bodycare

Bodycare Review: Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Body Lotion

by PJ on Monday, April 12, 2010

(image from Palmer’s)

A body moisturizer with rich emollients like petrolatum, paraffinum liquidum (mineral oil), and cocoa seed butter can be quite greasy, but this is not the case with Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Body Lotion.

It has a dense lotion consistency but it is relatively easy to spread. I find it to be very easily absorbed and it is among the most moisturizing body lotions that I have come across. It leaves the skin very nourished and supple.

It also includes moisturizing ingredients such as glyceryl strearate, propylene glycol, glycerin, coconut oil, and palm oil.

Like the Cocoa Butter Formula Body Butter that I reviewed earlier, it has a warm and slightly smoky cocoa scent. I don’t usually like cocoa-based scents, which I think is because many of them are quite sweet, but the smokiness of the cocoa scent in this product appeals to me a lot. (If you wear a fragrance regularly, do note that the scent is quite long-lasting and could clash with your fragrance.)

This product should work very well for those with dry or very dry skin. If you don’t have particularly dry skin, it would work better for you in colder and/or drier months.

(The product featured in this review is provided by Palmer’s.)

Jergens Total Nourishment Body Moisturiser

Vaseline Sheer Infusion Mineral Renewal Body Lotion

Neutrogena Deep Moisture Body Lotion

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Bodycare Review: Jergens Total Nourishment Body Moisturiser

by PJ on Friday, March 26, 2010

in bodycare

(image from Jergens)

About this time last year, Jergens was launched in the UK and I reviewed Extra Softening Body Moisturiser. Since then, the line seems to have been enjoying a good presence in the UK and it has been bringing out more items. Today I am highlighting Total Nourishment Body Moisturiser, which was launched in the UK last month.

The product has a soft creamy texture and spreads well. It feels more emollient than Extra Softening Body Moisturiser, but it still feels relatively lightweight on the skin. It is easily absorbed and the moisture is long-lasting. What I like the most about this moisturiser is that it leaves a velvety, cushiony, and almost powdery finish on the skin. There is no greasy residue.

Some of the main moisturizing ingredients in this product are glycerin, cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate, glycine soja oil, stearic acid, helianthus annuus seed oil (sunflower seed oil), simmondsia chinensis seed oil (jojoba seed oil), and hydrogenated cottonseed oil.

The product does not contain alcohol, mineral oil, or parabens. The only silicone ingredient in this product, cyclopentasiloxane, is far down in the ingredient list.

The product has a fruity scent that is not too sweet. For me, the scent is not subtle but it is not too overpowering either.

Overall this is a well-formulated body moisturizer that moisturizes well and leaves a very pleasant finish on the skin. It should be suitable for a variety of skin types, including drier skin types.

(The product featured in this article is provided by Jergens.)

Other Bodycare Reviews:

Nivea My Silhouette! Gel-Cream

Dove Body Lotions & Body Cream Oil

Vaseline Sheer Infusion Mineral Renewal Body Lotion

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Bodycare Review: Palmer’s Body Butters

by PJ on Saturday, March 20, 2010

in -Palmer's, bodycare

To me, Palmer’s seems to be a relatively low-key brand with a solid following. The Cocoa Butter Formula range is among the brand’s most extensive ranges, and it includes the Cocoa Body Lotion, which is probably one of the brand’s best-selling items. (I will be reviewing it later on.) Today I am highlighting Palmer’s Coconut Body Butter and Cocoa Body Butter.

Both body butters are very emollient and are suitable for areas that require extra moisture. The Coconut Body Butter has a slightly thicker consistency, but both are more or less equally moisturizing. What I particularly like about these two body butters is that they sink into the skin quite easily and that they leave very little greasy residue. The skin feels soft, nourished, and velvety, and it looks semi-matte (with little oily sheen).

The Coconut Body Butter contains moisturizing agents such as urea, isopropyl palmitate, shea butter, propylene glycol, glycerin, coconut oil, cocoa seed butter, mineral oil, mango seed butter, and sweet almond oil. The Cocoa Body Butter contains moisturizing agents such as urea, propylene glycol, isopropyl palmitate, cocoa seed butter, and mineral oil.

The Coconut Body Butter has a fresh coconut milk scent while the cocoa scent in the Cocoa Body Butter is warm with a touch of smokiness that I find surprisingly appealing.

Overall, these two body butters are a pleasure to use. While I like both, I marginally prefer the Cocoa Body Butter. It is slightly easier to spread and I really like the warmth in the scent of the product.

Palmer’s Body Butters are also available in Shea Body Butter and Olive Body Butter.

(The products featured in this review are provided by Palmer’s.)

Korres Japanese Rose Body Butter

Dove Body Butters

Neutrogena Deep Moisture

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Elégance Summer 2010 Collection

by PJ on Tuesday, March 16, 2010

in -Elégance, 2010 Summer, all about Japanese cosmetics, bodycare, makeup

(images from www.cosme.net,
info from www.cosme.net
& www.joseishi.net/voce)

Elégance will release its summer 2010 makeup collection in Japan on April 18th. The collection includes:

– Glam Up Gloss (above, 7 shades)

– Lasting Color Mascara (5 shades)

– Lasting Eyeliner (5 shades)

Also, on May 18th*, Elégance will release two limited-edition bodycare items:

– Body Makeup Milk (SPF 15, PA+, with a watery consistency and pearly shimmer)

– Fragrance Body Powder (with shimmer)

(*According to Cosme.Net, the release date of the two bodycare items is April 18th.)

Elégance Spring 2010 Collection

Elégance Makeup Collection Revamp

Japanese Cosmetics Focus: Elégance

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Bodycare Review: Vaseline Sheer Infusion

by PJ on Monday, March 1, 2010

in -Vaseline, bodycare

(image from Vaseline)

In the UK, Vaseline recently launched the Sheer Infusion range, which includes three body lotions. Today I am reviewing the Mineral Renewal Body Lotion.

The product has a very lightweight gelee-lotion consistency. It is one of the most easily spreadable body moisturizers that I have come across. Considering how lightweight it is, it is a very hydrating body lotion and the moisture is long-lasting.

Some of its moisturizing ingredients include glycerin, dihydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, isopropyl myristate, cetearyl alcohol, glyceryl stearate, and hydroxyethyl urea. (Vaseline claims that the combination of dihydroxypropyltrimonium chloride, glycerin, and hydroxyethyl urea (patented as Stratys-3) is able to hold moisture in the skin longer.)

Because it is very lightweight, I think there can sometimes be temptation to apply more than what is needed. But a little really goes a long way with this product, and over-application can result in some stickiness in the first couple of hours.

The lotion has a fresh fruity scent. According to Vaseline, the Mineral Renewal Body Lotion includes fragrant notes of pear, bergamot, apple blossom, white peony, and ginger.

Overall this is a very easy-to-use and effective body moisturizer that should suit most skin types, including the drier skin types. Based on the relatively small amount that is needed per application, the 200ml bottle should last quite a long time.

Vaseline’s Sheer Infusion range also includes Vitamin Burst Body Lotion and Botanical Blend Body Lotion.

(The product featured in this article is provided by Vaseline.)

Can’t Live Without: Dove Body Silk

Korres Japanese Rose

Neutrogena Deep Moisture

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Ayura 15th Anniversary Memories Coffret

by PJ on Saturday, February 13, 2010

in -Ayura, all about Japanese cosmetics, bodycare

(image/info from www.ayura.co.jp)

Ayura will release a limited-edition 15th Anniversary Memories Coffret in Japan on March 5th. (The pre-ordering started on February 5th.) The coffret includes:

– Meditation Bath α (700ml, limited-edition size)
– Aromatic Body Powder
– Meditation Oil
– Meditation Body Serum (50ml, limited-edition size)
– Ayura Orgel

Meditation Bath α and Meditation Body Serum are available as regular items, whereas the other items are only available in this coffret. The orgel plays Debussy’s Clair de Lune. (You can listen to the actual rendition from the Ayura Orgel on Ayura’s website.)

I adore Ayura’s hair and body products. Meditation Oil was available in one of the sets some years ago. It is a very lightweight body oil that absorbs well and is beautifully scented. I occasionally add a couple of drops of the oil in the hand cream I use to make the cream even more nourishing.

Meanwhile, Meditation Bath α has been Ayura’s best-selling product, and it is by far the best bath product I have ever used. The clear bath essence turns into a milky lotion in the bath and has one of the most gorgeous scents I have ever come across. The mildly minty scent with a hint of oriental herbs is fresh, uplifting, and calming all at the same time.

Loving Japanese Cosmetics (1 of 7): Ayura

Ayura Spring 2010 Collection

My Beauty Weakness: Cute Cuticle Oils

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Bodycare Review: Korres Japanese Rose

by PJ on Friday, February 12, 2010

in bodycare

(images from Korres)

Last December, I reviewed the Materia Herba skincare range from Korres. Today, I am focusing on two of the three products from the brand’s new Japanese Rose bodycare range.

Japanese Rose Showergel has a liquidy (but not watery) consistency and is very easy to dispense. It foams very well with a relatively small amount and the lather is pleasantly dense. It doesn’t dry out the skin and it leaves the skin gently conditioned.

The scent of the product is not a typical rose scent. There is a hint of rose, but I actually find the scent to be gently warm and milky. It should be an enjoyable scent for both summer and winter.

The product does not contain silicones or parabens. It contains a small amount of benzyl alcohol but I don’t find the product to be irritating.

Japanese Rose Body Butter is lighter than most of the other body butters I have come across. It is essentially a dense body lotion with a creamy texture. It comes with a pump dispenser.

Some of the main moisturizing ingredients in this product are cetearyl alcohol, sweet almond oil, glycerin, coco caprylate/caprate, dicaprylyl carbonate, sunflower seed oil, squalane, shea butter, and avocado oil.

The product leaves a delicate sheen on the skin but it doesn’t feel sticky. It hydrates the skin well and the moisture is long-lasting. (It has the same fragrance as that of the Showergel.)

The product does not contain silicones or parabens. It contains alcohol and benzyl alcohol (which are not major ingredients) but it does not cause irritation on my skin.

The Japanese Rose range also includes Body Milk.

(The products featured in this review are provided by Korres.)

Imperial Leather Skin Bliss Shower Lotion

Neutrogena Deep Moisture Range

Dove Body Butters

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Bodycare Review: Neutrogena Deep Moisture

by PJ on Thursday, January 14, 2010

in bodycare

(images from Neutrogena)

According to the BBC, the UK has been seeing its worst cold spell in the last 20 years. The cold weather, the drying heating, and the sudden changes between indoor/outdoor temperatures can be quite testing for the skin, which can be easily neglected while we are concerned about other parts of our lives affected by the weather. Today I am highlighting two body moisturizers that could be helpful for the skin during this time of year.

Neutrogena Deep Moisture Body Lotion Sensitive has a rich lotion consistency. It doesn’t spread as easily as some of the other body lotions that I have tried, but it is absorbed pleasantly easily. The skin feels silky and the moisture is long-lasting. It doesn’t leave the skin sticky or slippery.

Some of the main moisturizing ingredients are glycerin, isononyl isononanoate, cetearyl alcohol, paraffinum liquidum, cetyl alcohol, anhydroxylitol, xylitylglucoside, xylitol, and glyceryl stearate.

This product is fragrance free.

Deep Moisture Comfort Balm sounds like a very thick and butter-like body moisturizer for very dry areas only, but it is actually lightweight enough to be used all over the body. (It is denser than Dove’s Body Silk and lighter than the two Dove body butters I reviewed last November.) As a cream (as opposed to a lotion), it spreads relatively easily and it is absorbed very quickly (almost surprisingly so). The finish is similar to that from Deep Moisture Body Lotion Sensitive. It is non-sticky and leaves the skin silky and nourished.

Some of the main moisturizing ingredients are glycerin, cetyl alcohol, caprylic/capric triglyceride, glyceryl stearate, butyrospermum parkii (shea butter), and stearyl alcohol.

The product contains fragrance. (It is the last ingredient on the list.) The scent is quite subtle and comforting.

Overall, both products would be competent enough to be used for winter and they should be suitable for most of the year if you have very dry skin.

Take care, and keep warm!

(The products featured in this article are provided by Neutrogena.)

Neutrogena Everyday Repair Body Lotion

E45 Endless Moisture Range

Elemis Exotic Lime & Ginger Duo

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Bodycare Review: Dove Body Butters

by PJ on Wednesday, November 25, 2009

in -Dove, bodycare

(Dove Body Butter for Extra Dry Skin)
(images from www.dove.co.uk)

(Dove ProAge Rich Body Butter)

Last month I reviewed three of Dove’s body lotions. As we are heading into winter, some of us might need more intense moisture. Today I am highlighting two of Dove’s body butters.

Body Butter for Extra Dry Skin and ProAge Rich Body Butter have very similar formulations. The first ten ingredients of the two products are entirely the same and they are listed in the same order on the ingredient lists. (They are aqua, petrolatum, glycerin, dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, stearic acid, hydrogenated polyisobutene, ethylhexyl cocoate, hydrogenated didecene, and glycol stearate.) The two products also contain cocoa seed butter and shea butter, while ProAge Rich Body Butter contains olive fruit oil.

Both body butters have a rich texture and are very emollient. The ProAge range is promoted as a very intensely nourishing range, and ProAge Rich Body Butter is indeed more emollient than Body Butter for Extra Dry Skin.

Unless you have exceptionally dry skin, body butters are generally for drier areas of the body only. (They can be used alone or on top of your usual body lotion.) I do personally find that both body butters are too emollient to be used all over the body, but they do work well on dry patches. For me, they also work well as hand creams. Overall, both are good choices if you want a very rich body moisturizer.

(ProAge Rich Body Butter has a slightly stronger fragrance. If you are worried about scented body moisturizers clashing with your fragrances, Body Butter for Extra Dry Skin should be a better choice.)

(The products featured in this review are provided by Dove.)

Other items that might work well for you in winter:

Imperial Leather Skin Bliss Shower Lotion

E45 Endless Moisture Range

Garnier Hand Repair

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Bodycare Review: Dove

by PJ on Thursday, October 29, 2009

in -Dove, bodycare

(images from www.dove.co.uk)

Two years ago, I wrote about Dove’s Body Silk (in my Can’t Live Without series), which is one of my favorite body moisturizers. (I am still using it.) Today I am reviewing three of Dove’s other body moisturizers.

The Supreme Silk Beauty Body Lotion (pictured above) is from the same range as the Body Silk, and it feels lighter than the Body Silk. It has a light lotion consistency and it spreads very easily. It is nicely absorbed and hydrates the skin well.

It contains mica, which gives a bit of shimmer to the skin. I don’t usually like body moisturizers that have a “makeup” element, but the shimmer from this product is quite faint and subtle.

The Intensive Lotion for Extra Dry Skin has a light-cream consistency. It is more or less as easily spreadable as the Supreme Silk Beauty Body Lotion. But, after it is absorbed, it feels a lot more emollient on the skin. (It doesn’t feel too heavy or sticky.)

When the Pro.Age Body Cream Oil is dispensed onto the hands, it has a creamy lotion consistency that is not too different from that of many other body moisturizers. But when I spread it onto the skin, I can really feel how richly emollient it is. It may look somewhat runny, but it spreads almost like a thick body butter. It is by far the most emollient of the three.

Paraffinum Liquidum (mineral oil) is third on the ingredient list, which might be one of the reasons why this feels so emollient on the skin.

Among the three, the Supreme Silk Beauty Body Lotion appeals to me the most (although I would prefer a version without mica). It feels the lightest on the skin but it is still very hydrating. (On a related note, it is the only one among these three that doesn’t contain mineral oil.) I think it should suit most people with normal or normal-to-dry skin on the body.

The Intensive Lotion for Extra Dry Skin, I think, is indeed for people with very dry skin. Most people might find it more suitable when the weather is particularly cold and dry. As for the Pro.Age Body Cream Oil, which works more like a body butter, I think it is more ideal for the very dry patches of the body, as it can be too oily to be used all over the body (unless your skin is exceptionally dry).

Next month, I will review Dove’s Body Butter for Extra Dry Skin and Pro.Age Rich Body Butter and I will compare them with the three products reviewed above.

(The products featured in this review are provided by Dove.)

Kanebo Sensai Premier The Body Cream

Jergens Extra Softening Body Moisturzer

Nivea My Silhouette Gel-Cream

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