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).