AmLactin Moisturizing Lotion - It's That Time of Year

We've been talking about the winter flakes. There's a simple solution, and it's as close as your local drugstore.

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