Question from Ruth Ruddock
I have had poor luck with body lotions, trying to find one that is completely scent free (so many have a masker smell) and does not have any ingredients that would be harmful when absorbed into the body.
I am chemically sensitive and want to avoid buying more products only to find that they are still slightly smelly or have toxic ingredients. Someone told me recently, that Sophia Loren uses straight olive oil on her face and body to keep dryness away. I don’t want to resort to that!!!
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Ruth R. Wisconsin
Debra’s Answer
Readers?
The only body lotion I can tolerate is Aveeno Daily Moisturizing lotion which is fragrance free and rated a “2” by EWG. I buy the Target or Walmart brand versions which are less expensive than Aveeno.
It has been quite a while since I asked this question! Recently I began to use Nature’s Gate Fragrance Free Lotion in a pump bottle, and it does not seem to have any after-scent like so many others I’ve tried. I am curious about the Aloe Vera Gel…is it OK for all over body use, and face? Any particular brand?
Thanks!
I don’t see any reason not to use it on any part of your body. Any aloe vera that is just 100% aloe vera should be fine.
I must share with you one of my favorite products.
I use Emu Oil and found nothing that works better for dry skin. I have been using this since 2003 when I found out I had MCS. It actually works better than expensive creams that were ruining my skin. I tried various brands and found that Montana Pure Emu Oil (http://www.montanaemuranch.com) was the best for me… no reactions ever and it has no odor! You don’t need to apply much, so a bottle lasts a long time.
I’m not connected with this company, I just love their emu oil!
From Dr.Axe
https://draxe.com/emu-oil/
Thousands of years ago, the aborigines of Australia, known to be one of the oldest groups of people on Earth, were the first to use emu fat and oil to treat skin infections. Since then, emu oil has become so popular that doctors recommend it for the treatment of burns and other skin conditions. When used topically and orally, emu oil is known to possess anti-inflammatory properties that can help treat a number of health issues, including muscle pain, migraines and skin conditions.
[…]
Emu oil absorbs into the skin easily because it contains fat lipids that are similar to those found in the tip layer of the skin. The oil is also able to break through the barrier of the skin and penetrate deep within the surface, allowing it to act as a powerful moisturizer.
[…]
Because of emu oil’s anti-inflammatory properties, it has the power to reduce swelling and a number of skin conditions, such as psoriasis and eczema. It also stimulates skin cell regeneration and circulation, so it can help those suffering from thinning skin or bed sores, plus it helps to reduce the appearance of scars, burns, stretch marks, wrinkles and sun damage.
[…]
Emu oil is known to be hypoallergenic because its biological makeup is very similar to that of human skin. It’s so popular because it does not clog the pores or irritate the skin.
Hi, Ruth! Moisturizing is such a challenge! I’ve been MCS plus allergies for over 20 years. I walk a line between the natural/organic and the synthetic worlds. Some “organic” things are very problematic for me (like essential oils).
I blogged for three years about fragrance-free products. Here’s a link with some moisturizers. You might like Earth Science’s ceramide products. They’ve recently updated their product line. (Debra, if it’s not cool to share the link, feel free to delete it.) Also, I have a topic in the drop-down menu for fragrance-free living with all of the relevant posts. http://www.alonnashaw.com/2015/01/dont-dry-out-stay-smooth.html
In another post, I shared an old favorite, Silky’s Garden emu oil. Not a vegan option, though. This product worked great to reduce sunburn irritation.
Almond oil is another option but you expressed not loving the idea of olive oil.
Hope you find something that works great for your skin. We’re all a bit different in our sensitivity needs. 🙂
I use an organic vegetable glycerin on my face (it’s sticky), as I cannot use coconut or olive oil. And, am currently using unscented Curel on my body after a shower. Will check out Nancyk’s suggestions.
I also use the plain glycerine, but dilute it with water, half & half.
I use and LOVE Griffin Remedy Body Lotion, located in San Francisco CA. I like their “Bulgarian Lavender” which is only essential oils – but they do make a completely unscented version.
Ingredients: Purified water, Organic aloe vera juice, MSM (methylsulfonylmethane), blended coconut wax, Organic sweet almond oil, octyl palmitate, Organic flax seed oil, borage oil, rose hip oil, vitamin C, vegetable glycerin, vitamin A, vitamin D, Organic arnica extract, Organic chamomile extract, Organic white tea, Organic lavender extract, Organic calendula extract, vitamin E, rose oil, rosemary extract.
I left a review on their site, I like it so much: “This is the only lotion I would use, after reading ingredients on so many labels. Fortunately, it is also fabulous! I love how it absorbs fast and never feels greasy. The natural lavender is my favorite – I just can’t tell you how much I love it! It is my facial moisturizer, my body lotion and my hand cream – I get complements on my skin all the time, and I’m 64 years old but don’t look it. Thank you for a great product!”
I use straight unreserved organic Aloe Vera juice and then alternate with 2 commercial products, CeraVe moisturing cream and the prescription Ceramax skin barrier cream.
preservative free aloe Vera juice, sorry
The only body lotion I can use is Magick Botanicals fragrance-free. It contains parabens, but I talked to their marketing director and she said it’s a very slight amount used as a preservative and not the dangerous kind – their formula was devised by a nurse after having chemo. I also recently got a sample of La Roche-Posay Lipikar Lotion that is more replenishing, containing shea butter. Neither are organic, but I can’t handle the coconut oil or natural fragrances in any of the organic lotions I’ve tried. These are both available on Amazon.com.
Aloe Vera is said to be irritating to some people. I personally do not tolerate coconut oil or olive oil well. Hard to know what to use and nearly everything in EWG is not rated well. Check out Dakota Free. They are really helpful and everything is custom made at the time you order.
I like Earth Mama/Angel Baby Natural Non-Scents Baby Lotion. Also Epicuren’s fresh unscented After Bath Moisturizer which is thinner. I also use Desert Essence Organic Jojoba oil. I have lots of skin problems, so I use products recommended by Drs. Those of course, are not non toxic. Especially aquaphor, which really works.
Last year I started making my own body creams. it was easier that I imagined. it did take 2-3 batches to experiment with ingredients and quantities (so I just made small batches until I got a combo I liked). I am very happy with my current batch. I use only the best quality ingredients, which are expensive, but when I compare comparable commercial creams, I am making it for far less than half the high cost of the premium creams, which can be $20+ for only 2 oz. I now make enough to last 3-4 months with no commercial preservatives, so I store 2oz jars in refrig and only take one out to use at a time to avoid it getting moldy.
And what is your recipe?
I’ve been looking for eons for a moisturizer that is healthy, affordable & effective. I ended up using liquid lanolin (very sticky), shea butter, olive or grapeseed oils, trader Joe’s argan oil,or mixing these with other supposedly organic lotions like “Organic Now!” by Delon Labs & Andalou body butter (very cheap at a local discount grocery store.) But none of the oil/lotions/creams that I’ve tried have been as effective for dry skin as the chemical-laden varieties, unfortunately, & the commercial ones have fragrance.
Which lotion do you use?
Personally, I don’t use lotion. I use plain aloe vera gel. You can get it at any natural food store.