OK, everyone. I'm exceedingly uninspired today (please forgive me). Therefore, I'm going to treat you to an analysis of body lotions that I recently wrote. Men will probably find it quite dull, so I apologize in advance. Read no further if you're in danger of falling asleep and drooling all over your keyboard!
As we age, we tend to suffer increasingly from skin complaints like dryness, patchiness, and cellulite. And living in Florida, where the sun beats down on us daily, we also have learned the need to seek daily UV protection. Perhaps this is why I've grown increasingly interested in finding the perfect body lotion.
Before I go any further, let me say that I am being completely impartial and stand to gain nothing by endorsing any of these products.
Following is what I've discovered:
BIOTHERM I adore this product line, which can be found in department stores or online. There's just something about it that you must experience yourself. I have found their skincare to be superior to almost anything else. They claim that their "purified and patented ingredient...is the scientific key to the effectiveness of (their) products." Certainly something sets them apart from the rest, and it's not mere marketing.
I highly recommend any of their body products, but specifically I would urge you to try their body firming and shaping line. They were the first to introduce such items, and they are definately the experts in the field. Of course Biotherm is no longer alone in this, and they aren't inexpensive; so if you're on a budget, treat yourself only occasionally. I wish I could recommend a good Biotherm SPF body lotion, but they do not produce any.
BATH & BODY WORKS There is a Bath & Body Works store in virtually every mall I've ever entered. This means the product is very available, and the price is quite reasonable. They often have sales which bring a quality product within easy reach of even the most frugal budgets. Their lotions are, without question, of superior texture and quality. They easily absorb into the skin with the right amount of fragrance that lingers without overpowering. This is true even when the lotion is specifically designed for dry skin (I've noticed that other manufacturer's lotions have a tendency to be "stickier"). However, none of their daily body lotions contain sunscreen, which is a pity.
MARY KAY This is a company that has done much to dispel their old image of greasy lotions. At one time their face makeup remover cream could be used alternatively to grease door hinges. However, their new lines definately have the same quality as department store brands (and are just as pricey). Their TimeWise Cellu-Shape Contouring System has impressed me when it comes to cellulite control. Their other various moisturizers are quite good, and leave no greasy residue while delivering lasting fragrance (although this fragrance can be, at times, a little strong). However, they have no daily body lotions with sunscreen.
If I were in the market for a simple body lotion, I would turn to Bath & Body Works, instead, since their prices and availabilty are superior. But, if you find yourself suddenly in the midst of a Mary Kay party with your hostess staring pleadingly at you, you can't go wrong with one of their lotions.
OLAY Despite the fact that Olay products (at www.olay.com) can be found in any corner drugstore or supermarket, Olay's Regenerist facial cream was declared to be #1 by Consumer Reports in a recent review. They've come a long way since the 1970s, when they had earned the reputation of being cheap and oily (which is one of the reasons they shortend their name to "Olay" from the former "Oil of Olay"). Their Regenerist UV Defense Regenerating Lotion is superior to any other product which I've tried. The average price for a 2.5 oz. bottle seems to be $18. However, I've seen it on Ebay for $9-$10.
The Olay website says "Perfect for daytime use, Olay Regenerist UV Defense Regenerating Lotion combines the exclusive Olay amino-peptide complex with vitamin C, Olay moisture and UVA/UVB (SPF 15) sunscreen to speed surface cell turnover and enhance skin's condition one cell at a time. This light, non-greasy formula with a light, fresh scent smoothes evenly onto the skin and includes light-bending powders to soften the look of fine lines and wrinkles."
SHISEIDO The Shiseido product can be found in department stores or online. They take UV protection seriously. Of all the products that I've reviewed here, they have the highest SPF levels by far. Shiseido states that they have "...developed a unique PA rating system to show the level of protection against UVA rays (aging rays), with the highest index being PA+++ as extremely effective protection." If SPF is of utmost importance, this is the product I would recommend. But be warned: Shiseido also quite pricey. My favorite Shiseido body lotion is the Ultimate Sun Protection Face & Body Lotion. It's available in 18 SPF, 33 SPF, and 50 SPF.
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11 comments:
Well if sunscreen = body lotion, I am into the Bullfrog stuff. They make some stuff that sprays on now, from a pump bottle.
Anyway, it is good stuff. It blocks the sun.
The best part is that it dries very quickly. It is a liquid, not a "creme". You do not stink like a damn pina coloda. No white goop anywhere.
Lazy Iguana, SaurKid likes the Bullfrog product, but his biggest complaint is that it is too sticky/thick. Maybe the spray on version is better... we'll have to try it!
I go to Bath & Bodyworks all the time. They're great with antibacterial hand soap that smells like vanilla sugar! mmm! But the lotions DO absorb quickly! It's really worth it to pay the extra amount sometimes- I even get the Aveeno oatmeal lotions which I think are much better than anything else, but $12 bucks for one small bottle. Eh. But worth it!
As a life-long excema sufferer I can highly recommend Citaphil products. They do the job without any perfumes or unecessary additives.
Hi Saur!
I have nothing to add to your comprehensive lotion examination, but wanted to drop in and say hi. Miss ya! Be back soon.
Clew
How does the Bullfrog stuff hold up to sweat? Does it run into your eyes? Mother Nature and Father time have conspired to remove the naturally occuring SPF protection from the top of my head. The NO-AD that I have been using (I'm conservative, ultra conservative) doesn't hold up so well.
I hate lotions that smell, sets off my allergies and asthma.
May I recommend Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash?
I use it instead of shaving cream for my legs too. Very soft skin.
I may try your skin firming stuff on my butt though.
I checked to see what lotions I have... Suave. Equate. Jergens. Coppertone. I really need an upgrade!
My dermatologist suggests Neutragena Ultra. I just have to get this bid in.
The bullfrog stuff claims to be sweat proof. And water proof.
Banana Boat also makes this stuff called "quick dry sport" that sprays on and dries quickly. No coconut / pineapple stench.
I have used that stuff far more than the spray bullfrog stuff. I like it. But last time I needed some stuff all they had was the bullfrog spray. So I got it. I did not turn into a lobster, so it works.
Bull Frog has its own fragrance, and while not sweet, anyone with a nose, who isn't using it, can identify the Bull Frog user at about five feet. (I use it, but who cares what I smell like.)
I have some differences of opinion about lotions, but having spent a lot of years putting makeup on others as well as myself for theatre, and having spent other years selling lotions (for all kinds of companies, I was a Fuller Brush man in the late fifties) If I spent time on names it would be self-serving (I am thinking of going back into sales to pay Jan's hospital bill)
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