Help with hair and skin care - budget

[Bearshouse]

Okay I need some help and I would love for it to be budgeted.

I have lived out in the county all my life. That means we were always on a well with a softener. I have always used Sauve shampoo and conditioner and Dove bar soap and Sauve (with cocoa butter) lotion.

We have moved to the city, with city water. Now my routine isn't cutting it. My super fine hair is limp and falling out. My skin is dry and cracking. (TMI I know).

Anyone have any budget friendly shampoo, conditioner, etc that might help. My poor kids are in the same boat. Any help would be great.

Bearshouse

 

[mrsklamc]

Is it impossible to have a softener installed?

If not, my only budget tip for those items is to sign up for the CVS thread.

 

[MomToOne]

Sounds like you may be having problems with the chlorine in the city water.

Is your hair actually falling out from the roots, or just breaking off near the root? If the hair is falling out, I'd first visit the doctor just to rule out any medical issues. If it is just breaking off, then you probably just need to change your haircare routine like you've guessed.

I have fine hair (although mine is not breaking off) and I like the Pantene shampoo/conditioners for fine hair. I follow it with whatever volumizing gel/mouse my hair stylist is pushing at the moment

As far as your skin goes, I suggest trying a thicker lotion like Curel. My daughter has eczema, and needs heavier lotions like that.

 

[Cruise]

You can also buy a showerhead that will filter chlorine from the water. Something like http://www.amazon.com/Culligan-WSH-...ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1276552197&sr=8-4

At just $25, it might be less expensive over the long run than changing all your toiletries.

 

[DisneyDebbie]

I don't use 'soap' at all, I use body wash, Dove, Oil of Olay, Bath and Body works, any kind really, and I like thick moisturizers. It's also not needed to wash your hair everyday I wash mine 2x/week. It's thin and I like Pantene and Fruictis (sp?) I don't use alot of product, just a little root lifter. I also don't blow-dry it very often.

 

[cbg1027]

You can also buy a showerhead that will filter chlorine from the water. Something like http://www.amazon.com/Culligan-WSH-...ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1276552197&sr=8-4

At just $25, it might be less expensive over the long run than changing all your toiletries.

That's what I would suggest too. Growing up, we had well water. Even though it was hard water, there was no chlorine so my hair was soft. Then when I went away to college and had city chlorinated water, my hair started feeling really icky. I got one of those chlorine filters and it worked great. They're not expensive and you only have to change the filter every 4-6 months, depending on how often the shower is used. The one I got was easy to install as well - just found it on the shelves at Home Depot.

 

[crisi]

I use vaseline as a moisterizer. Works great.

I also wash my hair about every three days now on the advice of my stylist. Takes a few weeks for your head to "reset" but my hair looks great and I use 1/3 of the shampoo. So you could buy a more expensive shampoo if you needed to.

 

[Irin997]

I have a shower filter too but mine is for my apartment well water which smells icky and has a lot of mineral deposits in it. It was cheap and it works great.

This is the one I have though:

http://www.amazon.com/Culligan-ISH-100-Inline-Shower-Filter/dp/B000MVYRWE/ref=pd_cp_hi_3

I originally bought an amazing shower filter from Sephora and I loved it - it seriously worked...but I couldn't justify the cost. $100!!
http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P121807&searchString=shower filter

 

[Bearshouse]

Thank you for all the suggestions, going to go get the shower head this weekend. If that doesn't work I will try all the others too!! Thank you so much.

Bearshouse

 

[MickeyManiac]

My dermatologist has me using the Cetaphil cream. (The heavy cream in the jar, not the pump bottle) for my eczema. I am hooked now. Since I have to scoop it out with my hand even my nails are no longer dry and brittle. The stuff is amazing.