It must be my relatively new dry brushing routine or the activated charcoal soap that I slather all over my body after a good workout. Whatever it is, I’ve been feeling pretty dry lately.
And I am not a huge fan of body lotion. You know, the stuff that gets gifted liberally during birthdays and Christmastime? Pass. Though I do make an exception for body serums with SPF on limbs that get exposed to the sun on the regular, if I’m wearing dark pants or a maxi skirt, I’m skipping out on the moisture. Something about our humidity, whether it’s summer or rainy season, just encourages the stuff to pill (or ball, whatever you want to call it) on my skin. Gross.
A few people in the skincare industry must’ve noticed that body lotion isn’t cutting it anymore because a ton of alternatives have come out in recent years. Of course, not many have reached the Philippines, but let’s take what we can get, shall we?
Here are our four top picks for anti-body lotion:
KRACIE NATULULU (P495/500 ml)
PROS: This stuff is super light. The best way I can describe the consistency is it’s like pouring coconut juice all over yourself. It dries quickly, is surprisingly hydrating, and once dry, you won’t feel it at all. It’s allergy-tested, is less acidic, and is free of fragrances, coloring, and mineral oil. It’s formulated with a plant-based ceramide mixture for skin nourishment.
It says on the product description that you can use it on your face, too, but I haven’t tried. It is worth considering since you dispense it from a bottle, which means the product stays sanitary enough to use facially, as well.
CONS: Because the consistency is really runny, you risk spilling the product every time you pour it out. It slips through your fingers and ends up everywhere if you aren’t quick.
Kracie. Available at all Beauty Bar outlets and on Beauty Bar online. For more information, e-mail inquiries@beautyboxcorp.com
NIVEA IN-SHOWER HYDRATING SKIN CONDITIONER (P159/250 ml)
PROS: For people who just loathe the feeling of moisturizing after bathing, this product, which is formulated with almond oil, could be an interesting choice. Use it in the shower, after you rinse off your soap or shower gel. Pour a generous amount of the In-Shower Body Moisturiser, and slather it everywhere you need moisture. Some say to leave it on for five minutes, but the instructions say you can wash off right away because the product absorbs quickly.
CONS: Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t necessarily feel moisturized after using this product, and I have tried leaving it on for five minutes before washing off. It could be just a psychological thing on my end because I can’t comprehend how it can hydrate my skin after rinsing and towelling off.
Nivea. Available at all leading drugstores and supermarkets nationwide. For more information, visit their website.
TONY MOLY PURE ECO SNAIL MOISTURE GEL (P548/300 ml)
PROS: If you haven’t gotten into the snail extract beauty trend, I don’t blame you, but this is a noob-friendly way to dip your toes in if you’re curious. Formulated with 90-percent snail extract, it moisturizes rough skin and soothes irritation. Snail filtrate is proven by numerous studies to aid in human skin regeneration to keep it looking healthy and refreshed.
Though sticky at first—it is a gel, after all—once it dries, you’ll hardly feel it. It takes about three to five minutes to dry, though, so don’t put on pants right after applying.
CONS: There is a heavy scent, so those with sensitive skin may want to do a patch test first. It also says on the label that you can use it for your face. Upon first usage, I tried it, but it stung my face, so I wouldn’t do that again. Also, because it comes in a jar, I’d recommend decanting a small amount in a separate container if you want to use it for your face and body, just to avoid contamination.
Tony Moly. For a complete list of locations, visit their Facebook page. For more information, visit their website.
NATURE REPUBLIC 92% PERCENT ALOE VERA GEL (P245/300 ml)
PROS: I’ve reviewed this product before and the great thing about it is its versatility, along with its reasonable price point. For a product that you can use as hair gel, eyebrow gel, a soothing mask, and sunburn treatment, you’re getting great bang for your buck. It also works well as a body moisturizer. The consistency is similar to the Tony Moly Pure Eco Snail Moisture Gel, but a tad thicker. Once it dries down, though, you won’t feel a thing.
As a face moisturizer, there’s no sting at all, but again, I would recommend transferring a small amount to a different container to avoid contamination.
CONS: Though this product can be used for many different things, the fact that it comes in a jar makes it problematic. You don’t want to dip your fingers into the pot after applying on your hair, then smear some on your face. That’s just asking for a zit.
Nature Republic. For a complete list of locations, visit their website.
Art by Dorothy Guya