Wednesday, January 21, 2009

It's January. Dry Much?

Alternate Title: The Bathroom Cabinet Chronicles: Partie une (That's French for Part One because I'm fancy)

Ahem.

The middle of winter can be really hard on your skin. And here in Southern California the forecast is harsh:


Okay. But it's a brutally dry seventy-five degrees. And my skin has been all, WTF cracked and scaly? And Lubriderm is just not cutting the mustard. So I set about finding something with a little more...huevos. Something that could withstand 10% humidity and 13 MPH winds. Because, Lord knows, with weather like this, who can bend their fingers what with all the dry? Plus? A skirt coupled with ashy legs scares the kids.

Behold the vat of Eucerin! It's 16 ounces but weighs five pounds, just trust me. One tub should get you through the winter. Apply liberally to hands, feet, elbows, and the often neglected chest - because how else to get rid of those unsightly wrinkly betwixt the boob creases from side sleeping - and who knows what I'm talking about? Your eyes are not always the first signs of age; I'm just sayin. It's a known fact that moisturized skin appears younger - because that is what all the beauty magazines tell us.

Speaking of eyes, have you ever scrutinized glimpsed a picture of yourself and thought, what in THE hell has happened to my eyes? That's okay. You don't have to admit it out loud. And did you then think to yourself, it's time to build a weapons arsenal to go all daisy cutter on the offensive surrounding area? Well, so did I. And build it I did. To recap:




To any ancient Spaniards that may still roam the New World: The fountain of youth is not a well in Florida, Juan Ponce de Leon! It's aisle twelve in your local Target.

Another also? This is why it takes 45 minutes for me to get ready for bed - and we haven't even discussed cleansing the face prior to application of all of the above.

Join us tomorrow for our next installment... focus: hair.

38 comments:

Anonymous said...

It was -5 here this morning. My face is so dried out it burns, and it's peeling. I have no clue what to do for it, other than pray for Spring? If I slather on lotion my face breaks out in zits AND peeling dry skin.

Be glad you're in S. California!

Baby Favorite said...

Isn't January supposed to be our RAINY MONTH? I am not enjoying this dry, warm weather one bit.

I don't need a picture to see my eyes and think WTF? I just look in the mirror every morning. Holy Mother of God, I think I've aged 30 years in the last 10 months. And now I've got some lovely scaley patch under my right eye, to boot. I go to bed with Neosporin platered under my eye; I know it's a real turn-on for my husband. (That, and the oversized t-shirt and lounge pants. It's amazing he ever can take his eyes off of me.)

Love, Eeyore

Nelson's Mama said...

I know of the boob crease of which you speak.

You might want to give Moisturel a try, I like it better than Eucerin, it's easier to put on and works better. However, it's really hard to find - I've been ordering it from drugstore.com. A 16oz. tub is 21.99.

Laura said...

I cried a tear or two that you have to live in that dreadful 75 degree temperature. Excuse me while I go add another layer of clothes to my body!

Anonymous said...

I thought I was holding my own and still looking fairly youtful ... but that was BEFORE I turned 35 back in November. I'm thinking I've hit the wall. Every day, I find a new wrinkle or crease. UGH! But I'm fighting back like Hell. My beauty arsenal has increased 10-fold ... and it's still growing.

I feel ya, sista!

Jennifer S said...

Oy, the dry feet, the dry cuticles, the elbows. You're right about the Eucerin - it's the best thing I've used for the really dry patches. And I use some kind of super moisturizing Curel for the rest of me.

I know the cold weather people won't sympathize with those temps, but I do!

Glennis said...

Oh, yes. scaley legs. I can't stand it.

Can I just get a vat of the stuff big enough to take a bath in?

calicobebop said...

I hate winter-dry skin. I started using my daughter's baby eczema creme five years ago and it works like a charm. A teensy bit greasy right after one puts it on, but it has staying power.

Thanks for the advice on eye creams. I have been a firm (ha!) believer in the "wrinkle de-crease" since you mentioned it. Can't wait to try the eye treatment. *ahem* Not that I need it or anything...

Anonymous said...

I went to the beach twice this week to bask in the January winter weather we've been having.
As for the dry weather, I hate it. I find that soaking in a vat of coconut oil before getting dressed usually helps.

Karen said...

I have no idea about this between the boob crease you speak of...perhaps that's because I am the Ohio chapter president of the teeny tiny titty committee. It took me almost 39 years to attain this leadership position. I guess one of the perks must be the absence of a crease.

Thanks for the advice on the eye creams - the wrinkles around my eyes have gotten so bad I was starting to scare myself in the morning.

Here's to a damp & humid spring!

Anonymous said...

Ack. 75 degrees? What is that? Can you bake cookies in that heat?

Burgh Baby said...

I can't even talk to you when you're rubbing that 75 degree crap in my face. ACK!

Anonymous said...

Eucerin's good but Curel can't be beat.

Manic Mommy said...

Fourteen degrees here today! And I'd like to mention how very sexy my feet are right now. I can scrape my calf simply by brushing it with my heel.

Never thought I'd type that...

Anonymous said...

Oh the boob creases!! The bane of my existince.
Try having 10 degree weather with a -20 wind chill and then we will talk about dry skin, darlin'.

barbra said...

We have Eucerin around here, recommended by my M.D. father. But The Hubby cannot stand the smell of it, and hates Lubriderm even more. I have things ROUGH, I tell, you double meaning intended.

Ms Martyr said...

Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Creme.
Cetaphil cream - comes in an industrial sized tub at Costco. Haven't tried the lotion.

I like to read in bed at night and don't want my book to get greasy or magazine print to rub off on my hands. I find if I put on the cuticle cream, then the Cetaphil before getting undressed, they are pretty much fully absorbed by the time I hit the sheets. This is, of course, after face washing, teeth brushing or anything else that involves the wetting of hands.

Also, you might want to give Philosophy facial products a try. They are awesome.

Anonymous said...

At noon today, it was 25F, 15F wind chill, and trust me, it is DRY. At least I can cover up my parts with clothing. I have become a firm believer in Olay moisturizers. My skin has improved since I switched over from BeautiControl and MaryKay. I use Olay's 15 SPF in the daytime, even right next to my eyes and on my eyelids...and esp. my lips. It works like a charm. Twice a day, I slather the moisturizer until my skin can't soak up anymore.
Also, in the mornings after I wash my face, I reach for the tub of Vaseline. My eyes appreciate it.

The skin on my face looks better now than 5 years ago. At 43, that is saying something!

Briya said...

Yah, that Eucerin is extra strength (I've got some of that too), and it works wonders, but wow is it difficult to rub in.

Paula Lynn Johnson said...

You people get boob creases? It's official, I'm insanely jealous. When you're flat, there ain't nothin' to crease.

AGSoccerMom said...

It's 67 here in Central California today. Hey what's this, some drizzle....let's throw a party.

Swirl Girl said...

I, too , am in SoCal. My 9 year old calls this weather 'swinter' because it is like summer in winter around here.

I love that my hair looks fabulous - but my skin ? Ugh!

In the last 3 years I have aged (eyes-wise) about 10 years. No amount of goo will fix that...I need surgical help for that. Also, can any of your elixers do something about my '11'? You know, those two vertical lines above the bridge of the nose you get from squinting and frowning?

MommyTime said...

I know I'm a broken record on this one, but the completely and utterly best lotion ever for dry skin is Udder Cream. Thick, not greasy, light scent, can combat the driest dry, the ex-iest eczema, the cracked-est cuticles. And it costs $4 for a giant tub.

On the other hand, my eyes look like a map of LA freeways, so I'm taking your recommendations with me to Target tomorrow. Thanks!

Karen said...

I'm a sworn follower of Mary Kay. When I skip a few days I can tell, and when I use it's like turning back the clock. Seriously.

Jenn @ Juggling Life said...

You need Amlactin or Lac-Hydrin--moisturizes as well as Eucerin, but is a lotion, not a cream. About $17 at Costco (by the pharmacy). It used to be prescription not too long ago. It has saved me from just flaking off and blowing away.

I hear we're supposed to get rain tonight.

Suburban Correspondent said...

Wait - I'm confused. You put this stuff on before bed? Or in the morning? I need to start figuring out this make-up stuff, since my youthful complexion has done gone and deserted me. How do I find out how to use that stuff people put on their lashes?

Really. I am this stupid. Help me.

Unknown said...

You should feel the top of our seester's hands. (Is there a correct anatomical term for the "top of the hand?) The crevices forming in her dry skin are screaming for Eucreineneininen.

Stephanie said...

My son has horrible eczema this time of year and let me tell ya, this Eucerin stuff is insanely good for it. When all else fails, put hydracortizone underneath it and your skin will be baby-butt smooth! At least his is! ;oD (and usually there is a generic form of it in target or walmart. it's just as good, too!)

yellaphant said...

You immediately lost all of my dry skin sympathy when I saw that it's 75 degrees there. It's 15 degrees here. And I also want to peel the skin off my legs just to get some relief.

Martie said...

My legs! My legs! I won't tell you the temp here. I live in East Texas. I think it might get up to 60* tho.

Winter means DRY, scaly, ITCHY legs here. If I put lotion on they itch like mad. If I don't put lotion on--it's as if my legs have dandruff. Catch 22. Gah.

Anonymous said...

Yes, I be needing some lotion here--chappy all over and itchy to boot. Aisle 12 you say?

Anonymous said...

omplaining about our California weathet when the rest of the US is in a deep freeze is RISKY. But that is just who you are. A risk taker no?

I use all those products and agree 100%. Do I use them because you told me to? One will never know....

Actually I am a die hard Oil of Olay lady and have been drowning myself in Eucerin since birth it seems. But the Revlon? I just tried it cuz you told me to...and I LOVE IT.

Minnesota Matron said...

At a certain age (the Matron's) sunglasses are a must. There's not enough eye creme on the planet.

Madge said...

yeah. there is a reason we cover the boobies up more than the eyes....

Anonymous said...

Alright Tootsie...I'm a avid lurker, I mean fan and I've been really disappointed in your lack of posts...wuz' up?

I come here EVERYDAY and have always been pleasantly surprised. Lately though? Nothin'

I do hope everything is o.k. and you'll be back to your frequent posting, hilarious self.

I miss the sarcasm. It's become part of my daily routine.

Tootsie said...

I love the title...."because I'm Fancy"....almost choked on my pop!
lol

it is such a dry month here in Canada....I look like a freaking angel...my static hair looks like a halo!
It is bad when you walk around with static guard in your purse instead of hairspray! lol

Maryissewfast said...

I nominated you for the Kreativ Blogger award. http://sewfastembroidery.blogspot.com/ You can choose to honor other blogs or just bask in the glow of my appreciation! Thanks for sharing your journey. Mary

Anonymous said...

I love it when you talk skin care Tootsie! I've followed your skin care recs like you are my own personal consultant and have been very happy so far. I wanted to share with you something I got for Christmas that is also in the skin care realm and has made me so happy. The Clarisonic....if you haven't heard of it, look it up. It makes your skin SO clean and as a result moisturizer seems to work even better. Keep the beauty talk coming...thanks!