Moisturizer Question

Nurses General Nursing

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What do you suggest as a good moisturizer? Is glycerin a good moisturer or does it just dry out the skin in the end?

Thank you.

Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.
For work or home Vicky? Makes a difference in my response.

Actually, I am preparing my lecture on skin and I am a bit confused about all the conflicting advice on moisturizers. Textbooks are very nonspecific. Different dermatologists recommend different products.

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.
Cocoa Butter is the best! It reduces scars, blemishes, stretch marks (pregnant woman love it!), etc. Plus it leaves your skin baby soft. I like the smell too (they sell scentless too). My dogs love the chocolate scent and so does my boyfriend, LOL. :)

At a facility I worked in years ago, one of the doctors loved cocoa butter and had it prescribed for all of his long-term care patients. I agree, I love the smell. Plus, it is very inexpensive :)

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.
Glycerine is extremely drying. Look at the mouths of patients that have been using the old stand-by: lemon-glycerine swabs.

Look for something either with cocoa butter or even shea butter. Some of the newer ones are olive oil based.

Thanks. That agrees with a lot of my sources. Apparently, glycerin doesn't add moisture to the skin; it merely pulls moisture from surrounding structures into the skin (kind of the way a glycerin suppository works in the lower bowel :imbar :eek: ). Most don't recommend glycerin for that reason. I am learning so much preparing all these lectures!

Thank you all for all of your help and support :kiss

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.
i like cetaphil for reaallly dry skin and Avalon organic botanicals (lavender) for everyday, man does it smell good!

I've never tried cetaphil, but some of the dermatologists recommend it for eczema.

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Specializes in Gerontological, cardiac, med-surg, peds.
what area of the body we talking about here?

Any area, you name it, the whole 20 square feet :chuckle. I especially would like recommendations for pruritus, dry skin, urticaria, and eczema. Thank you for all of your advice and suggestions. This has been a great help.

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as I see it, creams/lotions come in different categories. As for quality -- if it is referenced in you pharmaceutical compendium type manual, it has therapeutic value. Moisturizers are more likely to work if applied on damp skin after cleansing. Only some products can penetrate the skin (and thus have therapeutic value). Some emolients or oils used in moisturizers (such as mineral oil) are incapable of penetrating the skin and just sit on top of it and stay greasy. Any product containing alcohols (especially those with it in the first ingredients) are drying. Products containing alpha hydroxy acids, lactic acid and uric acid (or other kinds of exfolients) are great for rough dry skin, but can be irritating to delicate skin -- Uremol and lac-hydrin lotions are great. If the skin is itchy and irrited you need to use a product that has soothing ingredients (such as oatmeal).

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Specializes in Case Management, Home Health, UM.
Eucerin cream is my favorite!

Ditto. Especially the Anti-Itch Moisturizing Spray. It has been a LIFESAVER, during these cold, dry winter months! :)

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This is going to sound weird. I like the Body Shop's Hemp line. The hand protector is for dry to very dry skin. They also have a face cream. I love the stuff, it's the first thing I've found that really, really works for my skin. The smell is mild.

The only problem is there is a picture of a leaf on the front. My oldest son (the one who was dabbling in drinking and drugs a while back) saw it, held it in front of my face and said "Mother, what are you doing???!!!" Had to explain that the hemp isn't used THAT way for everything.

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Hey cybercat, I like the bodyshop's body butter lines. They are creams, not lotions. A couple of the products do not have a strong scent like the shea cream.

I used have really horrible feet from years of work and hiking outdoors in heavy boots. Thick calluses that even pumicing didn't help much. I used the body butter religiously on them and this is the best my feet have ever looked. The calluses softened up, the skin feels very soft. I think they might be too thick for summer use, but they've been a blessing this winter.

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Clinique Body Butter, Aveeno lotion, Eucerin, Nivea, and Bath and Body Works "Look Ma New Hands."

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Specializes in Family.

Shea butter is awesome!

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I have worked with a wound care specialist who does homne visits. Every patient he sees with extremely dry skin, where ever it is he suggests olive il straight from the kitchen cupboard. He suggenst this because it not only moisturizes well, but there is no fragrence to be offensive, no additives to be allergic to and it is very inexpensive for those watching a budget, (like our seniors):)

Let me know whow it works. I have also heard through the grapevine that anything with Shea butter is very good.

Terri (in cold Michigan)

What do you suggest as a good moisturizer? Is glycerin a good moisturer or does it just dry out the skin in the end?

Thank you.

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