Things I Love: Lotion!

There’s that age-old question: If you were stranded on a deserted island, what three things would you want with you?  One of the things I would want is an endless supply of lotion.  I use it several times a day, so not only is it something I love, but also something I need.

I have been a lotion user since I was about 8.  It must show since I have heard the same comment more than once: my hands look like they have never seen a day of work.  This isn’t true though—my hands have seen plenty of work.  I just take care of them (maybe too much) so it doesn’t really show.  I am one of those people who lather on lotion after every shower, after every hand wash.  I have a bottle by every sink in my house, at my desk at work, in my bag at all times, and more than five bottles on my dresser at any given time.  I couldn’t live without it.

Not only am I a heavy lotion user, but I love the variety of lotion products out there.  First and foremost, I couldn’t live without my Gold Bond Ultimate lotions.  This is my everyday go-to lotion.  It’s rich and thick, and it’s the only lotion that will keep my dry, itchy winter skin nicely moisturized without a sticky feel.  I use the Shea Butter variety in the winter and the Restoring CoQ10 variety in the summer since it’s light and nourishing with a gentle scent.  I have used the SPF 15 lotion when I’m out and about in the sun, but it’s not a high enough SPF for the beach (for me).  I have used the line of body washes, which are okay, but I actually prefer Oil of Olay body wash.  I have yet to try the Gold Bond Sheer Ribbons lotion but soon I will.  Finally, since I work in a public building, I often use hand sanitizer which can dry out my skin somewhat.  Gold Bond had a moisturizing hand sanitizer which will be my next sanitizer purchase.

On the weekends or for special events and days, I like to ramp up my lotion scent.  For this, I often turn to Bath and Body Works lotions.  I have to be careful here though—I am often bothered by strong scents so I have to choose lotion scents on the lighter side.  Just going into this store can result in a headache.  Some of my favorites include Moonlight Path, Warm Vanilla Sugar (but only in the fall and winter), White Tea and Ginger, and Eucalyptus Spearmint (mainly used when I’m looking to relax, as it reminds me of yoga class).  As I’m looking at the website, I see there are some newer scents that I’m interested in sampling: Rosemary Mint, Lemon Leaf, Country Chic, and Coconut Lime Breeze.  For Christmas I bought my husband the Classic Lotion for Men, as he was always using my girly stuff.  It does smell manly and nice but it is strong.  Next time I’ll have to choose something a little less potent.

For a little touch of shimmer, especially in the spring and early summer months, I use Jergens Natural Glow.  It works pretty well but I can’t use it for more than a week.  My feet turn orange otherwise (surprising though that it’s the only place that turns an unnatural color).  Jergen’s used to have a Cooling Cucumber lotion, which I absolutely loved on those hot summer days—it had a very pleasingly light scent and offered just a touch of cooling (think Vicks VapoRub without the awful smell).  I don’t know why they stopped producing it, but now that I know it’s available through Amazon, I may stock up for the summer.

I have also been searching a long time for a suitable lavender lotion.  Bath and Body Works does offer one, as well as other brands, but they’re never quite what I’m looking for—many of them include vanilla (which I like but not with lavender) or are too thick and greasy-feeling.  I want a nice light true-lavender scent.  The closest I have come is Johnson’s (baby) Bedtime Lotion (yes, I have been known to shop in the baby lotion section).  It’s so calming (the lotion, not the baby section).  I basically use this lotion at night or if I’m particularly stressed.  It helps quite a bit, but because it’s made for a baby’s skin, it doesn’t have the ultimate moisturizing effects I need in an everyday lotion.

You can see that there isn’t a lotion brand that I won’t try.  I have bought almost every brand out there, most of which I don’t like for an array or reasons.  But that wouldn’t stop me from trying a brand’s new product should it appear on the shelves.  This is one item I couldn’t live without.

What brands do you like?