Really Dry Skin?

Try Grape Seed oil, a friend told me about it... and I like it :) it's about $ 3.50 for 12oz... just keep in mind A LITTLE GOES A LONG WAY :)

try PURE coconut oil... not the kind found in lotions, but rather the kind you cook with... it's very soothing on the skin and helps slouff off old skin.
Also, try a water filter that takes out the chlorine, we have one on our shower and what a HUGE difference it makes. Prior to having it, after a shower, my skin would (esp my back) would feel dry and itch... once we got that filter.. WOW.......... BINGO....no more itch!!
you can put one on the bath but it may take some adapting it to the faucet.. However, I think it could work..

best of luck

I completely feel your pain, my daughers have been battling this for a long time. The winter is the worst, but it's pretty much all year for us.

One thing that we do, is no washing with soap at bath time. When our pedi first told me not to wash them with soap, I was like "are you kidding?" But he assured me that at that young age, they don't need to be washed with soap, they just need a soak. If you're not comfortable not washing them, you can cleanse them with a non-soap cleanser like cetaphil. I still wash their hair but I make sure they don't sit in the shampoo in the tub. Just clear warm water.

Other than that, we do hydrocortisone mixed with lotion, because it truly is an eczema thing, even if there aren't any visible rashes. It's such a hassle to do lotion all the time but I do it when I can and it keeps it to a minimum.

Good luck!

Have you tried fish oil capsules? My kids and I have very dry skin and applying topically isn't totally effective. You have to lube from the INSIDE. :)

We use Nordic Naturals or Carlson's fish oils. They come in flavored chewables for kids. I get mine at www.vitacost.com

Also, coconut oil! Get the extra virgin, expeller pressed kind (solid white over 70 degrees, looks like a jar of lard when you buy it in the store). It will melt with your body heat. It REALLY works! I throw a dollop in the bath with my kids, after they have finished washing and they come out with a nice coating over their whole body. It saves a lot of time! Just be sure not to rub the oil off with a towel. Drape the towel around them and let their skin soak it up.

If you don't want to go the coconut oil route, you can use a lotion by Hugo Naturals. I love it. I purchase it at Whole Foods or the website I listed above.

Do you have a humidifier running in your home? That also is a huge help for dry skin.
Good luck!

I don't know how old your kids are or if you are breastfeeding, but one of my super-duper crunchy friends has used actual breastmilk and really dry skin and claim that it works. Personally, that just isn't an option for me (because A, I'm not nursing and B, the thought of it creeps me out) but she swears by it.

I second the suggestion for Cerave. That is what we use for my son's eczema, per the allergists recommendation. Cetaphil cream (not lotion) is also good.

You also want to "moisturize from the inside"--make sure that they are drinking lots of liquids, preferably nothing with caffeine (which is a diurectic and will cause them pee out more liquids), and also incorporate essential fatty acids (Omega 3, 6 & 9). There was just a post last week on Mamapedia about suggestions for omega supplements for kids.

Boudreaux (the Butt Paste ppl - in case I didn't spell it right) makes a product called "Baby Kisses". It is a little tube that is safe for faces. We put it on both of our kids cheeks at night as they get really dry too. It works wonders. It's really moisturizing and non-irritating. If our daughter is dry in the morning we will put a second round on then as well. As far as the body, limit the soap to the dirty parts - and also a little bit of baby oil in the bath can help out as well. (Depending on their age - I woudln't do it if they are still trying to drink the bath water - yuck).
Good luck!

Renew bath wash or oil, and lotion.

Let me know if you want info on where to find it.

Aquafor!! It's the thickest thing I have ever used on my son, but it works wonders. I lube him up twice a day in the winter... morning and bedtime. I also make sure that his nails are clipped short so he doesn't scratch. Make sure that the house is humidified, or at least their rooms are when they are sleeping.

Rub Vaseline on the cheeks and lips throughout the day!

I have very, very dry skin myself and I use baby oil as soon as I get out of the tub/shower before I dry off. That way, the moisture from the water is "locked in." I let the baby oil soak in for a bit, pat dry with a towel and wear soft, loose clothing to bed. I even put a little on my forehead and cheeks. Additionally, on my elbows and knees, I use Eucerin.

Good luck!

Get them either Impruv or Cerave. MUCH better moisturizers for problem skin. More expensive but so worth it. Can be found at the drugstore. Sometimes they keep Cerave behind the counter so you have to ask.

I would agree with the suggestion to avoid soap as it can be really drying to the skin. Just make sure to wash their feet and crotch with soap but otherwise the rest of their bodies dont need soap everytime they bathe. Just a few times a week is sufficient. Also make sure that the water isnt too hot and I would suggest lathering them with cream almost immediately after the bath as the water on their skin and their pores being open from the warm water helps the skin to absorb the cream much better. You might also want to look into a humidifier to help moisten the air. Otherwise the only other thing it could be would be your laundry soap. Maybe try a hypo brand.
Good Luck

Getting enough hydration (coconut water has natural electrolytes)

Use organic extra-virgin coconut oil on skin AND to eat

Getting enough good fats (coconut oil, grass-fed butter, walnut oil on cold items)

and using a humidifier all help w/dry skin.

If it is chronic, I would do a diet change and cut sugar and gluten.