Dry skin?

squeaky

Actually, he sez, having learned this in numerous other threads, it's the fabric conditioner that stops towels from absorbing quite so much water. If you really want soft towels use the same amount of vinegar to replace the fc because the towels will be soft and yet keep their water absorbency level.

tru

Soft towels can't be used as an exfoliator though. I have very dry skin and can't afford to buy fancy products. So rough towels mean I save money twice, once on not buying the products (I know I can make them myself but it still costs a bit of money) and once on not using fabric softener.

That's the best bargain ever, two savings for the price of NOTHING :rotfl:

Loadsabob

For nourishing and soothing dry skin, anyone who wants to avoid chemicals and petroleum by-products may try Shea Butter. I have a jar of it, it's solid, and you melt a little in your hand at a time. I'd say it's too heavy for face (as a moisturiser, but for specific dry patches, I'd imagine it would nourish), but great for feet, knees and elbows, and hands over-night in gloves. I get an organic fair-traded shea butter from:

http://www.akamuti.co.uk/sheainabag.htm , starting at £3.00 for 100g.

You can use it as an intensive hair conditioner, too, though it's very oily and needs a good shampoo out afterwards. I use it as you would a hot oil or olive oil treatment.

tru

Thanks Loadsabob

I've been wondering about what we put on our bodies to 'fix' our outsides, anything is temporary really cos as soon as you shower the work is undone and you have to start again (creams, lotions, potions etc). So I'm gonna try fixing it from the inside, eating more oily fish, fruit, nuts and grains.

squeaky

Eat lots of dark brown chocolate and get a good tan too

Loadsabob

Yes, they do say that even drinking the right amount of water can make a difference to skin moisture, which I guess makes sense. I know your body will get rid of what it doesn't need, but by being hydrated enough, everything works well. Certainly being dehydrated is no good for your skin or any part of your body!

But I think you're right with the good oils from those foods. I have read that rosehip tea is a good way of looking after your skin from the inside. I use rosehip oil around my eyes, but the tea is lovely, and if it keeps me looking youthful, worth a try!

leonie_2

Its all very well applying loads of creams etc but this is simply masking the problem. If a person only really has dry skin on the hands then its usually because the products they are using on the hands are simply too harsh or are being used too often, such as in the case of the poster saying she washes her hands all the time.

I read a study about these antibacterial handwashes and it said they are simply too harsh for everyday use and a simple gel or soap wouldnt be quite so drying but would be effective in cleaning the hands.

I started making homemade soap a few years ago and my dry skin problems stopped shortly afterwards. It is so good for your skin as it has no chemicals or anything in it, and of course, homemade means all the natural glycerine stays in the soap and is not taken out and sold as inthe case of most store bought soap. If anyone is interested I could find a few recipes they may like to try, or start a thread on it? It can actually be very money saving as you can use cheap oils from the supermarket. I make mine with luxury items added too such as shea butter, but thats personal taste.

I also follow the same routine as Judi (waves at Judi, a friend from another group) I usually wash my face at night with olive, coconut or jojoba oil and it leaves it very soft and never dry.

So what im saying is you can spend a fortune on creams to stop the dryness but its much easier to stop the damage in the first place. Dont strip the skin and it wont be so dry.

The drinking water is such a good idea as well, the cheapest beauty tip I know of! :-)

tru

squeaky wrote:

Eat lots of dark brown chocolate and get a good tan too

Do minstrels count? :rotfl:
I hate the sun and it hates me, I get headaches, I go red and burn and I can practically see my skin shrivel up when I'm outside :rolleyes:

Leonie, I would love to know more about homemade soap I used to work in a cafe, I seemed to be washing my hands every 5 mins and they were very dry. It took months before my hands were normal again. It's my arms and legs that suffer the most

arkonite_babe

I've ben using the olive oil tip since it was posted on this thread and I have to say, my dry skin on my hands has improved immensly. I buy olive oil from Lidl as I wouldn't want to waste any expensive stuff, by using it on my bod!

krishna

1. Instead of soap use porridge oats (any old cheap stuff is fine). They are very moisturising and nourishing. Just get a piece of muslin (or old tights, or other thing loose-weave fabric) pour about 2 tablespoons of dried oats in. Then tie up and use like a sponge. The "milk" that comes out of it is the moisturising bit. Use in bath or shower.

2. Make sure you drink plenty of water

3. Make sure you have a good intake of essential fatty acids. A lot of us don't so you can supplement with a tablespoon of linseed oil or hempseed oil a day. If buying these make sure you buy from the refrigerator in a shop and check use by date. Linseed oil in particular is very prone to rancidity.

Krishna