Skin creams for eczemas and generally dry skin, it is generally accepted, must have as fewer substances as possible in order to reduce reactions and interactions that are not the main function that is sought: moisturising.
Perfumes, colorants, preservatives are do common in skin creams that, paradoxically, in order NOT to have them, you have to search harder and pay more.
In my opinion, most of the products in the E45, Eucerin and Aveeno ranges are very good. However, it is possible to have better and more and, at the same time, to pay less.
Most good formulations include, as their main ingredients, water and glycerin. Some other ones replace the latter with paraffin.
The good news are two. Firstly, immediately after a shower or a hand washing, the skin is obviously damp: the water is there already. Secondly, either white paraffin or food-grade glycerin are very cheap to buy. They just need to be gently applied and massaged onto damp skin in order to provide what the best and most expensive skin products do.
My favourite is the glycerin. Easy to find on Amazon (here or here) because almost necessary to bake a good muffin, a few drops on the skin have the following advantages:
- It feels great;
- Just a few drops are enough, therefore a small bottle can last a few showers;
- As opposite as a cold sensation of an unpleasantly cold skin cream on your body, the glycerin drops leave a slightly warming feeling;
- Odour-free;
- Sweet and safe to lick if you happen to pass your tongue on your face!
Since when I use glycerin after my showers, I feel better, save money, and travel lighter.
For the occasional hand wash outside home, I prefer a little bit of white paraffin, that is not liquid and therefore easier to carry.
I still love Aveeno lotion for my hands when I do not have (or I do not want to use) water.
Sometimes, less really is more.