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

Care for Your Dry Feet

How are you protecting your feet from the ravages of winter? My poor feet were very cold when I finally finished digging out yesterday. I'm sure that cold exposure will translate into severe dry and cracking skin, so I have already started the "treatments."

My heels crack on the edges (check out ePodiatry.com for what causes cracked heels). Others get calluses or painfully dry skin. What to do?

I start with a lactic acid product at night (AmLactin from Costco or the drugstore [AmLactin even makes a foot cream] or the prescription Lac-Hydrin) work well. With a lactic acid concentration of 12%, these products have enough active ingredient to slough off the flaky skin and prevent more dessication.

Then, I go into overkill by using a second, very emollient, rich cream or gel over any cracks. I cover them with a bandage. They hurt and it's important to avoid infection. Eucerin's Aquaphor works well (actually, so does petroleum jelly) to cover my heel cracks. I just try to keep something gentle and healing on top of the cracks.

I have read that a good soak in epsom salts is a good idea, but I don't have that kind of time. Additionally, I think it's a good idea to avoid hot water when your skin is severely dry.

I'm not a fan of mechanical buffing, so I steer clear of foot files and other instruments of torture. The opportunity to damage your skin is too great. I will use scrubs in the tub or shower, though. I'm just not sure their benefit is more than superficial.

How do you take care of your feet in the winter?

Photo courtesy of clinicarea.info/foot-care

AmLactin 12% Moisturizing Lotion

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, skin has a pH of 5.5, which is slightly acidic and has 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) every night before I go to bed. 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 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! I get paper cuts with ease. The treatment really helps and is essential in the winter if I don't want my skin to crack open (I do want to keep washing my hands obsessively to ward off flu and other viruses). It keeps my feet from callusing, and that's a good thing because I am always barefoot in my house, and with a bunion (thank you, Mom and Dad, for that hereditary bone disorder), shoes can rub the wrong way. It keeps my arms and legs from looking like alligator skin.

It's not "natural," and does have the usual suspects in it (for example, parabens). I am willing to overlook that because it's so effective.

You can find it at Costco ($16.89 for 16.9 oz), 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.

If you decide to try it, do so on a small place for a few days to ensure that you are not sensitive to the lactic acid.

Photo courtesy of Costco.