Summer Skin Care: Part Two: Body Care
Body care is something that has become very well established for me over the years, and I do not feel any real need to change my formula; it works for me. As my skin and hair change, I swap products in and out, but this process often takes years; I only alter things when I feel there is a need.
My summer skincare obsession did not therefore impact much on my bodycare routine, except to add in a couple of new trial products. I figured the space between writing about my summer skincare journey, and finding out the end results of my trials, would be a good time to add in some comments about caring for myself.
As I mentioned in my last blog about skincare, Despite having always taken some care of my skin, sunscreen and Vitamin D (either/or) were never considered much of a need in the UK when I was young. We were told to wrap up in the winter months, and get out and “let the sun onto our skin, get our Vitamin D up” in the summer months. So there many younger British women were, in the 1980s, slapping on baby oil in the summer sun instead of SPF to deepen our very desirable tans. Overlaying this (dated and rather terrifying) nationwide approach, my Nanna strongly believed we should all be presentable, wear clothes that were smart and beautiful, and do something with our faces; she (even still now) considers this the best way to keep your skin beautiful. I realised some years later that she’s probably right; one of the things UK foundations DO usually contain is sunscreen; usually between SPF15 and SPF30, but sometimes as high as SPF50. In a country where sunscreen was something you bought for your luggage to go to a ‘hot’ country on holiday, my Nanna was using SPF throughout her daily basic skincare, and encouraging all of us to do the same.
I did not realise what was happening when I entered early menopause, or perimenopause, at around 40 years old. With some of my health issues, I was aware this could happen, but there was no reason to think that it definitely would, and so you just continue living and do not worry about the consequences. With maturity and the menopause my skin became more and more dry; again I had no idea what the cause was, and initially thought that my eczema was spreading. My skin is driest on my calves, which began to regularly itch and peel. One of the most depressing effects was that products that I had always used and loved, no longer suited my skin.
I began using Aqueous Cream instead of shower gel on my skin when bathing to try and ease the painful effects of the dryness. While I have not used Aqueous Cream for a couple of years now, I would return to it like a shot if my skin broke back out to this extent and soreness. It was advised by my doctor, is incredibly cheap, completely pure, and was the beginning of my affinity with heavier creams and products. Anything with a gel like consistency irritates me and struggles to soak into my skin barrier; I much prefer very luxurious, rich cream with a decent weight.
Another example of a cream I loved for many years (for my face this time) was Liz Earle’s Skin Repair Rich Cream. I could never be without a pot of this in my house, and that held for years. Each morning, I would slather this on, and as soon as it had soaked in, layer it up with my tinted moisturiser of the moment, black mascara and red lipstick. Unfortunately the formula changed, the original cream moved to a day and night cream, and I began reacting to my most loved product. I would put it on, and it would immediately begin to smell foul as it reacted to my own skin chemistry. I threw out four pots, that was the level of my addiction. I had one in each room. The second my skin began to feel hot and dry throughout the day, I would top up my barrier. I have not used this cream for some years now.
My love of these types of creams have gradually resulted in new preferences. My Cerave Moisturising Cream was the result of another doctor’s recommendation. Others that have been suggested are Cetaphil and Cetraben, though I have not personally tried these. All of these creams are similar to Aqueous Cream in that they are pared down to a very pure, basic form. I have heard products such as E45 be mentioned, but I reacted to that too. Originally, I did not feel this cream was as rich as my Liz Earle, and so I began looking for a replacement. In trialling skincare, I have realised this cream is very rich, but lacks the herbal scent of other creams, and this is what I missed. Unfortunately, I cannot use a heavily scented cream right now, so I have stayed with Cerave for some years now. I use this on face, hands, elbows and dry patches.
On top of the effects of aging, my disability results in some skin-based symptoms. I grow lumps, have skin irritation, eczema patches, and dehydrated areas. I’ve had many internal and external fibroid growths surgically removed. Every product I use really needs to be safe for sensitive skin, and be free of any irritants that affect my skin. I mostly work this out by trial and error; use a sample once (never buy before trying if you can possibly avoid it), leave the sample on a small area for 24 hours, and then see what happens. Antihistamines and shower the area at even the slightest sensation of itchiness.
Around once or twice a week, when I know I will be showering late in the day, I still tint my own skin, but instead of baby oil and sun, I use Dove Moisturising Cream in Medium to Dark in the morning, so it has the day to develop. Even though I am light skinned, I have yellow neutral undertones, and the Fair to Medium does not pack enough punch for me.
Once I have bathed and the Dove is washed off, I liberally apply Garnier Body Intensive. I apply this so liberally that I usually use a towel to rub off any excess. Due to painful joints, I cannot reach my own back properly, so this makes sure I cover spots I cannot reach with my hands.
Another of my go-to products used to be Hemp Hand Cream by the Body Shop. I still absolutely adore this cream, but as my migraines deteriorated, I again began to find the scent too strong for regular use. I used to keep a tube in my handbag still for when I was out, but I began to find the cream turned before I managed to use it, so I don’t do this anymore. Prior to this, I used this cream for my hands, elbows, occasional dry patches, and on my feet overnight with cotton socks to help the moisture soak in.
I have not yet found a great replacement for this, but I still have my Cerave, and so I do not find it urgent to search for a replacement. The cream on my wish list is O’Keeffe’s Working Hands, as I know from past experience that this cream is very rich and also effective. I will probably also try out Palmers Foot Cream at some point, as you cannot beat a good foot cream with cotton socks at night for lovely feet…
Finally, there is one product that I have used for YEARS AND YEARS. This is the same product I used when I was both 19 and when I was in my 40s. Unfortunately, it is expensive, does not last long enough, and the original formula has recently been discontinued. It is of course The Body Shop Nail Almond Oil. I have very weak and brittle nails that are prone to splitting, so I apply this all over and rub it in with a cotton swab. I then repeat. This way, I basically reinvented my own fingernails over the years. Now that the formula has changed, I am considering mixing my own nail oil, because I cannot cope without an oiled nail brush.
I think that is enough product talk for now; I could write just as much about my hair care and make up, though I do not very often wear it anymore, I am now building a new set for my menopausal skin. I may cover this in a later blog. Next instalment will be the findings from my Korean skincare foray.
