No More Arm Bumps? Awesome!

Hi everyone! It's been a busy summer hasn't it? Have you been neglecting your skin? No no, not the skin on your face, but your body??? All those scrubs and lotions and the sunblock/sunscreen I know everyone has been slathering on: well, if you're like me, you can get little bumps on your arms or legs. It's annoying.

I was first turned on to this little potion by the lovely Cora of VintageOrTacky.com (HI CORA!!!) and at the very next opportunity I rushed to the store to get myself my own bottle.

Enter in CeraVe Renewing Lotion. A body lotion with salicylic acid, ceramides and vitamin D (as per the bottle). The Salicylic Acid helps break down and improve the "slough off" factor of your skin, improving the texture slowly. Which is the real key. If you scrub and scrub and scrub your skin raw, you are going to have softness for about an hour, but then the roughness comes right back because you've scratched the surface of your skin. Literally. Breaking down the cells slowly and evenly improves the texture overall and for a longer run.

I've only been using it for about 2 weeks, every other night because frankly, I forget. It's been hot and the thought of putting anything on my skin that wasn't icy-chilled was an abysmal thought. I have noticed a reduction in the bumpies on my arms and my elbows seem to be softer, score!!

Now, this stuff does not come cheap. The 8 oz bottle (above) cost me about $16 with taxes and that's at a regular box store (Wal-Mart). Ouch. Fortunately, a little goes further than you'd think. One short pump and I was able to saturate my entire arm and it absorbs fairly quickly. 

Because it's a chemical exfoliant, using the CeraVe before bedtime is optimal. There's very little scent, so there's no real risk of offending yourself or a loved one. I'm betting you could probably layer on a nighttime lotion (your Lavenders, your Chamomile scented lotions) but I would use them sparingly. You don't want to negate the good stuff in the CeraVe.

The following day, you can use your regular lotion (I recommend Alba Botanica Very Emollient Body Lotion) but it's my opinion that you should also be adding sunscreen to your regimen. You can knock both off by using Lubriderm Daily Moisture Lotion with SPF 15.

Whatever you do, treat your skin well, it's got to last you for your life!

For those of us in Winter mode

Dry skin is vexing many of us this time of year. Scales appearing on your hands or legs can send a girl into an apoplectic search for MOISTURE!

I've found a terrific source, Alba Botanica Very Emollient body lotion (unscented original) Above you can see the giant bottle I managed to score on clearance one day (woo hoo!!) and beside it is the "old" regular sized bottle (they've since changed the appearance into more of a squared off shape, reminiscent of the Hemp lotions I've seen on the market).

I was first recommended Alba by a professional waxer. She stated that for a less painful Brazilian (yeeeeeeeow does it hurt!) to exfoliate with Dermotologica body exfoliant and then hydrate with Alba. Because Alba contains no parabens (waxes) it's a better hydration for the sensitive waxed areas. At the time, she insisted that it could only be found at specialty stores like Sprouts or Henry's and was retailing for the smaller bottle (on the right) around $15 US give or take.  That's a lot for me to pay for a lotion that was solely for my....um, feminine wiles. However I've been able to find both the new bottles and the large bottles at Target and Wal-Mart well under the $15 price tag from the specialty store. Alba does have a website (www.AlbaBotanica.com) which has in it's Contact Us section a link to retailers in several countries.

Once I started using Alba, I couldn't stop! I tried it as a basic lotion all over and was pleased at the quick absorption rate, pleasant non-smell smell (it has a scent because everything has a scent, but it's not overbearing I've found), and most of all the result; smooth hydrated skin that didn't feel sticky!
Added bonuses: 100% Vegetarian Ingredients with No Animal Testing and No Artificial Colors.

Alba can be used whenever needed without greasy after feel all over the body, I've even used it in a pinch as a face moisturizer. It always leaves my skin feeling soft, hydrated and most of all feeling like skin!

What's your favorite winter find for your skin?