Dry, and I mean DRY skin! HELP ME!

[ArtsyHeartsy]

Sooo... My skin is always dry. This is not new, but being pregnant has caused simultaneous breakouts and dry, flaky, itchy skin on my face. (other places too but I can handle that) As an added bonus the dry patches make my skin look way older! I don't need that!

Please...does anyone have any suggestions as far as facial lotion that will help? My doctor said to get some really good, unscented and expensive lotion. I thought the expensive part was kind of funny, but I can see her point. I was looking at Target...we don't have any natural stores within a 50 mile radius...and I just can't find anything for really dry facial skin, elbows and knees, yup, feet, yup...face...nope. There is lots of anti-aging stuff, but that's usually too chemical and makes it worse...my skin is pretty sensitive too.

I don't want to spend a lot of money on something that won't work right. Our Target does have the less chemical brands..any suggestions. I'm about to slather my face with bag balm!

I'm trying to drink more water too...doesn't seem to help though.

Additional rambling: I do use pond's sometimes because it's cheap and one of the only things that helps stop the itching and tightness but I am afraid that it is making me break out more.

x-posting in July ddc

[Chryseis]

I have the same dry skin problems, especially when pregnant. My favorite facial cleanser/lotion is just plain old Cetaphil. I've tried all manner of lotions, both expensive/inexpensive and natural/full o' crap and I've just been so lucky with relatively inexpensive and easily found Cetaphil.

When the dry skin on the rest of my body gets terrible I've had good luck with mineral oil and a cream called Aquafililic (which they don't sell at our Target). I also like some of the Eucerin creams.

[Calleiah]

I've been slathering on Palmer's. I havent tried it on my face yet, but it feels great everywhere else.
Sorry I dont have any other terrific recommendations, but the Palmers has helped some.

[Houla05]

Kiehl's has some pretty thick moisturizers for your face that don't have many chemicals in them. I have very dry skin during the winter and I use this on my face. It's about $20 for a farily large container. I'm not sure exactly what your price point is. My container lasted me over a year and helped with my dry patches on my cheeks. You can usually find Kiehl's products at Nordstroms or in the area I live in, we have a Kiehl's store.

[RedOakMomma]

I use body lotion on my face...it's usually more moisturizing than face cream, and it's cheaper by the ounce. I like Kiss My Face, but I've also used a little bit of Eucerin here and there (for dry spots).

What about coconut oils and butters and stuff you could order online?

[MaerynPearl]

I use Udderly Smooth... its not what I would consider expensive but it doesn't leave me feeling all icky like most lotions do. Its not greasy at all (and it has tons of uses... its better than aloe on sunburn!)

[MyFour]

I use unrefined shea butter on my body and it has alleviated my dry skin. I can now shower and not even have to put on anything after. Yea for shea butter!

[is it puppies?]

I cleanse with Cetaphil or just water and a Norwex face cloth (the Norwex cloth removes all kinds of makeup and dirt), and when I'm really dry I moisturize very lightly with coconut oil but only at night or I'd be greasy in the AM. I also exfoliate dry patches as needed with a dry face cloth, or if I am very dry I use my Philosophy chemical peel which could be a bit harsh- but if you use an exfoliating scrub it shouldn't be a natural one because the grains are uneven and it can mess up your skin- I found the natural scrubs (other than a home made oatmeal and honey or clay mix) would usually aggravate acne or dry, sensitive areas. A home-made honey mask would be another thing to try, it is very moisturizing and doesn't make acne worse.

[fruitfulmomma]

California Baby or Dr. Bronner's Sun Dog both work well. Or you can just use plain olive oil or something similar. Additionally I would work on making sure I was getting enough fatty acids in my diet - either through CLO (cod liver oil) or flax seed if you can't do fish. You can also get a humidifier to put more moisture in the air in your home.

[Gingercat]

No need to buy something expensive! For the body you could use coconut oil or shea butter. For the face I'd recommend Badger's Organic Evolving Balm. It seems a bit pricey but it lasts forever! And you can buy it cheaper from several other online stores (my sister who lives in the US gets it either from drugstore.com or from uncommonscents.com).

You can use coconut oil for your hands as well but I prefer Badger's Organic Healing Balm, it is absolutely miraculous for dry and crapped skin.

I'm always very careful with the things I put on my skin and I feel that pregnancy is a time that we should all be extra cautious with this issue.

[Peace+Hope]

Originally Posted by Gingercat

I'm always very careful with the things I put on my skin and I feel that pregnancy is a time that we should all be extra cautious with this issue.

yes! i was reading a book about infant massage, and was struck by how much sense the advice ONLY to use organic plant oils and butters made. talked about how baby's skin is absorbing anything you put on it, and of course this applies to us too!

no mineral oils (which are mostly petrolium products) only plant products that actually feed and nourish the skin. i think chemically manufactured products cause problems in the skin.

and, be careful what soaps you are using - you may be stripping your skin of it's natural oils.

[RedOakMomma]

Anyone have a good online source for organic body butters? I was using unrefined Shea lotion (organic), but my co-op stopped carrying it...I wouldn't mind trying something a little more moisturizing, anyway. (The unrefined shea lotion seemed a little thin for winter skin.)

[artemis33]

I'd try plain coconut oil. :

[MyFour]

Originally Posted by RedOakMomma

Anyone have a good online source for organic body butters? I was using unrefined Shea lotion (organic), but my co-op stopped carrying it...I wouldn't mind trying something a little more moisturizing, anyway. (The unrefined shea lotion seemed a little thin for winter skin.)

If you want unrefined shea butter(I've never used the lotion) then I highly recommend coastalscents.com

[MyFour]

Originally Posted by Peace+Hope

no mineral oils (which are mostly petrolium products) only plant products that actually feed and nourish the skin. i think chemically manufactured products cause problems in the skin.

.

My last two kids have minor skin issues so with our new addition I'm just going to go the simple, natural route for her skin.

[darkblue0729]

I have fallen in love with Alba's coconut oil body cream and Kiss my Face's peppermint foot lotion (yes it's for feet and it is amazing for them but I also smear it on elbows and knees and other ultra dry places) Also, the sticks of cocoa butter that you can often find in the ethnic body care departments beauty care and department stores work well. In cases of emergency, extra virgin olive oil or jojoba oil have worked well for me too. Good luck mama!

[mama kk]

I had the same problem this pregnancy. I always have dry skin, but while pregnant I had flaking skin in my eyebrows, and along my hairline. I tried a lot of things, but found this dandelion creme lotion from moonmaid botanicals worked really well, and it wasn't super greasy. It is expensive though. I wouldn't normally spend so much on a lotion, but I would do it again.
Good luck!

[Tear78]

Holy crow!!! I just saw how far along you are, Artsy! You too, Peace + Hope! When the heck did that happen? Hugs and love and excitement to you ladies!

[jennmiller]

You might want to look into uncovering your food allergies. Your symptoms sound like eczema, a common reaction of the skin to foods our bodies perceive as toxins. Since our skin is our body's second largest detoxification organ (the liver is the first) it stands to reason that when our bodies become overloaded with things it can't handle it shows in our skin. A toxin can be anything we put into our bodies that is perceived inside as foreign or toxic, regardless of whether or not is "healthy".

Consider an elimination diet as well as very high doses of probiotics, since as much as 70% of our immune system resides in our intestinal tract and is controlled largely by our intestinal flora. My favorite probiotic is VSL#3. I take the double strength version, available by prescription. Here's the website: www.vsl3.com Another one that a lot of people like is Critical Care by Renew Life. Also, taking high doses of Omega 3,6,and 9's may help as well as high dose Vit C.

If you are reacting to foods you are eating, continuing to ingest them while pregnant will make it much more likely that your baby will react to those foods as well and you'll probably have to cut them out of your diet if you breastfeed. I have found that my skin conditions clear up on their own in a matter of a couple of days and don't return when I fix the problem from the inside. In the meantime, the eczema oil from www.homesteadcompany.com is fantastic, as is the baby balm and diaper wipe companion. I've used all of these products for years to help soothe the discomfort of yeast and eczema rashes. Again, though, the rashes clear up and stay gone only when we remove the triggers from our diet. Hope that helps!

[Bubblette]

Olive or coconut oil. Seriously Just get into shower, before turning it on, rub oil all over where ever you are dry and rub it into your skin in circular motions for a few minutes. The turn on the hot water but don't stand under it and and steam for a bit. Gently rise off with a wash cloth but don't scrub it off.

You can use the same technique in the shower for just your face while you wash the rest of you with other things too.