Want a "no-frills" body moisturizer that really works? Try AmLactin Moisturizing Lotion, recommended by many dermatologists. It's a 12% lactic acid lotion that is neutralized with ammonium hydroxide to provide a pH of 4.5-5.5. On average, our skin has a pH of 5.5, slightly acidic, which has its benefits: 1) its acidic nature wards off pathogens that cause disease, and the acidity stabilizes the skin's barrier function, and 2) lipids within the skin's structure retain their ability to prevent moisture loss. As a result, lactic acid, an alpha-hydroxy acid, is a natural humectant for the skin.
Trust me, AmLactin works! I use it or the much more expensive prescription 12% Lac-Hydrin (yeah, nutty to spend more than necessary) every night in the dry months. I use it right before I crawl under the covers. I use it on my chest, arms, legs, hands, and feet. It absorbs quickly, so I don't feel all gooey. It has no fragrance, so I can always add on whatever aromatherapy I may want to lull me to sleep.
The lotion sluffs off dead skin cells and keeps nice, fresh skin at the surface, critical for preventing the symptoms of dry skin. What does it do for me? For one thing, my hands are so dry, they crack open in the winter. I get paper cuts with ease. AmLactin really helps. It's a winter essential. I wash my hands obsessively to ward off flu and other viruses, and that is very drying. AmLactin helps me keep my hands from looking (and feeling) embarrassing. It also keeps my heels from cracking open, which is very painful. It ensures my arms and legs don't look like alligator skin - or old skin. I know I'm supposed to use it twice/day, but I don't find it convenient to slather up in the morning.
I really want to try the special Foot Cream, but I've been using plain vanilla AmLactin on my feet, and it really helps. Looking for the foot cream should be my shopping task of the week. My heels have already started to crack.
You can find AmLactin just about everywhere: at Costco, CVS and other drugstores, and online. You can download coupons from the AmLactin Web site. Ounce for ounce, I think Costco has the best price, but with the coupons, who knows?
If you decide to try it, the company recommends you do a patch test on a small, inconspicuous place for a few days to ensure that you are not sensitive to the lactic acid. I'm not - and I never bothered - even though my skin is very sensitive. I love this stuff!
Photo courtesy of AmLactin
omg, CG! When you wrote about cracked heels on your Friday post, I was going to mention Amlactin. I use this for my heels and actually all over my body in the winter time. The best lotion. Only thing is that if your skin is broken, it will sting due to the lactic acid. And it is very sticky on the skin, imo. Even still, a great reasonal price and incredibly effective.
ReplyDeleteMy dermatologist recommended AmLactin a few years ago and I have been using it on my feet and legs ever since! So glad you mentioned this great product!
ReplyDeleteGood old AmLactin! I picked up a bottle just the other day because I noticed I was developing some dry skin patchiness on my elbows. It does a good job of eliminating those dry skin flakes. I just wish it smelled better :-P.
ReplyDeleteDear Charlestongirl, I couldn't agree with you more. We don't have that brand here, but we have a similar one. Actually, when I was in the US last year, I bought a bottle and it's still going strong. It's super effective, just as you said, isn't greasy, and I love that it's fragrance-free too. No fumie interference! Thanks for a perfect review, as usual .
ReplyDeleteThanks C-girl for this little gem. I hate cracked heel, so will be ordering this in for sure.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Joanne
It sounds like it could have saved my skin last winter... When it got cold, my skin got very dry, and I started having this unbearable itch on my legs, and it lasted all winter!! It was just awful, every night I could spend hours scratching, it drove me crazy... it wasn't eczema or anything, just an itch caused by extreme dryness.
ReplyDeleteI tried Eucerin products and they helped, but I couldn't get completely rid of the problem.
Now that I live in Southern California, I doubt it will be so cold, but I'll sure try this brand if I need to!