SummitPost.org

Ok folks, time for a slow stroll down the metro road..

After years of outdoor abuse and neglect, I'm currently treating dry, sun-damaged skin on my arms and legs.
I've been using this homemade remedy I've worked up for several months and it seems to work very well.

A mix of:
Raw Shea Butter
http://www.amazon.com/Pack-African-Shea ... B00AU9VX3Y
http://shop.racosmetics.com/100-Pure-Sh ... z-0148.htm

and
Heritage Store Aura Glow Massage Oil
http://www.amazon.com/Heritage-Store-Ma ... B000VBHNLC

The mix ratio is about 10 parts raw shea butter to 1 part massage oil. Put both ingredients in a glass jar in the sun for a couple of hours and then do a final mix with a dinner knife. The oil cuts the firmness of the shea butter and makes it a bit more easier to apply. The mix does not separate as well; totally natural and one could eat/cook with the stuff in a starvation pinch. Good to go.

Anyways, I'm curious if there are any products you have discovered for dry and sun damaged skin that you have found particularly effective.
I'm especially interested in do-it-yourself remedies, but if there is a commercial product out there that is inexpensive and especially effective, I'm interested in that too.

Thanks forward for any info you may provide.
Hey, stay hydrated (and moisturized) out there.
JM

Jesus, I stumbled upon a terrific remedy for my dry skin purely by accident. With age, my skin has demanded more attention due to dryness. So I started using Eucerin, and it is effective but it is also a hassle. Unrelated to my dry skin, about 6 months ago, I began adding a generous teaspoon of coconut oil to each of my two cups of coffee in the morning. I was doing this to augment calorie intake prior to morning workouts having read the coconut oil has other health benefits, too. (I get mine at Costco, Kirkland Organic.) I had also read that coconut oil could be applied directly to one's skin. I never did that, but thought it was interesting all the same.

Anyway, after my first morning's dose of coconut oil, I did a workout on a stationary trainer and noticed a pleasant, faint odor of coconut coming out with my sweat! Nothing like smelling good while working out, but thought nothing more of it at the time. Then, within a week or two, I noticed my skin was no longer dry! Not only is my skin no longer dry, it is softer, too. I have not touched the Eucerin container ever since.

There is one word of caution. If you have issues with high cholesterol, coconut oil might make things worse (check with your physician). On the other hand, if you have low or normal LDL levels, give it a try. I have low cholesterol values and I'm told folks like me need not worry about saturated fat intake.

The Rock, working in a coal mine, washing too many camp dishes (have you ever see that insane pile of dishes at the Jose F. Rivas Hut?)...The list goes on and on.

FWIW, here's a few products I've found especially effective over the years for treating dry hands whilst purposely avoiding The Dark Arts (e.g. Pitons, Hokas, Vitamin I(buprofen), Bebidas Brujas - Rock Star, Monster, RB, etc.):

Smith's Rosebud Salve
http://www.rosebudperfume.com/products-list
http://www.amazon.com/Rosebud-Salve-Tin ... B009I4PRI4

Corn Huskers
http://www.corn-huskers.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Corn-Huskers-Oil- ... B000RO3EMA

Okeefes Working Hands
http://www.okeeffescompany.com/
http://www.amazon.com/OKeeffes-Working- ... B00121UVU0

Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Hand Cream, Fragrance-Free
http://www.neutrogena.com/product/hand+ ... y=ourPicks
http://www.amazon.com/Neutrogena-Norweg ... B000052YP6

Bag Balm
http://www.bagbalm.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Bag-Balm-Ointment ... B0014CI4X8?

Udderly Smooth Udder Cream
http://www.uddercream.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Udderly-Smooth-Ud ... B0000AS54S

Trail Toes
http://www.trailtoes.com/
http://www.amazon.com/Trail-Toes-Phenom ... B00GW70JW4

Word.

Update:

Another one I forgot about for hand treatment:
Trader Joe's Head to Toe Moisturizing Balm
http://www.traderjoes.com/digin/post/he ... izing-balm

Pennisula's mention (h/t):
Eucerin Intensive Repair Hand Cream
http://www.eucerinus.com/products/repai ... creme.html
http://www.amazon.com/Eucerin-Intensive ... B001699TI8

FWIW, I haven't used this stuff, but I've heard good things about it:
No-Crack Hand Cream
http://nocrackcream.com/

Who Knew?
Climbing Salves for (and by) Rock Rats

Joshua Tree Climbing Salve (..heard of this one for awhile, but never used it)
http://www.jtreelife.com/products/climbing-salve
http://www.amazon.com/Joshua-Tree-Skin- ... B004YAUJ8U

Metolius Climbers Hand Repair (never used it)
http://www.metoliusclimbing.com/climber ... -balm.html
http://www.amazon.com/Metolius-Hand-Rep ... B003V2SJO8

Elk,

I use Aloe Vera as an aftershave (whenever that happens..hah!)
FWIW, I like Jason brand:
http://www.jason-personalcare.com/product/aloe-gel-tube
http://www.amazon.com/Gel-Aloe-Vera-Jas ... B00014DSE0

Bascially, I've found that Aloe Vera is not really that tenacious for heavy dry skin treatment. Better for sunburns, shaving cuts, very light moisturizing, etc.
Whoa. This thread really is starting to roll metro...

bump