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The Best Lotions For Extremely Dry Skin How To Get Rid Of Dry Skin In Winter K is for Kinky 1
The Best Lotions For Extremely Dry Skin How To Get Rid Of Dry Skin In Winter K is for Kinky 2
The Best Lotions For Extremely Dry Skin How To Get Rid Of Dry Skin In Winter K is for Kinky 3
The Best Lotions For Extremely Dry Skin How To Get Rid Of Dry Skin In Winter K is for Kinky 4
The Best Lotions For Extremely Dry Skin How To Get Rid Of Dry Skin In Winter K is for Kinky 6
The Best Lotions For Extremely Dry Skin How To Get Rid Of Dry Skin In Winter K is for Kinky 1
The Best Lotions For Extremely Dry Skin How To Get Rid Of Dry Skin In Winter K is for Kinky 2
The Best Lotions For Extremely Dry Skin How To Get Rid Of Dry Skin In Winter K is for Kinky 3
The Best Lotions For Extremely Dry Skin How To Get Rid Of Dry Skin In Winter K is for Kinky 4
The Best Lotions For Extremely Dry Skin How To Get Rid Of Dry Skin In Winter K is for Kinky 6

Ash·y (pronounced ˈaSHē/) is an adjective and is defined as “of or relating to ashes” by Merriam-Webster online. Ashy is more commonly known among black people and those with darker skin tones like Indians and Hispanics, for instance, as chalky-colored, dry, flaky skin. Ashiness is not cute. Avoiding ash at all costs is important because once it shows up, you’re already too late to the fight and getting rid of ash now becomes a covert mission (if you’re in public) that can include saliva, asking begging other people for lotion or using chap stick on your knuckles, knees, ankles and heels. This is not at all the business. Add to that skin conditions like sensitivity, psoriasis, atopic dermatitis, irritant eczema, allergic eczema, and keratosis pilaris and you’ve really got a battle on your hands. Luckily, we are ash and itchy skin masters and know just what to do to deal with dry, flaky, “I’m a coal miner on the side” skin from your head to your toes. Here is our guide to the best the best lotions for dry skin during the winter or year round.

KNOW YOUR MOST BASIC “MOISTURIZING” INGREDIENTS

When it comes to finding a moisturizer that works, don’t be fooled by a company slapping the word “moisturizer” or “moisturizing” on the bottle and promising that it will be effective. Knowing which “moisturizing ingredients” the lotions contain is key. What you need to look for to know you’re getting a true moisturizing lotion are:
Humectants – A substance that works to to pull in moisture. Examples: honey, glycerin, urea, hyaluronic acid, alpha hydroxy acids
Natural (or synthetic) oils/fats and/or butters to seal in moisture and smooth your skin. Examples: argan, coconut, jojoba and olive oil (natural), mineral oil, beeswax, petrolatum (synthetic) shea and coconut butter (natural)
Fatty Acids – Natural fats that work by plumping your skin. Example: glyceryl stearate and Stearic Acid

A really good basic lotion will at minimum have at least two of these things. There are a few other ingredients like panthenol and dimethicone or cyclomethicone (silicones help seal in moisture and make lotions feel silky–just like they work hair conditioner) that are often in basic lotions as well, but we find the three above to give the most consistent results. Really good basic lotions we like that contain natural oils are:

Lubriderm Intense Skin Repair Body Lotion
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Petrolatum, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Diazolidinyl Urea

Cetaphil Moisturizing Lotion
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, Macadamia Ternifolia (Nut) Oil, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Panthenol

KNOW YOUR “SPECIALTY” INGREDIENTS FOR EMOLLIENT-RICH LOTIONS

After the basic ingredients which make for a well, really basic lotion, additions to the formulation can take it up a few notches and this is usually where you’ll find your best performing “specialty” lotions.

Ceramides – Natural fats that help to retain that sealed in moisture between skin cells for an extended period. Example: Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6-II, Ceramide 1. (Ceramides are also something people who have chronic dry, itchy skin or eczema often have low amounts of)
*Lactic Acid – An Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) that is made from sour milk, it helps remove dead skin cells bringing brightness to your skin. It also lightly exfoliates skin and treats unevenness and can smooth stretch marks. This is why we love AmLactin lotion so much, remember? (Lactic acid is often listed as Ammonium or Potassium Lactate which is are latic acid salts neutralized with ammonium hydroxide)
*Glycolic Acid – An Alpha Hydroxy Acid (AHA) that is made from sugar cane exfoliates skin, safely removing the outer layer of dead skin cells on the surface and bringing newer, tighter skin to the surface
*Salicylic Acid – A Beta Hydroxy Acid (AHA) that exfoliates skin from the follicle and can help to treat body acne
Vitamins – Antioxidants that help to protect your skin against the elements and sun and helps to boost the elasticity of skin. Example: Vitamins A through E

THE BEST LOTIONS FOR EXTREMELY DRY SKIN (INCLUDING ECZEMA AND PSORIASIS)

If you battle dry, flaky skin or use a lotion that seems to moisturize in the morning but leaves you ashy by night time, then we recommend trying one or a combination of these really great lotions which work for almost everyone* (though we’ve called out in parenthesis any additional benefits we know of). Also, be sure to read Beat Winter Keratosis Pilaris With These 8 Emollient Exfoliating Lotions for more lotions formulated for clearing up bouts of KP.

AmLactin Cerapeutic Alpha-Hydroxy Ceramide Therapy Restoring Body Lotion (Great for body acne, butt acne, stretch marks, unevenness and managing keratosis pilaris)
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, Mineral Oil, Ammonium Lactate, Salicylic Acid, Trolamine, Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3 in Corn Oil), Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6-II, Ceramide 1, Hyaluronic Acid

AmLactin Moisturizing Body Lotion (Great for stretch marks, unevenness and managing keratosis pilaris)
Lactic Acid (Neutralized w/ Ammonium Hydroxide), Light Mineral Oil, Glycerin

Gold Bond Ultimate Restoring Skin Therapy Lotion
Key Ingredients: Hydroxyethyl Urea, Glycerin, Dimethicone, Jojoba Esters, Petrolatum, Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Leaf Juice, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter) Extract (Shea Butter), Ubiquinone (Coenzyme Q10), Ceramide Complex 2, Niacinamide, Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E), Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vitamin C), Retinyl Acetate (Vitamin A)

Cerave Moisturizing Lotion or the thicker and heavier Cerave Moisturizing Skin Cream (Great for all skin and works for Psoriasis and Eczema)
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6 11, Ceramide 1, Hyaluronic Acid, Cholesterol, Petrolatum, Dimethicone

Cerave Renewing SA Skin Lotion (Great for body acne, butt acne, stretch marks, unevenness and managing keratosis pilaris)
Key Ingredients: Glycerin, Mineral Oil, Ammonium Lactate, Salicylic Acid, Cholecalciferol (Vitamin D3), Ceramide 3, Ceramide 6 II, Ceramide 1, Cholesterol, Hyaluronic Acid

Avene TriXera Selectiose Emollient Cream (Great for sensitive skin, dermatitis and skin that responds best to natural oils)
Key Ingredients: Carthamus Tinctorius (Safflower) Seed Oil (Carthamus Tinctorius Seed Oil), Mineral Oil (Paraffinum Liquidum), Glycerin, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil (Cocos Nucifera Oil), Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil (Oenothera Biennis Oil), Dimethicone, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract (Glycine Soja Seed Extract)

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream (Great for eczema, dermatitis, irritant eczema, allergic eczema, and keratosis pilaris)
Key Ingredients: Colloidal oatmeal, Shea butter, Eucalyptus oil, Ceramide

Gold Bond Ultimate Rough & Bumpy Skin Daily Therapy Cream (Great for managing keratosis pilaris)
Key Ingredients: Hydroxyethyl Urea, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter Extract (Shea), Ammonium Lactate (Lactic Acid), Salicylic Acid

Vanicream Moisturizing Cream for Dry, Sensitive Skin and is also available as a lotion (Great for allergies and sensitive skin with and without eczema that needs lot of moisture but can’t take acids or many other additives)
Key Ingredients: Petrolatum, Sorbitol Solution, Propylene Glycol, Simethicone , Glyceryl Monostearate , Polyethylene Glycol Monostearate , Sorbic Acid , BHT
Free of common chemical irritants, fragrance-free, lanolin-free, paraben-free, formaldehyde-free
gluten-free, sulfate-free and phosphate-free

Kate Somerville Eczema Therapy Cream (Great for sensitive skin wtih eczema)
Key Ingredients: Colloidal Oatmeal 1%, Lipid Complex, Blackcurrant Seed Oil, Balloon Vine Extract, Phytessence Wakame (Japanese Kelp)

Eucerin Eczema Relief Body Creme
Key Ingredients: Collodial Oatmeal 1.0% (Skin Protectant), Glycerin, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Glycyrrhiza Inflata Root Extract, Ceramide 3

A NOTE ON COLLAGEN, KERATIN AND ELASTIN

You may have noticed that we didn’t include these three on our list of specialty ingredients. Though these names look good on the outside of a lotion bottle, our research found that the proteins for these ingredients are often too large to soak into the skin and do little sitting on the outside of your skin. Instead, even for mature skin, hyaluronic acid, exfoliants and vitamins (antioxidants) and ceramides are your best bet for that youthful glow.

A NOTE ON ECZEMA, PSORIASIS AND ITHCY SKIN

Calming itchy often needs to be approached in multiple steps with one of them being a soothing bath or skin mask. An Easy Oatmeal, Rosewater And Aloe Eczema Calming Mask and Treating Eczema And Psoriasis With Colloidal Oatmeal And Bentonite

*A NOTE ON ALLERGIES/SENSITIVE SKIN AND SKIN CONDITIONS

Before you start slathering on lotions that contain acids, be sure to do a patch test for a few days on the skin on the inside of your upper arm first and it’s also wise to talk to your doctor about your change up. Also, if you have very sensitive skin, you may not respond well to acids so proceed with caution.

As for your treating your feet and transforming them into silk, click over right this way please to The Best Foot Creams (To End All Those Moments People Mistake You For A Ballerina).

The Model: Alexandria Boddie The Photography: Angel Jordan

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