Moisturizer blues

[cimorene]

I've gradually gotten warmer as I approach menopause, without ever having heat in a flash. I'm usually not the coldest person in the room anymore, except when that depends on circulation (I still have terrible circulation).

I have been waking in the night soaked with sweat for some time, however, and it's only accelerating - now it's every night. That isn't comfortable, but I can change my pajamas, so it's not a huge deal (if the washing machine broke it would be though, because I would run out). The worst part is that I HAVE to shower EVERY morning now, and that's so drying for my skin!

I used to be lazy about moisturizing when I was younger, but now even though I'm not, it feels inadequate. Do I just have to keep continually upgrading to more expensive moisturizers?! (I've done this like... twice already, I think, in the last ten or fifteen years). The options are not unlimited because I need them to be unscented.

Comments

[princessofgeeks]

I don't know what options are available to you where you live but I can recommend Lubriderm.

[cimorene]

I used to buy that in America, but I think actually they don't sell it here. The brand I usually buy is pretty similar to it, though, it has a similar texture and scent and level of richness, but it's made by one of our Finnish pharmaceutical manufacturers.

[syderia]

I don't think you need to keep going to more expensive moisturizers, bit more likely to find the soap/moisturizer combo that works with your skin, as it keeps evolving.

[cimorene]

Oh no, that sounds even more complicated... because I have to keep looking for new things to try...

[sporky_rat]

Unscented or no fragranced? Because cocoa butter works great but it does have a smell, as does some whipped vitamin e oil.

[cimorene]

Yeah, I don't really know WHICH perfume or perfume ingredient(s) I am allergic to and they aren't required to fully label them anyway, so I tend to just buy unscented as the safest, and I have never had a problem with one. There are still smells though. And I'm not allergic to all perfumed stuff, though it is often too strong for my taste.

[isilya]

Have you had a checkup recently Cim? If not it might be worthwhile. You may or may not be perimenopausal, but there are other common causes, like medication/medication withdrawals and a few other ones that it’s good to keep an eye on.

I’ve had incredibly dry skin my whole life, and Cetaphil unscented body moisturizing lotion is the best one I’ve found. Their body wash is also good.

Agree with the above comment that it’s not about expense, but finding a routine that works. Quick lukewarm showers are less drying and irritating too.

[cimorene]

Ugh, you're probably right. I keep putting it off - it's just so hard to make myself get around to doing things like that. I'm supposed to start getting regular breast cancer screenings now that I'm past forty, anyway.

I will give Cetaphil a try - I know I've seen it for sale in my regular online shop.

[which_chick]

Night sweats sound like a menopause issue. I did that whole ride a couple of years ago (I'm 54) and offer my sympathy and the advice to keep entertaining reading material at bedside for the "It is 3 am and I cannot sleep" moments, should they come to visit you as well.

It's apparently slightly different for everyone -- but you have my sympathy and well wishes for the journey ahead.

[cimorene]

Thank you!

[jctl]

I attacked the dry skin problem from the direction of my body wash. I use the US version of this https://www.eucerin.fi/tuotteet/eucerin-ph5/suihkuoljy-hajustamaton and it doesn't dry my skin out at all, meaning that I don't need a rich moisturizer

[cimorene]

Oh yeah, I've totally seen that on the shelf before! Thanks for the rec, it would be easy to try.