Dry skin, especially legs and arms

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Replies

  • allana3uk
    allana3uk Posts: 28 Member
    Such a helpful topic!

    I've been suffering with dreadful dry skin this Winter, it's even sloughing off me when I turn over in bed at night. Delightful, huh? I'm going to try almond oil and up my consumption of coconut oil.
  • OP, are you eating enough fat? That could be the problem.
  • dmpizza
    dmpizza Posts: 3,321 Member
    You said "When the light hits it........" Do you mean an underlying pattern?
    That could be just age(not dry skin) and I don't know what can help about that.
  • I also suffer from dry skin. I am not an expert for the kind of food you need, but I do know if you use too many oils and creams, your skin starts to rely on them, and ends up producing less natural oils itself, and the whole problem gets exarcerbated.

    Also, caffeine and alcohol dries skin out. x
  • Derpina7
    Derpina7 Posts: 552 Member
    Coconut oil or extra virgin olive oil. I've always had eczema, while they haven't made it go away entirely, they've both worked far better than anything I've been prescribed by a dermatologist!
  • Mary Kat Satin Hands pampering set is great for dry skin. They used to have one for called Satin Hands and Body, not sure if they still make it but the products are great! It saves my hands this time of year!
  • Car0lynnM
    Car0lynnM Posts: 332 Member
    I don't really have a problem with dry skin, but my husband does. Soft water helps. Put a humidifier in the rooms you are in most frequently. Take a bath in oil (I love Avon Skin So Soft--also keeps bugs at bay in the summer). Coconut oil too.
  • MightyDomo
    MightyDomo Posts: 1,265 Member
    I would suggest using cetaphil or vaseline (both have hypoallergenic and highly moisturizing formulas). Increasing your water intake as well as your vitamin E you consume would definitely help.

    I personally use Vaseline Cocoa Butter (both the hand the the body butter form, also have the body lotion form as well but I don't find it as hydrating for the skin)

    Also I hear baby oil just after a shower will also help seal in more moisture. Rub it in until you don't feel slick but soft when you apply the oil.
  • TinaBean007
    TinaBean007 Posts: 273 Member
    I have alligator skin, not just regular scales but thick, course skin if I don't tend to it. It's taken years to figure it out, but I finally have a routine that keeps in manageable. (Might I add that I went to 2 different dermatologist that prescribed expensive creams that didn't work unless I put them on "liberally" 3 times a day- who wants to slather on greasy creams from head-to-toe 3 times a day.)

    Anyway, here's my not-so-secret game plan.

    - Dry brush before every shower (with a natural soft bristle brush)
    - My body wash is Dr Bronner's Baby Mild wash. (You really need to use very little.)
    - Rinse my body with natural hair conditioner, paying close attention to back of arms and legs (whatever I'm using at the time, usually Aveda)
    - After the shower, moisturize with organic jojoba oil

    I use high quality products and generally have to use very little of them. This routine is 80% more effective than the cream, takes less time and cost less than the Dr prescribed creams. Also, I'm pretty sure the previous bar soap and body washes I was using were making my skin worse.
  • dvillano46
    dvillano46 Posts: 6 Member
    This is a great thread! I've suffered from dry skin for many years, on my lower back and underarms. I've tried tons of dermatologist -recommended creams and lotions, but nothing's ever really helped. As of right now I'm trying out the Neosporin Eczema Essentials sample pack, which comes with a body wash, daily moisturizing cream, and an anti-itch lotion. Though I don't necessarily have eczema, the wash and cream are really wonderful.
  • Jeyed
    Jeyed Posts: 87 Member
    bump
  • Brie4me
    Brie4me Posts: 238
    Hi! I don't know if this will apply to you, but I thought I'd share just in case it might. I'm 47 years old and have always had dry skin. When I started using MFP about 2 months ago, I began tracking my sodium and discovered I had a very high intake. I've changed my eating habits to aim for less than 2500 a day, and drink about 8 - 10 cups of water. :drinker:

    An unexpected side effect for me has been softer skin! Usually this time of year it is dull and dry (to the point of being flaky), but instead I have rosy cheeks and soft skin. :smile: I also apply lotion right after a shower, which I've always done, but now my skin feels soft all day.
  • scloyd
    scloyd Posts: 327 Member
    I live in Northern Illinois and my hands get really dry every winter. They get to the point where my finger tips will crack. It's so painful just to reach into my pockets for my keys or money.

    I have tried Neutrogena, Eucerin, Burt's Bees, Udder Balm etc...they all work okay, but Honey House Naturals Bee Bar works the best for me.

    Thanks everyone for all of the great ideas. I'm going to try some of them.
  • Lucyk00
    Lucyk00 Posts: 63 Member
    Vaseline= petroleum=crude oil. No way would I ever rub that crap all over my body, grosssss....and I'm pretty sure it doesn't heal either, just protects.

    Try making a lotion bar, super easy. Beeswax, cocoa butter (or whatever butter you want to use) and oil (I like coconut and sweet almond oil). So, easy you can find tons of "Recipes" online...pretty much all you do is melt it all together. Plus it's pretty cheap.
  • I made some whipped body butter from tallow, EVOO, and lavender essential oil. My skin, which has always been dry, drinks it up. I must admit, though, that I go a bit overboard when I apply it, but my skin and I just like the stuff so much.