Mid-January means alligator skin.

Even though temperatures have been relatively mild this year, once the heat comes on, the season seems to suck all the moisture right out of the human body until your hands and legs look positively reptilian.

Lots of options exist for repairing the damage. It can be fun to slather yourself with something that smells like coconut and fantasize you’re rubbing on suntan lotion at some obscenely frivolous Caribbean resort. If that’s a bit much, but you’d still like something with a tropical vibe that will put a spring in your step, try Tangerine Vanilla Whipped Body Butter from Reclaiming Our Roots, a “community herbalism” project in South Portland that offers locally made herbal products, classes, consultations and an herbal CSA.

This body butter is made with organic extra-virgin coconut oil, mango butter, cocoa butter, vanilla-infused almond oil, jojoba oil, and tangerine and vanilla essential oils. Be warned: a little dab’ll do ya. Dip into the jar a little too generously, and it really will feel, and look, like you’re smearing butter on your skin. If you use too much, just wait a moment for it to soak in.

Now for the scent. It’s very subtle, which in a way is a good thing because you don’t want to walk around smelling like a juice bar. I think it’d be perfect, though, if it were a bit stronger.

Reclaiming Our Roots makes all kinds of body care products, including a coconut-scented body cream. Buy its products at the Portland Food Co-op, where a 2-ounce jar of the whipped body butter costs $14.29, or visit the Reclaiming Our Roots apothecary at Alchemy, 87 Ocean St. in South Portland.

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