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Why should I use lotion?

 
Steward of piddlers
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I wanted to take the opportunity to reach out to folks and try to get a better understanding of skincare. I know of people who have lotions for their bodies, face, elbows, left foot, tip of their nose... I might be exaggerating a little bit but you know what I mean. It can seem a little daunting to somebody that isn't in the moisturizing game per se. Please give me an overview, as if this is all new knowledge to me if you could.



Why should I use lotion?

What am I looking for in lotion(s)?

Thank you in advance!
 
Rusticator
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Typically, I don't. I use oils (after washing, before patting dry) and moisturizing soaps. If a spot becomes calloused (elbows, heels...), I use a balm, morning & night. Other than that, I prefer not to trick my skin into thinking it doesn't need to keep taking care of itself.
 
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I, too do not use lotions.  I don't know what is in that stuff.

Olive oil works for me because that is what I have.

Some folks use coconut oil.  I have never bought that so I don't know.

With companies coming out with more and more plant based products there might be something else out there.
 
Carla Burke
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I forgot to say what oils! (Thank you, Anne!)

I love tallow, after it's been thoroughly cleaned, maybe with lavender essential oil, because tallow most closely matches our own natural sebum, and lavender essential oil is both relaxing & healing. If I'm out of that (as in, I haven't made any) hazelnut or argan are the next closest, and absorb very quickly. All are best over damp skin, to give them some moisture to hold in.


The difference between that and the balm I use, is that the balm is any one - or combination of those oils, infused with calendula, plantain, frankincense, and lavender, and firmed up with beeswax.
 
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I dream of making my own lotion. Until then, I do use store bought, but only if my skin is dry, lightly raspy. If I happen to get any animal fat on my hands while cooking, I rub it into my skin. If my skin is actually rough, I use a bit of my salve, before bed. My salve has an olive oil base.
 
Anne Miller
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Our daughter came for the weekend.

While she was here I asked her what she was using on her face as it was literally glowing and the lines on her forehead had disappeared.

She had been paying $150 for a small jar of something from the dermatologist.

She said she had changed to using natural products so I asked what oils was she using.

A friends family raises organic grass fed beef that they make the fat into tallow for a soap.

She also has changed over to using rose hip oil, caster oil and jojoba oil.

Her skin looks so good that I am looking into those too.
 
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Skin conditions are a sign of something wrong in the environment or body.  Seeking out and fixing those is my first priority.   If these are sorted, skin just takes care of itself.

I might use lotion for symptom control or as medicine if it's something where the treatment can be delivered that way.  Sometimes I cannot find the cause like Elephant Elbow in the winter, so I treat the symptoms until I can wear short sleeves and it goes away for a few months.

But just using lotion just because...with no symptoms?  Nah, seems like a waste of time and money.  
 
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I have extremely dry and sensitive skin so adding fat is a must: both to provide some barrier to environmental allergens (dust mites, pollen, and a bunch of others I can't really avoid) and to make up for what other people's bodies produce naturally.

My favorite lotion is some organic food-grade oil (grapeseed oil, olive or canola ) infused with calendula plus any herb that I have in my medicinal cupboard that is known for its skin properties (e.g. comfrey). I make those in Mason Jars, and use them generously for my face and body. Economical (so I won't scrounge), and I figure a short ingredient list of things I'd be willing to eat is a sound strategy.

I'll add beeswax (1 part for 5 parts of  oil) if I want to make it into a balm for chaffed hands, lips, elbows, feet (also a great diaper cream when I had kids in diapers).
 
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