree and can be expensive I'll have to try making my own!

mightyh,
I cant't help you with scenting your homemade salt scrub, but if you get any info on how to I'd love to know, (I wonder if you could just add scented oils, like from a bath shop?) I think I'll try making some of my own! boy that would be a nice xmas gift for teachers, ect...

Ann

[phantomcg]

You know it's kind of funny that you should mention shaving with the sea salts. I did shave using it the other night and the results were awesome. I definatly think that I'm going to try making my own as I use this one up. I've had some sea salt in my cupboard for quite some time that I could use. I'm sure that there has got to be something that you can add for the scent -- how about essential oils? If not, I think that I could live without the scent.

Cheryl

[phantomcg]

Health magazine has a "foot scrub" which sounds pretty close to the sea salt scrubs we've been talking about, so I thought I would post it.
1. Fill your bathtub or a large basin with warm water. Soak your feet in the tub or basin for 15 minutes to help soften the skin.

2. Heat 1/4 cup of Vaseline in a double boiler or in a bowl over boiling water. In another bowl, mix 1/4 cup of sea salt with three to six drops of essential oil. Fold in the warmed vaseline and mix.

3. Begin to massage your feet with the Vaseline mixture. Pay extra attention to calluses. For added exfoliation, use a pumice stone to help remove dead skin. When you're done, wipe your feet clean with a washcloth and slip on a pair of cotton socks. This allows the Vaseline residue to further moisturize your feet.

Cheryl

[HARRYET]

Oooooo that sounds good, I'll have to try that, I constantly walk around in & out barefoot, (probably due to the climate where I live) and I have calluses on my heels that I just can't get rid of http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/frown.gif ~~~ but I do think this could work! Will give it a try and keep everyone posted http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[food girl]

Wow! This is better than any beauty magazine!

I found that Mary Kay self tanner not only knocks off that corpse-like green color my skin turns in the winter, it is an excellent moisturizer as well. Smells funny though.

Once while working in a cafeteria (not the best job ever) I had to make the "salads". This involved me mixing up a vegetable and a large quantity of Mayo ... with my hands. My hands have never been as soft as they were after my mayo mixin'!

Does anyone find that baby oil/olive oil/crisco mixtures make the shower floor get grimy quickly?

[This message has been edited by food girl (edited 11-06-2000).]

[lanie]

Hi - all this 'salt' scrubs stuff - does anyone know if you can purchase it at the Body Shop in Canada? Sounds very intriguing. I have used Uremol 20 on my feet for an instant (overnite to be exact) pedicure - sound weird but put on feet and put a baggie over feet and a sock on top - and you would swear you just had a pedicure - I kid you not -now this Uremol 20 is for extremely dry skin so if really WORKS - more of a theraputic cream/lotion but excellent for feet - would love any feedback about Body Shop 'salt scrubs' product if anyone knows....thanks ..... lanie http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[lanie]

Sorry posted twice http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by lanie (edited 11-07-2000).]

[phantomcg]

Harryet:

I just wanted to let you know that I tried that foot scrub that I posted out of Health magazine today. My feet feel fantastic. It was a little messy though. I was getting ready to throw out an old towel when I decided to use the towel and do the food scrub. Next time, I'll be doing this in the bathtub!

Cheryl

[christinew]

Has anyone used Oil of Olay's Total Effects(for face/non frangrance) It is great so far!

As for the rest of the body I have a really hard time managing the upper outer side of my arms(biceps) they get dry with patches. I have been using baby oil after a shower but maybe there is a better remedy! And drinking lots of water as BevP recommends too!

[Mitchdoggy]

Does bath & body works have a web site to order "salt scrub"? I'd love to try it, but can't do the malls.

[BethH]

You can buy Origins salt scrub on their website (www.origins.com)--I have the plain salt rub but I've heard good things about the ginger one too. I love mine. It really makes your skin feel great! Good luck.

[HARRYET]

Ditto on the origins salt rubs, the Ginger is wonderful, ran out of that and am using the regular I got as a gift from a friend.
Ann