My dry skin has plagued me for I don't even know how long. Ha, I remember once offering a friend who needed lotion the Neosporin that I would put on my cracked hands. She politely declined. Now Ryan will point at my dry spots that appear if I don't get to put lotion on after a hurried shower (which is often) and announce, "Wiz-zard! Wiz-zard!" I wonder who taught him that.
Now that I'm responsible for three people's very different and somewhat picky skins (Chris never even has to use lotion ... I know!), here are my five moisturizing items that I currently use on our family:
1.
1.
Aveeno Baby Soothing Relief Moisture Cream, Fragrance Free, 8 Ounce
I use this baby lotion on ... me! We have been buying it since Ryan was a very wee one, and Chris' aunt recommended it to us. One day when I was out of lotion for myself, I put this on. It lasted on my skin better than my other lotion so now it's my go to.
2.
Nature's Way Coconut Oil, 32-Ounce
Last year before we went skiing in Utah, I ran out of the same Olay facial moisturizer I had been using since the fifth grade. I read that coconut oil had a lot of benefits for skin so I purchased a small jar during my last-minute shopping trip the night before we left.
That whole week in dry, dry Utah, my face was perfectly moisturized, and I was the only one who didn't get sun burned or wind burned. I've been using it ever since. Now, I also use it for diaper rash since it is cloth diaper friendly, and spoiled second-child Conor gets a massage with it after every bath (but he only gets a bath every few days so I guess he isn't that spoiled).
3.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment Dry, Cracked and Irritated Skin Protectant, 1.75 oz Tube, (Pack Of 6)
During the summer, I don't even have to put lotion on Ryan. The winter is a whole different story. His skin gets dryer than mine, which is saying a lot. Aquaphor is the only thing that I have found that has worked on him. I do have to work it into his skin more than regular lotion.
4.
Heel Tastic Intensive Heel Therapy, 2 ounces
I have gotten three pedicures in my life, and each time I have been so embarrassed. Only once was I embarrassed because I didn't realize pedicures include a lower leg massage and it was the dead of winter and well, I didn't know where my razor was. I've learned since then. But every time I have been embarrassed by how cracked and rough my feet are. I know, maybe that is a clue that more pedicures would help, but that's realistically just not going to happen. Last month during the first round of negative degree house-bounding weather, I utilized my Amazon Prime and ordered this infomercial wonder. It really is fantastic.
5.
Water. This is a no-brainer, but my skin does feel much better if I am not dehydrated as I often am as a nursing mother. My goal every day is to drink more water and to make Ryan drink more, but easier than done.
I use this baby lotion on ... me! We have been buying it since Ryan was a very wee one, and Chris' aunt recommended it to us. One day when I was out of lotion for myself, I put this on. It lasted on my skin better than my other lotion so now it's my go to.
2.
Nature's Way Coconut Oil, 32-Ounce
Last year before we went skiing in Utah, I ran out of the same Olay facial moisturizer I had been using since the fifth grade. I read that coconut oil had a lot of benefits for skin so I purchased a small jar during my last-minute shopping trip the night before we left.
That whole week in dry, dry Utah, my face was perfectly moisturized, and I was the only one who didn't get sun burned or wind burned. I've been using it ever since. Now, I also use it for diaper rash since it is cloth diaper friendly, and spoiled second-child Conor gets a massage with it after every bath (but he only gets a bath every few days so I guess he isn't that spoiled).
3.
Aquaphor Healing Ointment Dry, Cracked and Irritated Skin Protectant, 1.75 oz Tube, (Pack Of 6)
During the summer, I don't even have to put lotion on Ryan. The winter is a whole different story. His skin gets dryer than mine, which is saying a lot. Aquaphor is the only thing that I have found that has worked on him. I do have to work it into his skin more than regular lotion.
4.
Heel Tastic Intensive Heel Therapy, 2 ounces
I have gotten three pedicures in my life, and each time I have been so embarrassed. Only once was I embarrassed because I didn't realize pedicures include a lower leg massage and it was the dead of winter and well, I didn't know where my razor was. I've learned since then. But every time I have been embarrassed by how cracked and rough my feet are. I know, maybe that is a clue that more pedicures would help, but that's realistically just not going to happen. Last month during the first round of negative degree house-bounding weather, I utilized my Amazon Prime and ordered this infomercial wonder. It really is fantastic. 5.
Water. This is a no-brainer, but my skin does feel much better if I am not dehydrated as I often am as a nursing mother. My goal every day is to drink more water and to make Ryan drink more, but easier than done.
Now, I'm no expert so if you have a miracle, dry-skin-be-gone item that I do not about ... please type and tell!
And what is favorite toddler that will keep them occupied for maybe 30 minutes at a time? Is it dream I'm chasing that will never be reached, or do they exist? Thank you mucho in advance.
And what is favorite toddler that will keep them occupied for maybe 30 minutes at a time? Is it dream I'm chasing that will never be reached, or do they exist? Thank you mucho in advance.
Linking up with Hallie for Five Favorites.
I mix Vaseline into my lotion (Vaseline cocoa butter) and apply all over right after I shower. 3 pumps of lotion for my arms and upper body, and 4 pumps for each leg. You'll need to give yourself a few minutes before dressing- jeans/tights will be the death of you after this- but I tend to put my pajamas on after I shower, even if I'm getting ready for work in the morning. I've found that the Vaseline helps the lotion last longer, and I'm often complimented on my soft skin, even in the dead of winter! I think the most important thing, though, is to make lotioning after the shower a habit. Obviously this is easier for a single girl than it is for a mother of two, but I promise it helps. Good luck : )
ReplyDeletexoMichela
MG, you always come through!
DeleteWe must be skin sisters. And the heels. Yes. So awful. Love coconut oil for everything.
ReplyDeleteAveeno baby has an eczema cream too that is AHmazing. I don't have eczema but it moisturizes way better than anything I've found… I use it on my hands that get super dry in the winter and its heavenly!
ReplyDeleteOh, whenever I see a Baby Aveeno coupon next, I'll snatch that one up!
DeleteI get dry skin, ESPECIALLY when I'm pregnant. I had a super moisturizing for eczema lotion that I was using during one of my pregnancies, but the smell was terrible and it didn't help my hands. Then I went home to my grandma's house, who uses Stevens Cream, put it on maybe twice, and my hands were so much better. That is my go-to lotion for dry skin (be forewarned -- it is expensive).
ReplyDeleteHere is the link for it: http://www.stevenscream.com/helps.htm
Good luck!
Thanks for the help! Is it only sold online?
DeleteI can find it (in Utah) at some grocery stores and in the ShopKo pharmacy. Maybe if you have a ShopKo close by, you could check it. Otherwise, I guess you can only get it online (and not on amazon, either- I checked). :(
DeleteMaybe someday I'll be driving through the midwest and can drop a bottle by. ;)
Oh! Another plus is it comes in two 'scents' - scent free and kiwi, and they are both good smelling without being overpowering (I can't waer BBW stuff because it makes me sick after a couple hours).
DeleteThanks for checking! That would be nice :)
DeleteAquaphor is awesome stuff!
ReplyDeleteI've been using coconut oil on my heels and that really seems to help!
ReplyDeleteWe just tried Seventh Generation diaper cream for Evie. She had dry skin so badly on her bottom. Really helped and all natural too.
ReplyDeleteCoconut oil. Everywhere. On everyone. Done. ;) But I actually don't have dry skin. I have quite the opposite problem, but I do love it and love what it does for my skin. Also, I have horribly chapped lips even during the summers due to my taking Accutane back in my acne-teen days. My lips have never recovered. Anyway, I didn't need Lanolin while nursing, but I have started using the tube on my lips this winter and it has helped so so much. Anyway, here's to the summer and humidity making a comeback soon!
ReplyDeleteOkay, I don't know why I haven't used Lanolin yet. Duh, Katrina! I didn't need it this time around with Conor so I have a tube here already.
DeleteI use coconut oil too, it really is amazing stuff. I get suuuuuper dry hands in the winter, and I get this crazy eczema on them. I just recently bought a hand cream called Udderly Smooth, it has lanolin in it since I know how amazing lanolin was for my nipples when I was learning how to breastfeed for the first time... I figured that has got to be some awesome cream. I slather it on before I go to bed each night and it was worked miracles, even my eczema is gone.
ReplyDeleteAs for keeping the toddler busy for a half hour... I keep a few intellectually challenging games hidden away (like coloured noodles and shoelaces, popsicle sticks with magnets/velcro on each end to make shapes, a container with single-hole-punch holes in the lid to put straws into--like a shape sorting game but with straws, http://oceansofjoy.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/straw-game.jpg, etc). I bring them out when I need a few minutes to concentrate on something or to get something done.
Okay, I am ordering this during my next Amazon purchase. You have me sold!
DeleteThanks for the activities! Going to try them.