Usually Charming

Always real.

Shop the Season's Most-Wanted Shoes at NORDSTROM.

Real World:My Ashy-ness

February 19, 2015 By: Leslie

Facebook0
Pinterest0

red crocodile skin texture

With this bitterly cold weather -hello negative one degree- my skin is taking a beating. It’s unreal how a few days of gas heat kickin’ on Stage 2 (that means our gas bill will be $200+, YAY) creates a crocodile state.

I’ll own it, I’m a bit ashy. I’m even irritated just thinking about the inconvenience of this winter storm. I can take being holed up in the house for a few days, my car covered in an inch of ice, even running out of snacks, but when my skin starts screaming…it needs to be over, soon! I walk around itching all the time!

Then it dawned on me…I already have a solution.

A few years ago, Josh had a terrible bout of eczema on his arm that started small and spread out. It created a rash, then a raw spot and then finally, it was just a discolored spot in the crook of his elbow. It was about the size of a tennis ball.

We were having dinner with several other couples when one of the guys mentioned he *used* to have eczema but started using this particular soap and it was healed. Not just healed, but brought back the skin to its normal color and left every other bit super soft.  He left the dinner party and came back with some African Black soap for us to use that same night.

I’m telling you now, after the first use, Josh saw an immediate difference. His skin calmed down, was no longer red, no longer itched, and after about 6 weeks of use- was completely healed. His skin color returned to normal! I was so shocked. Here’s a $10 cure for something that so many people deal with day in and out. Who’d have guessed?

My oldest daughter, La, came home telling us about a friend who had eczema so bad on her legs, she wouldn’t wear shorts or a skirt. She wore jeans year round! Can you imagine a teenager going through that?  The next time we were in Whole Foods, we picked up an extra bottle and sent it to school with La.  Reports back say that it did improve her skin condition, so here’s hoping that sweet girl will be in shorts this Spring!

The magic soap- you don’t have to get it at Whole Foods anymore. It’s more widely available. I’ve tried the bar soap and the liquid and honestly, we prefer the liquid. A little goes a LONG way! We’ve tried two brands and are equally happy with both.  There is also a lotion you can buy and apply right out of the shower. It’s awesome too. The products contain raw shea butter and not a whole lot of chemicals that you can’t pronounce.

Josh valentine 2

#1 favorite is the Nubian Heritage brand (you can find it on Amazon (HERE) . It lasts forever and lathers really well.

Shea Moisture African Black Soap

#2 favorite (if we forgot to order from Amazon and need it like NOW) from Target (find it HERE). This tends to go a little faster and doesn’t lather quite as well, but it does work!

What did not work for us: Alaffia brand.  Josh felt his skin flaring back up after just a few days of using it. I believe there is a difference in the brands!  but, you may have success with this one. If so, let me know!

61ww-pI-c4L._SL1161_

 

If you know anyone who suffers from overly dry skin, suggest this to them. If you try it for yourself, let me know if it works for you!

 

(Note: the links in this post are affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.)

Comments

  1. 1

    Susan says

    February 20, 2015 at 2:17 pm

    So good to find a cure for that eczema. My Katie has it and we use Cetaphil soap. Also helps to use a hypo-allergenic shampoo too since it also gets all over ya!
    She loves to shop at Bath and Body Works but can’t use any of it for that eczema. At least nothing with heavy perfume.
    If our method stops working we will check out that soap you said to.

  2. 2

    Leslie says

    February 20, 2015 at 4:28 pm

    Hopefully your method keeps working! I totally understand Katie wanting to use BBW products. They smell so good! Total bummer. You know, neither of us had ever dealt with eczema before and it was just taking over Josh’s arm. Thankfully our friend knew immediately what it was and how to fix it. I know people spend a lot of money and time trying to keep it at bay. I will say, if Josh uses any other soap, he immediately starts to itch. It’s crazy!

  3. 3

    Leslie says

    February 20, 2015 at 4:43 pm

    Susan, another thought- maybe Katie could experiment with essential oils in whatever lotion she uses? She might be able to come up with a really nice fragrance combination by looking at the ingredients on the BBW products and matching what scent they are putting in their products. I may try it this weekend 🙂

  4. 4

    Dallas says

    February 28, 2015 at 7:49 am

    How does it smell??

    • 5

      Leslie says

      February 28, 2015 at 8:48 am

      Not masculine, not feminine, just kind of a neutral scent. I use unscented lotion too and then follow up with whatever perfume I’m going to wear for the day. It’s a solid staple around here!

Connect With Me!

Past Posts

  • January 2018 (1)
  • July 2017 (1)
  • June 2017 (1)
  • May 2017 (3)
  • April 2017 (1)
  • March 2017 (3)
  • February 2017 (2)
  • October 2016 (2)
  • September 2016 (3)
  • August 2016 (8)
  • July 2016 (4)
  • June 2016 (1)
  • November 2015 (2)
  • June 2015 (8)
  • May 2015 (4)
  • April 2015 (15)
  • March 2015 (19)
  • February 2015 (22)
  • January 2015 (1)

About Me

Read More…

What you’ve missed

  • Happy New Year!
  • Are you ready?
  • Monday Musings
  • Two Thing Tuesday
  • Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon

Subscribe to our mailing list

* indicates required

What you’re saying

  • Leslie on Two Thing Tuesday!
  • Dallas on Two Thing Tuesday!
  • Summer YUM YUM Staten on Catching Up!
  • Carol Anne Bills on Ladies Love Shoes
  • Leslie on Real World:My Ashy-ness

Categories

  • Beauty
  • Books I'm Reading
  • DIY and Crafts
  • Entertainment
  • Fashion
  • Fitness
  • Health
  • Holidays
  • Meal Planning
  • Party Planning
  • Recipes
  • Relationships
  • Savings
  • Time Saving
  • Toddler
  • Uncategorized
  • Whole30

Navigate

  • About Me
  • Disclosure
  • Feelin’ Spring!
  • Looks I Love
  • Most Popular Posts
  • Privacy
  • Work With Me

Explore new designer arrivals at NORDSTROM.

Go monochrome in black-and-white pieces from coveted labels at NORDSTROM.

Tags

beauty BFFs birthday Birthday party bob Books BooMama brunette dry shampoo Fifty Shades of Grey Fireworks FitBit Friendship Frozen Girl Scouts hair Health Invest Invest in Myself It Starts With Food Long long layers Meal Plan Meditation medium length style Nashville Reading Reading List Relationships Rocksbox shopping Sophie Hudson Soul Target The Fringe Hours Thin Mints time saving Toddler Tuesday Two Thing Tuesday Valentine's Day Valentine's Day gift Valentine's Day loves Valentine's Day surprise Whole30

Copyright © 2018 · Modern Blogger Pro Theme By, Pretty Darn Cute Design