I have terrifically dry skin. The kind that can look like alligator scales if I don't stay on top of it. Also, I get terrible celiac/allergy breakouts on my hands that are violently itchy and then clear up to leave hard, dry plaques behind. Occasionally, I get strep or staph breakouts on my face and neck and chest. They're painful and they scar.
I discovered emu oil in the last few years. It feels horribly atavistic to be spreading the rendered fat of a giant bird over my skin, but there you go. It seems to do a better job of settling my skin, especially the elbows, than other oils. Flax oil, squeezed out of the capsule, is good for moisturizing my face skin when I'm having a breakout. I don't know why.
Also, I bought Yes oil-based lube for its obvious purpose and then have ended up using it on my terribly dry skin—mostly hands, again, but other places, too. I know it's completely off label but the ingredients are a perfect blend for what I'm after. Here's the ingredient list: http://www.yesyesyes.org/ingredients.htm When my skin is so bad that even neutral "sensitive" moisturizers cause it to burn and swell, the Yes (especially over damp skin) saves me. I think it's the beeswax. When I have the energy, I'll make my own.
The last thing is the water softener. We have terrifically hard water and finally got a softener. I've noticed a positive change in my skin since then.
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branchandroot
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Date: 2012-02-20 01:25 pm (UTC)I discovered emu oil in the last few years. It feels horribly atavistic to be spreading the rendered fat of a giant bird over my skin, but there you go. It seems to do a better job of settling my skin, especially the elbows, than other oils. Flax oil, squeezed out of the capsule, is good for moisturizing my face skin when I'm having a breakout. I don't know why.
Also, I bought Yes oil-based lube for its obvious purpose and then have ended up using it on my terribly dry skin—mostly hands, again, but other places, too. I know it's completely off label but the ingredients are a perfect blend for what I'm after. Here's the ingredient list: http://www.yesyesyes.org/ingredients.htm When my skin is so bad that even neutral "sensitive" moisturizers cause it to burn and swell, the Yes (especially over damp skin) saves me. I think it's the beeswax. When I have the energy, I'll make my own.
The last thing is the water softener. We have terrifically hard water and finally got a softener. I've noticed a positive change in my skin since then.