DRY SKIN HELP

[lauramb4]

body wash recommendations for super dry skin? or lotions as well? ANYTHING to honestly help my super dry skin that gets painful 😓 My current body wash & lotions aren't really helping.  

[WinglessOne]

@lauramb4  Couple questions:

1. Specifically which body wash and lotions do you currently use that aren't working? 
2. Have you seen a dermatologist or other doctor about how painfully dry your skin gets? You might have a skin condition that needs a more personalized treatment routine than we can recommend here. 

The skin on my body is dry all year, but not to a painful degree. Here's what helps my skin: 

Spoiler

Water temperature - I use lukewarm water. Weaning myself off hot showers wasn't easy, especially during winter, but I did it around 20 years ago and my skin's felt better ever since. 

Body wash - I hate those that leave my skin feeling weirdly coated, but I also hate feeling squeaky clean (which is a bad thing anyway). I alternate between CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser Bar and Skinfix Foaming Oil Body Wash . You could try one of Aveeno's body washes, perhaps their new Restorative Skin Therapy Body Wash. Or one of CeraVe's other options, like CeraVe Soothing Body Wash. 

Wash method - I don't cover my whole body in body wash each time I shower. I use that stuff only where I need it. For instance, my legs get sudsed-up maybe 2 times a week, vs. my armpits which get the body wash treatment every day. My back gets body wash every other day. This is all based on where and when my particular body typically gets dirty or quite sweaty. You might not need to use body wash on your whole body as frequently as you think. 

I'm still trying to break my bad habit of over-exfoliating my body. I looooove using scrubby gloves on my arms and legs, but for the last few months I've cut back to using them just once every one or two weeks. I do use a scrubby nylon towel to wash my back, since that's the easiest way to reach all that skin with my short arms. But the towel's not nearly as exfoliating as the gloves. 

Moisturizing method - I apply body lotion while my skin's still damp. This gives my lotion some hydration to seal in. If you typically apply lotion after you've dried yourself off with a towel, try applying it to damp skin instead. 

My body towels are actually microfiber hair towels—the ones you usually find at Marshalls or TJ Maxx with a high pile texture. I like them because they're small and thin, so they're less bulky than big fluffy cotton body towels and they dry faster. They do soak up water faster than traditional cotton towels, so I just quickly and lightly pat down certain parts of my body so I'm still damp but not soaking wet/dripping water. Then I apply my body lotion. 

Body lotion - I'm a longtime Aveeno body lotion fan. Until last month, I exclusively used Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion. Then I discovered Aveeno Baby Daily Moisture Lotion contains the same ingredients as the adult version, plus allantoin which is a skin soothing ingredient. So now I alternate between those lotions and Aveeno Restorative Skin Therapy Oat Repairing Cream. I also like CeraVe Moisturizing Cream and Eucerin Advanced Repair Lotion. 

[CRJG]

I have a really hard time with body washes. They irritate my skin so bad. Dove bars have become my best friend for body wash. Super moisturizing and really helps with dry skin and irritation. For body moisturizer Polysporin makes a heal and seal body balm. I get it at my local drug store or Walmart and it’s great for healing and restoring dry skin. If your skin is flaking and really sore though you might want to see a dermatologist to rule out eczema or other skin conditions. 

[itsfi]

Hi @lauramb4, my skin gets very dry in the fall and winter and I've found these items to help my skin stay moisturized.

Body Washes:

L'Occitane Cleansing And Softening Refillable Shower Oil With Almond Oil 8.4/250 

Dove DeraSeries Dry Skin Relief Body Wash

Cerave Hydrating Body Wash

Aveeno Creamy Moisturizing Oil

Lotions / Creams:

These are oil formulations or oilier and balmier in texture:

Bio Oil

Vaseline Cocoa Radiant Body Gel Oil

Aquaphor Healing Ointment

These have more of your traditional body cream / lotion consistency:

Kiehl's Since 1851 Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter 

Kiehl's Since 1851 Mini Crème de Corps Hydrating Body Lotion with Squalane (Sephora also carries a regular and a jumbo size, but I can't seem to tag it at the moment. My go to combo is the L'Occitane oil for a wash and then this cream)

Bioderma Atoderm Nourishing Cream for Dry Sensitive Skin

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream

La Roche-Posay Lipikar Balm AP+

[tasc0318]

Neutrogena Hydro Boost Body Lotion. It's really thin and easily absorbs into skin but seems to really help.

[SportyGirly125]

@lauramb4 Aveeno body wash