Topicrem Balm Is Kryptonite for Dry Skin

 People, I have found what I think may be the last skincare cream I will ever need. While I have had several favorite moisturizers in the past, I truly, truly believe I have found my forever favorite.

This is Topicrem DA Protect. 

I found it when looking for a balm to use on my face (which gets more sensitive and dry with every year that I'm mortal). It was the price and ingredients list that made me choose it over other similar products. 

I was curious about allantoin

At around $15 for a 200ml (6.7oz) tube, it's something I thought I could afford to try at least once. What I find is that it takes so little to treat my face (and sometimes my psoriasis-dry ankles and feet) that it's lasting longer than cheaper products.

Seriously. That's it.

I like that the balm is so effective as both my day and night moisturizer. I generally apply it in the morning before my sunscreen and then at night before bed. I just squeeze a couple of smears of product across my palm, and it's more than enough for my face and neck. That is a good cream, in my book!

Because the balm worked so well for my face, I wanted to see if there was a lotion I could use on the rest of my body. I decided on the Ultra Hydratant.

It's a body milk that is, of course, thinner than the balm. At around $21 for 500ml (16.9oz), it's cheaper per ounce than the balm. I don't find it moisturizing enough for my face during these drier winter days, but it's perfect for my body. Like the balm, the moisture lasts and lasts - though, again, the balm lasts much longer because I need to use more of the lotion, of course. I am now in the habit of palming a small bit of it to run over my hair in the morning.

I won't be able to buy the lotion as often as I will the balm, but if I had to choose only having one of them forever, it would be the balm. 

I let my brother try the balm on his hands - which are drier than the Sahara - he was kind of wowed. Of course, being who he is, he isn't as concerned as I (and his wife) are about his dry hands. He likes to joke that his are "working hands". Whatever.... He was impressed with the moisturizing properties of the balm, though. 

By the way, my brother described the balm perfectly by saying it just "melted into" his skin. That is exactly what it feels like! 

See how the balm is melting/sliding
with my body heat?

I can't wait to tell my doctor about this balm. I have tried so many things for my psoriasis dryness. She has recommended the usual suspects: CeraVe Ointment (very good stuff*), CeraVe Moisturizing Cream (also good, and I still have a partial jar), and she even prescribed an ointment (which is good for calming the breakouts).

Now, here is a little bit of a price breakdown for the CeraVe Ointment and the Topicrem products.

I will continue to use the CeraVe Cream when I can't buy the Topicrem lotion. The balm, though, that is a must-have. I really wish my insurance covered things like this.

Peace

--Free

The CeraVe Ointment is a must-have item because there are times when parts of my body will get dry to the point of being itchy. This happens about once every couple of moths it seems when I am not drinking enough water (or, sometimes, I believe, as a reaction to one of my medications). This is when I will supplement any lotion I use with CeraVe ointment. It's oily, so I don't like to use it constantly. The Topicrem balm and lotion do not heal these itchy breakouts but do help keep them from starting. Odd.

Peace

--Free

NOTE 1: The prices I used to compare are what I paid at the time I bought the items. There are fluctuations (esp. on Amazon) due to temporary discounts or depending on the seller.  This is the French Topicrem site. Notice the curly/frizzy hair products on this page. French Pharmacy carries the brand, but I don't see the hair product I mentioned.

NOTE 2: For anyone interested, the app that I used (see photos) to compare prices, is Unit Price Calculator from Six By Nine Apps. I want to shout them out because the app is free/donate. It's excellent for dummies like myself! This is not sponsored/requested mention, but you can go and buy the developer a cuppa.

BTW, here is Bill Barr being funny:

DISCLAIMER: I was not and will not be compensated for any of the products mentioned in this post.

**QUICK POST** Manuka Oil Healing Psoriasis

(NOTE: Blogger wigged out and deleted my whole post after I published and auto-posted to G-Plus. So, here I go, re-creating the whole thing!)

It's never easy to be publicly vulnerable, but I want to post some Before and After photos of my psoriasis-plagued feet to illustrate how Manuka Oil is helping to heal them. First, let me tell you a few things:

1. I think the psoriasis started about 5 years ago.
2. The affected skin gets scaly and itchy. It flakes so badly that it's visible in my shoes and socks.
3. I've tried the long-term use of an RX ointment and an RX cream.
4. Before I left Alaska, I was going to the dermatologist 3 times a week for UVB treatments. This went on for about 2 1/2 - 3 months.
5. I've ordered balms and creams online. Some helped the appearance. Some didn't work at all.
6. The last thing I used (and still do) really helped the appearance of my feet and gave some relief from the itch. Plus, it smells great.
7. I ordered the Manuka Oil on 4/11/18 and started using it immediately. 

Bottom line is, nothing healed the psoriasis until I started with the Manuka oil. I was seeing a difference in the skin of my feet the morning after the first night-time application of the oil. It was so immediate.

Please understand that I am not a medical professional of any kind. Do your research and check with your medical care providers before using this or anything. I am only here to tell what this oil did for me.

By the way, I am in the habit of taking photos of my feet for other product reviews and/or so that my family and close friends can see what's happening. Now, here are the photos. 

 I realize the lighting is different for each picture. That's because I hadn't anticipated using the first one for this post. You can though clearly see that the skin is much less dry and flaky and actually is healing back to normal. I expect that in the next few weeks, I can stop hiding my feet altogether.























 Those are photos of the brand of oil I happen to be using. I am not being reimbursed in any way whatsoever for mentioning them, but I will be buying this particular oil again. It's from Inn & Co. You can read the review I recently did (again, not reimbursed or compensated in any way by the brand or seller) to get an idea why I will stick with this brand.

If anyone else has had success with Manuka Oil (or other products) to treat psoriasis, drop me an email or leave a comment.

Peace
--Free