Bath & Body:
Dry Skin in Spring?
4/4/14

The flowers are starting to bloom, the trees are getting lush and green and...my allergies are wreaking havoc on my body! Well this is definitely a first for me. Outside of the typical runny nose, sneezing and itchy eyes, I'm suddenly suffering from dry skin this Spring. The first area I noticed some dryness was on my arms, particularly my upper arms. My usual lotions and potions weren't cutting it, so I thought I'd share some successful, reasonably-priced products that relieved my dry skin.

First I switched to a natural and soothing body wash. So many shower gels and soaps can strip the skin of natural oils, which is especially problematic if you're already suffering from dry skin. I'd used Jurlique products before and consider it to be a solid natural beauty brand. Less expensive than Dr. Hauschka, they have a wide array of bath and body as well as facial products. I selected their Rose Shower Gel, and have been impressed. In case I haven't touted it enough by now, I'm a huge fan of products containing rose and believe in the healing powers of the rose. It's not just a fad or especially unique ingredient, but it is something I have been seeking out for quite some time. A little bit goes a long way on a bath sponge, and this healing and soothing shower gel leaves my skin hydrated and healthy.

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Kiehl's Crème de Corps body lotion has been my go-to dry skin reliever for years, but it couldn't cut the mustard this time. Their Superbly Restorative Argan Body Lotion contains Argan oil (from Morocco), which is widely used in skin and hair products for its repairative and hydrating properties. This lotion is a happy medium between a body lotion like Crème de Corps and a body oil. For those new to using body or facial oils, it's a great introduction. The rate at which my skin absorbs this lotion is astounding. My skin literally drinks this readily and it doesn't leave a messy residue or take awhile to fully absorb like some lotions can. I was sold after using this product once. My skin was instantly hydrated and healed. I happened to notice that one of the first ingredients listed is Squalane, something often found in facial skincare products.

My verdict? I don't believe in investing tons of money in body care products when there are so many fantastic, moderately-priced products available. Both products are my new go-to dry skin relievers. It's been quite awhile since I've stumbled upon such transformative bath & body products. Save the big bucks for your facial skincare. 

Jurlique Rose Shower Gel is $22 for just over 10 oz. Available at Julique online, Whole Foods and other natural stores. 

Kiehl's Superbly Restorative Argan Body Lotion is $38 for a 6.8 fl. oz. pump & $55 for a 16 fl. oz. Pump. Available in Kiehl's stores or Kiehl's online, and at retailers like Nordstrom & Neiman Marcus. 

Summer Body Beauty:
fresh Hesperides Bath & Shower Gel
& fresh Hesperides Body Lotion
4/25/13

It's amazing how many products we switch in the summer, from adding heavier SPF to our faces and bodies, waterproof eye makeup, to lighter moisturizers and scents. I wear a cult favorite body cream in colder months (review to come), or if my skin needs extra moisture. During warm and humid weather I switch from a body cream to body lotion, with a light, summery scent. 

fresh Hesperides smells of fresh grapefruit, and is utterly refreshing both in and after a shower. I actually discovered this scent (the fresh brand version) in the fancy restroom of L'Espalier, a fine dining restaurant in Boston. They had a hand lotion that I was so fond of that I actually wrote the fragrance down in my iPhone notes. While I was quite familiar with the fresh brand, I really only purchased ornately-wrapped bar soaps from them. Well, color me stoked when I hit fresh Boston the following day and saw the scent in bath & body products. Of course I immediately got both. 

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I immediately loved the shower gel, as they can be so disappointing. They're either drying, don't create enough lather with a bath sponge, the scent can change after you shower...you get the idea. Shea butter nourishes the skin without feeling heavy, and a little goes a long way. This also means the bottle lasts for quite some time. I would guess each bottle lasts approximately three months. I've had bottles of shower gels from other brands that were twice as large, yet were used up in half the time. 

The body lotion is lightweight and soothing. I tried to do the natural/bargain thing with body lotions from brands like Nature's Gate. No comparison. The fresh body lotion immediately absorbs into skin, leaving it soft, silky and leaving behind the intoxicating Hesperides (grapefruit) scent. Very feminine. Perfect for hot weather, and you don't have to spend forever applying it. 

- fresh Hesperides Bath and Shower gel is $18.50 for a 10 oz. bottle

- fresh Hesperides Body Lotion is $22.50 for a 10 oz. bottle

My verdict? I can't imagine summer without this duo, and recently ordered the rollerball fragrance. 

Available at fresh, Nordstrom, and Sephora.