In today's Reader Mail:
Dear BS:
It's February—worst month ever! And I am scaly, like a crocodile. You could recommend a really effective body lotion? I also want suggestions from everyone else, like usually.
Thanks,
A.
We do have a suggestion for this! In fact, we have several. We begin with the above: We love Andrew Weil and his recommending that everyone eat salmon every day and buy flowers. What could be nicer? This is one of those products where it's amazing if it does everything it suggests it might ("This intensely emollient cream with my signature blend of Hypsizygus ulmarius, Reishi and Cordyceps Mushrooms, Ginger, Turmeric and Holy Basil, along with Larch Tree Extract, wraps skin in deeply satisfying moisture. Natural “skin-identical” lipids including Murumuru, Shea, Cocoa and Cupuacu butters help reseal skin’s vulnerable surface against incoming irritants") but either way, it smells nice. Andrew Weil's Plantidote Mega-Mushroom Body Cream for Origins, $46
Though we don't get the packaging, the Ginger Souffle is nice as well (and a lot cheaper). Ginger Souffle, $27.50
Our personal, after-shower go-to has long been Kiehl's Creme de Corps—we cannot express the joy we experienced when we found an extra, unused bottle of this sitting in our medicine cabinet. It also comes in a tiny little size perfect for travel, and only $9. Creme de Corps (4.2 fl oz), $16.50
And of course, we love the Body Butter line at the Body Shop. We've sort of OD'd on the coconut variety but we're newly enthusiastic about the Moroccan Rose. And though it's not dirt-cheap, we're regular users and we find one will last even six months. Moroccan Rose Body Butter, $20
Who else has suggestions?
Though they can be a pain the the ass to use, nothing nothing nothing makes my winter skin smooth again like Lush massage bars. I just rub them over my skin & proceed as though using a moisturizer.
i swear by moisturel theraputic lotion from walgreens. it comes in the ugliest pump bottle and is $13 which is a little expensive but so worth it. my dermatologist recommended it when i was on accutane. i put it on my face and my body and it is incredible.
http://www.walgreens.com/store/product.jsp?id=prod7891&CATID=303550&skuid=sku307891&V=G&ec=frgl_728516&ci_src=14110944&ci_sku=sku307891
Yeah, I have to go with Cetaphil or Aveno on this one. Everything else is too expensive and tends to make my skin break out.
Olive oil!
i remember when body butter was 10 dollars…anyways i love the smell of the moroccan rose! its my new favorite
For me what has worked is switching to pure olive oil soap, and fish oil supplements. I live in a freezing cold climate, and my scaly skin has disappeared — I don’t even have to use moisturizer now.
The soap has to be pure though, no added fragrances or chemicals or shea butter or anything.
Where can you buy pure olive oil soap? Brand name, please?
Pat: I get bars of Castile soap (100% olive oil) from my neighbourhood health food store. I don’t know what the brands are, I just get whatever they have in stock, but I’ve tried French, Spanish and Turkish soaps all with great success.