I live in Utah. And I love it here! We enjoy “The Best Snow On Earth” here in northern Utah. Due to the salt content from the Great Salt Lake, Utah has some of the best powder skiing of anywhere in the world. The salt is the secret ingredient. Southern Utah is also known world-wide for its stunning red rock canyons, and the sun shines over 300 days of the year. The only drawback is that Utah is a desert! If you spend any amount of time here, you will quickly find the need for moisturizing skin and lip products.

Coming out of what has felt like ten months of January, my skin and lips feel reptilian! Ever since my hysterectomy 31 years ago, I have battled dry skin, cracked fingers, and cracked lips – sometimes year round! You will find most Utahn’s have a large assortment of lotion and lip balm in their bags, cars, and numerous places in their homes. My dermatologist suggested I use a heavy moisturizer daily after I get out of the shower, and to keep lip balm on my lips. Because I do A LOT of crafting, my fingers quite often have cracks that would rival the Grand Canyon.

For these, nothing works better than a little “Super Glue”! This too came as a recommendation from my dermatologist. I prefer “Loctite” - Ultragel Control for this. Just be sure you wash and dry your cracked fingers really good before applying the glue. You will love the instant relief you will feel after you apply the glue. The gel formula takes a little longer to dry, so be sure not to glue yourself to anything while you’re waiting for it to dry. The sad part of all this, is that I love things that smell good, and none of the items my dermatologist suggested fit that bill. Pinterest to the rescue!

I saw a post one day that suggested mixing your favorite scented lotion with your unscented moisturizing cream.

Now before you do ANY of these things, please consult with your dermatologist to make sure you won’t have some kind of adverse reaction. Ask about the products you want to mix, and find out if that’s ok for you.

Personally, I love to mix the following for my lotion. “Cetaphil” Moisturizing Cream is made for Very Dry to Dry, Sensitive Skin. It doesn’t have any scent to it, so depending on my mood, and time of year, I will mix one of two different lotions in with it.

“Kohala Spa – Coco Mango Essence Moisturizer” – which you can only order direct from the “Kohala Spa” at Hilton Waikoloa Village on the island of Kona, Hawaii – OR

“Natural Honey Body Lotion” from “The Grand Spa” – At The Grand America Hotel, in Salt Lake City, Utah. I’m a little sensitive to smells, and some give me an instant headache, however these two have a light pleasant scent that isn’t overwhelming. They also layer nicely with many different scents of perfume. I have to tell you, if you’ve ever been to Hawaii, and are missing the intoxicating smell of the flowers and fauna that surround you when you step off the plane, the “Kohala Spa – Coco Mango” will take you right back with one sniff! It is the only lotion I have ever experienced that captures the exact smell of Maui for me! It’s a perfect winter pick-me-up, or a soothing summer moisturizer after a day in the sun!

To make my mixture, I simply put one full 20 oz. tub of Cetaphil from Costco (they come in a two pack, but I just mix one at a time) in a mixing bowl, then I add 20 oz. of my favorite lotion in with it. I mix it with a wire whisk until thoroughly mixed together with no lumps. The first time you do this, you will need an additional container, because you will now have enough moisturizer to fill two of the Cetaphil tubs. I always keep one empty one to have ready for when I need to mix another batch. Not only does it make the perfect moisturizer for me and my dry Utah winter skin, but I love the light scent it makes. And it helps the expensive lotions go twice as far, so it saves money! In order to use every drop, I carefully use a knife to cut open the lotion bottles. Then I get a rubber spatula, and scoop out every single drop of precious lotion. When I smell something that I love, it brings LIGHT and joy into my life!!!

The other thing I do for my lips is something I also discovered on Pinterest. My lips have always been dry ever since I was a little kid. I always had a tube of “Chapstick” in my purse or pocket. As an adult, I found most lipsticks were too dry no matter what brand or how much they cost. I used to put lipstick on, and then add a gloss over the top, but even then, my lips would dry out quickly. I saw this suggestion on Pinterest to take a full tube of your favorite lipstick type balm, and mix it with 1/3 of a stick of your favorite color lipstick.

My favorite lip balm is “Lypsyl” – Silky Swedish Beeswax Lip Balm with shea butter and coconut oil - Intense Protection Original Mint. I first found this at Walgreens or WalMart, but now I order it in bulk from Amazon. My favorite lipstick is “Clinique” Different Lipstick #62 tenderheart color. I get mine from Nordstrom, Dillard’s, or Macey’s.

Making this mixture is a little trickier. I take a disposable cup that is microwave safe – like what you would put ketchup in. I put an entire stick of “Lypsyl” in the cup, being sure to dig all of it out with a clean wooden stick. Then I cut off 1/3 to ½ stick of the “Clinique” lipstick and add it to the little cup or ramekin. I place this in the microwave for 20 seconds at a time, stirring it with the stick until it is in liquid form. Be Careful!!! IT GETS REALLY HOT!!! I make sure to have one or two extra empty “Lypsyl” tubes with the slider all the way to the bottom – you could also use an empty lipstick tube. You have to work quickly, but when the mixture is melted and stirred together, you can quickly and carefully pour it into the empty tubes and leave them standing upright until they cool and harden. If it starts to harden before you get it all in, just pop it back into the microwave again for 10 seconds or so. I’ve found this recipe to work perfectly for my dry Utah Desert lips, and I don’t have to put gloss over the top, unless I want to add it for some extra sheen. This concoction has longer staying power for me than just using each one individually on its own. Lipstick can be pricey, and by mixing the two together it not only gives you more product, but the final outcome is much more affordable. You get a little bit of color, and a lot of moisturizing lip balm – Win-Win!!!

Once again, be sure to check with your dermatologist before using any of these suggestions. Having products to help us get through the “winter uglies” brings LIGHT and comfort into our lives!!! It would be a fun activity to do with friends, which also brings LIGHT, fun, and friendship to help us get through the dark days of winter.

Have a great week, and be sure to spread some LIGHT, lotion, and lip balm!

Love Ya, Les :)

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