My skin has always been dry for as long as I can remember. Growing up in a very hot climate, my skin always felt super dry and maybe a bit leathery all over, except my face ( which had its own battle). When I finally had enough money to graduate from using petroleum jelly, I started using lotions and creams but my skin would dry up within hours and shortly after that, my skin was pretty much ashy.
Years later, I started making lotions- this was the first lotion that I made for my then-husband. It worked great for my skin and I loved it. My skin felt moist all day and I figured that within a few weeks, my skin texture would change. It didn’t. It stayed the same but still felt smooth. I figured I’d settle for moist even though it didn’t quite look or feel like what I wanted it to be.
As I learned more about AHAs, I decided I was bold enough to venture into making lactic acid lotions. And of course, I had to test it on myself and my then-husband. Within 2 days of consistently using it on my skin, I started itching excessively and I felt a strong urge to wash and scrub everything off; I was so sure I was never going to use the lactic lotion ever again.
I got in the shower and soon I was scrubbing away. I just needed relief from the itch. I don’t think I’d ever seen that much loose skin come off my body all my life. This gave exfoliation a whole new meaning! It was disgusting but in a weird way, it felt very satisfying. I think I was in the shower for over an hour; each time I thought all the loose skin had come off, there was still more. I came out of that shower feeling super new and maybe a few pounds lighter ( I couldn’t prove it though)- my skin felt so soft but slightly sensitive.
I didn’t think it was wise to use the lactic acid lotion again since my skin was slightly sensitive. So I used Extra dry Skin Lotion for about two days then I went back to lactic acid lotion again.
I guess I had so much skin built up over the years because it seemed like every week, I was losing pounds of skin in exfoliation (I’m obviously exaggerating) and it felt great.
After a while, it seemed like I was not getting the same results. I wasn’t even feeling that initial sting that I felt on the first application. I guess I was disappointed. I had only been using my 10% lactic acid lotion and I knew it was time to turn up the heat and I felt brave. I went for 20% Lactic Acid Lotion which was not a very smart idea. Let’s just say I had to wash it off immediately- my skin was stinging in ways I’d never experienced before.
Meanwhile, my skin was looking so much better. I absolutely loved the way it felt- it was soft, supple, smooth, and moist. Because the 20% lactic acid lotion was too much for my skin, I decided to use 15% Lactic Acid Lotion instead which was a perfect middle ground and I alternated with the Extra Dry Skin lotion.
Just as I expected, my skin soon got used to the 15% Lactic Acid Lotion and once again, I turned up the heat and I reintroduced my skin to the 20% Lactic Acid Lotion and this time it went well.
It’s been years now and my skin has come a long way. Instead of wishing I had someone else’s skin, I am very happy with how mine looks as well as how it feels. It’s been a journey and I feel privileged to have been able to experience both sides of the dry skin.
If you’re wondering if Lactic Acid lotion is for you, hopefully, this helps. Remember that everyone is different and your skin might react differently hence your results will also vary. Proceed with caution and always start with a lower strength and then gradually move up.
