Sensitive skin - a curse of the Irish that can be helped. Read how.
Dec 18 '00
Throughout my life I have been blessed with many gifts associated with my Irish American heritage: the ability to do a jig, the gift of gab, and a strong appreciation of family. I have also been cursed with something many women of Irish descent have (and my dermatologist confirmed): very fair and sensitive skin.
Ever since I was a baby my skin has been prone to rashes, itchiness, and hives with even the littlest exposure to things many people enjoy in life with pleasure, not discomfort, such as: bubble bath and scented body lotion. Over the years, though, I have learned to adapt to my hyper sensitive skin and find products that not only don’t provoke it but help it maintain its moisture, beauty, and smoothness without an attack of the itchies.
Since finding such products has taken twenty-five years of trial and error, I thought I would share them with you. Of course everyone’s skin is different and what works for mine may not work for you. But, if you have sensitive skin, be rest assured you are getting advice from the Queen of sensitive skin and I would not knowingly suggest a product that would anger your skin in the least.
Following that disclaimer, here are the products I use on my sensitive skin:
SOAP
I have tried dozens of brands of soap (Ivory, Dial (ouch!), Neutrogena, Irish Springs, etc.) and the only one that does not cause my skin to break out in a rash is DOVE'S Sensitive Skin Beauty Bar. This soap is hypoallergenic, fragrance free, and contains ¼-moisturizing lotion. I use just enough to make sure I am clean, but do not go crazy with the lathers. It does not seem to irritate my skin at all and I am even able to use Dove’s All Day Moisturizing Body Wash without a problem. This stuff is particularly good if you are traveling or showering at the gym because it comes in a bottle, not a bar. When traveling or showering at places other then your own, DO NOT experiment with the soap de jour, definitely use your own. I have made that mistake before and payed big time.
LOTION
LUBRIDERM'S Seriously Sensitive Lotion is my knight in shining bottle. This lotion is, again, the only thing I have found that I can put on my body without turning into an itchy, red, miserable, creature. It is specially formulated for extra sensitive dry skin and is 100% lanolin, dye, and fragrance free. I know it does not spell pretty like the yummy lotions from Bath and Body (oh how I envy those women who can use those lotions!) but it keeps my skin looking and feeling healthy without any side effects. I put it on my legs and arms after EVERY shower, even if I do not feel like I need lotion, just to keep my skin moist. I find that the moister my skin the less prone to itchiness I am. This lotion is about $6 for a 16 fl oz bottle.
The only other lotion I can tolerate on my body is PALMER'S Cocoa Butter Formula with Vitamin E. As the bottle says it is “A soothing butter lotion for marks, blemishes, and rough, dry, skin.” This does contain colors and fragrance (it smells so good!) therefore I can only use it on one part of my body without a reaction: my bum (or tush, heiney, whatever you call it). I use it every night to keep the skin there nice, smooth and youthful. This is an awesome product and it is very cheap (about $3 a bottle).
DETERGENT
The wrong laundry detergent can make my sensitive skin haywire. After much trial and error, the only detergent I can use that does not cause a rash once I put my freshly laundered clothes on is DREFT. Dreft is a special detergent for the sensitive skin of babies and is sometimes found in the baby aisle of grocery stores. It is expensive for detergent (about $6 a bottle), but well worth the price. As far as drier sheets, I have never found any that my skin can tolerate and don’t use them.
OTHER
Even though I am extremely careful about what goes on my skin and how I take care of it, every so often, for reasons I can’t explain (perhaps it gets too dry) it gets terribly itchy and red. When this happens, nothing will calm it down except a prescription lotion for sensitive skin called Lac-Hydrin. It contains 12% ammonium lactate cream and stops the itch right in its tracks (it does sting a little). My dermatologist prescribes it for me and it is about $80 for a 16 fl oz. bottle!!!!! Therefore, I do not depend on it or else I would be broke. I try not to let my sensitive skin get to the point where I need it, but when I do it does help tremendously.
I hope my suggestions have helped you! I know what it is like to have sensitive skin and it is not fun, but with the right products and attention it can be kept under control. Good luck and may the itch not be with you!
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Epinions.com ID:
caurieanne
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Location: Upstate New York
Reviews written: 30
Trusted by: 26 members
About Me:
I am a native upstate New Yorker and freelance writer who currently lives in Rochester.
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