WHAT YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR IN A BODY LOTION

WHAT YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR IN A BODY LOTION

People with autoimmune diseases have a particularly hard time keeping their skin moisturized and protected. And people with Sjogren's Syndrome have an even harder time because their body doesn't produce moisture to start with.

All of the options in the moisturizer aisle can seem overwhelming. They all make claims about what they will do for you. But there are particular ingredients you need to look for. I don't like to just go by advertising or word of mouth. I want to know what is in any products I use and they science behind it. I suppose that is because my Father was a chemist who worked until he retired at Proctor and Gamble. He often discussed with me the products that they made and why they were superior to others at the time. When I was a teenager, I actually tested out some of their products before they were on the market as a volunteer.

The following information on the difference between creams, lotions, and ointments come from the website of the National Eczema Association. They have a list of approved moisturizers there.

OINTMENTS

Ointments are semi-solid greases that help to hydrate the skin by preventing water loss. Petroleum jelly has no additional ingredients, whereas other ointments contain a small proportion of water or other ingredients to make the ointment more spreadable. Ointments are very good at helping the skin retain moisture but they are often disliked because of their greasiness.

CREAMS

Creams are thick mixtures of greases in water or another liquid. They contain a lower proportion of grease than ointments, making them less greasy. A warning: creams often contain stabilizers and preservatives to prevent separation of their main ingredients, and these additives can cause skin irritation or even allergic reactions for some people.

LOTIONS

Lotions are mixtures of oil and water, with water being the main ingredient. Most lotions do not function well as moisturizers for people with dry skin conditions because the water in the lotion evaporates quickly.

Ingredients

Ingredients fall into three categories. Humectants such as glycerin and urea absorb water from the air and hold moisture in the skin. Other humectant ingredients to look for are hyaluronic acid, alpha-hydroxy acids, sorbitol, propylene glycerol, and sodium lactate. Emollients like mineral oil, lanolin and petrolatum fill spaces between skin cells to replace lipids and smooth and lubricate the rough skin. Other emollients to look for are jojoba oil, isopropyl palmitate, propylene glycol linoleate, squalene and glycerol stearates.Occlusives such as petroleum jelly and cocoa butter, are oily substances and they form a film on the top of skin which seals in cracks and prevents moisture from escaping.

Water: This is the main ingredient of moisturizers, and it serves to carry oil-based ingredients onto and into the skin, but oil-based ingredients also help lock water into the skin

Ceramides

Ceramides are waxy lipid molecules that are found in skin cell membranes that help prevent moisture loss. They are involved in things like programmed cell death of cells. Ceramides in your moisturizer will help maintain and repair your skin barrier, so that moisture stays sealed in and it helps your body's natural moisture defenses. That is especially important for people who have eczema and psoriasis because studies have found that they have fewer ceramides than people who have normal healthy skin.

Ceramides

Cerave, as the name implies has ceramides in it. It also has Dimethicone, Hyaluronic Acid, Glycerine.

If you follow this link you can get a coupon for it from their website: Cerave Coupon The Itch Relief type also contains Pramoxine Hydrochloride which is an external analgesic, Shea Butter, Tasmannia Lanceolata Fruit Extract,

Curel says it has a proprietary ceramide-rich formula.

The effect of ceramide-containing skin care products on eczema resolution duration.

Peptides

Peptides are chains of amino acids. Amino acids include the 22 proteinogenic ("protein-building") amino acids, that combine into peptide chains ("polypeptides") which form the building-blocks of proteins. In this case, the peptides and amino acids are involved in building proteins in the skin.

Products that contain short chain amino acids can penetrate the top layer of skin and stimulate the cell production.

Collagen is an important protein in skin. It is involved in the thickness and pliability(stretchiness) of skin. Collagen breaks down for things like environmental factors (sun and stress, chemical exposure) and age. This causes wrinkles. Peptides stimulate the production of collagen thereby reducing wrinkles

Elastin has the ability to stretch and return to its original length—like a spring or rubber band. Elastin is the major component of ligaments (tissues that attach bone to bone) and skin. In people who have connective tissue disease, it is common for collagen and elastin to become injured by inflammation. So if you have MCTD or SLE Lupus or Sjogren's Syndrome, Scleroderma, Rheumatoid Arthritis, or Psoriatic Arthritis your collagen is probably not functioning properly.

Connective Tissue Disease

If a product has that in it, it's probably something we could use.

St. Ives Timeless Skin Collagen Elastin Facial Moisturizer

Hyaluronic Acid

Hyaluronic Acid works by binding to moisture. It can hold up to 1,000 times its weight in water, making it an excellent natural skin plumper. Hyaluronic acid helps your skin repair and regenerate itself after suffering from dryness, environmental stresses, or irritation. It helps the collagen and elastin in your skin stay moist and helps it to keeps it elasticity. It is also lightweight and isn't oily, which is good if you are acne-prone.

Fatty Acids

Fatty acids come in things like Olive oil, avocado, almond oil, and shea butter which are essential fatty acids that help lock in moisture. Your body needs fatty acids for fuel to do things like produce moisture. But it doesn't produce it on its own, so you have to either ingest it or apply it topically. Foods that have Omega-3 fatty acids in them are things like salmon, mackerel, walnuts, soy, flaxseed, and safflower oil. I take a supplement that combines fish oil, flaxseed oil and borage oil in it.

Glycerin

Glycerin is a simple polyol compound derived from sugar alcohol. It is colorless and odorless. Glycerin and glycols help to retain water in a product, in hair or the top layers of skin by drawing moisture in and then retain it. Glycerin can actually absorb moisture from the air.

Ethylhexyl glycerin

Ethylhexyl glycerin (oct oxy glycerin) is a topical skin care ingredient and deodorizing agent, often indicated as a conditioning ointment in the treatment of eczema. As its name suggests Ethylhexyl glycerin is made using glycerin.

Sodium PCA,

Sodium PCA is used in lotions and hair care products because it is naturally in skin cells and it binds to water in cells and that means it is great for water absorption.

Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides

Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides is a mixed triester derived from coconut oil and glycerin. It comes in the form of an oily liquid and is sometimes mistakenly referred to as fractionated coconut oil. Caprylic mainly works as an emollient, dispersing agent and solvent.)

Piroctone Olamine

Piroctone Olamine is used to treat skin conditions and dandruff. It is an antifungal.

Licochalcone

Locochalcone is a molecule contained in licorice root extract which helps control oil production and is anti-bacterial as well as anti-inflammatory. In short, it helps calm and soothes skin.

Dimethicone

Dimethicone is used as a moisturizer to treat or prevent dry, rough, scaly, itchy skin and minor skin irritations (e.g., diaper rash, skin burns from radiation therapy). It softens and moisturizes the skin and decreases itching and flaking.

Triethanolamine (TEA)

Triethanolamine (TEA)This emulsifier helps to blend the oil/water mix that makes up moisturizer.

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is usually in the form of retinol or retinoic acid in moisturizers. It is anti-aging. It works by stimulating collagen production, which fills in lines and wrinkles

Vitamin C & vitamin E

Vitamin C & vitamin E are antioxidants and they help repair cellular damage caused by sun, pollution and free radicals that are created during oxygenation.

Magnesium Aluminum

Magnesium Aluminum Silicate is a naturally occurring mineral derived from refined and purified clay that is used primarily as a thickener in cosmetics and beauty products. It is an off-white powder used in the pharmaceutical manufacturing process as an absorbent; anticaking agent; opacifying agent; slip modifier; and an aqueous viscosity increasing agent. But magnesium is considered as ”the mineral of beauty” in traditional Chinese medicine. Magnesium deficiency results in lower levels of fatty acids on the skin. This results in less elasticity and moisture and that, in turn, causes dryness and inflammation. If you take magnesium to boost the levels in your cells, it helps protect the cells and detoxifies them and encourages healthy skin tissue growth. It helps in DNA replication and repair. It also prevents free radical damage and inflammation.

In a 2007 study cited in the “American Journal of Clinical Nutrition,” Magnesium was discovered to help reduce inflammation caused by an excess amount of E-selectin and C-reactive protein.

When the skin is injured or damaged or when acne-causing bacteria enter the skin, E-selectin is produced. This results in acne inflammation. Magnesium helps reduce E-selectin’s effects and prevents the inflammation.

Magnesium aluminum is sometimes called Kaolin or China Clay.

At the Skin Store website I found this:

“Kaolin (also know as China clay, hectorite or magnesium silicate) is a naturally occurring soft clay. In cosmetics, kaolin helps to cleanse and exfoliate dead skin cells and debris from the surface. It adds absorbency, texture, and bulk to cleansers.

...Because it’s safe nature and has great absorbency and soothing properties, it’s quite the popular ingredient in formulas designed to purify

Kaolin wages war on acne and breakout-prone skin by improving the skin’s balance and decreasing levels of pore-clogging oils, dirt and toxins. General skin inflammation, caused by the usual environmental factors can also be addressed with kaolin cleansers. Kaolin increases circulation to the impacted areas of skin, helping to stimulate healing and to reduce irritation. Using a cleanser that contains kaolin prior to applying makeup can help to control oil production and prevent unwanted shine.”http://www.skinstore.com/blog/skincare/beauty-glossary-kaolin/

Eczema is associated with a magnesium deficiency. If you have a deficiency of magnesium your body will produce histamines. Those histamines will cause you to be itchy and have red blotches or hives on your skin. They are caused by blood vessel swelling that causes fluid to leak into the skin and other tissues.

Taking supplements gives some people diarrhea. But if you can take it, it helps avoid kidney stones and calcification in the joints too. It also good for circulation and high blood pressure. Doses less than 350 mg daily are safe for most adults. When taken in very large amounts, magnesium is POSSIBLY UNSAFE. Large doses might cause too much magnesium to build up in the body, causing serious side effects including an irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, confusion, slowed breathing, coma, and death. Magnesium strengthens bones; maintains nerve and muscle function; regulates heart rhythm and blood sugar levels, and helps maintain joint cartilage.http://www.arthritis.org/living-with-arthritis/treatments/natural/vitamins-minerals/guide/magnesium.php

I know some people apply magnesium oil directly to their skin. But I don't know about the safety of it.

Vaseline, Intensive Care, Cocoa Radiant, With Pure Cocoa Butter, Non-Greasy Lotion is one of my stand-bys. It has Glycerin, Triethanolamine, Dimethicone, magnesium aluminum, shea butter and cocoa butter in it. And of course vaseline.

Eucerin Calming Cream and the Eucerin Eczema Relief Body Creme is good lotion it has Oatmeal, Ceramides, Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides, Castor oil, Piroctone Olamine, Licochalcone, Ethylhexylglycerin.

                          "Moist" Is A Disgusting Word - Here's Why

SUNSCREENS

After you have considered all of the other ingredients, don't forget the sunscreen. You need an SPF of at least 30. I happen to think people with Lupus SLE and Sjogren's should use the highest they can get. If it isn't in your moisturizer, you may have to use a separate one. I have some for sensitive skin that I use and that have pretty high SPFs.

Neutrogena, Ultra Sheer Sunblock Body Mist Spray, SPF 100+

Coppertone Sensitive Skin SPF 50 Lotion

Coppertone Sensitive Skin Faces Sunscreen with SPF 50

I haven't tried it but just by virtue of the fact that it also hydrates this one seems promising.

Aveeno Protect + Hydrate Lotion Sunscreen With Broad Spectrum Spf 50 For Face, Sweat Resistant

And since I know the spray on is good, I might try these:

Neutrogena Sensitive Skin Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 60+

Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer For Sensitive Skin With Broad Spectrum Spf 30 Sunscreen

A facial moisturizer with an SPF 50 seems like a pretty good idea. I love my Oil of Olay products, but as far as SPF is concerned, I think this is the highest SPF. Olay Complete Daily Defense All Day Moisturizer With Sunscreen SPF30 Sensitive Skin

If you have ever given birth then you are probably familiar with Palmer's Cocoa Butter products for stretch marks. But they make products for your face now and they are excellent. If they can help with stretch marks they have got to be doing something right. If you compare the ingredients to the ones listed above, you can see that they are very good for your skin. And I have some of them and they worked pretty well. I used the serum and day cream in the day and the night cream, obviously at night during a time that my face was super dry.

They have an SPF 15. Some of them say they promote collagen production and they contain antioxidants, a peptide complex, and vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C and E. It depends on the individual product. Among other ingredients they contain, Hydrogenated Palm Glycerides, Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa)Seed Butter, Dimethicone, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Flower Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Hydrolyzed Milk Protein, Glycerin, Triethanolamine. The night cream contains Natural Cocoa Butter, Retinol and Antioxidant Vitamin E.

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Skin Perfecting Moisturizing Day Cream With SPF 15

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Formula Moisture Rich Night Cream

Palmer's Cocoa Butter Rejuvenating Facial Serum

They also have a gel oil for the body with an SPF 15 and cocoa butter, vitamin E, shea butter, jojoba oil. Palmer's Formula Moisturizing Gel Oil, Cocoa Butter, SPF 15

Last but not least I just discovered a new moisturizer line that sounds interesting. Garnier SkinActive Moisture Bomb “WATER-LIGHT FORMULAS. ANTIOXIDANT-PACKED HYDRATION.

Including formulas that feature goji berry and pomegranate, our refreshing gel cream, SPF 30 lotion, and all new super hydrating sheet masks blast dryness away, flooding skin with long-lasting hydration for a softer, healthier-looking complexion.”

Lupus, The Skin & Hair - Dr Abby Macbeth