Products for Dry Skin (Body)

I do have very a dry skin especially on my legs.  Eversince I was a kid, I regularly apply lotion after bathing.  That becomes a habit until now.  My (dry) skin on my legs looked like snake skin and flaky.  During cold months, it tends to become really dry and itchy.  I have experienced having wounds on my legs and lower back because I scratch off the itchiness.  I tried lots of lotions and oils through the years but very few products have helped  ease the dryness.  Most products just give moisture for few hours and then flaky again in the afternoon.  So I’d like to share with you my holy grail products which gave my skin the moisture it needs for 24 hours.  Here are some of them.

ctto: Photo from Jergens website

1. Jergens Lotion

This was the lotion that I’ve been using eversince I was a kid, in grade school I believe.  I use the original scent variant.  They have improved their product line through the years and added various variants that's why I also tried their Ultra Healing variant.  Both are effective on my legs as the moisture lasts all day.  The only problem is that it can feel quite sticky due to its thick consistency which is not advisable when you are commuting or when its summertime.

ctto: Photo from Google

2. Vaseline Lotion

I use the yellow variant or the Intensive Care Essential Healing.  I like its consistency as it is light.  The moisture is also long lasting, no sticky feeling even on humid climate.  I tried other Vaseline variant but I go back to this one.  Light consistency and absorbs quickly.  It also smells good.  And of course, this is one of the cheapest!

ctto: Photo from Bath and
Body Works website

3. Bath and Body Works Lotion and Shower Gel

Most of the Bath and Body Works lotions have shea butter ingredient which is known for its moisturizing properties.  It also have coconut oil and Vitamin E which are also good in moisturizing skin.  I use the Warm Vanilla Sugar variant, not only with their lotion and shower gel but also their fragrance mist.  When the shower gel and lotion is used, you can really achieve 24 hours moisturization.  But using only the lotion works wonders already. It also smells good and yummy!

ctto: Photo from St. Ives website

4. St. Ives Softening Body Lotion

I found this lotion in Landers and was on sale. I was in continuous search of effective lotion then that’s why I bought this.  The variant I bought is Coconut and Orchid. Similar to Bath and Body Works, coconut is known to provide moisture to dry skin at the same time nourish it. I’m so glad I bought this! While all the lotions mentioned above were effective, this one performed best! The snake skin look on my legs has become less visible. It is also non sticky, absorbs quickly and smells nice.  This is my ultimate holy grail! Unfortunately, I can no longer find this in Landers. Local supermarket and even Unilever store in Shopee doesn’t carry the same variant. 

ctto: Photo from L'Occitane website

5. L’Occitane Shea Body Shower Oil

Aside from lotions, I am in constant search for a non-drying soap, shower cream/gel, and body wash.  I found this L’Occitane body shower oil which is good for dry skin according to the sales lady.  Well, the sales lady is right!  This is quite expensive but really effective. I mostly use Dove soap or body wash but I still get a dry feeling on my skin after bathing.  But with L’Occitane, I never felt that.  Skin is smooth that I can do away without a lotion (but habit permits me not).  This variant of L’Occitane also has body lotion, soap, hand cream and foaming bath, but I haven’t tried any of those.  It's quite expensive!

I also tried applying oils directly on skin such as coconut oil, jojoba oil, sunflower oil but I feel they’re not as effective.  Or maybe I have not used them for long as I don’t like the heavy and sticky feeling.  I also tried Human Nature lotion so as to be environment friendly but unfortunately, their lotions doesn't keep my dry skin hydrated for long hours.  I also tried Aveeno lotion but its too sticky for me.

On way, I believe, that helps in keeping skin hydrated and moisturized is drinking plenty of water.  I admit, I am not a fan of drinking water frequently when I was younger which maybe the cause of itchiness on dry skin during cold months.  But now, I no longer experience those.  I try to drink at least 1.5 to 2 liters of water everyday.  It does not only keep you hydrated, it also have lots of benefits in your body.

I hope you will find this blog post useful especially if you’re suffering from a very dry skin in your body.  You may also share your holy grail products in helping you ease dryness and itchiness on your skin.

Human (Heart) Nature Day and Night Moisturizer: A Review

If you could recall from my previous blog, I'm an avid user of Human Heart Nature products.  Their all natural, organic and proudly Filipino made products suits my skin very well.  Just last year and last month, I found another holy grail products from Human Heart Nature.

Having an acne prone and oily skin, I am careful on what I put on my face.  As mentioned in my previous blog post, I listed a few Human Heart Nature products applicable to this skin type.  This time, I am so happy to find a cheaper moisturizer good for my skin type.

I have tried the old formulation of both day and night moisturizer of Human Heart Nature.  I didn't like them as it felt quite thick on my face and it even adds oiliness to it.  This time, I took the risk of trying out first their Night moisturizer.  I thought, if the effect on my face will be the same as the old formulation, at least I'm just at home and about to sleep.  Although I've read in some of the reviews that the Night moisturizer is even best for oily skin.  I'm glad I did try it.  Aside from it is indeed good for oily skin, it even helped in combating my pimples.  I'm so happy! My holy grail!

Because of the nice effect of Night moisturizer, I took again the risk to try the Day moisturizer.  I've been using it for only about a month but I am loving it already.  It is also good for people with oily and acne prone skin.

Both Day and Night Moisturizer have a watery like consistency which makes it absorbed by the skin quickly, no greasy feel.  On the first few days of application though, you will feel that your face is perspiring easily.  I'm not sure why this happens but after your face get used to these, you won't get to experience it anymore.

Since it quickly absorbed by the skin, I sometimes tend to put much of it but still my face doesn't look greasy.  It feels moisturized all day and night.  What I really love about them, aside from I didn't breakout from it, the oiliness on my face is now at bay even until late in the afternoon.  I now seldom use oil control sheet to blot excess oils on my face.  My face feels supple and I know that my face is getting vitamins and minerals essential to keep it healthy.  What's more, the Day Moisturizer is much cheaper than the Cetaphil Moisturizer I previously used.

So if you have oily and acne prone skin and still struggling to find the right moisturizer, then I suggest you try this Day and Night Moisturizer from Human Heart Nature.

Stay beautiful!

Products for Oily Skin

Having an oily skin could be a struggle.  You should watch out every products you put on your face, from facial wash, moisturizer and even up to make up.  Oily face can attribute to having acne breakouts which are common problems to most women.  Me, I have acne prone skin.  In my previous blog, I have enumerated some tips to have a pimple free skin.  This time, I will recommend products that will somehow help keep pimples at bay through minimize the oiliness of your face.  Of course there are a lot of factors affecting acne but having an oily (and unclean) skin initiates the appearance of it.  Through the years (and even until now), I still couldn't completely eliminate the appearance of acne on my face.  But gradually, I have discovered effective products for oily skin which somehow makes my skin behave and pimple free.  Read the products for oily skin I have used below which I personally use and find them effective in being oily free throughout the day.


Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser

When I first consulted a dermatologist, she recommends Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser as part of my regimen in cleaning my face.  I was happy to use this eversince.  The consistency is very light, almost like water yet a small amount can already thoroughly cleanse your face.  It's not bubbly or foamy so it comes in its purest form.  What's best, it does not dry your skin after every use.  Through months of use, I can say that this is really effective in minimizing oiliness of the face all throughout the day.  I have tried using this in combination with an acne toner and oil controlling toner which may also help in keeping my face shine free.  I use this twice daily.


Cetaphil Derma Control Oil Control Foam Wash

It seems that wherever I go, I no longer see Cetaphil Oily Skin Cleanser in the market.  Even in the USA and in Cetaphil's website, there's no longer oily skin cleanser but they have replaced it with Cetaphil Derma Control Oil Control Foam Wash.  So when I asked my relatives to buy Cetaphil moisturizer (to be discussed later) for me abroad, it comes with free Cetaphil Derma Control Oil Control Foam Wash which is very timely as my oily skin cleanser is already about to be empty.  This cleanser is different from the oily skin cleanser in terms of consistency.  As what the name implies, it is more foamy yet still light.  The foam is not like the foam you get from facial wash or soaps.  It is still like watery foam.  When applied to skin, you wouldn't see the foamy effect.  Again, I use this in combination with other products for oily skin which makes it more effective.  This product was also labeled to be specifically formulated for acne prone skin.  But for me, it does not seem to be effective in eliminating acne but it sure does help minimize oiliness on the face.


Human Heart Nature Balancing Face Toner

It is a struggle for me to find a toner that is not drying yet effective in minimizing oiliness on my face.  My derma initially prescribed an acne toner from them.  Though it does help in minimizing oiliness and appearance of acne on my face, it eventually seems drying.  Maybe the Tretinoin cream I use somehow affects the dryness of my face.  And so, my derma replaced it with a clarifying toner.  I find this just a cleanser, not really helping in keeping me shine free and pimple free.  So I tried Human Heart Nature Balancing Face Toner.  I have tried it before but I really didn't use it that long.  But now, after weeks of using it, I can see that my oiliness lessen.  I now seldom use my oil control sheet in keeping the shine away from my face.


Cetaphil Derma Control Oil Control Moisturizer

It is also a struggle for me to find the perfect moisturizer for acne and oily skin.  Before, I tried not to use a moisturizer as I don't want to make my face look shiny.  But then again, I know that moisturizer is essential in keeping my skin healthy.  Besides, I read that having a dry skin will just make your skin produce more oils to moisturize it.  I tried using water-based moisturizer such as Celeteque Dermo Science Facial Moisturizer.  It was ok but since I also experience drying out in some parts of my skin due to the Tretinoin cream I use, this moisturizer is not enough to give "moisture" on those dry areas.  My derma already prescribed me to use Cetaphil moisturizer but it was too expensive that's why I resorted to Celeteque as an alternative.  Because I wasn't too happy with Celeteque, I tried to use Cetaphil moisturizer.  From their website, they offer a lot of moisturizer but I chose the Cetaphil Derma Control Oil Control Moisturizer which is also formulated to be specifically for acne prone skin.  Since I still use Tretinoin cream at night from time to time, I needed a moisturizer that also serves as a sunblock or with SPF content.  This product is just perfect for it.  Initially, I thought this moisturizer is heavy due to its consistency similar to sunblock lotions.  But I was surprised that it was light and absorbs quickly by the skin.  I love how it does not make my face look oily or look liked I really applied a moisturizer immediately after using it.  Similar to the foam wash, I still can't seem to see its effect in minimizing or eliminating acne but it sure does help keep my face shine free.


Human Heart Nature Mineral Powder

I seldom apply make up.  I just put powder and lipstick then I'm good to go.  I find Human Heart Nature Mineral Powder helpful in keeping me shine free all day.  I already mentioned this in my previous blog.  And since I have acne prone skin, this powder does not give me breakouts even if I wasn't able to wash it off at night.  I've been a user of this products for almost 2 years already although I don't consistently use this but I always go back to this product.  And because of the different products I use to combat oiliness on my face, I need not to reapply Human Heart Nature Mineral Powder throughout the day.

So there, from cleanser to make up, I suggested these products for you to try if you have oily skin.  I'm just not sure if all of these products are available here in the Philippines especially those Cetaphil ones.  But if your budget permits, I highly recommend these products.  I don't have perfect skin now as pimples still appears on my face from time to time and I still have pimple marks but using these products have somehow keep my pimples at bay and lessen oiliness on my face.  Let me know if these are effective to you or maybe you can also share the products you use to help minimize oiliness of your face.

NOTE: PICTURES GRABBED FROM THE BRAND'S WEBSITE AND FROM THE INTERNET