Because my skin has decided to respond to the hard water and dry air by becoming the Sahara Desert, I’ve been forced to find a new super-duper moisturizer.
I finally found one with rave reviews, 5 out of 5 stars. Yeah, ordered that immediately. Once it arrived, I ripped that stuff open and slathered it on my parched skin, which soaked it up like a sponge.
All was well.
Until…sniff. Sniff. Sniff.
Aw, hell. I smell like my dentist’s office.
Don’t get me wrong, it smells wonderful, but…it smells like my dentist’s office.
This is a problem.
I have this sometimes irrational fear of smells, namely those of doctor’s offices, hospitals, and dentist’s offices. Hell, even the doctors themselves carry a foreboding scent. Seriously, I’ve gagged when a doctor leaned in to look in my ear.
I’m thinking dating a doctor could be problematic? Just a hunch.
When we almost lost my dad, we spent a lot of time in the hospital. Just to get past my stupid smell fears, I found myself literally HAVING to go to my one, lone refuge in the hospital—the one place I could find solace and peace: The gift shop.
Plus, it was the one place that didn’t stink.
Oh, Dad, you’re out of snacks. I’ll just pop down to the gift shop.
Dad, you need some toothpaste! Gift shop!
What did you say? You want some more mints? Gift shop!
Of course, I think a large part of it was that I wanted to get my dad tons of goodies to make him happy while he recovered. Heck, the day he was moved from the ER, I got him a teddy bear to keep him company.
I honestly didn’t realize just how important the gift shop was during that time. I’m pretty sure it was the only thing that kept me sane and made me feel like I was doing something to make my dad smile.
Anyway, I’ve developed this scent association…with my moisturizer…and the dentist. It made me gag. So, now I have this scary-doctor-smell on my skin…and no gift shop.
Most people would think it smells wonderful.
To me, I’m smelly cat. Actually, I’m smelly cat with a gagging problem.
If the stuff doesn’t work PERFECTLY, then I’ll happily return it. Bye-bye smelly cat.
If, however, it works, then I guess I’ll be gagging my way to sweet skin.
If it does work, let me know. I have the 'skin disease' look thanks to the weather on my upper lip, and I'd like a moisturizer I only need to use once or twice a day, instead of every other hour...
ReplyDeleteI'll e-mail the info to you. So far, I have to say, I'm already noticing a change (and that's with an a.m., p.m. application). It's by Origins. Bit pricey, but I like that their products are natural and seem to work well on sensitive skin.
DeleteYeah, see, everything else I tried basically sat on top of my skin, rather than soaking in. So, it gave the illusion of working. That may be what you're dealing with.
The one thing I despise the most about winter is the dry skin I get!
ReplyDeleteOh dear, a dentist office smell? That's odd. I've come across skin lotion that smells like bug repellent...
I've discovered (for me) the best lotion is Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion - fragrance free. As I'm washing my hands umpteen million times a day at work, I carry a little travel size bottle in my purse.
My dentist's office smells really good, but I don't like the smell to follow me home, you know? lol
DeleteOoh, that works on hands? I'll try that. I'm always using lotion on my hands.
I hate dry skin. My face has never been so dry before. It was really bothering me. So far, this new stuff seems to be working.
Actually this doesn't surprise me at all. Scent is one of the strongest memory triggers there is, if not the strongest. Just saying doctor or dentists office, I can smell the smells, but being there triggers that memory even stronger. Especially if we have traumatic or stressful memories triggered to that smell. The first (and only) accident I've had triggered the airbags. They stink. Later on we drove past an accident scene and I smelled the deployed airbags and instantly I was back at my accident. We're always scared around doctors and dentists are always shoving their hands in your face and leaning really close. Walk back into a school hallway and I'm sure you'll be instantly back in high school yourself :)
ReplyDeleteIt's like with foods--when I eat Lucky Charms, I'm instantly transported back to my childhood. But, those are good memory triggers. A dentist's office? Or, like for you, the airbags? Yeah, a little bit of not so much. lol
DeleteI've got it! Stick a couple of Lucky Charms up your nose after you put on the moisturizer. Just don't sneeze in public. That could be a problem. Personally, I would slather moose dung on my face if it would get rid of the wrinkles. Very enjoyable post, Ms. Frisky. Visiting from Eva's.
DeleteWell, I do love Lucky Charms! lol
DeleteLOL--My skin has never been this dry, so I'm willing to put up with anything if it works. So far, so good.
Thank you so much. *Hugs*
I typically use hypoallergenic anymore, since I was ordered to by a doctor after I had an allergic reaction to the new cheap-ass brand of gloves my old job switched to. I wish it smelled better, but since I no longer work there and don't have to wear those cheap-ass gloves . . . maybe I could start using stuff that smells a bit better than a plastic bottle?
ReplyDeleteEw, a plastic bottle smell? Yeah, that's icky.
DeleteSo you never did say which one it was...
ReplyDeleteI also can relate. I have bought COUNTLESS items that promise stuff only to leave me with itchy eyes.
That's because if it works, I'm totally reviewing it. If this stuff can work on my dry skin, then it's magic. So far, so good. The brand is Origins, though. I usually use Neutrogena, but it just did nothing once the cold weather hit.
DeleteOh, I hate the itchy/watery eyes reaction. :(
I think quite a few people are bothered by that medicinal, antiseptic odor. I recommend body butter from The Body Shop. If you don't have The Body Shop where you live, it's available online. They have a wide variety of scents, and I don't think any could be confused with a dentist's office. Tell them the junebug sent you.
ReplyDeleteLove,
Janie
LOL--Okay, I'll check into it as well. I have to be careful because I have sensitive skin, so I typically try for natural based products, if possible. Otherwise, I make sure it says "for sensitive skin."
DeleteI have sensitive skin, too, and Body Shop products have never made me itchy or given me a rash. I stay away from heavily scented lotions and creams. I love their Vitamin E line for my face. I'm not at all dry or itchy. I gave you an award today so please see my blog for details.
DeleteI'm totally singing "Smelly Cat" now!!! :) I hope your new found moisturizer works wonders for you!
ReplyDeleteLOL. Me too. I've been needing something badly. So far, I'm actually noticing a difference, and that's quick work. Fingers crossed it's a magic moisturizer.
DeleteEeeek! I say return it. Not worth a bad smell to me.
ReplyDeleteI might, if it doesn't work exactly how it says. :(
DeleteGagging from your moisturizer is not good but if it works that is good. So the problem would then be whether to keep using this moisturizer or finding the same brand without the gag causing scent. You could always date a doctor that doesn't work in a hospital.
ReplyDeleteLOL--A non-hospital doc, eh? Maybe. Don't they all carry that smell, though? lol I dunno.
DeleteYeah, if it works, I'm hoping I get used to it eventually.
Can't you mask with something, Miss Virgin? Maybe something with a musky smell would do the trick.
ReplyDeleteActually, I might be able to mask it with something. Good idea. :)
DeleteForget the expensive brand name moisturizer, try good old fashioned olive oil. Very healthy, all natural. Even prevents wrinkles. My grandma swears by it and she looks half her age.
ReplyDeleteReally?! I never thought of it! Thank you so much for stopping by and commenting. :)
DeleteIf you check back in, how is olive oil for sensitive skin? Does it clog pores, etc?
Oh, and I absolutely HATE hospitals. I've never had to stay in one overnight myself (knock on wood), but some of my most forlorn memories come from attending to very sick family members at the hospital. So to me they are like giant concrete blocks of sad. Even now typing this my stomach is turning into knots at the thought of visiting the place, because it means someone I love is in there experiencing pain.
ReplyDeleteI so get you on that, Frisky, and would definitely not want a smell reminding me of such a thing. *shudder*
Everything you wrote is EXACTLY how they make me feel, too. I was just reading every word you wrote and thinking, "Yes! That's exactly it!"
DeleteSMelly Cat Smelly Cat what are they feeding youuuuu?????
ReplyDeleteI actually have a smelly cat sticker on my wall at work. That sticker has been with me for 12 years!
I love the Smelly Cat song. lol It's all I could think about when I started gagging over the moisturizer. lol
DeleteAw, I didn't know they made a bumper sticker! lol That's brilliant!
I know EXACTLY what you mean. I associate scents to everything, even the doctor's office. It makes me want to gag, too. I think I was out eating dinner one time with my friends and my food reminded me of my dentist's office. I can't explain it. I have no clue. But I couldn't eat anymore.
ReplyDelete