Nov 9, 2009

Around The World in Body Washes

Often other things in life gets in the way of blogging, thus my recent absence. I thank God for small mercies and the little things in life that bring smiles to my face. Amongst those: basking in the morning sunshine, enjoying fresh (and cold) autumn weather, watching cute cows in the field, finishing a good book, munching chocolate wafers while reading the said book, wearing my favourite parfume even when I'm just staying at home, and having a lovely shower gel to wash the cares away at the end of the day. :)

I especially value my "Me Time" in the showers. It's like a no-caffeine coffee boost to me, I can't function without it. That's why I'm quite fussy with shower products. Firstly, they have to smell good. Secondly, I like them to be gentle and not drying my skin, even when I take long showers. Thirdly, I like them to foam well. Most importantly, they shouldn't irritate my sensitive skin.

Amongst the best I've found so far:
1. Sanctuary Spa 12-hour Moisturising Shower Cream from UK -read my review here.
2. Refreshing Body Wash from Living Nature, a New Zealand brand I found when living in Auckland some years ago.
3. Pure Innosense Chamomile and Feijoa Shower Gel - another NZ brand I found when living in Australia.

Since then I haven't really found anything else I like. Until recently.

Yesterday I finished a 225ml bottle of A'kin Sandalwood Body Wash, received courtesy of A'kin, an Australian company. The blurb on the bottle: "A'kin body washes use the finest essential oils known for their aromatherapy benefits, combined with the purest non-drying cleansers which are sulfate & paraben free, to leave your skin thoroughly cleansed & silky soft... Also ideal as a bubble bath, in the spa, washing delicates or at the hand basin. Pure & gentle for babies, children, the elderly, and those with sensitive or fragile skin."

It foams well, doesn't dry nor irritate my skin. The light sandalwood scent reminds me of my trips to Bali. I haven't tried it as a bubble bath and I don't have spa, so I can't verify the claim. I did try it to wash my delicates - cleansed them well, leaving them smelling freshly "sandalwood-ed". :)

If you're a regular reader you'd know that I'm always on the prowl for multi-purpose products that work well as I travel quite a bit. This product fits the description. The fact that it's a "natural" product makes me feel even more virtuous.

Verdict: a gentle body wash that has earned it's place in my "shower hall of fame".

So there you go, my around the world in body washes: from UK to New Zealand to Australia, I've done them all! Hehehe... How about you my dear reader, what's your favourite shower products?

Ingredients: Aqua (purified Australian water), cocamidopropyl hydroxysultaine (from coconut), sodium lauroyl sarcosinate (from palm), disodium cocoamphodiacetate (from coconut), sodium lauryl sulfoacetate (from palm), lauryl glucoside (from coconut, palm & glucose), glyceryl laurate (botanical source), glycerin (botanical source), sorbitol (from GMO free maize), sodium gluconate (from GMO free corn), sodium citrate (botanical source), citric acid (botanical source), fusanus spicatus wood (West Australian sandalwood) oil, sodium hydroxymethylglycinate, cananga odorata (ylang ylang) flower oil, pogostemon cablin oil, syzygium aromaticum (clove) flower oil, farnesol (from sandalwood oil).

5 comments:

Kitty Stampede said...

Oooo...I must see if I can get this stuff. I adore the smell of sandalwood. I used to have sandalwood face moisturizer and it was heavenly. I love to use essential oils. I'm not big on perfumey smells but I love natural oils and scents.

Selina said...

I shall have to search out Pure Innosense - (what a bad NZ'er I am that I've never heard of it!). I love Living Nature stuff but find them quite expensive - it tends to be the brand I buy for presents for overseas friends and relatives.

Anna said...

Oh, me times are great to wash off the aches and pains and stress of long days, especially when it's cold outside! Unfortunately I don't really get to have many of those at the moment, because I still share showers/baths with my little son (hope that doesn't freak anyone out!), so I'm more concerned about him not hitting his head against the taps more than concentrating on relaxing...which sounds pretty weird, what has the world come to if we need to concentrate in order to relax??? Oh well, i'll just have to pick up some Sanctuary stuff seeing as it's one of your HG brands and see if that helps! We do use Lush baby ballistics at times, just to make it more fun, otherwise I use Santa Maria Novella stuff! xx

Music said...

Clorivak, if that's the case, you'd definitely love this shower gel! The smell isn't overpowering. Check the webpage for stockists i Canada. :)

Selina, I found that LN special packs are much cheaper than buying them individually, and also when they had GWP. A shop in Queens St, Auckland City used to sell them at discounted rate. It's been years, I can't remember the name, somewhere near Farmers or something like that?

Anna, I used to make my own bath bombs using bicarbonate soda, citric acid, food colouring, and essential oils. They're awesome! :)

Anna said...

I'll have to try that! I bet my baby would love helping me prepare them...you know, boys and scientific experiments!!! Oh, he adores the piano...fancy coming over to teach him to play??? xx

(I may have sent you this message already, blogger keeps doing strange things so sorry if you get more of the same comment!)

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