How to moisturize?

[warmwaters]

Ok, I feel silly asking this, but most of my life I had fairly oily skin, so moisturizing was never something I really did, unless I got a sunburn.

My skin is much drier than it use to be, especially my limbs and bottom. I'm in my 50s, and I'm sure it's a combo of aging and the Sjogren's.

I've tried a variety of moisturizers, and within an hour of putting them on my limbs, I want to jump into the shower and get them off of me.  They feel sticky, clammy, and I feel like I can't sweat (not true, as I sometimes start sweating profusely around my face).  It feels like my poor skin can't "breathe".

So how do you use skin creams? Is there a trick to getting it on very thinly? What brands are effective but don't make you feel oily or clammy?  Are these sensations something you just get used to?

So funny to be learning a new grooming skill at my age!

[Carolina]

Oh WW, at 72, I'm still not doing real moisturizing.

My skin 'turned oily' when I was 27 and my eczema went away (Hallelujah!)

I don't use soap on my body, just a bit of the shampoo suds when I shower and wash my hair.

In the bath tub I use Nivea oil/lotion.  At the end of the bath I put some on a wash cloth, and then rub it on, in the water.  It isn't sticky at all.

I also put that Nivea oil/lotion (let me look up the exact name) (Nivea Body Daily Lotion, Essentially Enriched for Very Dry, Rough Skin) on my legs and feet some times. 

I have used this particular brand for ages and ages and swear by it.  I buy it three bottles at a time from Amazon.

I last bought three in December 2009, and am now on the last bottle.  So a bottle lasts for ever!

It has no perfumes and I like it.  But we all have to find what works for us.

When you speak of 'bottom' I'm not sure which part of the bottom you are referring to.

Hugs,  Elaine

[warmwaters]

Elaine - "bottom"= my euphemism for the part of you that you sit on.

[Carolina]

WW,I think the key may to only put the lotion on the part that is dry, not all over.

I totally understand the intolerance of having it all over.  I would get creepy crawlies and my fabulous sweating would be even more fabulous if I put anything all over my body.

We are such am amazing bunch!  Talk about the Princess and the Pea!  We are high maintenance ladies of the first order, and proud of it.

Hugs, Elaine

We could write a book of beauty and skin and eye care tips, you bet!

[Jasper]

I use Jason body wash in the shower or bath.

I use Eucerin cream (in the jar) for my legs and feet. My legs were a mess, with a lot of skin rashes and lesions and very dry flaking skin. Plus the skin was weird, probably from all of the skin issues, sort of hard and stiff.

I use Eucerine intensive repair lotion for my arms and sometimes on my legs (in between using the Eucerine cream). My arms are dry, but not anywhere near as bad as my legs.

The Eucerine cream is thick, even when you rub it in and spread it around. But it works wonders. My legs and feet have greatly improved since I started using the Eucerine cream. It lasts a long time. I put it on one day and don't need anything for a couple of days. I usually put it on after a shower and when I am not going anywhere, so that I can walk around in shorts and sandals to give it plenty of time to soak in. It will stick to stuff (and stuff like hair and feathers will stick to it) so don't hold your long haired cat right after you put on the Eucerine cream, LOL. Also, I don't put it on and then put on long pants right away. I put on shorts or a short nightgown.

On my arms I use Eucerine intensive repair lotion as it is not as thick as the cream and it soaks in faster. Plus, my arms are not as dry as my legs. I also wait awhile to go to bed after putting on the cream or lotion, again, to give it time to soak into the skin.

My skin has improved dramatically. I think my legs are gradually getting more normal skin, still dry, but not as weird and not AS dry.

I don't usually use lotions anywhere else.

[daisymay]

I'm the same way, in that I hate the heavy "feel" of lotions and creams. I have to need it pretty badly to slather it on.

[wildforwater]

Always had normal skin, but it has become a bit dry since Sjogren's so I do slather moisturizer on after every shower, using a specific one for my feet.  It feels great to me.  The richer the better. Love the cocoa butter one I get at Trader Joe's.  I'm using a Jergen's one now that I like as well. Don't remember which one, but it smells so good.

I think it's just trial and error to find the perfect one.  You, of course, would prefer something light.  Body Lotion by Neutrogena is supposed to be very light.  My friend who has oily skin uses it and loves it.  I Googled fast-absorbing and it came up, along with Deep Replenishing Mineral Therapy Body Lotion by St. Ive's.

Hope you find something that makes you feel great soon!

Maria

[mshistory]

While your skin is still damp from the shower or bath, apply a thick layer of CeraVe Moisturizing Cream (the cream in the tub, not the lotion) liberally to body. If your face is prone to breakouts, they do make special facial moisturizers.

I have two daughters with eczema and with severely dry skin myself from Sjogren's, CeraVe Moisturizing Cream has been a miracle in a tub for us. There is no odor at all, it leaves no residue, and it actually keeps my skin feeling hydrated for 24 hours. Once I started using it about five years ago, my skin stopped flaking off!

[quietdynamics]

I find with SJS and skin.. that my skin needs to be gently exfoliated in the shower.
The dry skin just is there...
The best thing for me has been a exfoliating Mitt.. they can be found all over and are inexpensive.
I use only Dove soap .. put it into my palm with the mitt on.. (no more dropping the soap in the shower) and gently massage/wash my body.
When I do not exfoliate.. I just do not feel clean.

I pat dry..
I got really tired of buying lotions, etc that did not work for me.
Did some research and use Virgin Olive oil on skin.
Has anti-oxidants, other great things, is a natural sunscreen..

I simply keep some handy and lightly dip my fingertip pads (not even whole fingertips) in the oil and they spread on dampened skin.
For me it readily absorbs, is not greasy, contrary to what one would think.
At the time I started using the oil, it was on my face when I noticed capillaries (and some very small lesions.. at that time I was Dx'd SJS/Lupus).
I tried Olive oil.. the capillaries receded and the tiny lesions near my nasal fold went away.. Could it be due to the Olive oil anti-inflammatory property (phenolic compound oleocanthal)?
I do not know. But, something helped.. so I stay with it.

*Last year the bottoms of my feet became red and raw .. that time I put a lot of olive oil on, slipped my feet into plastic bags, then socks.. then went squishing around the home before bed.. yes, it sounded funny. Next day I was able to walk without pain and the bottom of my feet were healing. Why? Maybe combination of natural factors in the oil? I do not know .. just that it worked for me.
And I did not go out and buy yet another product that did not work. 

It is the only oil my family and I consume as well.

So if you have some olive oil handy at home.. just put a very tiny drop on your skin and try it..

[Carolina]

Ahhh QD, I must try Olive Oil ASAP.

What could be easier?

Hugs,  Elaine

[warmwaters]

Thanks all- useful things. The olive oil intrigues me.

When I have really dry cracking skin on the bottom of my feet (tends to happen in the winter), I put Udder Balm on them. Udder Balm is sold at agricultural product stores, and is for cows. My family has used in for years, and it heals things fast, but is terribly smelly in a Ben Gay sort of way.  I'd never use it as an all over thing, though.

Any other favorite moisturizing tips?

[daisymay]

I've never used it, but a friend of mine loves pure lanolin. You can find it in the baby aisle (with the nursing supplies)

One of my skin issues is cracks at the top edges of my fingernails. So painful! I can feel them before I even see them.

[grammad97]

I too have tried every type of lotion;oil and cream and had a drawer full of them.
Several years ago while getting my hair done my stylist suggested Amlactin. Its expensive but is worth it. I buy the bottle at COSTCO for $18. It lasts for about six months. I only have to use it twice a day per directions on bottle. No more cracked throbbing skin at nail edges and smooth skin and feet now. I use it in morning after shower and just before bedtime.
Nothing else worked like Amlactin.
Its sold elsewhere but they smaller bottle or tube is $13 so the large one from COSTCO is the better deal.

[Sooki]

Another lightweight suggestion:  Just before getting out of the shower, I spread a thin layer of hair conditioner all over my bod and rinse.  It makes my skin feel smoother and not so dry.

[daisymay]

Some great ideas! Glad for this forum and the ability to share. :-)