Lifestyle

Wintering: Why Is My Skin So Dry

Hello Friends, and welcome to the blog today.

“Hope has far more hooks than fear, far more capacity to tear her apart from the inside.” – Kiersten White, Mister Magic

Friends, I hope you are doing well and giving yourself some grace in this new year and season.  Get plenty of rest and stay hydrated, even when it’s 30 degrees.

You never know how harsh winter can be on your skin until temperatures are below 25 degrees.  You can even go to the Weather Channel app, which gives you stats on skin, allergins, and everything you need to know to prepare for the cold.

I suffer the most with my hands (but in general everywhere). However, other factors also affect how my skin feels and performs.

People with Type 2, like me, are more susceptible because Diabetes can affect nerves and blood vessels, and your skin has many of both. Too much sugar in the blood causes the body to pull fluid from its cells. (CDC)  Let’s also include some post-menopausal symptoms that exacerbate the problem.

I’ve streamlined what I use to a few products that get the job done and keep my skin as moisturized as possible on these 15-degree days.

Body Washes

Body washes can be hit or miss and are not one-size-fits-all.  What’s good for one person can be terrible for someone else, so I can only recommend trying a few to see what your skin really loves.

FAVS…Aveeno + La Roche-Posay + Cerave

I use Aveeno body wash daily (unscented), and you get more bang for your buck with two 18 oz(s), priced at $15.99.

I love LOVE La Roche-Posay products—a 13 oz. Body wash is priced at $17.99 (pricey), but I don’t have any issues, and it doesn’t leave my skin dry.  Mind you, I moisturize right out of the shower …year-round.

Cerave is good if I can’t find what I want, but for the amount you get, 10 oz, at $17.00, is not a great deal. It’s gentle on the skin and good for people suffering from Eczema.

The products that dry my skin out … Native + Method + EOS + Raw Sugar.  These are all great brands, but my skin is not having it. (LOL) I also never use anything with “Diabetic skin” in the title because that’s a setup.  What you get is a watery product.

Body Creams and Lotions

There are so many products out there it’s hard to know what to choose, but (for me) this is always trial and error.  I love Aveeno body wash, but the lotion is watery.  Gold Bond, Jergens, EOS, Native, Method …my dry skin laughs at those products.  Here is what’s working for me.

FAVS…La Roche-Posay + Coconut Oil + Alba Botanica 

La Roche-Posay body lotion is thick and rich but pricey.  A 13.5 oz is around $19.99 (unless you find a sale), but if you switch up your moisturizer in the winter months, you’re not buying it year-round, and (trust me), your skin will thank you.

Coconut Oil is not rich or thick, but it is hydrating.  This means that it absorbs quickly, and you can use it EVERYWHERE.  It’s great after a shower. If I’m having an itching spell, I use a bit in the affected area, which calms my skin instantly.  Coconut oil is good all year round, and a 16 oz jar, priced at $8.99, will last a long time.  You can also use this (unrefined, cold-pressed) oil for hair, skin, cooking, and baking.

Alba Botanica Emollient Lotion is rich and heavy enough for these cold winter months.  I’ve been (especially) using it after the shower.  It’s not as heavy as La Roche-Posay, but it’s a close second.  I always get the unscented, and a 32 oz is priced at $16.99.  You can also find this at Whole Foods.

Lips and other Balms

I’ve had (so) many recommendations from doctors about what to use on my itchy skin.  My endocrinologist says, “Use Vaseline.” My other doctor says to use a cortisone cream, but none of that works.  If my skin is already irritated, all Vaseline does is make it worse, and some cortisone creams break me out.

For dry patches, the balm and cream at the store smell like asphalt tar…it’s horrible, and I don’t believe that something that is supposed to help you should smell that bad.  If the itching stops, (then) I don’t irritate it further by scratching, and my skin can heal.  Lip balm is a whole other story, and yes, I’ve used them all.  From the 5-dollar to 20-dollar tubes, I am a lip balm hoarder 🫦. (LOL). Here are the products I’m loving this season

Bag Balm Moisturizer + Starface Lip Balm + Badger Dry Skin Balm + Follain Lip Balm

I know it seems like a lot of stuff, and the first time I created this post, I actually had (another blogger) question …”WOW, that seems like a lot.”  Yes, it is, but I’m not using everything, everywhere, all at once (LOL), and I had to laugh at that.  I also think that most people don’t understand Diabetes (as a whole), so why can’t one cream or lotion work all the time?  I would love for that to be my reality, but it is not.

The simple answer is that I give it what it needs as I age and my skin changes.  Nuff said.  (LOL)  What products are you using to get you through the winter months?  Please share them in the comments.

Well friends, I’ll end here. Thanks so much for visiting the blog today.  Don’t forget to follow or subscribe. — Peace —