Product Review:St.Ives Body Wash

My first product review, scared and excited. Ok, let's get straight into the business. I love hoarding toiletries, I know I am not only the one in the world, but my husband feels otherwise. I first heard about St.Ives two years back, my roomie who had extreme dry skin only used St.Ives products: their range of body wash, moisturiser, scrub etc. She claimed that the product range did wonders to her skin. I never got around trying any of  their products, except for few times when I took few dollops of the said cream and tried it on myself. Other than that, I was happy with my then love: Dove body wash. Coming back to Cochin, though all the humidity doesn't make the skin flaky and dry, I couldn't find St.Ives product even in the biggest beauty shop Goodwill, nor could I find it anywhere online. On my recent trip to the close by supermarket I was just browsing through the body wash section, and I saw  St.Ives Mineral therapy body wash hidden behind stash of Dove body washes. I quickly grabbed the last bottle and ran to the billing counter.

What the company claims:

This intense moisturizing wash rejuvenates your skin with therapeutic moisture by replinishing nutrients your skin naturally loses. Our custom mineral blend contains potassium and iron, the minerals essential for healthy skin, derived from their natural source in the Swiss Alps. This exclusive formula gently cleanses your skin without drying, and leaves your skin soft, smooth and visibly healthy.

Cost Factor:

INR.202 for 400 ml

Ingredients :

Water, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betsine, Glycerine, Glycol Strearate, Fragrance (parfum), Hydroxypropyl GaurHydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride, Sodium Chloride, Hydroxypropyl Methyllcellulose, DMDM Hydantoin, Disodium EDTA, Citric Acid, Benzyl Alcohol, Amyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Polyqueternium-7, Butylphenyl Methylpropinol, Linalool,Yellow 10, Red 40, Propylene Glycol, Blue 1, Sorbitol, Sambuccus Nigra flower extract, Primul Venis extract, Helianthus Annuus extract, Chamomilla Recutita flower extract, Ferric Citrate, Copper Gluconate, Calcium Chloride, Pottasium Chloride
 Phew!!!pretty long list

Packaging:

The packaging is sturdy with a flip open cap that lets out just the right amount of the liquid. The bottle is extremely travel friendly.

Body wash concoction:
 

The formula is white, creamy and of medium consistency. Apply generous dose of liquid all over body either using a pouf, sponge or hands. The smell is very pleasant and mild (reminds me of fresh glaciers with wild flowers in it's banks :) ). After the wash you will find the skin visibly smooth, hydrated and supple. The smell lingers on for 5-6 hours after the wash.

Thumbs Up:

• cost
• it leave the skin smooth
• The smell lingers on for 5-6 hours which is, darn good
• The skin is hydrated. You don't have to use moisturizer after your bath

 Thumbs Down:

• Availability is a big issue

My Rating:

4.8/5

Just to make sure that, I was not buying fake imported product I did some extensive research online. The Swiss company, St. Ives  has some hard core fan following. The company is a subsidiary of Unilever and you can check out their extensive product range here.