Okay so admittedly this isn’t the most glamorous topic but the dry skin struggle is very real – especially this time of year. Thankfully, the weather is starting to turn but my skin hasn’t been quite as quick to change as the temperatures the last few weeks.
Also, in the spirit of a true TMI confession, I have the driest hands on the planet. You’d think I work in construction or something else in the elements with the way my hands look. It doesn’t help that I have the {extremely gross} nervous habit of picking at my hands. I used to be a horrible nail biter (I’m really winning you all over right now huh?) but lately it’s phased more into this equally horrible habit. Again, I realize how you all could have gone your entire lives without needing any of the above info.
But one time I read an article in Elle (I think), where the author talked about her similar issue and how her husband said her hands looked like she’d put them in a tank of piranhas and it felt good knowing I wasn’t the only one. It’s been years since I read that piece but I still think about that girl when I hide my hands in pictures, in general conversation or just from myself. So if you’re one of the only other five people with this issue – I’m here for you.
All joking and dry hand support group stuff aside, dry skin is a serious bummer and something I struggle with big time. Every once in a while Meijer reaches out to me about trying new products and I always waive my dry hands enthusiastically in the air at the computer before saying, “yes please.” Basically I look like this. I love getting to try out new products (and even pass along some to friends/family) to see what’s good and what’s not worth spending your hard earned cash on. This round I got to try out a bunch of CeraVe products plus some other moisturizing goodies. I’ve given them all a go for the last couple weeks and have rounded up my favorites from the bunch.
CeraVe Healing Ointment – The packaging on this one made me think this would be more like a hand cream but this ointment is more like what you’d get if Aquafor and Neosporin had a baby. I’ve kept it on my bedside table and put it on RIGHT before bed. I specify the timing because of the aforementioned consistency. It’s not as heavy as Aquafor or as greasy as Neosporin but you’re not going to want to touch a bunch of stuff after applying it to your hands. I’ve been using it on my cuticles, elbows and heels at night and have noticed a big difference in the morning. I’ve also used it instead of Neosporin on some cuts/scratches my kids have come home with.
CeraVe Makeup Removing Cleansing Cloths – I’m always excited to try new makeup removers because my eyes are really sensitive to a lot of the most commonly used perfumes/dyes. On too many times to count, I’ve attempted to remove mascara only to end up looking like Claire Danes in Homeland, ugly crying as I try to find a kleenex to wipe my eyes. It’s not a good look. But there’s also nothing worse than a wipe/remover that doesn’t remove everything.
These wipes nailed it on the first requirement. The ‘ultra gentle’ tag lived up to the hype – no watery or burning eyes. My only gripe with these is they seem to dry out a little quickly which means there was a lot of wiping to try and get everything off. The wipes are big though so there’s plenty of surface space to I’m not writing them off though, they’ll be going in my travel bag and are great for after the gym. I’m thinking if these were in a different packaging/container the dryness wouldn’t be an issue.
Eucerin Daily Protection Lotion – I’m like Goldilocks when it comes to lotion. I really love this Bliss version but it’s a little pricey. This Eurcerin lotion is great but it smells a lot like sunscreen, probably because it has SPF 15 in it. Right now, the sunscreen smell has me wishing it was June and I was about to head to the pool. It’s not too heavy but I think I’ll be saving this one for warmer days and using before pool days as a base layer (or fail safe in case I forget to reapply) of sunscreen.
CeraVe Renewing SA Foot Cream – This was BY FAR my favorite product that I tried. Okay, so I know it’s foot cream but this Goldilocks found the perfect porridge with this one. Perfect for at night, I used it for hands, feet, elbows, knees and my arms. It’s the perfect combo of thick enough to moisturize really dry skin but not greasy or sticky and dare I say it, light. I have been reapplying it to my hands nonstop. So yeah, I guess my hands are as dry as a foot and that’s gross but this lotion is muy bueno. Also, there’s no strong smell and no perfumes. LOVE this.
Eucerin Original Healing Soothing Repair Cream – I wanted to LOVE this. I mean, it’s the original so it’s got to be great right? I mean, it is great when it comes to soothing dry, cracked skin but it was too thick to apply for me. I feel like you need one of those little plastic paddles to scoop it out.
I did try this with great results on my daughter’s face where she’s had some chapped skin and redness around her nose and mouth. I put it on at night and it had cleared everything up by morning. It goes without saying that I’m definitely no doctor or skin expert but I feel like this would be good for people with eczema or irritated skin.
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So there you have it, my TMI reviews of these dry skin solutions. Like I said, this CeraVe foot cream was THE BEST. I would definitely recommend checking it if you’ve had any issues with dryness. If you’re picking up groceries at Meijer, just take a little detour to the skincare section before heading back to the cereal isle.
Disclosure: In exchange for my review, Meijer provided me with a range of products to try. All TMI opinions and thoughts are my own. As always, I’d never share something I didn’t think you all would be interested in trying.
Eucerin is a lifesaver this time of year!
[…] “I’ve been using CeraVe Healing Ointment on my cuticles, elbows and heels at night and have noticed a big difference in the morning.” –Lou What Wear, Beauty: Dry Skin Solutions […]