Of all the things I've been insecure about over the years, the bumpy skin on the backs of my arms isn't one of them.
Impolitely referred to as chicken skin, medically known as keratosis polaris, the little bumps are a build-up of keratin in the hair follicles, and I've had it on the backs of my arms for as long as I can remember.
It's never troubled me because I can't see the backs of my arms, and quite frankly, they're nobody else's business, so I haven't spent years (or a lot of money) on trying to clear them.
However, earlier this summer my mother (why are they always the most critical in our lives?) touched the back of my arm and commented: "Oooh, that's soft!"
Checking it myself, I realised she was right. The little bumps that have been there for as long as I can remember had vanished; in their place, a smooth, silky arm. Lovely.
I mused on what I'd done differently in the last few months that might have smoothed my skin, and I realised the only thing I've changed in my routine is my body cream.
Swapping luxury creams for sensible lotions
I love luxury, heavily scented body care with names like 'souffle' and 'mousse' but this summer, I swapped all of them for French pharmacy brand Mixa's Urea Cica Repair Body Cream, normally £9.99 but right now it's £6.66, at Boots.
The big (somewhat unsightly tub) has been on my shelf since early spring, but I started using it religiously in June. I switched out the expensive creams I normally use because my routine of twice daily body lotioning became a chore in our long, hot summer. I wanted something inexpensive I could rub in quickly and get on with my day.
Little did I know, the budget body lotion would end up being a game-changer for the chicken skin on my arms.
Why do I love Mixa?
Unlike other derma body lotions, which are often ultra heavy and incredibly boring to use, Mixa's Urea Cica Repair lotion is silky and sinks in immediately. While it might not look elegant on my shelf, and realistically, is as boring as other sensible body care that's been around for years, it more than makes up for the unappealing appearance with how nice it is to use and how effectively it softens skin, thanks to urea and amino acids, which exfoliate and smooth the skin.
Yes, it's practical like E45 cream and the like, but it applies like a more luxurious lotion, so it doesn't feel as medical or boring.
Other lotions and potions I've used in the past which have helped with my bumpy arms (but not quite as brilliantly as Mixa) include Dr. Sam's Flawless Body Cleanser, £18, which has a bouncy jelly texture and gently exfoliates in the shower (good for sensitive skin) and of course, CeraVe's SA Smoothing Cleanser with Salicylic Acid, £14.50, which is beloved by beauty editors for a no-nonsense, skin smoothing cleanse.
Other uses for my Mixa cream
I first opened the tub after a ski trip in March. All the cold air and wind gave me a horribly raw, red chin. At the time I bemoaned that I had no "boring" skincare that would help, before remembering a little tube of Mixa I'd been given.
Sure enough, the intensely hydrating lotion cleared up the red, scaly skin in 24 hours – hurrah for basic skincare that works.
At the other end of the spectrum, for the first time in my life I was struck by heat rash in July. Again, I slathered Mixa onto the affected areas, and voila, it cleared right up!
I've since given bottles to my friends anytime they've had a skin issue – one reacted to the cleaning fluid used at her nail salon, which left her with red, itchy arms. Mixa fixed it.
Another is super sensitive and flares up at the slightest aggressive ingredient – Mixa sorted her and her dad out.
I'm nearing the bottom of my tub, and next time I'll buy their pump bottle lotion, as it's more appealing to pump out product than to stick my hand into a giant tub, but the formula certainly won't be leaving my routine for a while!
