This statement resonates with every single Caribbean person. Everytime you would finish have a bath your mother would tell you, "Cream yuh skin properly eh! Especially yuh elbows and knees! All yuh calves!"
This was our mothers instructing us to moisturize by applying body lotion/cream to our skin after having a bath.
Sadly to this day there are still many adults walking around with white elbows, knees and toes.
Get it together!
However, if you work with your hands (like me) and they get white AF, dont worry. It happens, so just walk with some hand cream.
In this post I will be sharing how I moisturize my skin 'properly' after having a shower.
Cream/lotion/body butter
NOTE: Using water based products first, helps allow the skin absorb moisture.
After you have had a shower, dry off with your towel. Some people say to dampen the skin but we dont always do that do we? Next, get your favourite body cream. Mine is Daggett & Ramsdell Coconut Luxury hand and Body lotion.
Notice the name if this product says 'lotion' instead of 'cream'. In reality it is a true cream, which is 50/50 part oils and water.
Lotions tend to have a higher water content that creams and more so butters. Lotions are best suited when it is extremely warm so you dont have too many layers of product to make you feel ikky!
You can read more about the difference HERE.
If you have dry skin, try using body cream. Lotions are too thin and a body butter may be too thick. You can use the butter on specific areas of the body for example, hands and feet.
From your shoulders to your toes, make sure and gently rub/push the product into your skin until it disappears. Use a little at a time so you dont end up creaming for eternity.
Oils up
NOTE: Using oil based products last help seal in the water based moisture.
There are two ways you can use oil. On dampend skin right after a bath or just after applying your body lotion or cream. In addition to adding a sensual glow to the skin, body oils nourish your skin to keep it looking youthful and healthy. Currently I use Aviaire Body TT Vanilla and Sandalwood oil. This oil smells soooooooo divine and makes my skin feel so soft and luxurious! I use this one more when Im going out and all you need is a little.
For every day, I grab the Victoria Secret Weightless Body Oil in Acai.
You can also opt for simple coconut oil, olive or grapeseed oil.
When my knees, elbows and feet are out of control, I reach for my BBH Essentials lotion bar. A lotion bar is more like a fusion of butters and oils and it makes for DEEP moisture lock down!
Doh kill out yuhself
In our very hot and humid climate, you can opt to use a light lotion. Just do the damn thing properly by massaging the product into your skin. Look for products that have legible and recognizable ingredients.
For me, I would use the oil on certain areas where I am prone to get ashy quickly,or need special attention. Before bed I would do the whole nine yards, so I can 'wake up like disssss!!!' ROFL!
Just a side note, but I have come across some women who have VERY VERY dry hands!! Dry as in rough and almost rubber like! We ladies work very hard and we tend to use our hands a lot, however, please do not neglect them.
I hope this article helped you in some way or the other! Let me know in the comments below what your regime is like as I like to know your business too!
Until next post,
XOXO-Shaina