Cetaphil Barrier Cream

I purchased this 85 g tube from my local London Drugs for $12.99 CDN. Ouch.

Cetaphil Barrier Cream is described as "an intense, non-greasy cream formulated to moisturize and protect chronic dry, cracked skin." It contains shea butter (locks in moisture for softer skin with no greasy residue), dimethicone and glycerin (promote moisturization and prevent dryness) to provide extra protection in a non-irritating formula for chronic dry skin associated with dermatoses and skin diseases like eczema and psoriasis, as well as harsh weather, and occupational conditions. The tube boasts that this product will "help restore the natural protective barrier of your skin."


The company also recommends that this is ideal for rough elbows and cracked feet, and while I haven't tried it out on those areas yet, I can only imagine how fantastic it would be at softening up those areas :)


I needed a new hand cream. My hands are really suffering this winter/spring from the volatile weather changes. I looked up some reviews online, and while there wasn't much to refer to, the response I did find was promising. 2 Makeup Alley users rated it 4.0 out of 5.


The product comes packaged in a cardboard box with all the information conveniently spaced over its surface area. The actual product packaging features a soft plastic squeeze tube, with a hard blue plastic cap and medium-sized nozzle with which to dispense product. The product stands on its lid, so it's really convenient and space-saving (if you're concerned about that). Since the cream is thicker in consistency, the tube must be squeezed for product to be extracted from the tube. It's a small enough tube that you can throw it in your purse for on-the-go application, or you could keep it on your bedside table without taking up too much room. 


I love the smell of this cream. It's supposed to be 'fragrance-free' but the natural scent that accompanies it is fantastic. It's so soft, but it's nice. I love smelling my hands after I apply it, because it's so comforting, but definitely not overpowering by any means.


This cream is incredibly luxurious. When first squeezed out of the tube, it appears very thick. The cream retains its shape, until rubbed into the hands where it becomes  smooth and quickly absorbs into the skin. The cream is not greasy, but leaves the skin incredibly hydrated and shiny. It's not by any means 'greasy,' but it does leave a thin residue over my hands that can make opening jars and the like difficult, especially immediately after application. 


The product also claims to be 'long-lasting,' which I definitely find is the case. This cream is incredibly moisturizing, and fast-absorbing, so it lasts and works for several hours (and through washes) without wearing off. Even after wearing off, the skin remains supple and soft - unlike other hand creams that can wear off and leave the skin feeling tight and stripped of moisture. Not so with this cream. 


This cream is absolutely fantastic. By far, the best hand cream I've tried to date. Also the most expensive.


While I adore this product, the cost and size are definite turn-offs. I purchased this a week or two ago, and I've already begun to reach the end of my tube. Of course, I did purchase this product to use obsessively until my hands got back to a moisturized point, but I wish it would have lasted longer.


I'm fairly certain that despite the cost, I will be re-purchasing again soon. I really love this hand cream and what it does for my hands. I really appreciate how it doesn't contain lanolin or urea, but hydrates my hands in an intensive way. My hands are at a point where they're in a constant state of comfortable hydration, and I don't have cracks or dry patches plaguing my digits. I absolutely adore how this makes my skin feel.


For the price, would I recommend it to others...?? Yes, I believe I would. Use it as often as you'd like, but go easy on it. You don't need an overly generous blob to cover the surface area of your hands - but you don't need to make a pea-size amount cover your hands either. Experiment and find out what the 'perfect' amount is for you, and use it regularly. You'll be really impressed with the condition of your hands after a few days of using this cream.


If you can find any way to purchase this product at a cheaper price, I'd say this is incredibly worth it. Shop at Wal-Mart if you can, because I find Cetaphil products infinitely more affordable there. Also, if you sign up on Cetaphil's site, you can get coupons that take the edge off of the scary price-tag. In fact, I got a coupon with my purchase of the product, so my next tube will be closer to $10 instead of the hefty $12 I originally paid.


All-in-all, this is a fantastic product. Another miracle from Cetaphil for my problem-skin.


4 out of 5 stars (one star lost for the steep price)
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What is your favorite Cetaphil product?

Cetaphil Gentle Daily Skin Cleanser

I purchased this honking huge 16 fl oz bottle from Superstore for approximately $15 CDN. All across the board, however, you can purchase this in varying sizes from anywhere between $4 and $18 CDN. I purchased mine in the "normal to dry skin" formula, however there is a "normal to oily skin" formula as well.

The cleanser comes in varying sizes: 2 fl oz (itty bitty travel size), 8 fl oz, 16 fl oz, and to my surprise, 20 fl oz in select locations!

Cetaphil claims that this cleanser will "not strip the skin of natural protective oils or emollients, or disturb the skin’s natural pH balance." It is non-comedogenic (it won't clog your pores!!), fragrance free, and is dermatologist recommended.

I initially tried out the Cetaphil Gentle Daily Skin Cleanser in the 2 fl oz, travel sized bottle from London Drugs. I wanted to get an idea of how well the cleanser would work with my skin, and whether or not it was something I wanted to purchase in the larger size next time. The small bottle lasted me around two weeks - I didn't use a lot of it each time, and there was a lot in the bottle - the small size is deceptive!

The large bottle is extremely sturdy and functional, and features a pump dispenser, so you don't need to fuss with opening a cap. The pump does not dispense too much or too little product, but just the right amount - about a quarter-sized amount of product. The packaging is sleek enough that one could leave it on a vanity or bathroom counter, and not worry about it being an eyesore for company.

While the cost is a little steep for this product, the 16 fl oz bottle will last you FOREVER. My first big bottle lasted me somewhere between 5 and 6 months, using it everyday. So it's definitely not a budget breaker in the long haul. But for those who don't want to dish out that much money right away, I recommend starting with the 2 fl oz bottle (just to try) or even the 8 fl oz bottle - these are definitely more cost-effective options if you're wanting to try the product out without investing almost $20 for a product you've never used.

I use this both as a makeup remover and as a cleanser for my skin. I use it once a day (in the evening) to remove my eye and face makeup. Each night, I take one pump of the cleanser on a wet facecloth and use it to remove the makeup from one of my eyes. Then I take another pump and clean off the other eye. I take one final pump and dot it around my face, and use the washcloth to clean off every last bit of makeup. Whatever the cleanser does not remove (that being very little), comes off with my toner.

I feel that the cleanser is an excellent makeup remover, gentle enough for use every day - even twice a day if you like to wash your face that frequently. This formula is gentle enough to use around your eyes - it does not burn or sting. Upon cleansing my face, it leaves a light residue that is easily removed with toner, or absorbed into the skin for extra hydration. It does not strip your skin of moisture or dry it out, nor does it leave excess product on your face.

The only problem I have with it is that it does not remove waterproof mascara - however, it being the gentle cleanser that it is, I did not have high expectations in that regard.

The cleanser does not clog my pores or make my skin feel heavy with product. I have had no breakouts as a result of the introduction of this product into my skincare regimine, nor have I had excessive drying, peeling, or flaking as a result.

I absolutely adore this cleanser, as it does the job, while still being gentle enough to use on the eyes. It's definitely worth the cost, though I wish it didn't empty my wallet nearly as quickly...

5 out of 5 stars.
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