Diabetes is a condition that affects many people in today's society. The diabetic population has increased significantly over the years, and diabetic skin care products are becoming more available to help diabetic individuals take proper care and prevent skin problems. There are a variety of diabetic lotions and creams on the market, but some stand out from the rest as being best for this specific purpose.

In this Diabetic & Me article you will learn about:

  • What is proper skin care for diabetic patients?
  • How to apply lotion and cream on dry skin?
  • What are common diabetic skin conditions?

In this blog post, I will review 6 different diabetic lotions and creams so you can see which ones might be right for your needs!

Diabetes can be hard on diabetic skin. The constant fluctuation of blood glucose levels in diabetics can cause skin problems like dry skin, cracked skin, and itchy skin. Diabetic skin care is especially important because diabetic skin is more susceptible to infections from cuts or punctures due to circulation problems. 

What Is the Proper Skincare for Patients With Type 2 Diabetes?

Treating diabetic skin, keeping healthy skin, and preventing skin disorders is mandatory for each diabetic. People with diabetes have sensitive skin and not creating it correctly can cause dry and cracked skin, nerve damage, and fungal infections.

A lotion or cream can be used to moisturize the skin and keep it hydrated. Lotion is usually preferred since lotion provides more moisture to the skin. Diabetics should also make sure they are applying a lotion that doesn't have any form of alcohol in it because this dries out the skin as excessive scratching would.

Diabetic lotions have ingredients that help prevent infections by healing small cuts quickly before bacteria is able to migrate into them and convert those wounds into holes or ulcers which are more difficult to heal.

The proper diabetic skincare for patients with type 2 diabetes includes making sure their hands and feet are taken care of, as well as avoiding other actions that might aggravate inflammation or bacterial growth.

How to Use Diabetic Skin Care Products?

Lotion and cream work to rehydrate the skin and seal in moisture so it’s not easily lost.

Apply lotion, creams, oils, or ointments sparingly - they should be applied after bathing, dressing, and before bedtime. Many diabetics need lotions with more oil than cream because lotions evaporate better into the skin. Make sure to apply lotions and creams evenly over the hands, feet, and legs. They should be massaged gently into the skin.

The sensitive skin may want something that is scent-free or unscented for a more calming moisturizer for its hypersensitive nature. Your hands are frequently touching wet surfaces like doorknobs, utensils, and paper money - often without gloves! The sensitivity can be increased by trauma from rough washcloths on elbows and knees during a scrubbing session.

  • Here are some tips and tricks on how to apply lotion and cream to your skin:
  • If lotion is watery, rub lotion in your hands first before applying it to the skin.
  • Use lotions or creams with a thicker consistency to rehydrate sensitive areas like elbows and knees.
  • Apply lotions sparingly so as not to overwhelm the skin.
  • Start moisturizing at the feet and work up toward the heart - this will ensure that you have an even coat of lotion on all parts of your body when finished! This also helps avoid any potential staining if the product gets onto clothes while massaging into dry patches.
  • After applying cream on your feet put on socks to make sure the feet keep dry and the cream is massaged into your skin.
  • Skin care products may be applied by hand (using fingers) or with a cotton ball or pad soaked in lotion for larger areas such as arms and legs.

What Is the Best Cream for Diabetic Skin?

Below you can find a list of the best creams and lotions for diabetic skin to help you with your personal care, irritation, redness, to feed your whole body with amino acids, increase the blood flow in your blood vessels, and prevent severe conditions.

Sale (-$2.01)
1. Gold Bond Hydrating Lotion For Diabetics' Sensitive Skin
5,090 Reviews
$7.99 −$2.01 $5.98 Amazon Prime Buy on Amazon

1. Gold Bond Hydrating Lotion for Diabetics' Sensitive Skin

Gold Bond Ultimate's Diabetics' line of products provides the intensive hydration that diabetics need to help put their sensitive skin at ease for up to 24 hours. This one-touch aloe, vitamin A, vitamin E enriched lotion is fragrance-free and nongreasy so it won't make your tight clothes tough for you to move in all day.

The best part? It comes with a special 50% lighter formula specifically designed for dry skin caused by diabetes! Now go ahead & sweep those worries away with our moisturizing quality lotion today!

2. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream for Diabetics’ Dry and Cracked Skin

CeraVe Moisturizing Cream for Diabetics’ Dry and Cracked Skin is a thick, nourishing lotion that provides 48-hour hydration. Formulated with essential ceramides 1, 3, 6-II as well as Urea, this light cream helps ease dry skin and has patented MVE technology to replenish your skin's natural skin barrier.

This product also contains the antioxidant Bilberry extract. You can rely on CeraVe knowing every ingredient in this delicate formula is carefully selected & crafted to help you feel relaxed all over again!

3. Aveeno Relief Lotion Treating Diabetic Skin

Aveeno Relief Lotion Treating Diabetic Skin helps treat and soothe dry, itchy skin associated with diabetes. With a rich, fast-absorbing formula; you won't have to worry about your skin being pale or irritated for 24 hours. Follow the natural shea butter relief lotion after bathing in order to be well moisturized all day long and create a good skin barrier.

4. Neoteric Diabetic - Advanced Healing Cream For Dry Skin
2,274 Reviews
$44.44 Buy on Amazon

4. Neoteric Diabetic - Advanced Healing Cream for Dry Skin

The Neoteric Diabetic Advanced Healing cream can help heal wounds, treat circulatory issues and other skin concerns. This product uses a clinically proven method to combine oxygenated corn oil with essential vitamins and nutrients that help speed up the healing of bruises and scrapes as well as providing relief for any painful itching. With this cream, there is no need to worry about greasy residue because it absorbs so quickly leaving behind a pleasant scent.

5. Diabetic Ulcer Cream & Sore Relief Treatment

An ulcer, also known as an open wound or sore, is one of the most common health problems for people with diabetes. It’s estimated that over 60% of all diabetic hospital admissions include treatment and prevention against these wounds. Keep your feet happy on those couches by using the Diabetic Ulcer Cream & Sore Relief Treatment! Get the 3X Action™ you need and be free from itching, soreness, discomfort, and redness.

6. Formula 2 Skin Care Cream

Formula 2 Skin Care Cream is a formulated product by a father and son pharmacist team. This high-concentrate moisturizer is not watered down like other products, so it's perfect for people that can't always find what they're looking for. Say goodbye to dry, cracked skin and say hello to Formula 2 Skin Care Cream! You'll get deep hydration with no alcohol or fragrance with this product.

What Are Common Diabetic Skin Conditions?

When diabetes does affect the skin, it can sometimes cause a range of dry and other skin conditions that affect the appearance, feeling, or resilience of the skin. Poor blood circulation can lead to increased infection risks, particularly if lesions are open sores due to diabetic neuropathy (nerve damage).

The most common diabetes-related skin conditions include:

  • Superficial bacterial infections are usually caused when diabetes medication increases susceptibility to virus-like molluscum contagiosum or herpes simplex virus type 1.
  • Diabetic dermopathy, or skin lesions associated with diabetes that is usually painless and occurs on the shins.
  • Lichen simplex - a disorder in which there is intense itching or burning due to an allergic reaction to sweat trapped under bandages, elastic stockings, or other clothing against the skin.
  • Pityriasis Rubra Pilaris (PRP) can cause red bumps near hair follicles – this is also known as “chicken skin” because of its texture. It occurs when inflammation leads to the thickening of the outer layer of cells on top of the skin's surface called keratinocytes.
  • Foot problems such as calluses and ulcers are caused by neuropathy-related injury from diabetes.

What Diabetic Foot Cream Is the Best?

The best foot cream for diabetes dry skin is CeRave moisturizing foot cream for dry skin, which contains moisturizers to prevent dry skin, especially during the winter months when air conditioners make dry skin even worse. The thick cream penetrates through the dry cracked or callused areas of your feet, allowing you to walk painlessly by lubricating and nourishing damaged and dry skin cells. It’s clinically shown gentle enough for people with diabetes. 

Conclusion

Dry skin and other common diabetes-related conditions can be treated with the right products. Moisturizing cream for dry skin is a great way to keep your skin healthy, especially during colder months when dryness is more prevalent. It’s clinically shown gentle enough for people with diabetes, so you don't have to worry about any side effects or allergic reactions!

Last update on 2023-11-26 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

About the Author

Ely Fornoville

Hi, I'm Ely Fornoville, and I am the founder of Diabetic & Me. Being a type 1 diabetic since 1996, I developed a passion to help people learn more about diabetes. I write about diabetes and share stories from other diabetics around the world. I currently use a Medtronic Guardian 4 CGM and a MiniMed 780G insulin pump with Humalog insulin.

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