Ask MetaFilter questions tagged with lotion

Hunting for Italian cosmetics: How to be bella in Italia?

purpleclover — Tue, 08 Dec 2009 14:52:20 -0800

I love cosmetics, and I'm in Rome. What should I buy here that I can't get in the United States? Things I'd love to find here: the best eyeliner, delicious blushes, fabulous mascaras, luxurious lotions, wrinkle creams that aren't FDA-approved, the eye cream that changed your life, the bronzer that makes you seem like you just got back from Cozumel, hand creams that make you weep, etc.

Has globalization eliminated this kind of shopping? Should I use all my liquid allocation for olive oil, or are there still Italian cosmetics and beauty elixirs worth seeking out?

Lather over Lotion?

CollectiveMind — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 10:07:00 -0800

Why does Palmer's Olive Butter Formula Lotion vary so wildly in price? In looking for a hand lotion, I noticed that their new offering began showing up in Big Lots for $2.00 for a .60 oz tube, $2.50 for a 8.5 oz bottle and $3.00 for a 17 oz pump. Besides that not making any sense, it was on the shelves throughout last winter and spring at these prices, only to disappear for about a month with only the bottle returning at twice the price (which, BTW is the same price it was selling in the grocery stories). Then it disappeared for another month and now, all three are back at last year's prices. Understandably, it is flying off the shelves, again. But (1) Why the disparity in price vs. quantity, and (2) Why even in the discount stores, was the price raised and then reduced again? I'm wondering what kind of market or corporate forces might be at work?

Help me smell just like a lady!

AsRuinsAreToRome — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 16:34:52 -0800

I'm trying to replicate a cologne out of a ingredients from a lotion my girlfriend bought several years ago at Bath and Body Works. My girlfriend of four and half years bought a bottle of lotion from Bath & Body Works from their "Breathe" line of products. Consequently, I believe the product line is now discontinued. There is something in this lotion that drives me nuts. Its smells incredible. I would definitely classify it as a "girlie" scent, but not overtly so. I've never smelled anything like it. Not citrusy, not froo froo. Just....AWESOME.

So as soon as we heard the Bath and Body Works Breathe line was going to be discontinued, we went and bought about 7 bottles of this lotion. Since then, my girlfriend rarely uses this lotion. She still likes the smell, but thinks the actual lotion base has too much of a "heavy" quality and prefers and alternate brand of moisturizer. Thats fine. I can cope with that.

But every very days I'll dab a little bit of this lotion on the back of my hand just so I can get a whiff of what once was. Upon looking at the ingredients a few things jump out at me: amber, white tea, and myrr. It is quite possible that I'm nasally addicted to one of these scents.

So my question to you, internet, is - are there any colognes or essential oils that I can buy to mimic this same scent but still keep it within the masculine spectrum? Any recommendations for affordable online retailers of said scents?

Where else can I find pretty, girly, smelly bath things?

katillathehun — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 19:14:30 -0800

Totally girly but unique bath and body products. Who makes 'em? I mean besides Bath & Body Works, Sephora, The Body Shop, and Lush. I'm partial to bath stuff and lotions that smell like dessert rather than flowery scents (I'm also a sucker for good package design), but really, I'm just looking for a new place to indulge my rarely-acknowledged girly side. What shops do you recommend? Either online or local (Los Angeles) works for me.

just like a baby's butt

kidsleepy — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 11:43:31 -0800

What can I do now, as a young woman, to ensure I have beautiful skin when I'm older? At lunch today, I noticed a woman who appeared to be in her fifties, but with beautiful skin - barely any wrinkles, smooth, and a healthy glow.

I'm 23, use Tazorac for some acne flare-ups, and always use sunscreen if I'm spending time outside. What products or techniques can I use now or in the near future to keep my skin healthy and youthful looking? Do I really need to worry about "anti-aging" and wrinkle creams, or are they a crock? Or am I too young to be worrying about this stuff?

Help me determine if lotion causes my newly-induced, chronic skin rash that doesn't fit description of other afflictions.

skyper — Sat, 05 Jul 2008 11:17:14 -0800

Can you get skin poisoning from a usually good lotion that's 'gone bad'? I've used St. Ives' for years. Mostly just on my arms that get more sun exposure than elsewhere. I find it a bit pricey for *my* budget so I rejoiced to find it marked down to $2.50 (the Collagen Elastin, same as I'd been using) at Big Lots to replace the near-empty jug at home.
I began developing itchy rashes on my forearms and blamed at first numerous other factors: a similarly timed swimming/sunbathing in the nearby James river (swimmer's rash? even though we only stayed 1 hour?) and, we also began sanding plaster from the ceiling same day from our living room, exposing me to fine powdery dust anytime I enter the room, as well as odors from super-chemical strippers like methylene chloride.
The bumps on my arms itch similarly to what I've experienced in the past with loooong sun exposure at the beach, but those usually died down in a few days. But THIS has a.) gone on for a week, b.) is primarily localized to my arms, thus not "diaper rash", c.) comes and goes rather randomly, like at night abruptly I begin itching, or entering a hot car sitting in the sun after leaving an airconditioned place.
THEN I checked the sale-priced lotion I'd bought. THere's no expiration date but the top of the pump is blue not white, and the label says "New!" above the CollagenElastin title, whereas my previously used-up bottle had no "New!" anywhere on it; it seemed that variety had been on the market for some time.
I'm aware Suntan Lotions should expire after a couple years; does anyone know if regular lotions can lead to some sort of reaction if they're allowed to sit on a store shelf then go on sale after a long time? I'm hoping someone w/ similar experience w/ lotion can verify that this was the cause (meanwhile I'm switching to a calamine today & see if it'll help); I've avoided the liv. rm. to reduce exposure to pathogens there but little difference resulted; same intermittent itchy breakouts.
Thanks!

Agony of de feet :(

Madamina — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 20:30:17 -0800

Grody summer sandal feet, cracked heels, yada yada. I know what I need to do (pumice, shea butter, etc.), but in the summer I'm already burning up even before I try to put socks on at night! Is there anything else I can do? I already try to file my feet in the shower about twice a week. I've tried dry sloughing and wet sloughing. I know there are soaks and creams with lactic acid in them, so maybe that's something that could work better/improve the situation.

However, it's really the incredible warmth that drives me nuts. Even now, when I've been sitting by a nice cool window with dry, bare feet for several hours, my feet are red and hot. Now, slathering them with shea butter and sleeping in socks has definitely helped, but UGH, the prospect of doing that when I already have enough trouble falling asleep in this weather does not intrigue me. I've tried it a couple times in the last few weeks, and I was pretty uncomfortable.

As for shoes, I wear Chacos pretty much every day. I would love to have something like my old Birkenstocks, which had the most wonderful worn-in leather footbeds that got cool when I took my feet out, but I won't wear Birks anymore because they're too flat.

So. Are there any creams that would work particularly well to cool my feet down? (I've got a peppermint cream by EO which doesn't do anything.) How about those wacky gel socks? Buying sandals with slick leather insoles that AREN'T Birks? This problem seems to be partially genetic, so I don't see it going away soon, and any assistance would be much appreciated.

Alcohol free hygiene care?

fiasco — Sat, 01 Mar 2008 12:41:48 -0800

What are some hair conditioners and body lotions that do not contain any alcohol? I am looking for hair conditioners, hair shine serums (and/or anti-frizz hair lotions), body lotions, facial moisturizers, liquid hand soaps, and other hygiene products that do not contain any alcohol. It is necessary that the products are completely alcohol free. I'd prefer not to spend an arm and a leg on a bottle of lotion but due to lack of options, am willing to pay more than average. Also, non-online options are a definite plus as there is some urgency to this request.

What are your suggestions? Thanks.

ow! my face!

kidsleepy — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 12:50:06 -0800

I just started using Tazorac, and of course now my skin hates me (temporarily, I hope). Any recommendations for moisturizers? I've been using the Tazorac to treat acne for about a week now. I know that it's gonna get worse before it gets better (thanks to this earlier post). In the meantime, I'm on a quest for the perfect moisturizer. Tazorac makes my skin both incredibly dry AND incredibly sensitive (think sunburn). All the lotions I've tried feel good for about 1.5 seconds before the burning sensation sets in and I race for a washcloth. So far I've used a generic knockoff of Cetaphil, Jergens Shea Butter, Aveeno (regular formula), and plain sunscreen. These were what I had laying around the house; I'm a bit of a product junkie.

What's the best lotion for my sensitive, dry, acne-prone skin?

What lotion can I use for my newborn's sensitive skin?

albolin — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 15:23:15 -0800

What lotion can I use for my newborn's sensitive skin? I've tried the Mustela, Aveeno and J&J but it doesn't seem to work very well. What lotion do you recommend that I can use on her face? My baby is 8 weeks old and she has dry, sensitive skin. And running the heater at night sure doesn't help. She gets a patch of flaky skin on her right eyebrow that comes and goes about once a week. When I put lotion on it, sometimes it turns a little red.

Can anybody recommend a lotion that I can use on her face that won't irritate her skin?

New paralegal job = a million papercuts! How do I prevent them and/or heal more quickly?

ahimsa — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 11:21:55 -0800

I just started a paralegal job where my main task is to sort through boxes and boxes of documents. (Yay fun!) I know that I'm less likely to get papercuts if I keep my hands moisturized, so I brought in a bottle of lubriderm, but it doesn't seem to be quite doing the trick. My next move is to get a very very thick lotion, like perhaps the L'Occitane hand cream that everyone raves about. I've also read reviews of this "gloves in a bottle" lotion that excema-sufferers use. Does anyone have any experience with this type of lotion and its effectiveness for preventing papercuts? Any other recommendations for lotions or creams? If anyone has any tips on how to get the cuts to heal faster once I've been bitten, I'd love to hear it too! Thanks!

Who makes personalized bath products?

campy — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 18:32:33 -0800

What web site provides a "Design Your Own" service for unique personalized bath abd body products? Several years ago I found a web site (via MeFi or some other similar method) that created personalized bath products for you or someone you know. The process involved a questionaire that I completed online with questions relating to the person's personality, likes and dislikes, and colors and other concepts.

Somehow, by using this information, they create customized products for you. I completed the questions then ordered body lotion, shampoo, conditioner and body wash. The packaging and product names were also personalized with messages that I chose... in small words on the back of the bottles there was a link to the web site with a code to reorder that specific type of product.

Fast forward to Christmas, 2007. Wife tells me that this was one of her favorite gifts of all time and that she would like me to order it for her... trouble is I have no idea what the site was, nor do I have the original bottles or email from the order.

Lots of googling and reading has left me with absolutely nothing... not even a similar service. Does anyone know of the company that I am looking for? Have they gone out of business? Is there a similar site where I can order this type of personalized product?

Thank you!

hey man, how'd you make that lotion?

jadepearl — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 11:43:08 -0800

Need advice on making the ultimate moisturizer. I suffer dry skin and worse, sandal foot. You know, when you live in sandals and have chapped, rough, non-fetishizable feet. The rest of my body suffers winter skin. So, I was thinking of making my own cream using unrefined shea butter, coconut oil, cocoa butter and almond oil. First, which suppliers would you suggest; second, anyone with advice who has done this?

I know that there are many lotions out there but I want to have control and no petroleum products in my lotion/creme. I prefer organic and unrefined. Any advice, comments and sources welcome.

Moisturizer for winter skin?

joannemerriam — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 16:53:29 -0800

Help me find a moisturizer or moisturizing body wash or whatever that will keep my skin from itching all winter. My skin gets dry in the winter. In the past, I've used soap to shower, followed by Vaseline Intensive Care - and just sucked it up when that wasn't enough to keep my skin from itching. I am becoming more comfortable with my Inner Girl and want to use a more feminine-feeling product than the Vaseline moisturizer (but not flowery! I am allergic to lilacs and find flowery perfumes annoying).

So far, this year, I've been using Suave coconut-scented moisturizing body wash, which is less drying than soap but still not enough moisture. The only moisturizing product I have other than that is a Bath & Body Works Fresh Vanilla cream, which smells great, and works great on my legs, but is too oily or something for my arms, which get little bumps (like miniature almost-pimples) when I use it.

I am also using Dove Sensitive Skin facial lotion on my face, which works great. I don't want to use it on my body though (assuming that would even work), because I'd go through a bottle in a week.

Ideally I'd like a soap-replacement which smells like a yummy food item or berry (or is scentless but not astringent- or chemical-smelling) and is moisturizing enough that I don't have to use anything else. Failing that, a combo of body wash and after-shower moisturizer. And I'd like the cost to be modest - say, a winter's supply would not exceed $30.

Suggestions?

LotionQuest

sneakin — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 05:43:54 -0800

Help me, a very picky consumer, find the perfect lotion. Neutrogena used to make Rainbath Moisturizing Body Mist (not in any way like the other Rainbath products they still make). They discontinued it in 2002 and I can't find it anywhere. I have tried pretty much everything, including calling Neutrogena, to get my hands on it and no dice. I have come to realize that I just need to find a new product. Being totally set in my ways and adverse to change, I basically want as close to the exact same thing as I can possibly get.
- was a spray.
- was very light and not at all greasy. You couldn't feel it on your hands at all once your rubbed it in just a little bit. At the same time, it was very moisturizing.
- smelled amazing. Not perfumey, but just fresh and clean.

I can compromise on the spray part. And, fyi, I have already eliminated the Bath and Body Works lotions that contain silk. Wasn't quite right.

Am I canceling out all the benefits of one?

stormygrey — Thu, 23 Aug 2007 06:44:10 -0800

Lotion Filter: What order to you put on face stuff? Say you wash your face then you have an benzoyl peroixde spot treatment, a retinol lotion and a sunscreen to put on. Does it matter what order you put them on in? It seems like some of them would cancel out the other ones.

Same thing with say baby oil, retinol, and a sunscreen.

Help my mom fight off the mosquitos with a pleasant smell.

Mavri — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 08:10:53 -0800

Can anyone recommend a non-chemical lotion mosquito repellent? My mom likes to garden in the muggy Texas heat. She loved Off Botanicals because it didn't smell like nasty chemicals and was a lotion. And it worked. Off no longer makes it. Can anyone recommend a replacement? Bonus if it would be available in a small town.

Help my dry hands!

Hargrimm — Wed, 14 Feb 2007 19:01:54 -0800

How can I keep my hands moisturized without lotion? I think I have some kind of obsessive disorder or something, and I wash my hands A LOT. As a result of this, during the winter months, my hands get very badly chapped and cracked, to the point of bleeding. I cannot stand lotion, as it always feels greasy and sticky, even hours after, thus making me wash my hands again. Help!

Anyone ever heard of a skin- and hair-care brand called "Archive?"

StrangeTikiGod — Fri, 05 Jan 2007 13:06:27 -0800

Anyone ever heard of a skin- and hair-care brand called "Archive?" My manager got a trial size and is going batty looking for a source. OK, so my manager's mother brought her back a small hotel-sample size of a body lotion that says it's brand name is "Archive," and my boss has flipped for it. Specifically, it's the "Calming" scent (Rosehip and lavender, or some such), and it was picked up from the JW Marriott San Francisco. I've tried searching all over for a manufacturer's website, or an online store with a full product line, but my google-fu is failing me. Googleing "Archive lotion" gets me a lot of blog posts, but not a manufacturer's site...brownie points are at stake!Anyone have any experience or knowledge of this brand?

Face gets splotchy red after being exposed to cold - suggestions?

MaverickX — Tue, 05 Dec 2006 13:50:23 -0800

[Cold Weather Filter]: Facial skin getting really splotchy red as New England is starting to get cold. Any suggestions or remedies? So I suppose I have what people would call sensitive skin. I never really notice it during the year, but when it gets cold, my face is really splotchy red after being in the cold for more than 20 minutes. It sort've looks like a (very) mild allergic reaction.

I'm currently using Oil of Olay "Senstive" Skin lotion on my face. I make a point to put on an AMPLE amount before going into the cold, but it doesn't really seem to help and my skin is still splotchy red after only 20 min in the cold.

The rest of my routine is using Cetaphil face wash in the morning and night, and then putting on lotion immediately.

Any suggestions?

Do it again

mwhybark — Fri, 03 Nov 2006 11:16:59 -0800

In the Velvet Underground song 'Foggy Notion,' the narrator notes, "Got my calamine lotion." Among other things, the narrative concerns a shooting, S&M and heroin. Why does the narrator carry anti-itch medication?

MoisturizeMeFilter

wuzandfuzz — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 15:39:45 -0800

I can't stand the oily feeling of lotion! I've been using aloe gel, but in the heat and dryness of summer, it just isn't enough. Slightly All of my searches have come up with moisturizing gel for the eyes and such, but I'm looking for a substitute for body lotion. I can't stand the residual oil slick feeling of lotion and I love how aloe just seems to sink into my skin, but, as stated before, I live in a hot dry place and its just not doing the job. Any suggestions for miracle products?

Help me find a new scent

fancypants — Sun, 26 Feb 2006 13:03:03 -0800

Scent filter: My favorite scent of all time has been discontinued! I was a huge fan of the Heaven line from the Gap. It appears to have been discontinued. What other scents - particularly in a lotion - should I try? For reference, the Gap described Heaven as "simple bouquet of pure white blossoms."

I need to find a facial creme by the name of lotus.

Nothing — Mon, 23 Jan 2006 12:10:54 -0800

I need to find a specific facial crème or lotion. I don't know the brand, all I know is that the particular line I am looking for includes a product (scent?) named "bamboo" and another called "lotus." "Lotus" is what I am looking for. It is quite expensive. And it smells good. That's all I have to go on. I have searched, but both lotus and bamboo seem to be fairly common ingredients in beauty products, which makes if difficult.

Has anyone made a Green Tea/caffiene lotion?

worstkidever — Mon, 13 Jun 2005 12:45:40 -0800

I am trying to make a topical lotion using epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), an antioxidant extracted from Green Tea. Does anyone have advice or experience doing this? I am especially interested sources for the EGCG and recommended potency. The intention is to make a treatment to help reduce to effects of sun exposure, while there are lotions available with EGCG as an ingredient, I would like to make one using it as the primary ingredient.