body lotion

BIA Skin Whipped Body Créme Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ 1 Comment

BIA Skin is a Canadian company formulating clinical grade skin care for the body to clear blemishes, improve tone, tighten skin, smooth bumps, reverse signs of aging, and protect skin against environmental stressors.

The Whipped Body Créme is a smoothing, firming, antiaging moisturizer with fatty acids, caffeine and antioxidants that claims to nourish skin and leaving a tightened, toned, and velvety appearance.

Ingredients: aqua, caprylic/capric triglycerides, shea butter, peg-40 hydrogenated castor oil, octyldodecanol, sodium citrate, cetearyl alcohol, polysorbate 60, stearic acid, cetyl alcohol, caffeine, ascorbyl palmitate, mica, hyaluronic acid, propylene glycol, glycerin, acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl acrylate crosspolymer, PVM/MA decadiene crosspolymer, phenoxyethanol, caprylyl glycol, ethylhexylglycerin, sodium hydroxide, parfum, triethanolamine, citric acid 

Octyldodecanol is a mineral wax (a silicone alternative), providing hydration as an emollient and occlusive. Ascorbyl palmitate is a form of vitamin C with antioxidant benefits. Caffeine is an antioxidant and is said to improve the appearance of cellulite and skin tone. Hyaluronic acid is a humectant, performing best over damp skin.

Directions: Massage onto damp skin, particularly the breasts, chest, bum, hips and tummy.

When I purchased the cream, the jar was a very thick, heavy plastic and the scent of the lotion is a combination of rum and plastic, the plastic scent lasting more than a few minutes, then settles into a sort of light vanilla rum scent that lasts less than an hour. BIA has since changed the jars to a lighter-weight 100% post consumer recycled plastic, so I expect the lotion will no longer smell like plastic.

The Whipped Body Créme is a very thick lotion, not as thick as some body butters. It does not spread easily on dry skin, but after a shower on damp skin, it goes on very nicely. The lotion is a bit heavy at first and take a few minutes to absorb. A little goes a long way. The skin is then left with a velvety feeling, lasting about 8 hours; smooth, soft skin until the next day, and a slight shine from the mica that lasts a couple hours. I have used the body cream for a couple months and texture has improved and the skin feels moisturized and nourished. I am not sure about firming the skin, but the crepiness around my bellybutton, inner thighs and breasts from weight fluctuations certainly looks better.

I have had very dry, very itches patches on my lower back and after one use, the dry skin improved by about 50% and was no longer itchy. I am however now left with patches of hyperpigmentation and am going to try Bush Balm’s Bermuda Oil that is formulated to improve dark spots anywhere on the body.

The cream does not work as well on very dry elbows and knees or hands and feet (for these areas I use O’Keeffe’s products; reviews here and here). The Whipped Body Créme however hydrates overall dry, flaky skin elsewhere on the body.

Though this is a thick lotion, I do not think it will be too heavy in the summer; it absorbs so well without being greasy, and my legs and back are prone to dryness even in warmer weather.

Pairing the body cream with First Aid Beauty’s KP Bump Eraser gives such smooth, velvety skin. I also bought BIA Skin Body Polish with Glycolic Acid, similar in function to the Bump Eraser that I will use soon.

BIA Skin’s Whipped Body Créme hydrates, improves texture and tone, and gives a soft, velvety feeling and shine. This is a definite repurchase.

Thanks for visiting.

Lano Everywhere Multi-Cream Allover

~ Michele Raiyne ~ Leave a comment

Everywhere Multi-Cream Allover by Lano is a rich, versatile cream that can be used on hands, cuticles, feet, lips, anywhere on the body, as a day cream, night cream and a baby cream. This cream claims to nourish and hydrate the skin while giving a silky feeling.

Ingredients: Water*, Lanolin*, Cetearyl Alcohol*, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride*, Glyceryl Stearate*, Butrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter*, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond ) Oil*, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil*, Glycerin*, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate*, Cetearyl Glucoside*, Cetearyl Olivate*, Sorbitan Olivate*, Carrageenan*, Benzyl Alcohol, Fragrance (natural)*, Tocopherol (Vitamin E)*, Milk*, Ascorbic Acid, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Oil*, Citric Acid, Daucus Carota Sativa (Carrot) Root Extract*, Beta-Carotene (Ci 75130)*. *Naturally Derived.

The star ingredient is lanolin, a moisturizing oil found in sheep’s wool; Lano sources from Australian sheep farmers. Lanolin is an emollient, softening and soothing the skin, and an occlusive, preventing moisture loss. Lanolin is commonly used as a nipple cream when breastfeeding. This multi-cream also contains a number of plant oils and moisturizing and humectant ingredients.

Directions: Apply to dry areas as needed.

I got the multi-cream to use on my hands, but tried it on my under-eyes, lips, face and arm. This is a rich cream that has a light lotion scent. It applies smoothly at first, then sticky and tugs on the skin, then a tacky feeling is left for a few minutes and I preferred to use this on my hands at night for this reason. Once absorbed a bit, a silky layer is left on the skin. It is not greasy. The lotion felt nice on my lips; I do not think there was really any further improvement compared to my usual lip balm. However, I think this would be really nice as a base lip treatment in the winter. The multi-cream is quite heavy for use under the eyes, so just a tiny amount is needed. Applying the cream tugs on the skin, so patting in works better. This was not too bad on the face (I applied to my cheeks only as I have oily skin), but heavier than I would like and a bit tacky, though again, this would be good in cold weather on small dry patches. It applies to large areas much easier when the skin is damp, but still has the tacky, friction feeling.

Above, my hands had been very dry with cracked knuckles and I used the Lano cream for a week in the evening. There are still a couple of dry areas and peeling skin on my thumb in the after photo, but they look much improved and are no longer painful and cracked. My skin felt softer and more nourished. Having said that, I got better results from Working Hands but if looking for a more “natural” lotion, the Lano cream is not bad.

Lano Everywhere Multi-Cream is okay; it improved very dry hands, however, the skin gets pulled when applying and it remains tacky for about 10 minutes, after which a silky layer is left on the skin. I prefer other lotions for face and body, but I think this cream will be nourishing and hydrating on smaller dry areas in cold weather.

Thanks for visiting.

Drunk Elephant Sili Body Lotion Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ 2 Comments

Sili by Drunk Elephant is a body lotion that claims to restore moisture, lock in hydration and improve dry and dull skin.

Ingredients: Water/Aqua/Eau, Squalane, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Coconut Alkanes, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Pentylene Glycol, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Butter, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Sclerocarya Birrea Seed Oil, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Adansonia Digitata Seed Oil, Schinziophyton Rautanenii Kernel Oil, Coco-Caprylate/Caprate, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Citrullus Lanatus (Watermelon) Seed Oil, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Moringa Oleifera Seed Oil, Terminalia Ferdinandiana Fruit Extract, Plukenetia Volubilis Seed Oil, Sodium PCA, Panthenol, Sodium Hyaluronate Crosspolymer, Allantoin, Sodium Lactate, PCA, Alanine, Arginine, Glycine, Histidine, Isoleucine, Phenylalanine, Proline, Serine, Threonine, Valine, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Seed Extract, Behenic Acid, Aspartic Acid, Adansonia Digitata Seed Extract, Beta-Carotene, Musa Sapientum (Banana) Pulp Extract, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Linoleic Acid, Ceramide NS, Ceramide AP, Ceramide EOP, Ceramide NP, Ceramide EOS, Cholesterol, Mangifera Indica (Mango) Pulp Extract, Caprooyl Phytosphingosine, Caprooyl Sphingosine, Zea Mays (Corn) Oil, Sorbitan Isostearate, Ceteareth-25, Tocopherol, Citric Acid, Cetyl Alcohol, Polysorbate 60, Caprylyl Glycol, Chlorphenesin, Phenoxyethanol, Ethylhexylglycerin

Sili is made up of plant oils and butters, amino acids, antioxidants and five ceramides to moisturize, provide a protective barrier and nourish and rejuvenate the skin. For a moisturizer to be complete and effective, it should contain an emollient, an occlusive and a humectant, all of which Sili is formulated with. Ceramides are lipids found in the upper layers of the skin forming a protective barrier, protecting against moisture loss and damage from the environment.

Directions: Massage over body until absorbed. Can be used on wet skin and can be used on the face as well.

This is a light-weight lotion. Like Drunk Elephant’s other body and hair products, Sili has a sweet almond scent (think almond extract); the natural scent of the product as there are no added fragrances. The scent lasts for only seconds.

I have dry shins and normal skin elsewhere on the body, other than very dry hands. I’ve used Sili daily after showering for over a month now. On application, the skin has a smooth, soft and silky feeling, with a light protective layer left behind. It is not heavy or greasy and absorbs quickly. On application to the hands, the skin has a silky feeling with relief of the dryness for about 10 minutes. After this, the skin feels dry again, but still has the silky layer that lasts on the skin over a couple light hand washes. After a month of twice-daily use as a hand lotion, there is some improvement of surface hydration, but nowhere near the improvement I would expect (the skin still feels dry, though does not really look dry). My shins are dry (not visibly excessively so, but feel dry to the touch compared to the rest of the leg) and I have to use quite a bit of product for the skin to feel moisturized and protected and even after a month, while softer, the skin still feels dry. Elsewhere on the body, while there is not much difference in terms of hydration, the skin is softer. The skin has the smooth silky feeling for a few hours after application. I used the lotion a few times on my face. I have oily skin and this provided moisture and a protective layer over the skin.

Over the last week, I have been adding a couple drops of moisturizing oils (trying squalane, rose hip and the Briogeo hair oil) to the Sili, then applying to the hands and body and this seems to increase hydration and protection of the skin immediately and throughout the day, so Sili just is not moisturizing enough for dry skin. It maintains normal skin, however.

Drunk Elephant Sili Body Lotion absorbs quickly, is not greasy, improves softness of the skin and leaves a silky protective layer, preventing water loss, however, is not very moisturizing. This would better suited to the face and neck (I use on my underarms as well) and normal skin with very minimal dryness and would provide light hydration in warmer weather. I do prefer Sili over the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream in terms of softness and silkiness of the skin. I likely would not repurchase.

Thank you for reading.

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream Review

~ Michele Raiyne ~ 1 Comment

The Ultra Repair Cream, Intense Hydration, by First Aid Beauty (FAB) is a moisturizing lotion for all skin types to be used head to toe and claims to provide immediate and long term hydration for dry, itchy, eczematous skin. It can even be used on baby’s skin.

Ingredients: Colloidal Oatmeal 0.50%,Water, Stearic Acid, Glycerin, C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Cetearyl Alcohol, Caprylyl Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Squalane, Allantoin, Sodium Hydroxide, Dimethicone, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Chrysanthemum Parthenium (Feverfew) Extract, Camellia Sinensis (White Tea) Leaf Extract, Butylene Glycol, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Eucalyptus Globulus, Ceramide 3

Colloidal oatmeal has anti-inflammatory properties, reducing redness and itchiness while locking in moisture and protecting the skin barrier. Glycerin is a humectant. Glyceryl stearate and stearic acid are emollients. Shea butter and dimethicone are occlusives, sealing in moisture. Feverfew extract can reduce the appearance of redness and irritation to the skin. Ceramide 3 is the last ingredient, a lipid naturally occurring in skin. Squalane is moisturizing, also naturally occurring in the skin.

For a moisturizer to be complete, it needs a humectant (draws water to the skin), emollient (moisturizer) and occlusive (sealing in moisture). This FAB cream contains all three.

Directions state to apply from head to toe once or twice daily or as needed.

This has a light whipped texture, but I don’t find it a particularly rich or heavy cream. It has a light eucalyptus scent.

My hands get very dry every couple months, no matter the season. This dryness lasts a few weeks, progressing to redness and peeling. I also used the FAB cream on my hands, as well as heels which are dry and cracked, and all over the body after showering. I didn’t intend to use the lotion on my face, but tried it once.

The lotion spreads easily and absorbs immediately with no greasy feel.

Above, the hands immediately felt soothed and smoother, but 5 minutes later felt dry, not to the touch, but on opening and closing my hands. I was surprised by how dry my hands looked after 30 minutes, but they were quite dry before.

I used this on my hands twice a day for 3 weeks. While they look better after 3 weeks, it looks like the lotion improved surface hydration, but there are still dry patches in the creases and my hands still feel dry on opening and closing.

I used this on my heels for 4 weeks and, like on my hands, improved some surface hydration, but the heels are still very dry and do not feel much more moisturized.

On application to the body, the lotion absorbs immediately. It is not greasy, heavy or oily feeling. There is no residue left on the skin, but unlike most lotions I’ve used, there is no nice butter-like or silky feeling on the skin, but almost a friction-like feeling. The skin felt no softer or hydrated after 4 weeks’ use. I have mildly dry skin on my legs and felt like I had to use quite a bit for the skin to feel any sort of hydration. For this reason, I’ve been going through the 8 ounce tube quite quickly.

I didn’t buy the FAB Repair Cream for use on the face as I am using another cream at this time (and the Repair Cream doesn’t smell or feel like something I’d want to use on the face), but tried it once after my skin felt quite dry after a shower. This felt completely different on the face than on the hands and body. My skin felt moisturized and soothed and while the lotion absorbed fully, it left a light, smooth, protective layer over the face.

I would expect better results after a few weeks’ use on the hands, feet and body, and I did not like how the FAB Repair Cream felt, so would not repurchase for that use; however, it performed quite differently on the face and I would consider longer term use for this purpose. Next I’ll be using the hand and foot lotions from Deciem’s The Chemistry Brand and the body lotion from Drunk Elephant; stayed tuned for those reviews.

Thank you for reading.