Elemis Pro-Collagen Hand and Nail Cream

Elemis Pro-Collagen Hand and Nail Cream isn't the kind of hand cream that I normally go for. I received two 20ml size as part of the GWPs after an "Elemis spending spree" in Perth (yup, I was too excited because they weren't available there before. The Eye Serum is amongst my favourites).

According to the webpage:

"This anti-ageing hand and nail cream is designed to:
Target age spots and sun damage
Reduce skin crepiness
Strengthen and condition cuticles and nails
Re-establish the skin's moisture barrier
Leave hands beautifully smooth and youthful looking."

I'm finishing up my second tube now and I can honestly say that personally I find the claims to be overrated. It does nothing for my cuticle and nails. My hands feel like they've been coated in thin rubber gloves everytime I used it, for lacking of better terms. It's a strange feeling that I don't like. The scent is also a constant reminder of rubber erasers I had as a child. A little clinical, reminds me of hospitals, if it makes sense...

Now that I'm putting thoughts into words, I noticed that the word "rubber" kept on creeping up here. I think it's the only Elemis product I've tried that doesn't smell good. Quite surprising coming from one of my favourite brands. Sometimes it aggravated the excema spot on my finger, too.

Verdict: an average hand cream that's a bit overpriced. I'm not so keen on the scent either.

Ingredients: Water (Aqua), C12-15 Alkyl Benzoate, Propylene Glycol, Glyceryl Stearate, Lauryl Laurate, Potassium Cetyl Phosphate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Xanthan Gum, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Hull Powder, Glycerin, Padina Pavonica Thallus Extract, Arctostaphylos Uva Ursi Leaf Extract, Commiphora Myrrha Resin Extract, Melissa Officinalis Leaf Extract, Tilia Cordata Flower Extract, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Malachite Extract, Rhodochrosite Extract, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Extract, Hordeum Distichon Extract, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Cetearyl Glucoside, Dehydroacetic Acid, Disodium EDTA, Tocopheryl Linoleate, Benzoic Acid, Fragrance (Parfum), Tromethamine, Sodium PCA, Citronellol, Geraniol, Polyaminopropyl Biguanide, Linalool, Disodium Rutinyl Disulfate, Citral, Sodium Benzoate.

GROWN Vanilla & Orange Peel Hand Cream

I've joined GQ in trying to finish up "old" products first before buying a new one. Amongst other things, I've nearly finished my tube of GROWN Vanilla & Orange Peel Hand Cream.

So far I don't have anything I don't like from this hand cream.

Here are my thoughts on it:

- LOVE the subtly refreshing orange scent. I can't stop smelling my hands everytime I use it.

- It's non-greasy (like it said on the packaging) = I could go back to whatever I'm doing as soon as I've finished applying the cream. In fact, I'm using the hand cream as I'm typing this. :)

- It makes my hands & cuticles feel softer and moisturised for longer than other brands I've tried. IMO it's even better than my favourite L'Occitane hand creams.

- If you look at the ingredients list, it contains so many different natural oils = I like!

- The packaging reminds me so much of Aesop = chic packaging.

Verdict: It's positively my HG hand cream. When I've finished this tube, can someone in OZ please send me some more? Please? PLEASE?!

Here's the blurb on the tube: "This non-greasy formulation of moisturising active botanicals, naturally soothes and softens dry undernourished hands and cuticles. Bio Active Ingredients: Antioxidants from grape seed, wheatgerm and rose hip oil protect against free radical damage and boost the skin’s natural protective function. Rose Hip and Camellia Seed Oil increase the skin’s lipid content which helps to restore moisture levels & enhances the skin’s natural moisture retaining capability."

Ingredients: Aqua (Purified Water), Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Extract, Prunis Amygdulis Dulcis (Sweet Almod) Oil, Cetyl Alcohol (Vegetable), Ceteareth-20 (Vegetable), Glycerin (Vegetable), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Camellia Sinensis (Camellia) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba Seed) Oil, Vitis Vinifera Seed (Grapeseed Oil), Macadamia Ternifolia (Macadamia) Seed Oil, Rosa Moschata (Rose Hips) Oil, Triticum Vulgare (Wheatgerm) Oil, Caprylic/Capric Triglycerides (Vegetable), Glycine Soka (Soyabean) Oil, Sesamum Indicumm (Sesame) Seed Oil, Daucus Carota (Carrot) Root Extract, Tocopherol (Vegetable), Hippophae Rhamnoides (Seabuckthorn Berry) Oil, Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract, Sodium Hydroxymethylglycinate (Vegetable), Phenoxyethanol Lactic Acid (Nature Identical), Rosa Damascena (Rose) Absolute, Citrus Sinensis (Sweet Orange) Oil, Vanilin (Vegetable), Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin Orange) Oil, Limonene (Vegetable), Linalool (Vegetable), Citronellol (Vegetable), Geraniol (Vegetable).