I was a regular Bath & Body Works lotion user for nearly 15 years, but after learning about the ingredients in their lotions, I have since changed over to a much safer option: Beautycounter’s Hydrating Body Lotion.
After my showers, I like to put lotion on my legs [I am kind of obsessed with smooth legs.], but I never considered how many chemicals and potentially-toxic ingredients I was putting on my skin every single day! This lotion was being absorbed by my pores and into my skin this entire time and these potentially harmful chemicals may have wrecked havoc on my body.
Here is a bottle of Bath & Body Works lotion I purchased a couple years ago. Take a look at those ingredients:
Some of those ingredients are possible carcinogens and toxic to organs. Here are 3 ingredients that this bottle of Bath & Body Works lotion contains, why they are used, and the possible consequences of using them.
BHA and BHT: synthetic antioxidants used to extend shelf life. They are likely carcinogens and hormone disruptors and may cause liver damage. Found in: lipsticks, moisturizers, diaper creams, and other cosmetics.Ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid [EDTA]: a chelating [binding] agent added to cosmetics to improve stability. May be toxic to organs. Found in: hair color, moisturizers.
Parabens [methyl-, isobutyl-, propyl- and others]: a class of preservatives commonly used to prevent the growth of bacteria and mold. Parabens are endocrine [or hormone] disruptors, which may alter important hormone mechanisms in our bodies. Found in: shampoo, face cleanser, body wash, body lotion, foundation.
Plus fragrances and artificial coloring
I obtained this information from Beautycounter’s website, and they are so passionate about making sure these potentially harmful ingredients aren’t in their products along with a total of 1500 toxic ingredients. There is not a lot of regulation on cosmetics and beauty products in our country, but Beautycounter is trying to change that!
After discovering Beautycounter, I have started to reevaluate the products I use on my skin every–such as body lotion. I have now switched over to the Beautycounter Hydrating Body Lotion instead, and I love how easily it is absorbed into my skin. It hydrates my body just as well as the Bath & Body Works lotion, plus it has a very pleasant scent.
Nourish thirsty skin with our lightweight, fast-absorbing body lotion, with a moisturizing blend of safflower seed oil and jojoba butter. Revitalize with our energizing citrus mimosa scent while your skin stays feeling smooth and supple.
My transition to these safer products has been a slow progression–not a throw-everything-out approach. I haven’t gotten rid of every beauty product I own but instead have been replacing my beauty products with safer products as I run out of them.
Now four years later after being introduced to the line, nearly all of my makeup products and all of my skin care items are from Beautycounter, and I could not be happier about my skin. Plus, I can rest assured that I am also taking care of my largest organ–my skin.
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Ever since I graced my body with its own skin care routine, I’ve been diligent about moisturizing every square inch of it after every shower. So my army of body care products has gotten quite crowded. When Bath & Body Works’ Sweet Pea Ultimate Hydration Body Cream came across my desk, though, my skin regimen felt like a whole other experience.
This isn’t to say my other body lotions and oils and creams aren’t great — they are. I’m not fussy with the products I put on my limbs; I just need them to provide moisture. But imagine slathering on a milky elixir that does the hydrating job as it catapults your mind back to the early ‘90s. Well, that’s what the Bath & Body Works cream does.
The brand itself is nostalgic for me: I remember waltzing past it each time I went to the mall and smelling the cornucopia of fragrances. And, as any B&BW shopper will know, Sweet Pea happens to be one of its OG scents. That’s why I get the kind of thrill that one would only experience when coating their entire body with something that smells exactly how they did in their youth.
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First Up: The Basics
As anyone who’s been inside a mall before knows, Bath & Body Works is a powerhouse brand known for its distinctly scented line of candles, body care products, soaps, and home fragrances. Out of its dozens [if not hundreds] of scents, Sweet Pea stands out as a longtime fan favorite.
I’m not great at describing fragrances, but allow me to try: The first thing that stands out to me when I smell Sweet Pea is that, well, it’s really sweet. It also somehow smells pink, just like its packaging. There are fruity notes — pear, for one, along with raspberry. It supposedly contains sweet musk, too, which makes sense as I’m always drawn to musky fragrances. Then there’s a touch of florals thanks to freesia.
Just because the product has an old-school scent doesn’t mean its formula is outdated. As of this summer, B&BW added the buzziest skin hydrator to its line of body moisturizers: hyaluronic acid. That, combined with glycerin and shea butter — two other moisturizing MVPs — make the cream incredibly effective at quenching dryness and infusing your skin with hydration.
Why I’m Obsessed
The packaging claims the body cream gives you 24-hour moisture. While I’m skeptical when beauty products say something’s going to last all day, I’ve found the B&BW Ultimate Hydration Cream to do a solid job. It’s definitely got a rich consistency, but there’s some bounce to it [likely because of the hyaluronic acid] so it absorbs super quickly without leaving a layer of heavy white goop sitting on your skin.
Once I finish applying it all over, my limbs don’t feel sticky at all. At the same time, I can tell there’s a potent concoction of hydrators going to work underneath the skin’s surface — and whenever I touch my arm or my leg during the day, it feels soft and supple.
My favorite part about the product, however, is the scent. I find myself sniffing my shoulder to get a wave of nostalgia. The smell reminds me of the days when my mom would take my sister and me shopping, and the only things I’d want to buy were stuffed animals and something small from the Bath & Body Works store — the latter of which I’d store in my Jansport backpack and carry to school. You know, life before dealing with adult problems and stress and material desires and all that!
The TL;DR
If you’re on the market for an A-plus body cream, this one does the trick — and it’s just over $15. But if you’re really into reliving the ‘90s, as I am, you’ll particularly enjoy smelling like Sweet Pea all day long.
Are Bath and Body Works cream good for skin?
Our body creams are perfect for anyone who wants a little more moisture than the standard body lotion. So light, you won't even notice it's on your skin. [You will notice the fragrance, though.]
Do Bath and Body Works cream go bad?
What is the shelf life of BBW products? Unless the product has a specific expiration date listed, a product shelf life is 2-3 years. Products with an expiration date on them usually have an active ingredient [such as SPF] that expires prior to our normal 2-3 year shelf life.
How do you use Bath and Body Works body cream?
We recommend using body cream right after the shower [pssst: that's when your skin needs moisture the most], but touch it up whenever you need. Then repeat daily for noticeably softer skin. Cue those heart emojis. If fragrance is your game, our super-velvety body cream comes in an option for every day [and night].
What's the difference between Bath and Body Works body cream and body lotion?
Lotions contain less oil than body creams. Body creams last longer on your body than lotions do. Thicker formulas like creams may cause a greasy residue, while lighter lotions don't leave a greasy look. Body creams help provide a heavier barrier than lotions to keep skin hydrated.