It is organic, unrefined, not deodorized/bleached, and made without pesticides or hexane. I don't know what hexane is, but I assume it is something you don't want in your coconut oil haha. I don't use it to cook, although I know some people do ingest it in spoonful for skin.
I know that some of you guys don't put any moisturizer at all because it just further irritates your skin. For me, I could NEVER leave my skin without moisturizing. I wouldn't be able to move, will bleed through my skin, and would be in so much pain. I don't know how you guys do it...big hugs.
Past Moisturizers & Notes...university style!
Vaseline
- Works for me when my skin is so cracked that it is painful to move, and oil just doesn't cut it.
- I put a moisturizer first (oil/cream) and then put the Vaseline over it as a seal. This is because I find that instead of moisturizing, Vaseline just seals whatever is under it, so it is difficult to use throughout the day unless I take baths to hydrate my skin again.
-Vaseline also makes my skin hot at times...when my skin is at the Red Juicy Flare-up stage...it just irritates my skin and makes it hot and itchy.
- I hate how sticky it gets...kind of uncomfortable to dress after application.
- Make sure to use the fragrance-free kind.
Emu Oil
- Works for me at any stage really...
- I find that it reduces redness. It is supposed to be anti-inflammatory and help blood circulation.
- A very light oil...not as greasy as I thought it would be. Easy to re-apply throughout the day as it doesn't build up.
- Doesn't sting on open woulds - painless for damaged skin.
- Consistency stays a liquid, so it is difficult to carry around as it tends to leak out of containers and get everywhere. Refrigerated, it becomes thicker and easier to handle.
- Supposed to be fragrance-free, but every brand I've used has had a light poultry-smell.
- It is said to help the skin if ingested, but I've never done this.
- One of my favourite moisturizer. The reason why I choose coconut oil over emu oil is because emu oil is expensive and difficult to find, and I prefer the solid consistency of coconut oil. I also prefer smelling like a tropical goddess over raw chicken.
Shea Butter
- Good barrier moisturizer. I use it on my hands and elbows/knees.
- Difficult to scoop out or spread...it is pretty much a hard-solid unless you really rub it out onto warm skin.
- Doesn't work for me while I'm having a flare-up...it is too hard to spread on broken skin.
- Cannot reapply throughout the day as it builds up very quickly.
- Although it is fragrance-free, it does have a funky smell to it. I don't mind it though, it smells natural.
Olive Oil
- I love using olive oil in my bath.
- Works as a body soap and make-up remover.
- I don't use it as a moisturizer because I find that it is too thick and oily. I also smell like a salad when I do.
- Occasionally irritates my skin and makes it itchy...especially if used on open wounds. Maybe I am slightly allergic.
Cetaphil Lotions
- These lotions are not hydrating at all on damaged skin...they dry out quickly. Also stings on open wounds. Maybe it's the alcohol ingredient.
- Works well on un-damaged skin...like my calf area.
- The Restoraderm line stings...like a lot. More than the regular line.
Cetaphil Barrier Cream
- Keeps moisture in very well, for a long time.
- Thick and difficult to apply. Works very well on my hands...I used this cream during the time that my hands healed significantly.
- Works for me when I have elephant-skin, even if I don't moisturize under it (since it's a barrier cream). You can really see a difference.
- Doesn't sting on open wounds.
- Contains Shea Butter.
- Builds up very easily.
Eucerin Original Moisturizing Creme
- Works for me during those painful flare-ups where the skin becomes cracked and it is painful to move...as it doesn't sting on broken skin.
- It is really thick, the consistency is between regular cream and Vaseline.
- Difficult to spread, like Vaseline. Especially when skin is flaky.
- Lasts a long time.
Kenkay Skin Relief
- Favourite cream.
- Works for me after the red hot stage of a flare-up, when the skin is a little less calm
- Very easy to spread...soft. Absorbs pretty well into the skin, so it doesn't build up as fast.
- Doesn't sting on open wounds.
- I prefer the lotions over the creams (pumps over tubs) because it is not as thick. It also has one less ingredient than the creams...so I figured that is one less ingredient to potentially irritate my skin.
Curel Itch Relief Lotion
- More like a cream than lotion...very hydrating and lasts a long time.
- Doesn't relieve itching so much.
- Stings a little on open wounds, but goes away in a hot second.
- Builds up quite easily. I think it's the Shea Butter inside.
- Not sticky at all, very comfortable to use under clothing.
- I would say this is my favourite lotion, but every time I've used this lotion it has lead me to a flare-up. I don't know if it is because of the lotion, or if it would have happened anyway. It has definitely given me many calm months before each flare-up, but I am staying away from this lotion for now.
Aqueous Cream
- Another good non-irritating cream. Just remember to get the SLS-free kind.
- When my skin is good enough to take showers instead of baths, I use this as my soap because it is easy to spread and inexpensive. Also doesn't make the shower area oily and dangerously slippery like after I use olive oil.
So if you're wondering what moisturizers I recommend, here is my answer. I use different oils/creams during different stages as my skin heals. Just because one kind is working extremely well on your skin, no matter how exciting I get that I found something that works...I make sure not to go buy boxes of it because the next moment my skin may react badly to it. In a nutshell though, I prefer using oils (currently coconut oil) when I don't have to go outside, and can stay at home being a shiny, greasy mess. If I have to go out though, I use the medium-thick creams, like Kenkay's Skin Relief or Curel's Itch Defense Lotion.
Positive thought of the day: I have always loved crafts. I've never had the time to stay home and let my creativity take me somewhere, because of my other priorities like school and being social. Recently, I've taken my dusty old craft box out, and started on some projects! Very relaxing and therapeutic! It's a fun activity where you can express yourself, without having to move around :)
