After the best summer in living memory (for me personally, at least; those older have enjoyed banging on concerning the summer of ’76 which was, of course, hotter, longer and tougher) we discover ourselves hurtling into autumn. The foliage is starting to fall, the nights are attracting and we’re all desperately trying to not talk about Christmas prior to the time when it’s acceptable to talk about Christmas.
But can I just say (and this is not a Christmas post, I’d like to make that clear) that it’s very difficult not to think about Christmas because – truthfully – what else can there be to look forward to? I know that we’re supposed to rejoice in the crisp air, the burnished colours, the benefits of being allowed to “hibernate” and the realisation that people can now wear tights, however ,? It’s just a clever, positive spin around the fact that we have to now endure a whole run of dreary, dark months. Hibernation during this period is a necessity, not a perk.
And when was being able to wear tights any kind of bonus? Good grief! You’re either hoisting them up every 10-seconds or using a black biro to colour in your legs through the myriad of holes that inevitably appear the first time you put them on. Add to that the fact that they seem to make my shins ridiculously dry and flaky and that we have ourselves a clothing item that may only have been designed by Satan himself. (Though I'll admit that they do make my legs look excellent and the ones with tummy control are ideal for getting a smooth silhouette beneath dresses and pencil skirts.)
Anyway, all this is rather an unsubtle segue into the main theme of today’s post, that is dry, itchy skin. I’ve been testing out the excellent AVEENO(R) Dermexa range which has been formulated to soothe, moisturise and lower discomfort. Many of you will be familiar with AVEENO(R) products already; actually when I asked on The Uphill if anyone had strategies for products suitable for Angelica’s eczema-prone skin, the brand was a firm favourite. But I think that the Dermexa range goes a step further, when we’re referring to skin that’s uncomfortably dry; the products in the range are so filled with emollients that the moisturising and soothing effects are truly long-lasting and noticeable.
I actually discovered the number in the first place because of Angelica’s dry, eczema-prone skin. Before trying Dermexa she had been given a big tub of grease to use twice-daily as a sort of maintenance moisturiser between applications of her prescription cream, and it was just horrendous to put on. The Dermexa Fast and Long-Lasting Balm would be a brilliant replacement – I could still believe that her skin was properly moisturised the next morning, if I applied it before bed, but it was really pleasant to apply and didn’t leave her ridiculously greasy.
And simultaneously I was doing my own bit of skincare testing, rubbing the excess balm into my hands, especially the backs of them, and noticing that they were beautifully soft when I woke up.
Which brings me back around to Autumn and tight-wearing weather, because I’ve used both the Dermexa Fast and Long-Lasting Balm and also the slightly lighter Daily Emollient Cream on my small notoriously scaly, itchy shins. (As soon as the weather turns cold the skin on my lower legs starts to seem like crocodile skin and it’s really tempting to choose at the scaly, flaky bits.) I don’t often perform a “whole body” moisturisation session these days, but the lower legs are an absolute must for me if I don’t want to morph right into a reptilian, so I’ve been using the Long-Lasting Balm at night after a bath or, if it’s a morning shower, the Daily Emollient Cream.
Both are formulated with Colloidal Oatmeal and Avenanthramides (had to copy and paste that word, blimey!) recognized for their soothing properties and then ceramides that are known to help strengthen the skin’s natural barrier. The same as instant relief from very dry, itchy skin there’s a longer-term game going on here; helping the skin to retain moisture and protect itself against the outside world.
The funny thing is, before Angelica’s eczema first flared up I didn’t ever want to treat my dry shins with anything properly targeted at very dry skin. It’s only since I’ve tried dedicated solutions on her behalf skin that I’ve realised how immediately effective they may be and I’m absolutely within the moon with how well the Dermexa range works. Like a maintenance solution, to keep her skin moisturised and guarded, it’s excellent – it’s easy to get hold of and affordable enough to use regularly and in generous amounts.
The fact that the whole family can use it – I’ve been doing Ted’s legs, recently, as it looks as though he’s inherited my crocodile gene – is really a massive advantage. There’s not a way I would have voluntarily applied Angelica’s “pot of grease” (because it quickly became known) to my own skin but the Dermexa Long-Lasting Balm seems like something I’d choose to use anyway.
Surprisingly, there’s no greasy residue with either the Balm or even the Daily Emollient Cream – you’d think that the balm would leave you feeling as if you’d been basted with goose fat but in a few minutes my skin feels supple and moisturised without any unpleasant oiliness. The Emollient Cream leaves much more of a noticeable barrier on the skin, that is interesting considering how the texture from the product is so much lighter, but it’s a really comfortable feel, not a greasy or sticky one.
And it’s pleasing, really, whenever you suffer with itchiness due to dryness to feel that you’ve applied a product that’s actually working – so many creams are formulated to “instantly absorb” or “leave no trace” but then skin feels no different after application. Or the benefits are just so short-lived it seems pointless having taken time to apply it!
I almost ended this little review without mentioning the Dermexa Daily Emollient Body Wash, which contains similar soothing, barrier-restoring ingredients because the moisturisers in the range. It’s non-drying, that is actually quite a rare part of the affordable, mainstream body wash market – most leave my skin feeling as though it’s had all of the moisture surgically obtained from it, even the ones that claim to be formulated for very dry skin or sensitive baby skin. You'd have thought that non-drying body washes and bath additives would be the norm, but it amazes me every time I walk down the supermarket aisles there isn’t more choice.
I digress, as always. The AVEENO(R) Dermexa range is a great one to possess as a bathroom staple – good for very dry, itchy skin. It’s also ideal for eczema-prone skin, but not so hefty and intense that it’s off-putting throughout the family to use. It’s basically, in conclusion, a brilliant, intensely-moisturising all-rounder that has the strength to support skin that requires extra attention.
You can find the Daily Emollient Cream and Daily Emollient Body Wash at Boots here* and the full Dermexa range at Tesco here. There’s more information, as well as full ingredients lists (bravo AVEENO(R)) here.
