Dry skin?

Curry_Queen

Thanks divadee I'll definitely give that a go. Now I think about it, we always had a tub by the sink at the vets (another source of frequent handwashing) and it's also used for washing out male horsey bits ... don't ask!!!! ... but my hands were always lovely and soft after using it

divadee

male horsey bits :eek:

arkonite_babe

Curry_Queen wrote:

Aqueous cream sounds like a good idea as it's water-based so won't make my hands greasy. My main problem is that I wash my hands too frequently and even though I try to use mild and moisturising soaps it still strips the natural oils out

I'm in the same boat as you on that one. As for using gloves when working, that just seems to aggrivate the problem by making my hands sweaty.

Will try Judi's idea of the olive oil. Think I will try it at night though as it would be very greasy. Aqueous cream? Never heard of it, how do I find it? Just ask the chemist? Somethiong like this would make me wary as my skin is quite sensitive and sometimes even e45 burns like mad.

System

a tip with the olive oil. If its too greasy you have put too much on. Just wipe it off with a flannel.

arkonite_babe

Thanks Judi, will try that tonight

Curry_Queen

arkonite_babe wrote:

Aqueous cream? Never heard of it, how do I find it? Just ask the chemist? Somethiong like this would make me wary as my skin is quite sensitive and sometimes even e45 burns like mad.

It comes in large tubs like the e45 cream and is just called Aqueous Cream. You should be able to get it in most chemists, or maybe even supermarkets, although I've just had a look at Boots online and they don't seem to sell it, not in the generic form anyway.

Here's what Netdoctor has to say about it:

How does it work?

Aqueous cream is a light, non-greasy moisturiser that provides a layer of oil on the surface of the skin to prevent water evaporating from the skin surface.

It is made from a mixture of emulsifying ointment (which contains paraffin oils) and water, with phenoxyethanol as an antimicrobial preservative.

Dry skin results from lack of water in the outer layer of skin cells known as the stratum corneum. When this layer becomes dehydrated it loses its flexibility and becomes cracked, scaly and sometimes itchy. The stratum corneum contains natural water-holding substances that retain water seeping up from the deeper layers of the skin, and water is also normally retained in the stratum corneum by a surface film of natural oil (sebum) and broken-down skin cells, which slow down evaporation of water from the skin surface.

The skin dries out when too much water evaporates from its surface. This increases as we get older, and is made worse by washing, because hot water and soap remove the layer of natural oil on the skin surface.

Moisturisers such as aqueous cream are helpful for all dry skin conditions, particularly eczema and dermatitis, which get worse when the skin is allowed to dry out. Used regularly they help restore the skin's smoothness, softness and flexibility by helping the skin retain moisture. They should be applied frequently to prevent the skin drying out.

Aqueous cream can also be used in place of soap when washing to prevent drying the skin.

In conditions such as eczema, using a moisturiser regularly, even once the skin has improved, can help prevent flare-ups of this condition.


Edit:

Interestingly, I've just found the Dept of Health's guideline to maximum prices that generic medicines can legally be charged and Aqueous Cream 500g is just £1.07

arkonite_babe

Thanks for the info curry queen, I'm off to see if I can find any online

Jay-Jay_4

I used aqueous on my baby's skin and hair in the bath instead of soap and shampoo and then used it when she came out as a cream. Fantastic stuff and YES! VERY CHEAP!

Boots sell it in a tube but it has a quite medicinal smell to it. The chemists pot of cheapo stuff smells nice and is ....cheaper!







Horsey bits?...do you mean...ummm... when they get...dry and ...ummmmm ..........flaky? SORRY!!!

Curry_Queen

Jay-Jay wrote:

Horsey bits?...do you mean...ummm... when they get...dry and ...ummmmm ..........flaky? SORRY!!!

Yes!!! LOL!

divadee wrote:

male horsey bits :eek:

LOL! ... I did warn you not to ask!!!

Better do the anatomy lesson first ... a male horse keeps his dangly bit tucked up inside a protective sheath, unless he's having a wee or a bit of how's ya father!

Now, here comes the gory bit ... WARNING: don't read on if you are OF A SENSITIVE NATURE or EATING!!! ......




....... the inside of the sheath and the "bits" get gunked up with dry skin (and other excretions) and need cleaning out regularly, meaning WE have to do it for them

This usually means taking a handful of aqueous cream (gentle and sensitive on his bits) and literally shoving your hand inside to give it a good ole clear out, then rinsing out with a hose (or if as some horses do they have dangled their bits during the process, a jug of water will suffice!)

Alison_B

I suffer dreadfully with peeling hands and if you looked at my hands you would say they were the hands of a very old woman - peeling and wrinkled - I am only 39. I have tried everything under the sun and nothing seems to work.

I went to Costco a couple of weeks ago and bought 2 large bottles of Kirkland hand and body cream for normal/dry skin. The bottles were 1 litre each and come with a pump dispenser. The cost was under £5 plus VAT for the 2 and it is wonderful stuff. I have been using it for a week now and my hands have stopped peeling but I am applying it at every opportunity at the moment.

I haven't thought about trying it before because I thought it would just be some cheap stuff but it seems great (touch wood).

Alison