Love your lotion: nourish the skin you're in with natural alternatives to conventional moisturizers

It's hard to know. which is worse: dry, itchy skin or a body slathered in lotion that feels like petroleum jelly. Suffer these extremes no more. Toss out those conventional lotions that leave an oily coat or are laced with chemicals that might have long-term health consequences. Instead, opt for natural lotions that really moisturize your skin and allow it to breathe at the same time (not to mention make you smell great).

Although some skin-soothing treatments sport "natural" on their labels, most mass-market body lotions use petroleum by-products--petrolatum and mineral oil--to lock in moisture.

Many conventional lotions also contain parabens, chemical preservatives that can irritate the skin. Traces of parabens have even been found in breast cancer tissue, raising questions about health risks associated with long-term use of the many mass-market skin treatments.

By contrast, many natural-lotion manufacturers turn to the plant kingdom instead of the chemical world. For emollients and moisturizing agents, they use vegetable waxes, vegetable glycerin, and plant oils and butters. A wide array of natural lotions, even the heavier creams, are designed to moisturize and penetrate the skin's surface, so you aren't left with a heavy, coated feeling. Even better, natural oil extracts such as lavender, almond, chamomile and rosemary are often used for aromatic scents--though those sensitive to fragrance can opt for unscented lotions.

There's a natural lotion to suit just about every skin type. Peruse the Ingredient Rundown (at left) for a summary of what's best for your skin type. Make the switch and your soft skin will breathe easy again.

ingredient rundown

Not sure which lotion is for you? Let your skin type be your guide.

DRY SKIN

Cocoa butter:

Rich in fatty acids (the building blocks of healthy skin) with excellent emollient properties

Rose hip seed oil.

High in essential fatty acids and phytonutrients that combat free-radical damage

Shea butter:

Contains vitamins A and E and essential fatty acids, and makes for a rich lotion ideal for parched skin

We like:

COMMON SENSE SHEA BUTTER LOTION

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WELEDA SKIN FOOD

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NORMAL SKIN

Aloe vera:

Improves the overall health and integrity of skin

Coconut oil:

A quick-absorbing and effective moisturizer

Jojoba oil:

Replicates the skin's own natural oils

We like:

AUBREY ULTIMATE MOIST GREEN TEA, ROSEMARY, MINT HAND & BODY LOTION

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BURT'S BEES CARROT NUTRITIVE BODY LOTION

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SENSITIVE SKIN

Borage oil:

Contains GLA (gamma linolenic acid, a fatty acid), which calms and reduces inflammation in irritated skin

Calendula:

Calms irritated skin by reducing inflammation

Oats:

Form a natural barrier between skin and the environment to reduce allergic skin reactions

We like:

BOIRON CALENDULA LOTION

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SHIKAI BORAGE DRY SKIN THERAPY

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COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning