What They Say: "A unique blend of herbs, homeopathic remedies and skin vitamins that provides fast soothing relief, and helps relieve even the most severely dry, cracked or chapped skin. This nourishing non-greasy crème is rich in antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties to soothe and nourish severely dry damaged skin. It will also help relieve the pain associated with deeply cracked skin. Formulated with herbs such as Bay Leaf Oil, Arnica, Clove, Aloe Vera and Jojoba Oil, it helps relieve skin discomfort, encourage healing and help repair damaged skin."

Our Guest Reviewer, Jeannette, Says: This creme is part of a natural line of products using organic ingredients, homeopathic remedies and vitamins. This particular product contains ingredients
such as Aloe Vera, Arnica and Jojoba Oil to encourage healing and to help repair damaged skin.

I have extremely dry hands that chap and crack often, especially in the colder months. The first thing I noticed upon application is that it absorbs quickly and is not greasy. It does have a medicine like fragrance which I do not care for.

My hands felt soft at first and gradually became very dry, a reaction I sometimes have to products that I am sensitive too. I had to use one of my lotions after each application. It did seem to heal the cracks on my hands and cleared up the redness, however I noticed that it does dull your manicure. I also tried it on my feet and it worked well with out sensitivity there.

My personal results after using this creme several weeks were that is does seem to have healing properties and I would use this product on my feet. However would not use this on my hands because there was something in this product I was sensitive too. If you have skin issues, this is a product you might want to give a try, caution to those with sensitive skin.

Retail Price: $13.50 (at dermae.net)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Wrap your hands in the rich scent of crème caramel blended with a hint of sugar and vanilla. This lush crème will nourish your skin with vitamin E and rich plant oils from sunflower and jojoba seed to leave hands velvety soft and moisturized without a greasy feeling."

Jamie's Thoughts: This is a perfectly lovely hand cream - it softens, doesn't feel greasy at all, and is all that the company claims it to be. My only complaint is this: the smell is way too strong. There is no "hint" of sugar and vanilla - the smell of caramel and all things sweet basically slap you across the face the minute you apply the cream. It was really distracting.

I imagine some people might smell the cream and be metaphorically "whisked away" to an imagined private island vacation in the tropics. The only thing I was reminded of, upon first application, was this one tanning accelerator that I used prior to my sister's wedding. Each to their own, I guess.

If you like super strong, ultra-sweet scents (and don't mind that scent all over your sheets, pillows, and hand towels), then this might be something you'd like. Functionally speaking, it is average at best.

Retail Price: $12.00 USD (Quixtar.com)

Rating:

What They Say: "Keri® Long Lasting Hand Cream contains rich emollients and Vitamin E to nourish skin, help heal rough, dry hands and protect skin from the harsh effects of the environment. It lasts even after multiple hand washings, leaving your hands feeling incredibly soft and smooth."

Jen's Experience: In the past, I've never used hand creams all that much, but in recent years I've found them to be a worthwhile add to my routine when the air cools and gets a little drier. I tend to prefer hand creams that nourish and protect without leaving my hands too greasy or slick, and don't like to be reminded that I'm wearing it. If you're like me in that last respect, this hand cream may not be the product for you. As the packaging says, it does last for several hand-washings, and you will be aware of it for quite a while after applying. If, on the other hand, you're a fan of hand creams that really do seem to nourish the skin and do their job in one application without having to reapply throughout the day, this might just be your new hand cream. It's a little rich for me in these early fall months, but I'm happy to keep it in my cabinet as the weather cools.

Retail Price: $4.99 (Drugstore.com or your local drugstore)

Rating:

"Our natural bath salts smooth skin and lift your spirits. Natural sea salts soothe and help release tension. Vitamin and protein-rich almond oil nourishes skin and locks in moisture." ($14.50)

Jen's Experience: I have tried a lot of bath salts in the past, and some have had a nice moisturizing effect in the water, and some have had a pleasant scent when I pull out the cork. I have never tried any bath salts as dreamy as these. The scent I tried was Peace Train, a lightly perfumed scent that makes my water smell fabulous throughout my marathon baths, and leave my skin so soft I barely need to apply any moisturizer. I think they're a little pricey for the tiny container, sure, but seriously? If I go to the GAP store and these are on sale, I think I am going to have to buy a case. This is my favorite product in the whole line.

 

"Our lightweight, everyday formula is enriched with moisturizing ingredients that leave your skin soft and supple. Sunflower and hazel seed oil moisturize. Vitamins A, C and E keep skin nourished." ($12.50)

Jen's Experience: I am a little less impressed with the body lotion. The glass container is pretty on my bathroom counter, and the scent I tried, Moonwalk, is pleasant enough (although it has nothing on Peace Train), But the lotion was like Keri with a more potent scent. Perhaps on it's own this one would be more of a stand-out, but in the full line-up, this one falls a little flat.

 

"Give your hands a little extra TLC. Keep them healthy, hydrated and beautiful with our super emoillent cream. Cocoa seed butter softens and lubricates. Hazel seed oil and milk thistle moisturize and protect." ($10.50)

Jen's Experience: I loved the scent I tried in the handcream, NightFall. There was a time when I wasn't so much into musky scents. The scent in this handcream had some musky undertones, but wasn't so overpowering that it conflicted with the perfume I was wearing. The hand cream itself is more luxurious than the body lotion and really keeps my hands feeling moisturized without being too greasy. This is another product in the GAP Body line that I highly recommend.

 

 

"Get the perfect glow with exfoliating natural sugars, sea salts and soy bean oil. Sea salts and sugar smooth away rough, dull skin. Soybean oil gives your skin a silky sheen."  ($11.50)

Jen's Experience: This body scrub from GAP Body is in close contention with the bath salt for my favorite product in the line. The scent I tried, Sugar Snap, is a bright, happy, little scent that helps me to wake up in the morning. I also love the texture of the scrub. The salt isn't overly abrasive, and mixed with the oils in the blend, it leaves my skin feeling incredibly soft and smelling great. This is yet another winner from GAP Body that is worth checking out.

 

DeLush Ratings:
Bath Salt
Body Lotion
Hand Cream
Body Scrub

What They Say: "Created by Ms. Marjorie Moutari, the Kazam line of natural body care was a combination of 'travel and knowledge, experience and creative ideas for bath and body formulas to create a range of truly indulgent products to delight and soothe your body'. Only the finest ingredients nature has to offer goes into the making of our products, and specially selected for their skin nourishing qualities.

• RELAXING, NOURISHING, HYDRATING.
• RELIEVES DRYNESS TO WIND AND SUN DRIED SKIN.
• BOIS DE ROSE, YLANG, PALMAROSA, JASMINE, SANDALWOOD.
• ENCOURAGES SKIN RENEWAL AND TISSUE REGENERATION.
• A GREAT MOISTURIZER FOR MATURE SKIN

Ms. Moutari feels 'passionately about producing beautiful skin care without the use of harsh chemicals, parabensas, artificial preservatives and artificial fragrances.'”

What Lisa Says: Compared to other lotions I’ve tested, Kazam Hand and Body Lotion has to be near or at the top of my “Love it!” list. This product does everything it promises and a bit more. Whether applying just after the shower or mid-day this product sinks in almost immediately leaving an absolute trace of nothing on your skin – no waxiness, oiliness, nada! The only thing I was left with was visibly hydrated, soft, skin that lasted most of the day along with a lingering fragrance of ylang, sandalwood and jasmine. I did apply it twice daily but that’s all I needed. While the fragrance is lovely it is a bit stronger than most lotions but that’s part of the Kazam experience: nut butters, extracts and essential oils. Best of all, there was absolutely nothing on the label I couldn’t pronounce or wasn’t familiar with.

Retail Price: $10.00 (at Kazam Natural Body Care)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "Gloves in a Bottle is a shielding lotion that rapidly absorbs into, and bonds with, the outer layer of skin creating a protective layer while retaining the natural moisture from within. This makes it the perfect dry skin care product.

It does not wash off, but comes off naturally with exfoliated skin cells. Just reapply every four hours for continued protection.

It's greaseless, non-sticky, fragrance-free, hypoallergenic, completely safe and non-toxic.

Used and recommended daily for dry skin conditions by a wide range of healthcare professionals."

Melissa Says: This lotion, quite simply, does exactly what it says. I love the way it instantly makes my hands feel less dry, and then soaks in within a minute for a completely greaseless, non-sticky layer of protection. It only has a very slight scent (not unpleasant) which is barely noticeable, so I think those who are sensitive to smells should be able to wear this and not worry about lingering fragrance. Also, the bottle is generously-sized and should last for several weeks or months, depending on your use.

Retail Price: $12.95 for 8 oz. (at glovesinabottle.com or go here for store locations in the U.S. and Canada)

DeLush Rating:

What They Say: "This ultra-nourishing yet non-greasy cream brings damaged hands and nails a rich complex of powerful repairing, revitalizing and fortifying ingredients.

Product Details:
Sumptuously creamy, it absorbs instantly to leave hands soft, soothed and protected with fortified nails."

Jen's Experience: I don't use a lot of hand cream, mostly because my hands aren't usually as dry as the rest of my skin, and I hate it when my hands feel greasy. But, since I recently took a really long plane ride, I threw this in my carry-on, knowing it would come in handy. And it did. It definitely fixed the dry skin I got from the stale airplane air without making my hand greasy feeling. I also really liked the subtle, nutty scent. Now that I'm back home, I still have it in my bag and I find that I use it quite a bit. Now, it's not that I need a hand cream, I just love the way it feels on my skin.

Retail Price: $19.00 (SpaLook.com)

Rating:

About the deep hydrating hand & elbow butter: This thick, rich cream, with botanical extracts of cucumber and water lily, provides concentrated hydration and seals in moisture, leaving skin soft and smooth.

* Deep hydrating
* Ultra rich for extra-dry skin

Lisa’s Experience: Freeman’s has a winner in this truly deep hydrating product! Whether it’s hands, elbows, knees or feet, I put this butter on any extra dry and rough spot on my body and was excited to see this product deliver. The fragrance is more green than floral and while it seems strong at first, within minutes it’s soft and mute. Some days I’d forego perfume and just enjoy the fragrance that, despite the chill, reminds me of spring. The thick, white butter sinks in quickly without leaving any greasy or waxy feeling. Within days I noticed a distinct difference in my elbows hands and, though Freeman has some excellent foot products, I did use this on my dry winter feet and they were smooth and hydrated within a week. It’s great after a nice warm bath/shower.

About bare hands skin firming hand lotion: "Enriched with extracts of grapefruit and honeysuckle, this moisturizing, non-greasy lotion absorbs quickly and
smoothes fine lines, noticeably improving skin tone
and texture. Leaves hands silky smooth.

* Moisturizes
* Evens out skin tone and firms"

Lisa’s experience: This is my favorite of the two Bare Hands products. First of all I have always loved the scent of fresh grapefruit and it was a perfect combo to go with the honeysuckle. The hand lotion turned out to be more of an every day (or several times a day) product for me and not only for the fragrance. My skin felt like silk after each application. My hands stay wet or moist much of the day at work and tend to become dry and a little scratchy. This lotion knocked that out in days! Even my husband commented on how smooth my hands were and that’s saying a lot. He rarely notices things like that. As far as the firming, I haven’t noticed as much of that as I have the evening out of skin tone. During the time that I was testing this product I was nursing a nasty burn on the top of my left hand. After using this cream there’s barely a scar. I’m definitely impressed!

A tidbit about grapefruit: According to Alan B. Hirsch of the Smell & Taste Research Foundation in Chicago, "In the presence of the smell of pink grapefruit, women appear to be six years younger than their real age," says Hirsch.

Retail Price: $3.99 for each (Freemanbeauty.com or at drugstores and superstores everywhere) – you can’t find a better beauty bargain!

Delush Ratings:
Hand and Elbow Butter
Skin Firming Hand Lotion

What They Say: "Everything you need to try 8 of our 100% natural, holistic skin care products or give as a sensual, healthful gift! This mini kit is an antioxidant blend for those with normal to dry, fragile, or combination skin in winter months or going through a dry phase.

Inside:
Comes with exfoliating lemongrass cleanser, moisture-rich cleansing lotion, concentrated facial toner-shitake, facial moisture serum-carrot, complexion brighteining cream, delicate mositure body oil, hand & body velvet creme, & hand & body butter creme."

Jen's Experience: Let me just start by saying that I haven't been as excited about skin care since I tried Sevi cosmetics a few months back. This little mini-care set let's you try out (and fall in love with) several of Suki's products.

The exfoliating lemongrass cleanser smells fantastic in addition to being perhaps the best exfoliating cleanser I've ever used. The grains are large and seemed rough at first, but rubbed in gently do wonders. The grains are mixed in with a soap that effectively removes all the make-up on my face. I've been using this a few days a week. On other days, I use the moisture-rich cleansing lotion, which is much gentler and feels like a soothing lotion on my face. After both cleansers, I used the facial toner to remove the last traces of make-up and cleanser (although I rarely see any make-up on the cotton pad since the cleansers work so well). Sadly, I ran out of the toner quickly since you need to use quite a bit each time.

After cleansing, I have been using the carrot facial serum, which is an oil that smells (unsurprisingly) like carrots. Although the smell is a bit sweet and strong, the product itself is great for replenishing the moisture from my skin. It sinks in quickly but makes my skin look moisturized and radiant right after I use it. I follow the facial serum with the complexion brightening cream, which feels so good on my face. With all of the other products in the set, it's hard to determine if this product truly makes my complexion brighter, but between the cleansing and the moisturizing products, the result is that my skin looks the best it's looked in ages.

I've also been using the body products on occasion, but I wasn't able to get as much use out of them. The packet of hand and body cream was so tiny that in one use I was just able to get my elbows and ankles (which felt great that day as a result). The body oil was gone in just two uses, but it did a fantastic job of making my pale white legs at least look well-moisturized here in the middle of winter. I used the velvet cream mostly on my hands and got a lot more uses out of that. I liked it because it wasn't greasy and moisturized well without leaving my hands slick.

If you want to skip the mini-kit and go right for the products, I thought the lemon-grass exfoliator and the carrot facial serum are real standouts, but I think the entire spectrum of products work so well together that I hesitate to recommend buying just a few.

Overall, this is a great kit to test out the Suki products (most of them lasted about 2 weeks). It would be a fantastic travel kit, particularly for the facial products. I wish, actually, that instead of including the hand and body products that they'd made the facial toner vial a lot larger and included some daytime moisturizer with sun protection and an eye cream. I really can't complain, though. These products are totally top-notch and I am uber-impressed with this company.

Retail Price: $22.50 (SukiNaturals.com)

Rating:

What They Say: "Rich and sumptuous to the touch, Vitamin E Nourishing Hand Treatment conditions the skin while providing formidable environmental protection. A hint of pomelo and cassis leave skin deliciously scented."

Jen's Experience: I have never really gotten into hand creams. My hands aren't that dry, and I hate for them to feel all goopy. But, for this one, I will make an exception. For one, it doesn't leave my hands feeling greasy. It soaks in really quickly, which may not make for the best long-wear moisturizer, but I think it helps to be able to use it more frequently (like when you don't want to stand around and wait for the slickness to die down so that you can type or whatever). The other great part about this is that the scent is amazing. I can't stop putting it on just so I can smell my hands. Anyway, this may just make me want to start wearing hand cream, but it definitely makes me want to check out more the Jo Malone collection if ev everything smells this awesome.

Retail Price: $40.00 (JoMalone.com)

Rating:

What They Say: (about the Hand Cream) "Get a grip on dry hands with this thick, rich, hand treatment formula that is blended with key anti-aging elements. It moisturizes skin while reducing the visible signs of aging on hands." (about the Herbal Foot Cream) "Walk away feeling refreshed with this stimulating and soothing, non-greasy herbal foot care formula. It’s blended with alpha hydroxy acids to help keep feet soft and supple."

Melissa's DeLush Downlow: (about the Hand Cream) With a very subtle fragrance that won't say to the world "I just put on hand lotion, can you smell it?!?", this formula provides light, non-greasy softness that soaks into the skin right away and feels like it seals in moisture. (about the Herbal Foot Cream) Also a light, quickly-absorbing formula that has a fresh scent. I love that it's non-greasy but I do think I'd like it to be a little more intensive.

Retail Prices: Hand Cream $14.00, Herbal Foot Cream $16.00 (available from you Arbonne representative...DeLush got our samples from Shelley Belin at sbelin@houston.rr.com - Thanks Shelley!)

DeLush Rating: Arbonne Intelligence Hand Cream
Arbonne Intelligence Herbal Foot Cream