Lotions?

[hez]

I know that there are old threads out there about body lotion but I would like the most recent gluten-free options.

Now that cold weather is on the way back my very dry skin is to (it is not dh). What products do people use that are gluten-free and great for severe dry skin?

Thank You

Hez

[dlp252]

I know that there are old threads out there about body lotion but I would like the most recent gluten-free options.

Now that cold weather is on the way back my very dry skin is to (it is not dh). What products do people use that are gluten-free and great for severe dry skin?

Thank You

Hez

I just saw my dermatologist yesterday who told me I have extremely dry skin (news to me)...I asked what super ritch cream she would recommend since I've tried most of the over the counter stuff, and she said Acquafor. So, I bought some yesterday...it's very close to vaseline in consistency, lol. Not sure I can recommend it because I really can't stand the feeling of goopy-ness...I did however, put it on my legs this morning BEFORE I dried off after my shower, then dried my legs. That seemed to work pretty well and didn't leave the strong goopy feeling. As for whether it is gluten-free, I didn't see anything suspect in the ingredients and I did mention gluten sensitivity, so am hoping she gave me good info. I don't have my clan-thompson list to double check though.

[CarlaB]

I like plain coconut oil. My skin is very dry and it helps a lot more than anything I've tried.

Be sure you're eating enough protein and are taking some essential fatty acids, a deficiency in both of those can contribute to dry skin.

[hez]

CarlaB,

I don't mean to be dense but is coconut oil similar to baby oil? Do you put it on after the shower before you dry off? Do you buy it at a health food store? Does it smell and taste like coconut (my dh hates coconut)?

Thanks,

Heather

[CarlaB]

CarlaB,

I don't mean to be dense but is coconut oil similar to baby oil? Do you put it on after the shower before you dry off? Do you buy it at a health food store? Does it smell and taste like coconut (my dh hates coconut)?

Thanks,

Heather

The refined stuff doesn't smell much at all. I don't think it tastes like coconut, I eat it all the time and have never thought that. Think movie theater popcorn ... not buttery though!

It comes in the food section of the health food store in jars that look like glass peanut butter jars. I put it on right after I dry off, but you could put it on wet. The reason I put it on when I'm dry is that it's usually solid. I keep it in a bowl on the bathroom counter and blow it for a few seconds with the blow dryer and it liquifies.

I also use it for about everything in the kitchen. It's great stuff and good for you.

[Turtle]

Are all coconut oils gluten-free or do you have to watch the labels on that too??

Does it come in an oil form too or just the kind you described Carla where you have to blow dry it to get it to liquify?

Also, Carla didn't you mention using coconut oil in your hair too?? Can you elaborate a bit on that too?

Thanks!!

[CarlaB]

You don't necessarily have to blow it with the blow dryer. It will liquify in your hands, too. It's usually solid at room temperature as it's a saturated fat. I find that when it's warmer out and maybe a couple degrees warmer in my house, it's liquid. You can also put it in a sink of hot water if you want to melt the whole jar.

All plain coconut oils are gluten-free. I've never seen them any other way.

I have used it in my hair. Right now I'm trying out jojoba oil in my hair instead. It's also just a plain pure oil. I just rub it between my hands and put it on much like you would a pomade. Be sparing with either of them or your hair will look greasy! I have long hair and I find it helps a lot with keeping it from getting dried out.

[lorka150]

I use Burt's Bee's Hand Salve and Vaseline for very dry skin.

My skin is extremely dry and more so at this time of year.

[lindalee]

I use Burt's Bee's Hand Salve and Vaseline for very dry skin.

My skin is extremely dry and more so at this time of year.

Have you tried fish oil and/or primrose oil? They help dry skin.

[Mango04]

I like plain coconut oil. My skin is very dry and it helps a lot more than anything I've tried.

Ditto!

[Turtle]

Thanks for all the wonderful suggestions!!

Carla: I'm definately gonna try out the oils on my hair...mine is long, thick, naturally curly when I allow it to be, it gets dry, etc.

Oh and I know all about putting on too much and getting the greasy look! HAHA! I used to work for AVEDA and they have a pomade that if you use too much...HELLO GREASY HEAD!

Gotta run, have a great day!

[Guest nini]

I use Burt's Bee's Hand Salve and Vaseline for very dry skin.

My skin is extremely dry and more so at this time of year.

I thought that Burt's Bee's Hand Salve has gluten in it... am I wrong? I would love to be able to use it, but I swear I thought it had wheat germ in it...

[happygirl]

Due to my multiple food issues, I have started using the gluten free savonnerie lotion. It is very mild and has none of the main allergens. gfsoap.com

[lorka150]

I thought that Burt's Bee's Hand Salve has gluten in it... am I wrong? I would love to be able to use it, but I swear I thought it had wheat germ in it...

nini,

there were a lot of descrepencies here (on the boards) about that. afterwards, i ended up calling and they gave me a confirmed list. it is posted somewhere on here, but the salve is forsure gluten-free (as is the lip balm and lip shimmers, which i use).

[Carriefaith]

I use Vaseline Lotions with no problems. Right now I am using Vaseline Aloe and Naturals Lotion.

[JenKuz]

Have you considered making your own lotions and creams? It's actually not that hard. You need to buy a few specialty ingredients, like stearic acid (a type of wax used as an emulsifier). The rest is whatever oils you want to add. You can control the amount of things like Vitamin E, lanolin, you can use primrose oil and coconut oil. With a bit of research you can completely customize the lotion to your needs. The ingredients are pricey as an initial outlay, but you can make a short ton of creams with the standard amounts, so it really does wind up costing less in the end. Also, it's super, super fun.

My favorite "anti-inflammatory" lotion uses:

Coconut oil

Shea/aloe butter (a combination I bought pre-mixed)

Rose water

Witch hazel

Glycerin

Primrose oil

Vitamin E

Lanolin

Royal Jelly

Nutmeg oil

Stearic acid

Cosmetic grade borax

Rosemary oil (it acts as a preservative if you don't want to use chemical preservatives like paraben)

The process is simple. You melt together the fat-based ingredients, and then you heat the water based ingredients, dissolving in the borax. The ratio should be 60/40, give or take. Then beat the oil-based ingredients in a non-reactive bowl and drizzle in the water. It will whip up into a lovely cream.

One thing to beware of is that you should not put in too much of certain things, or the lotion will be really sticky. Like Vitamin E, glycerin and lanolin; all are sticky. I have a beautiful cream that I can only use on my feet at night under socks, because otherwise, it attracts lint to my skin!

If you want to give it a shot before investing in the more expensive ingredients, you can start with very basic stuff from the grocery store. Instead of using expensive butters, use a plain combination of olive oil and coconut oil. Buy emulsifying wax or stearic acid (you can find them in a lot of pharmacies, or online) and plain borax from the store. Buy vitamin E in capsules. Instead of water, use aloe juice purchased at the grocery store, or rosewater, or brew some green tea, or an herbal tea you like.

You can also buy paraben-based preservatives online. If you decide not to, then you should store most of a batch in the fridge, keeping out only as much as you can use in a week.

And all of it will be gluten-free, guaranteed

[CantEvenEatRice]

Are the St. Ives lotions gluten free? I use the Vanilla and the Intensive moisture, but never checked for gluten.

[hez]

I have no idea about the St Ives products. Who owns them?

Hez

[CarlaB]

Jenkuz, that sounds fun! When I get my energy back, I'll have to try that! You don't happen to be near Cincinnati do you?

[teebs in WV]

I have DH, plus, my skin has become extremely sensitive. My DH is finally under control (after a year of gluten-free diet and Dapsone that I am still taking...). I have tried every over-the-counter brand that I could find (only after checking the label for suspect-ingredients of course). It may just be coincidental, but I have finally stopped switching brands. I have used two bottles in a row of Lubriderm Cocoa and Shea Butter lotion without any problems. It is not greasy and quickly absorbs into my skin.

Hope this helps.

Tracy

[JenKuz]

Jenkuz, that sounds fun! When I get my energy back, I'll have to try that! You don't happen to be near Cincinnati do you?

Oh, it really, really is. I'm afraid I'm down Atlanta-way. But I'm sure you can find some resources around Cincinnati, too. I buy the hard-to-find stuff online. If you're looking for recipes, I go these sites:

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

The last one is also an online store.

It's just exactly like cooking. Like making a custard, or a hollondaise, or a lemon curd maybe, but easier. It comes together in such a satisfying way.

It's also great for handmade gifts; just buy some jelly jars, put some fancy cloth over the lids, include a card with the ingredients, and voila! People love it.

You can also add pumice or sugar and salt to the lotions, for a scrub, or kaolin, for a mask. Use the same ingredients to make lip balms and salves. You can add herbal ingredients to making healing balms for scrapes and scars.

This is getting off topic from lotions and creams, but I also really love to make soaks. Now that seaweed is easier to find in grocery stores, I make seaweed wraps and soaks at home. Since I have terribly irritable skin (probably gluten-related, in retrospect) nothing feels better than wrapping my hands, feet, calves and face in hot, soaked seaweed. Then rinse off and slather on homemade, preservative-free cream, and I feel like a million bucks. Since I'm landlocked and can't access the healing power of the sea very often, this is really the next best thing. And cheaper than a condo on the beach.

[tarnalberry]

I like ShiKai's DrySkin Therapy stuff, or just using some almond oil. Burt's Bees Hand Salve works well for my hands as well, and I keep a tin of that at work.

[connole1056]

I like Burt's Bees lip products too, but haven't used the other products they make. Lame Advertisement has a complete gluten-free list on its website. Some people think the products are expensive, but I do not find them to cost more than other products bought in depatment stores. Plus if you become a consultant, for $30, you can purchase the products for 35% off the retail price and be eligible for other discounts without having to actually do parties and all that!

[BabySnooks]

I use Vaseline Lotions with no problems. Right now I am using Vaseline Aloe and Naturals Lotion.

Hi Carrie,

Do you know anything about Keri lotion? The bottle I have appears to be one of the older design bottles (green and white).

Sharon