Epi-max Archives - Pretty Please Charlie

I used to always have perfectly painted toes and smooth legs. I have fond memories of those days. Now time and budget is allocated a little differently. I’m not complaining, but it would be nice to have a little more me-time (and me-money). I think most moms are in the same boat.

I thought I’d share my favourite body care budget buys and tips with you today. Also working on skincare and make-up …

Budget Beauty for Busy Moms: Body Care

First up is Cara’s body cream that turned out to be my favourite too. Epi-max is a wonderful brand that offer lotions and creams perfect for sensitive, dry and eczema-prone skins. I posted about their range HERE. A pot goes for about R60 and they are often on special at Clicks. Can I get a ‘hell yeah’ for Clicks’ 3 for 2 promotions?! Epi-max has a new look, so keep an eye out.

Another great brand that I rediscovered a couple of months ago, is Dawn. You can’t get more budget-friendly than this. I’m talking under R20. They have a great selection of body lotions and creams and it works. Plus you pop it in your trolley when you do grocery shopping. Bonus.

If you are not a fan of body cream, or you just don’t have the energy or time to apply it from head to toe every day, you can go for a moisturing body wash. Dove has great options that will leave your skin silky soft and smooth after your shower. And it won’t break the bank. Talk about budget beauty!

Another favourite of mine is the Lipidol Cleansing Body Oil. This may not make much sense if you read my original review HERE, but it does leave your skin feeling soft and moisturised. No need for a body lotion.

Now on to self tan. Don’t close your browser! I know that applying self tan sounds like a daunting task, but things have changed. And get those streaky legs and orange palm images out of your head. There are many affordable and easy to use self-tanning products on the market today. Caribbean Tan stands out for me. They have a great selection of products to suit all skin tones. They also released brilliant how-to videos last year so now there is no excuse. Check out the videos HERE. Here’s to glowing, ‘sun-kissed’ skin.

Last but by no means least, exfoliation. Skin will not glow if you don’t get rid of the old, no matter how much you moisturise. I love dry body brushing and a good body scrub, but that takes a bit of time. Solution… exfoliating mittens. Put one on each hand whilst in the shower or bath. Add a moisturising body wash and you will emerge with beautiful smooth skin. These are the ones I’m using at the moment. Around R30 for a two pack.

If you prefer body scrub I suggest Sorbet. They have a great range that is affordable and smell heavenly.

Do you have any budget beauty tips to share? Please leave a comment and tell me your secret!

xoxo

Over the holidays a friend of mine asked me why I recommend creams containing urea for very dry and eczema-prone skin. I was reminded of a post I wrote on the subject for Beauty Bulletin a couple of years ago and thought it wise to repost it here; in case you have ever wondered exactly what urea is and why you may see this ingredient on the packaging of some of your favourite body creams and lotions.

There’s urea in my body lotion?

Most people cringe when they see this ingredient on their body lotion/cream packaging. Not to worry ladies. The urea in your cream is a manufactured chemical. Its chemical name iscarbonyldiamide.

Urea is naturally present in healthy skin cells and it helps to maintain the skin’s moisture level. When your skin is dry, a cream containing urea can increase the water content of the skin whilst preventing water loss – thus your skin will become plumped up and supple. Urea also helps to get rid of dead skin cells. Because of this particular benefit, an urea cream can work like a charm on those very rough areas like your elbows and heels.

Both my daughter and I have eczema, and our dermatologist has recommended that we use body creams containing urea.

In my research for this post, I have found out exactly why it is recommended:

‘Urea has been medically proven in various clinical studies to have extraordinary anti-fungal and anti-microbial properties that promotes fast healing of dry cracked split skin, eczema, psoriasis, rashes, acne, burns and other types of problem skin.’ – www.skinremedies.com

Creams containing urea really does give my extremely dry skin some relief.

My favourite is Epi-max Plus (see my review on this brand HERE) which you can find it Clicks and big pharmacies. Also check out the Eucerin body range. Many of their products contain urea.

If you suffer from dry skin (or dry skin conditions) I suggest that you try an urea cream. It may just turn out to be the solution that you have been looking for.

I really hope that you have found this post informative and useful.

xoxo

Image source: www.thegloss.com