Scales for Skin

I didn't mention the development of my reptilian skin in my last post because although dry skin is apparently a pregnancy symptom it's an every winter symptom for me so I'm used to it. I will say that this winter is worse than most though - I have to attribute that to my babies sucking the moisture out of me on the daily.

I currently use 6 different kinds of lotion as a part of my morning routine now. It's almost comical.

I use Rodan and Fields products and Mary Kay products for my face and neck. (Don't worry, I won't try to push any of them on you.) I start with an acne face wash regimen that includes a toner, anti-acne cream and moisturizer as part of the set. Now before you go yelling at me for using acne products which are notorious for drying out your skin let me just tell you that these products are the lightest, gentlest products I've ever used, and they actually work! They do not leave me feeling dried out, red and itchy like every other acne regimen I've used in the past. However, the moisturizer from this set just isn't enough to get me through the day without feeling like my face is going to crack off. I use a light moisturizer by Mary Kay from their botanical line around my eyes, brows into my hair line, and my entire neck. Then I go in with my intense moisture lotion from Mary Kay. It is thick, like icing thick. I dab it around any area that feels especially tight on my face and neck.

Then I move on to my torso - I use a body butter that is specifically marketed to the prego variety of women because it's supposed to minimize the effects of stretch marks. That might be a load of hocus pocus but I put it on my entire torso (minus my arms) and hips because it is THICK and keeps me moisturized throughout the day. If I walk out of this pregnancy without stretch mark scars I'll call it a bonus.

I don't use the body butter on my arms because it's so thick it almost feels sticky and it smells like honey nut cheerios to my pregnant nose and I don't really want to be smelling it on my arms all day. I use a lavender/cedar wood (sounds like a weird combo but it smells so good) lotion on my arms. I get my elbows extra good.

On my legs I use Jason brand coconut oil lotion. I found it several years ago when I had really bad poison ivy. It was the only lotion that didn't cause a worse reaction and I've been buying it ever since. In years past I was using Alex's Old Spice body wash. After my bout with poison ivy my dermatologist wanted a list of all the products that touched my skin. He said body washes like that are so harsh it's like rubbing sand paper on your skin - yikes. He told me to moisturize my skin starting in the shower so after much research I bought the Jason brand coconut oil body wash. It makes a world of difference. I don't know why I didn't think of that before. (I buy Jason brand on Amazon. Some stores carry it but it's cheaper on Amazon. The lotion is on subscription to ship every other month so it saves us a few more bucks here and there).

My co-workers got me some bath salts and bubble bath (and the lavender/cedar wood lotion I use every morning). I was hesitant to try them because my skin is so sensitive. I took a bath a couple weeks ago and I kid you not, I didn't need to put lotion on my legs afterwards. They felt so silky smooth and moisturized and I had zero allergic reaction! It was a triumphant moment. I don't take baths too often but I think I'll start taking one weekly now. The added moisture stayed on my skin for several days. And it all smells really good too without being overly floral or in your face.

And lastly, I drink lots of water. I can tell a difference in my skin on the days where I don't get enough water in. My daily aim is about 64 ounces. Some days I far exceed that and other days I struggle to get more than 32 ounces in. Just ask my mother. She is constantly shoving a water bottle in my face when I'm with her.