Dry skin, especially legs and arms

NWCountryGal
NWCountryGal Posts: 1,992 Member
in Food and Nutrition
I am 60 but I still think there must be ways to get rid of the dry skin. When the light hits my legs just right, they look like scales on some sort of "creature":( Well, first, I know I am not getting enough water. Someone said avocados are great to eat for dry skin. I am just looking for people who have either always had dry skin and got rid of it mainly through nutrition, or, people who got it eventually and found nutritional ways of dealing with it. I really want success stories if I can get some.

I see tons of lotions everywhere I shop, new this new that, but I believe it's more of an inside job although if there is also something "healthy" I should put on each day, yes, I am willing to listen. My facial moisturizer is Aveeno right now and I can't say it is the best, who knows. Everyone has different types of skin too. Mine is normal to dry, dryer the older I get. Now that's just so attractive, yuck, HELP!! denise;)
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Replies

  • christinekry
    christinekry Posts: 86 Member
    I get really dry skin if my synthroid levels are off. Do you have hypothyroidism by chance? The best lotion I have found is suave, believe it or not. Just the plain kind..no fancy smell. It's fairly inexpensive and works great. I put it on as soon as I get out of the shower to lock in the moisture. The winter is rough on skin since the air is so dry. Do you have a lot of static in your house? If so, that could be making it worse. You may want to try a humidifier. Best wishes :)
  • NWCountryGal
    NWCountryGal Posts: 1,992 Member
    Wow, you hit on a couple of things that I think are right on! No thyroid issues but yes, it is dry and colder this year! I didn't think of that. Also, static, definitely, turn the lights out and sparks everywhere, LOL!! I will try the suave honey, tired of spending big money on stuff that doesn't do any better then a less expensive product!

    Thank you much, I so appreciate your input!!! denise:drinker: :drinker: :flowerforyou:
  • sundancerjt2000
    sundancerjt2000 Posts: 1 Member
    I have the same thing (I think) and I had been seeing a dermatologist for it. What you most likely have is psoriasis and i have been battling it for 4 years now. Only is bad in wintertime (I live in NH). Oddly the only thing that worked was sunlight. I was taking light treatments for awhile and it completely disappeatred in wintertime, but it was very expensive and i would not recommend it for that very reason. I find as far as otc creams go, cetsphil works the best at stopping the itchiness. I do not drink enough water, and I am trying to up my intake. It is very hard to get 2 liters of water down in a day (at least to me)
  • jenns1964
    jenns1964 Posts: 384 Member
    As I age I've noticed how dry my skin has become also. I just started using Dove Gentle Exfoliating body wash with Nutrium. That makes my skin really soft and then I use an all natural body lotion with AHA. My skin is looking so much better!
  • Me48Plus2
    Me48Plus2 Posts: 73
    COCONUT OIL !!!! It's amazing.
  • EddieDoodle
    EddieDoodle Posts: 6 Member
    Also try using olive oil on your skin, it's good for it and if you use a light kind it has no odor (if that sort of thing bothers you). I would also second the use of a humidifier. I live in a cold, dry climate and could not survive the winter without mine!
  • murphy612
    murphy612 Posts: 734 Member
    COCONUT OIL !!!! It's amazing.

    I agree :-) Olive oil works well too.

    Edited to add: Don't try all the expensive fancy stuff, they will probably make it worse. Most lotions contain glycerin or alcohol which end up drying out your skin more. And don't use exfoliating products, they also dry out your skin by removing the oil you do need. Besides coconut oil or olive oil which can be a little heavy I also use Grapeseed oil or jojoba.
  • LishieFruit89
    LishieFruit89 Posts: 1,956 Member
    I'm in New England as well, I drink a crap ton of water (like 4-7 LITRES a day)

    I've got dry skin but it has been better that I've been eating avocados (never know there was a correlation til now)

    I use Neutrogena face cream for my face (obvs) and I use Gold Bond Ultimate (healing or softening) for the rest of my body.
    I use Softsoap bodywash with scrubbing particles in it plus scrubbing gloves (from The Body Shop)
    If it's band enough, I use vaseline & cotton gloves or socks (hands vs feet) - yeah totally learned that from my gram =]

    You could try Lubriderm, Eucerin, Cetaphil - I've had reactions to those so I don't use them.

    I've heard coconut oil helps.
    Doesn't taking pre-natals help too?

    Humidifer might help too
  • LauraRose03
    LauraRose03 Posts: 140
    I have mega dry skin and I DO drink a lot of water. I'm so glad you posted this topic because nothing besides cortisone (applied liberally everyday) seems to work. I'll have to try eating avocado and some of these other suggestions. Thanks again!!!
  • Healthydiner65
    Healthydiner65 Posts: 1,552 Member
    I had dry itchy patches on my legs which did not respond to any lotion except Gold Bond ultra healing lotion.I am also 60.The Gold Bond worked immediately.The only drawback is that it costs $10.00 unless you can find a coupon or sale.Sometimes Walgreens has buy one get one half off.Also Vaseline lotion in the Brown bottle with cocoa butter works well.
  • mollylookalike
    mollylookalike Posts: 60 Member
    small jar of vasaline (can be generic)
    two jars of Vitamin E (can be generic)
    bottle of baby lotion (any kind - I use the Vanilla Oatmeal kind)

    put all in a bowl and use your mixer to mix well - you may need a couple of extra containers because this makes A LOT, but we go through it really fast in my family.

    I found this on pinterest. I'm sure you could change out the ingredients (coconut oil, etc), but this works on our cracked feet and hands, not to mention our scales.

    Hope this helps! :)
  • katt2_d
    katt2_d Posts: 1
    The other thing you may want to try is dry brushing your skin before taking a shower. There are many websites that show you how -- just search "How to Dry Brush".

    After showering, within three minutes of drying-off, apply moisturizer.
  • MorgueBabe
    MorgueBabe Posts: 1,188 Member
    I used to formulate lotion. I've made lotion for lots of big name companies.


    The BEST thing you can do is put some PURE 100% Shea butter, or Coconut oil, or cocoa butter on your skin. Even sweet almond oil, or flax oil.

    Avoid using products that have color or fragrance in them.
    Avoid using anything with mineral oil, or petrolatum in them.

    Edit to add: Don't use mineral oil because it just sits on the surface on your skin. It doesn't actually penetrate the skin and repair. Your skin will "feel" better to the touch, but ti won't be better, or repairing it's self. Plus mineral oil and petrolatum products are VERY bad for you.
  • murphy612
    murphy612 Posts: 734 Member
    I have mega dry skin and I DO drink a lot of water. I'm so glad you posted this topic because nothing besides cortisone (applied liberally everyday) seems to work. I'll have to try eating avocado and some of these other suggestions. Thanks again!!!

    Yikes, careful with the cortisone, the more you use the more your skin becomes dependent on it. It's also known to cause skin dermatitis with prolonged use. Try natural oils instead and see if that helps.
  • jdavis193
    jdavis193 Posts: 972 Member
    I use Coconut Oil in the cooking section works great! The showers strips away all of oils and so when we use the lotions it's not really getting the oils we need.
  • Hearts_2015
    Hearts_2015 Posts: 12,031 Member
    lots of interesting ideas!:drinker:
  • rubberbiscuit
    rubberbiscuit Posts: 128
    The skin on my lower legs is dry and scaley. I was reading recently that it can be caused by poor circulation, and I do tend to retain water in my lower legs and feet, so I know my circulation isn't the best. I've been scrubbing my legs like crazy with a bath puff when I take a shower in the hopes of encouraging circulation and I apply a body butter (Clinique) when I get out of the shower. I'm not sure if it's really helping much, but I haven't been very diligent either. The next thing that I'm going to try is an exfolliating scrub.
  • sbbhbm
    sbbhbm Posts: 1,312 Member
    Coconut oil. Eat it and put it on your skin. Heck you can put it in your hair for that matter. I have severe eczema, and I use coconut oil on my face to help control the scaling. I also use emu oil- that stuff is amazing, but it can be expensive. But you also asked about an inside-out approach, so I would add besides eating a tablespoon or two of coconut oil a day, you should also consider taking an omega-3 supplement. Or adding some healthy fats back into your diet- flax seeds, salmon, avocado, sardines, etc.
  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member
    The skin on my legs gets so dry it makes me crazy. It itches with the dryness. The only thing that gives me any relief is Gold Bond Extra strength lotion.
  • mdcoug
    mdcoug Posts: 397 Member
    Shea butter is amazing, but make sure you get it from a fair-trade company like this one: www.alaffia.com. And don't forget your water!
  • acogg
    acogg Posts: 1,870 Member
    I use Bag Balm as an all over moisturizer. I live in a very dry climate and it is the only moisturizer that works for me year round. It can be found at animal feed stores and is sold in a green can. Dairies use it a moisturizer for their cows udders. It contains lanolin and no alcohol, no perfume.
  • axialmeow
    axialmeow Posts: 382 Member
    use coconut oil on damp skin. And eat some coconut oil!
  • murphy612
    murphy612 Posts: 734 Member
    The skin on my lower legs is dry and scaley. I was reading recently that it can be caused by poor circulation, and I do tend to retain water in my lower legs and feet, so I know my circulation isn't the best. I've been scrubbing my legs like crazy with a bath puff when I take a shower in the hopes of encouraging circulation and I apply a body butter (Clinique) when I get out of the shower. I'm not sure if it's really helping much, but I haven't been very diligent either. The next thing that I'm going to try is an exfolliating scrub.

    Don't scrub :( and don't use any type of abrasive scrub lotion cream or anything like that, you'll make it worse. As mentioned by several people as well as myself, switch to a natural oil (coconut, olive, grapeseed, jojoba, etc.)
  • JanaCanada
    JanaCanada Posts: 917 Member
    Eucerin (not the lotion, the thick stuff in the jar!) every day, many times a day (esp. after bathing).....and drink LOTS of water
  • murphy612
    murphy612 Posts: 734 Member
    I use Bag Balm as an all over moisturizer. I live in a very dry climate and it is the only moisturizer that works for me year round. It can be found at animal feed stores and is sold in a green can. Dairies use it a moisturizer for their cows udders. It contains lanolin and no alcohol, no perfume.

    I used to use that for the eczema on my hands :) Then I started having reactions to the lanolin. I remember it being really thick and greasy though.
  • CEHayes73
    CEHayes73 Posts: 221 Member
    If you want to use a scrub, regular white granulated sugar works great, but is very gentle, and has no extraneous chemicals that can dry you out even more. You could also try Glaxal base. This is the basis of all prescription creams, but the pharmacy can sell you the base without any meds added. Also watch for soaps, they can be very drying. I use unscented dove beauty bar, and its very gentle, even more so than baby soap, I used it on my newborns!
  • Confuzzled4ever
    Confuzzled4ever Posts: 2,860 Member
    Coconut oil..

    your skin will love you for it.

    The real stuff.. not the lotions with all the fake crap in it.
  • smantha32
    smantha32 Posts: 6,990 Member

    The BEST thing you can do is put some PURE 100% Shea butter, or Coconut oil, or cocoa butter on your skin. Even sweet almond oil, or flax oil.


    I moisturize twice a day and I don't have too much trouble with dryness, but it does get worse during the cold months. I'm using the Melaleuca Renew lotion, which is really nice.

    I LOVE Shea butter. It worked really well. However I developed an allergy to it. :sad:
  • ruggedBear
    ruggedBear Posts: 295
    Another New Englander here -

    From the inside - flax seed, olive oil, and fish oil capsules along with lots of water. Too little dietary fat makes me scaly.
    From the outside - shower half as long and moisturize twice as often. Hot water is the enemy of dry skin. I use Shea Butter soap. Moisurizing when skin is damp seems to help, as others have noted.

    I use Aveeno for the body, L'Occitane 100% Shea Butter (I use the plain one in the big tin) for hands, feet and lips. Also - wearing socks and closed shoes really helped this winter - instead of 'pretty' shoes to work. Slather on the shea butter then bundle up the feet in natural fiber socks and boots - this has kept my heels from cracking for the first time in years.
  • dawningr
    dawningr Posts: 387 Member
    Coconut Oil (both applied like lotion and in the foods you eat)

    the fastest acting I've found is;

    Avon's Oatmeal lotion (also helps with dry skin itch)

    AND

    the Body Shop's Shea Body Butter

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