Dry Skin
 

Sorors and SF's
I was wondering if any of you knew of any full proof products that can be used to relieve extremely rough and dry skin? I have been suffering with this all Winter and now that Spring is here I can't take it any longer. I've used everything from Cetaphil cleansers and lotions to Eucerin lotion. Nothing has worked to my satisfaction. I think that I'm exfoliating my skin too much so I'm trying to lay off of that for a while. I haven't worn make-up in months and I miss my M.A.C. products. I know that drinking water is said to be the best solution, but I don't like it unless it's mixed with Kool-Aid :D . Is there any advice that you know of to keep me from drinking a gallon of water a day? PLEASE HELP :( .

Soror SkeeWee14.....I hate to break it to you, but drinking water "mixed with koolaid" is not really "drinking water...it's drinking koolaid! :D

I absolutely LOVE ice cold water with fresh squeeze of lemon or lime. Also, Pellegrino (sparkling water) is yummy with lime. In addition, you may want to moderate your intake of heavy caffeines and sugars.

Have you ever tried PURE cocoa butter and vitamin E? Not the kind that's mixed with a whole bunch of other things...you've got to get the pure stuff. Pure vitamin E may be a little greasy, but use it as a treatment at night and your skin will love you for it!

It seems like your skin problem may be best diagnosed by a dermatologist. But before you spend your co-pay money on that visit, increase that water intake because that's one of the first things that a dermatologist is going to tell you.

If you have dry skin is a problem all over, try putting on a bath oil while wet in the shower. Plamers Coco Butter Oil or Neutrogena Oil is real good. Palmers is real good and cheaper.
I feel you on the water, but water is easier to drink than you think. I have been recently keeping a huge bottle of water at my desk and that way i drink it throughout the day. Also instead of having juice at lunch drink water. Wants you start it does work and gets easier.

Actually, if you use a sugar substitute instead of real sugar (or no sugar at all--yeah right, lol), you can count it as water! :) But only for HALF of your daily water intake. But you still gotta drink more water, lol.

I have this stuff at home that a doctor prescribed for me, it's called Aquaphor, and I love it!! I think I paid like $16 for it, which is lightweight expensive, but it is SO worth it! It looks like regular old petroleum jelly, but when you start to rub it in, it turns white. It's really good for the feet (I use it after my pedicures, then put on thick socks), elbows, and knees. I don't use it all over because it's so greasy. I think it's made by the makers of Eucerin, but I forget. Anyway, I got it at Revco, so you should be able to find it at any drug store. Hope this helps, Soror!

Now, if you need a moisturizer for you face, I use St. Ives facial moisturizer, and I like it. I will pretty much swear by a lot of their products, I use the shower gel and the lotion, too. Exfoliate once a week, I find that that works for me. I used to do it everyday, and couldn't figure out why my elbows were rough. :confused: Good luck, Soror!!!

Drink plenty of water.

Try Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Healing lotion(for severly dry skin)

Drink plenty of water.

Oh yeah did I mention drink plenty of water.:)

I forgot to mention....you may want to consider using a multi-vitamin supplement...one made for women. GNC has a good women's formula. Your body may be lacking some essential nutrients that, perhaps, a daily multi-vitamin may be able to help replenish. I have been finding an increase in dandruff this winter and taking a daily multi-vitamin, along with increasing my water intake has also helped a great deal. Oh yeah....salmon...it's delicous and very rich in omega fats that are very useful to healthy hair and skin. I love to steam salmon with balsamic vinegar and veggies (think I'll have that tonight), or stick it on the george forman.

I find that using Johnson & Johnson baby oil (gel) is great. Not only does it replenish your skin but it will leave your skin soft and supple. Good luck !!!!!! :D

Hello skeewee 14! I just thought I would put my input in because I actually thought about being a dermatologist at one point, but anyway! Your skin sheds sooo many layers on a daily basis that it is physically impossible to "exfoliate too much" , I wouldn't stop doing that if I were you. Chances are you are still getting rid of alot of the dry skin you have accumulated over the winter. Naturally your skin dries more quickly in the winter. It could also be the kind of exfoliator you are using. The grains may too fine or whatever the reason. Alot of the time the exfoliators you use on your face won't do anything for your body. I would suggest going to any skin care counter before going to a doctor, because you know they are just waiting for people to stop and talk to them!! Maybe they can recommend something different. I hope that helps!! :D

those fatty acids...
 

prayerfull mentioned the omega fatties... she is correct... VERY correct...
A great way to get 'em (we women need lots of them -- omega-3, 6, and 9) -- take pressed flax seed oil. It tastes like grass. Seriously. The pure stuff. It takes some getting used to, but... you could mix it with juice... (don't gag -- lol)
The omegas not only help out with hair, skin, and nails... but they also help promote *ahem* feminine health. Helping to reduce your risks of cervical cancer and other possible female anomalies (like when they tell you you have an "abnormal" pap, but that's all they can say -- that's its "abnormal").

And finally.........
 

This is the real solution. You got it dancerella! This is my remedy.

Dry Skin Solutions
 

Thank you all soooo much for the suggestions you have made. Some of them I have tried and others I will definately look into. I most definately will look into a vitamin supplement since I know that I don't have the best vegetable intake. The strange thing is that I only have this problem on my face in what they call the T- Zone area. Every place else is fine. Go figure that one. I do feel you on the water intake and I know that it does make a difference. Evidently I can't escape the water :rolleyes: so after I finish the last of this Kool Aid (that I'm drinking right now) I'm not going to buy anymore. Can't drink it if I don't have it. I'm going to miss my red Kool-Aid and sodas are out of the question. Thanks again for all of the help and wish me luck on the great water crusade :D .

Good luck with the water, but for a great topical try any of The Body Shop's Body Butters. They have coco butter, shea butter, mango butter...all kinds, but they are the BEST skin moisturizers EVER!

OOOOOOOOOOO
 

I love the mango butter myself. A little goes a long way. For everyday use though , I use Jergens Ultra Healing lotion with HydraLux for extra dry skin. This stuff lasts all day long.

I have EXTREMELY dry skin and i've found Safflower oil to be the best. My doctor suggested this treatment after everything else had failed (all the expensive lotions, etc.). It can be found in the grocery aisle with other cooking oils. Its only around $3-4 for a very large bottle. Spray, or rub it into the skin when it is still damp from the shower. My doc explained to me that it is absorbed into the skin more easily than the mineral oil found in baby oil.

Re: Dry Skin Solutions
 

Since you mentioned it's mainly in the T-zone, you should try cliniques moisture surge. It is very effective, for moisturizing your face, and it lasts all day,you can actually tell, your skin is being moisturized; and within 5 days, you should really SEE the difference. Water helps too.

Originally posted by Dancerella1908
Drink plenty of water.

Try Vaseline Intensive Care Advanced Healing lotion(for severly dry skin)

Drink plenty of water.

Oh yeah did I mention drink plenty of water.