
I didn't think that a cleansing water would be all that necessary for a baby, but as we have started to transition to solids...."emergency" situations have become more frequent. We're talking, messy and sticky situations where you don't want to (or... +
I didn't think that a cleansing water would be all that necessary for a baby, but as we have started to transition to solids...."emergency" situations have become more frequent. We're talking, messy and sticky situations where you don't want to (or can't) give your baby a bath immediately. We just pump a few drops onto a small washcloth or cotton rounds, depending on where we are, and give a few wipes. We've also found this handy for cleaning the folds of his neck after a meal, where sometimes plain water just won't do it. I've been impressed by how hydrated and soft his skin feels after using this - it doesn't dry him out or leave his skin feeling sticky. The ingredients are simple and contain some stand-outs like glycerin, allantoin, aloe leaf juice powder, and avocado fruit extract, and the product is made in France. There's a slight floral fragrance which is consistent among Mustela's other avocado baby products. We didn't notice any skin reaction to it.
The only downside is that I can see how this bottle (300mL) could get used up quite quickly, which could become pricey when looking to constantly re-stock.
- Product gifted by Mustela.
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When I was shopping for baby bathtime while still pregnant, I knew I wanted our little one's bathtime routine to be made up of simple, yet quality European products. I was familiar with Mustela from trips overseas and did not hesitate to pick up... +
When I was shopping for baby bathtime while still pregnant, I knew I wanted our little one's bathtime routine to be made up of simple, yet quality European products. I was familiar with Mustela from trips overseas and did not hesitate to pick up their fragrance-free bath cleansing oil. I figured it would be a good product to use on delicate newborn skin and throughout the first few months. After finishing that bottle and having an excellent experience with it, we had the opportunity to try this Gentle Cleansing Gel. While this gel is scented, its not a heavy, chemical-laden fragrance. Rather, it's a light, floral-like scent that is pretty pleasant and lingers just enough. We use it to wash both body and hair, which it states it is suitable for. The consistency is a classic gel that then works up into a nice, not over-the-top lather. It's easy to rinse off, as well.
I appreciate that 93% of the ingredients are of natural origin. It also contains glycerin, panthenol, and avocado fruit extract which are great for the skin. Given the aforementioned scent, however, be advised that it does contain "parfum". My 6 month old is not sensitive to it, so I don't mind using it once in a while. Unscented baby wash has its time and place, but sometimes you just need something to cover up all the various smells emanating from a little one. Also, this is made in France so it's the real deal and not a lackluster version manufactured for North America under the same name - this is the same product.
- Product gifted by Mustela.
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I used this body lotion as part of the Hydra Bebe bathtime "regime" for my 6 month old. We had previously been using unscented Medela products, but gave this a try to hopefully combat some spit-up odour that would quickly develop right after taking... +
I used this body lotion as part of the Hydra Bebe bathtime "regime" for my 6 month old. We had previously been using unscented Medela products, but gave this a try to hopefully combat some spit-up odour that would quickly develop right after taking a bath. We apply this immediately after giving him a bath using the coordinating gentle cleansing gel, and sometimes in the absence of a bath when just doing a small spot-clean with the no-rinse cleansing water. This lotion left my little guy's skin feeling silky and moisturized. He didn't experience any irritation or reaction to it. Note that it does have a noticeable fragrance that I would describe as a light floral scent. It absorbed into my son's skin very quickly, without leaving a sticky, tacky, or greasy residue behind.
I really appreciate that it has a short ingredients list and contains things like glycerin (quite high up in the list), sunflower seed oil, and avocado fruit extract. Another huge plus for us is that it is made in France, which as we all know has an excellent reputation for skincare for people old and young.
- Product gifted by Mustela.
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I love everything I've ever tried from L'Occitane - they can do no wrong in my books when it comes to skincare and are the number one brand I turn to when my skin is begging for hydration. For starters, this new body cream from them is (no surprise... +
I love everything I've ever tried from L'Occitane - they can do no wrong in my books when it comes to skincare and are the number one brand I turn to when my skin is begging for hydration. For starters, this new body cream from them is (no surprise here) made in France and uses their signature formula of shea butter. The ingredients list is short and sweet, which is what I like to see. The jar is made of a very heavy glass with a beautiful embossed metallic-look plastic cap. The packaging is designed so you can just buy a refill cream and pop it into the same glass jar when you've used up everything, making it more environmentally-friendly than other "one and done" packaging. The scent of the cream is a slight variation on the class L'Occitane shea butter fragrance - soft, gentle, and calming. Now for the real star power - the formula. This body cream somehow manages to be rich and luxurious in consistency, yet absorbs into the skin so smoothly and without heavy greasiness. I will say that my fingers were a bit greasy after application, but I just treated it as if I had applied hand cream and rubbed the excess into my fingers and the backs of my hands. My skin felt so supple and moisturized immediately after use, not to mention after a week of continued use - my winter skin was unrecognizable! Using this body cream really felt akin to a spa-like experience, especially in the harsh, dry winter conditions that can absolutely destroy perfectly healthy skin. The jar is also large enough (200mL) that it will easily last an entire winter season. This is definitely another hit from L'Occitane.
- Product gifted by L'Occitane Canada.
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I had been looking for a dropper-style saline nasal solution to use on my infant, but was having a hard time finding a solution that wasn't a spray-style bottle and that was also recommended for kids of just a few months' age. These nasal drops from... +
I had been looking for a dropper-style saline nasal solution to use on my infant, but was having a hard time finding a solution that wasn't a spray-style bottle and that was also recommended for kids of just a few months' age. These nasal drops from Salinex fit the bill exactly.
The bottle has more than enough volume to last a winter season and the ingredients list is simple and uncomplicated.
The applicator is a classic eye-dropper, which made it very easy to "insert" or drop the recommended 4 drops per use into each nostril of my four month old's nose. I would then move my finger around the outside of each nostril, pressing down, to make sure the drops were distributed on the inside. When I was using them for general moisture, I would leave it as-is; if I was using them to clear his nose, I then followed up with a nasal aspirator. I found this much easier to use than a spray-style bottle, which I worried about over-inserting or spraying too high into my son's nasal passage. However, putting anything into his nose is a challenge, so even getting this eye-dropper in there was tricky. I appreciated that I could just quickly squeeze a few drops out if he was getting too squirmy.
I found that the drops helped in adding moisture to his nose and loosening up drier and crustier mucus that was stuck inside, particularly in harder to reach areas. This also helped clear his nose before bed, leading to less noisy breathing/snoring and he seemed more comfortable, as well. As a result, I've been using it on a semi-regular basis, not only in the case of illness. I think this is a must-have for the rest of the winter months, when the harsh, dry, cold air really does a number on any adult's nose, let alone an infant's.
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I've really enjoyed every single L'Occitane product that I've used ever since being first introduced to the brand many years ago. While their creams and lotions are my mainstay, their shower products have also been amazing every time I've had the... +
I've really enjoyed every single L'Occitane product that I've used ever since being first introduced to the brand many years ago. While their creams and lotions are my mainstay, their shower products have also been amazing every time I've had the chance to try them. Using the Nourishing Whipped Almond Delicious Shower Body Cleanser was a luxurious experience from start to finish. The texture and consistency of the cleanser lives up to its name, as the product very much feels whipped. As a result, it applies more like a cream than a traditional lathering cleanser. While I found the experience of applying it to be more enjoyable as a result of needing to massage it in, the downside is that I found myself using more product than I would with a traditional cleanser. However, the creaminess of its application made sure that it was really absorbed by my skin. Unlike other shower washes, the scent of this lingered on my skin for significantly longer and my skin felt much more supple and moisturized. The scent itself is best described as an authentic sweet almond - nutty and vanilla at the same time - and was both subtle and elegant. Like L'Occitane's other products, this is made in France and contains sweet almond oil, shea butter, and sunflower seed oil. It truly turned my showers into more of a ritual, where I felt pampered and as if I was using a very luxurious product, without needing to visit the spa.
- Product received for free from L'Occitane Canada in exchange for an honest review.
- Product received for free from L'Occitane Canada in exchange for an honest review.
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I’ve never used bug bite patches before and usually just opt to suffer in silence when it comes to mosquito and spider bites. I really appreciated the fact that these were a more natural alternative to other bug bite “treatments”. Each patch... +
I’ve never used bug bite patches before and usually just opt to suffer in silence when it comes to mosquito and spider bites. I really appreciated the fact that these were a more natural alternative to other bug bite “treatments”. Each patch is infused with witch hazel, aloe, and chamomile to help soothe skin, and they’re latex and steroid free, so there’s no risk of any reactions in that respect. Since I know I don’t have any adverse reactions to these particular botanicals, I was ready to let’er rip as soon as I felt my first mosquito bite of the season. The patches are very large in size, which I actually think might be a bit overkill. I would have liked having a greater number of smaller patches, rather than fewer large ones. It felt like there was a lot of excess patch. I did like the fact that they’re very easy to stow in your bag for a weekend away or in a carry-on for air travel, without fussing over liquid limits. It didn’t take long after application that I no longer felt the incessant itch of my bite. It also seems as if it healed quicker, likely in part because I wasn’t picking at it constantly.
I #gotitfree from Butterly to try in exchange for my honest review.
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Every one of L'Occitane's products that I have used has been an absolute winner. That's why I was so excited to try this new body cream featuring artichoke as its star ingredient. The artichoke used is grown in the south of France, where L'Occitane... +
Every one of L'Occitane's products that I have used has been an absolute winner. That's why I was so excited to try this new body cream featuring artichoke as its star ingredient. The artichoke used is grown in the south of France, where L'Occitane originates, and the company has now tried using it for cosmetic purposes to try and firm up skin. This is a massage cream, which comes with it specific instructions on application. On the inner flaps of the box is a four-step system for application, starting with the neck and shoulders, down to the waist and hips, on to the lower back. Then, you switch over to your wrists, elbow, and underarm, and end on the ankle to knee to thigh area. I believe this is meant to be applied in such a way that you're also performing a "draining" massage.
First, the packaging. This comes in an absolutely gorgeous and heavy glass jar with the L'Occitane brand name built in to the glass itself. The cap is metal and a shiny metallic green. The jar looks very luxurious and high-end, and is simply gorgeous sitting on any surface in your bedroom or bathroom.
The scent is flowery, but not at all in an artificial way. I've smelled my share of sugary sweet, cloyingly fake flower scents over the years. This is more akin to taking a walk and catching a whiff of early summer blooms. It's very natural, light, and beautiful.
The cream itself is rich and thick, making it a very pleasant experience to massage it into your skin over your entire body (minus the face). The ingredients list is short and includes L'Occitane's classic shea butter, glycerin, caffeine, sunflower seed oil, and artichoke leaf extract.
I've used this consistently for a week and while I can't say that I've noticed any dramatic change to my early signs of cellulite, or that my skin appears firmer, it's always advantageous to work in a body massaging and moisturizing regime like this to help keep things circulating. I loved this cream so much that even if it doesn't make a noticeable difference to the appearance of my skin in the long term, I would continue using it. It's great at making my skin look more hydrated and I really enjoy the scent and overall sensory experience.
- Product received for free from L'Occitane Canada in exchange for an honest review.
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Ozonol is a staple in my household’s first-aid box. It serves as a fantastic all-around ointment for scrapes and burns, among more minor irritations like bites and chafing. Ever since I burned my hand badly on a baking sheet a few years ago, I... +
Ozonol is a staple in my household’s first-aid box. It serves as a fantastic all-around ointment for scrapes and burns, among more minor irritations like bites and chafing. Ever since I burned my hand badly on a baking sheet a few years ago, I always make sure to have a tube of this around the house for easy access. It doesn’t contain antibiotics, so there’s no concern about overuse in that respect. It only has two active or more “medicinal” ingredients: phenol and zinc oxide, which are gentle but effective in the ointment acting as an antiseptic, while also providing soothing relief. It also contains lanolin and other non-medicinal ingredients that help keep skin moist, particularly important for burns. The smell is very old-school medicinal and I actually don’t mind it. I’ve never noticed any side effects or further irritation from using it, neither on myself nor my husband. Also, a tube is 30g but because you use such a small amount on any area, it lasts a long time and you certainly won’t finish a tube before its expiry date.
I #gotitfree to try through Butterly’s Product Review Club.
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I love Aveeno’s oat-based lotions and moisturizers since they always do such a great job of hydrating my skin without relying on gimmicks or overpowering fragrances. This repairing lotion is free of all the bad stuff: parabens, dyes, and... +
I love Aveeno’s oat-based lotions and moisturizers since they always do such a great job of hydrating my skin without relying on gimmicks or overpowering fragrances. This repairing lotion is free of all the bad stuff: parabens, dyes, and fragrances. Its ingredients are simple and very effective for moisturizing skin quickly, boasting among them glycerin, petrolatum, panthenol (B3), and oat and aloe extracts. Be warned though that it truly is fragrance-free – there is no lingering scent from any of its ingredients...it just smells like...nothing (which is admittedly a strange sensation). The consistency is not too thick, more akin to a gel lotion, and it absorbs very quickly without leaving any sort of greasy residue. Other than feeling immediately more moisturized to the touch, it was virtually unnoticeable that I had applied the lotion. It’s a very inoffensive lotion for those with more sensitive skin and my husband who has bad eczema was happy to use this since it didn’t exacerbate his flare-ups or create new irritation. -