Monday, February 25, 2008
Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion
I was given a sample of Skin MD Natural Shielding Lotion to try out. I tested the lotion over a month, sometimes applying it to my hands and sometimes to my arms and legs. Overall I like the lotion a lot, it goes on smoothly, absorbs quickly and has no discernible scent. It kept my skin moisturized, and when I applied it post-shower I found I was ready to put on my clothes much sooner than when I use a regular moisturizer. This aspect is nice when you have a rushed morning prep schedule.
Is it worth the price? I'm not sure yet. The lotion works in part by "transforming the outer layer of skin into a hydrating invisible shield." I don't have any serious dry skin ailments, but the lotion did cut down on some minor irritation my sensitive skin can get from the seams in shirts. A 4 ounce bottle of Skin MD Natural costs $25, and they estimate it will last 1 to 2 months. That is just expensive enough to keep me from buying a new bottle.
That said, the lotion has plenty of positive reviews online and if you have any skin trouble I encourage you to try it out. You can get two sample packets mailed to you for the price of postage ($2) from the ordering page (additional cost if shipped outside North America).
The Skin MD Natural site has a video purpotedly showing off the protective quality of the lotion. In it the demonstrator applies the lotion, then holds a rock in his hand an pours hydrochloric acid over the rock which drips down his hand. The rock fizzes, and the idea is that the lotion protects his hands from acid strong enough to (queue dramatic music) dissolve this rock! The video feels like a stunt, and watching it only made me afraid to apply the lotion to my skin for fear that the lotion would trigger my mild contact dermatitis. I quickly found this information about the demonstration on The Beauty Brains website: "It's an interesting and compelling demonstration. Of course, it's not as impressive if you consider that when the scientist pours the acid on the rock (probably limestone), there is a neutralizing reaction that occurs. A neutralized acid is like pouring salt water on your skin."
I was still intrigued so I turned to the only chemist I know to find out more about it: Joseph Reardon, PhD., aka my dad. He confirmed that the stone had a neutralizing effect on the acid and that the video was a stunt, adding "What damage to tough skin (like that on the hands) would 14-15% HCl do? And how quick acting would it be? Would the demonstrator being screaming in pain if his hands were lotion-free? I suspect not."
He had a look at the ingredients of the lotion and had this to say: "I'd bet that if you changed the relative amount of one or two of the ingredients by one or two percent, the entire texture might change -- the lotion might suddenly turn thick and tacky, or watery, or coarse feeling, or whatever. Give credit to the formulators for coming up with something that appeals to the end user."
In poking around I came across Gloves In A Bottle, which sounds very much like the Skin MD Natural lotion but the bottle is half the price and twice the size. The Amazon customer reviews make me wonder if the lotion is similar. I plan on buying some to compare.
categories: beauty
gloves in a bottle is terrific! I'd use it more but I'm a dog groomer and you can only ask so much of a lotion. It does act like gloves, repelling water, etc. (Just not when your hands are in water constantly). I'd DEFINITELY recommend you give it a try.
Comment by Min — February 25, 2008 @ 10:37 am
It would be very interesting to read your thoughts in a comparison. My hands (and skin in general) are really parched ever since I moved to the desert, I can't seem to stay on top of the dryness. I'd love a good product that doesn't cost a small fortune!
Comment by Jill - GlossyVeneer — February 25, 2008 @ 11:06 am
I have been wanting to try gloves in a bottle. I saw a review in a gardening mag and it look like something I could use when putzing outside. Haven't found it locally, may have to try amazon.
Comment by Rachel — February 25, 2008 @ 11:07 am
There are no possible words describing what menopause has done to my skin. Apple Valley comes to mind...you know in the Mojave? Or that place in Nevada where they did nuclear field testing. I would be willing to try almost anything.
Comment by Tess — February 25, 2008 @ 11:40 am
I'm on this endless search to find the perfect lotion. It would contain SPF 15 or higher, smell like lavender and cost under $10. The only thing that comes close to these teeny tiny requirements is Lubriderm, but that just smells like lotion. So for now, I just put good smelling oils in said lotion. But you'd think someone like Suave or Oil of Olay would come up with this by now.
Any suggestions?
Comment by barrie — February 25, 2008 @ 2:58 pm
I actually use this product every night. I have eczema and roseacea and it responds really well to this. I never saw the demo you described. Pretty amusing!
I use the Anthelios that you reviewed a while ago every morning as well-I just dont need spf at night!
Comment by kern — February 26, 2008 @ 12:22 pm
$25/4 oz. is crazy expensive.
Barrie, how about adding a few drops of lavendar oil into a bottle of unscented Lubriderm? (I do this with unscented Alba Very Emollient lotion...s'nice.)
Comment by Lacey — February 26, 2008 @ 3:07 pm
Lavender.
Comment by Lacey — February 26, 2008 @ 3:08 pm
4 oz. will last 1 to 2 months? Maybe if you're Tinkerbell.
Comment by Nina — February 26, 2008 @ 9:35 pm
This sounds like just what I'm looking for. I’m an artist and find that the oils and solvents I use are always drying my hands out and leaving them dry, cracked and sore. This definitely sounds worth a try, especially as it’s non greasy and lasts so long. It’s been getting some good press too and is worth checking out - Skin MD Natural in the UK. It uses a new advanced scientific proprietary formulation which, apparently, has a moisturizing factor 6 times greater than glycerin, the standard humectant (water absorber) against which all others are measured. It is a shielding lotion which bonds to the skin to keep the irritants out, moisture in and protects the skin in a way a normal moisturizer can’t. Well worth a look.
Comment by jinki — March 3, 2008 @ 7:14 am
My facial skin was becoming dry itchy , with some redness. Other moisturizers did little and many irrated my skin. My best results came from using estee lauder night repair...but I no longer use that because it not only has parabens but is $70 plus a little tiny bottle.
I was a bit skeptical about SKIN MD at first. The first 2 days I used it on my face, it didn't feel that moisturizing. However, it did not irratate my skin, so I kept using it.
Now I've been using it about a week and my very dry skin is looking much better! For Real!!! The redness has been calmed and the little bumps on my forehead (ecexma) have receded dramatically. I can actually use mineral makeup powder now. Before my skin was too dry and it looked horrid. My skin is looking like it self again. Good product. Good price. I highly recommend.
Comment by Kay — May 1, 2008 @ 8:36 am