Terrible Dry Skin (body)

anatomical

My legs used to get so dry even with daily moisturising, they were so itchy! This has stopped since I stopped using any products containing sulphates. It's been a few months now and my skin is so much better.

The Dr Bronner products someone suggested before are sulphate free, they are worth a try. You can also get sulphate free shower gels from the body shop, the earth lovers range is sulphate free. Their rainforest shampoos are also sulphate free. The naked range which you can buy at boots and superdrug is also sulphate free. If you want any facial care try the range good things, which you can buy at boots, superdrug and sainsburys.

Please do not use aqueous cream. It contains sulphates and recent research has showed that it thins the skin and actually ends up aggravating skin problems. The most commonly used one is called sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS). This was originally developed to degrease car engines, so imagine what it does to your skin.

I've also had read good things about using dead sea salt products for sensitive/irritated skin. I also agree with using sweet almond oil as a moisturiser. I find it absorbs into my skin easily and works very well. It's also very MSE, you can buy large amounts for not much money and it lasts for ages.

From my own experiences and some pretty extensive internet research I would say avoiding sulphates is the way to go. Natural is so much better for you! If the ingredients list on a product looks more like a chemistry experiment than a shampoo it's probably not good for you!

jenniewb

It doesn't smell great, (it doesn't smell of much at all) but it works! Try the Eucerine with 10% urea. Its a sort of medicated cream and helps dry skin like nothing else I've tried. Its also great for the little upper arm spots you can sometimes get (ketosis pilaris).

Otherwise good old cocoa butter and the bodyshop have some really great versions of body butters. I'd want to stick to either the shea or the coco versions as they have less fragrance in and if your skin is feeling very dry and unhappy I would worry about it being irriated by any man-made fragrances.

If your loaded, try the Kiehl's body butter which is amazing. I got given a sample a while back and found it was amazing! Sadly its waaaay above my budget!

murphydog999

gatita wrote: »

That sounds VERY interesting murphydog, there seem to be so many different Dr Bronners soaps, which one exactly would you recommend and where is the best place to buy it please?

This is the one I use, http://www.amazon.co.uk/Dr-Bronners-Peppermint-Soap-472ml/dp/B0000533G8/ref=sr_1_fkmr1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1328694493&sr=8-2-fkmr1 almond and peppermint tend to be most peoples favourites. If you google Dr Bronner stockists, apart from amazon, there are lots of others.

I can't see the point in spending out loads of money on moisturisers if your washing with shower gels/body washes etc with harmful irritants such as sulfates and parabens. They are just glorified detergents. It's also worth looking at the ingredients in your shampoo and conditioner.

Hope it helps.

gatita

jenniewb wrote: »

It doesn't smell great, (it doesn't smell of much at all) but it works! Try the Eucerine with 10% urea. Its a sort of medicated cream and helps dry skin like nothing else I've tried. Its also great for the little upper arm spots you can sometimes get (ketosis pilaris).

Otherwise good old cocoa butter and the bodyshop have some really great versions of body butters. I'd want to stick to either the shea or the coco versions as they have less fragrance in and if your skin is feeling very dry and unhappy I would worry about it being irriated by any man-made fragrances.

If your loaded, try the Kiehl's body butter which is amazing. I got given a sample a while back and found it was amazing! Sadly its waaaay above my budget!

Wish I was loaded! so I will try the other versions you mentioned! Thank you

mogwai

I used to have really flaky skin every winter - when I took my tights/tops off there would be loads of flaky skin flying around everywhere! Gross I know Even palmers cocoa butter which makes my skin really soft and plush the rest of the year doesnt work during winter

This winter I took a tip from a beautician, I made an olive oil and sea salt scrub. Every few days I get into the shower and have a really good dry scrub everywhere before I shower. I can actually see the flakes that are building up come off..

Have not had any problems this winter touch wood!

ps The only other thing that did help somewhat was to take omega oils supplements..

jenniewb

gatita wrote: »

Wish I was loaded! so I will try the other versions you mentioned! Thank you

I wish I was loaded too- the Kiehl's stuff smells so nice! Eucerine is where I'd go if I had limited funds to go wrong with though as its more of a medically designed product then the Bodyshop (although the bodyshop stuff is nicer to use because it smells good )

vik6525

gatita wrote: »

Wish I was loaded! so I will try the other versions you mentioned! Thank you

try the shea butter body butter and shower gel from the Body Shop. I worked there over Christmas, and it was one fo the (millions!) of freebies that I got given. Ive got quite oily skin myself, so didnt bother using it, but gave it too my Dad, whos got the most terrible dry skin known to man. He absolutely adores it, and says its genuinely changed his life. Hes looked for YEARS for something to help his skin, even had things off the doctors, but this seems to be the first thing hes ever tried thats actually worked.