Garnier Intensive 7 Days Hydrating Lotion with Moisturising Aloe Vera

*~*Introduction*~*

When it comes to toiletries and beauty items I have a plethora of products dotted about in my bathroom (and secret hiding spot in my wardrobe). I tend to have several of the same items on the go at any one given time, and although I have a real penchant for anything from french company Yves Rocher, I also have several other different brands of items I like to use as well..one such product is this body moisturiser by Garnier Body entitled 'Intensive 7 days' which my review will now focus on.

I came across this moisturiser in my local haunt of Superdrug. I must make it clear that I hadn't set out with intentions of buying a body moisturiser as I had actually gone to buy some eye drops but this was positioned in such a prolific spot that I couldn't fail to notice it and I picked it up to just glance at first.

Having read the blurb on the back which claims to be ideal for thirsty skin I was well and truly intrigued as it promised to be different from other moisturisers, so with the added bonus of it being on an introductory offer of £1.95 (200 ml) I felt almost obliged to buy it!

*~*Price, packaging & availability*~*

As mentioned this cost me just £1.95 for the 250 ml size, though there is also available the larger size of 400 ml for around the £4 mark depending on where you shop.

The lotion comes housed in a sleek looking bottle which is upright standing and is made from a soft plastic material (the bottle indicates it's recyclable). The colouring of the packaging is a gentle green with the Garnier logo and other relevant information in a bold black font. Apart from the gentle green colouring that is certainly eye catching it's other redeeming feature is definitely the curvaceous hour glass shape that not only makes the bottle look slightly more appealing but also is designed with practicality in mind as it is easier to grab hold of.

There is a white cap placed directly on top of the bottle which is in the design of a flip top lid. This opens and closes with relative ease and features that satisfying 'click' when closing which I don't know why but always gives me slightly more peace of mind that it is closed as substantially as possible (to avoid spillage if knocked over).

Availability wise this can be found in most chemists, supermarkets and in most outlets that sell similar products. Cost wise this particular bottle can be found anywhere from £1 (as a friend advised she had bought some costing £1) so it's worth looking around if interested in purchasing.

*~*A lotion is surely a lotion?*~*

This lotion is enriched with aloe vera and L -Bifidus (probiotics). The aloe vera is a well renowned plant extract know for it's soothing and moisturising properties and the L-Bifidus is supposed to help the skin reinforce it's natural barriers by locking in moisture.

By using this product regularly it is supposed to give the skin an overall feeling of intense moisture and hydration for 'up to 7 days'..

The claim - "..after just 7 days of use the skin's quality is dramatically improved.."

*~*My experience of using this*~*

On testing this out for the first time I was actually quite excited (sad I know) as my skin does tend to be more on the dry side so the fact this lotion claimed to drastically help really appealed.
I decided to test this out after my evening bath when I felt my pores would be open and more susceptible to response. After slightly patting my skin to semi dry it with a towel I felt ready to apply the lotion and hope for miracles!

On opening the flip top lid, which I will just add has a small over hanging lip to make it easier to to open, I proceeded to squeeze a reasonable amount in to the palm of my hands ready to apply. What I was greeted with was a surprisingly thin and watery like lotion - at this point I wasn't overly fanatical about it as I wondered how a lotion of such thin consistency could do justice to dry skin, and what's more keep working for 7 days?

I decided to just treat it as a *regular* body lotion and apply all over my body to slightly dampened skin (I always feel it absorbs more this way). I was pleasantly surprised by the fragrance as it has such a fresh and clean scent which I presume is the aloe vera but not only that there is a crisp cucumber aroma as well that smells truly refreshing.

The cream is a very bright white in colour but this soon disappears when applied to the skin as it absorbs in a very rapid manner. I found the lotion to feel incredibly light and even when applied liberally it still melted into my skin instantly and started hydrating my dry skin on contact. After it has soaked in my skin has felt very soft and there has been no sticky residue or film covering it - it doesn't sit upon the top layer like some lotions can.

*~*Results?*~*

I would be lying if I said this lotion hydrated my skin for any greater length of time than usual. That's not to say I have anything overly negative to say as I don't - it certainly moisturised my skin wonderfully when applied and the lotion literally melts into the skin as mentioned so it scores points with me on that front.

I found that my skin felt hydrated and soft for around a day when applied - if used in the evening my skin felt soft through to around the same time the following day just as if used in the morning it was approximately 24 hours later that I noticed my skin starting to feel dry. As I shower/bathe every day my skin is regularly moisturised so I can only really comment on it's effectiveness over a short period of time.

I have been using this consecutively for around 10 days now since I purchased it and have found my skin to feel in silky soft condition. I would definitely buy this again though think it only works as good as any other body lotion I have tried so I am going to deduct a star as it's only slightly above average in my opinion.

All in all a very good moisturiser that hydrates the skin well but I have used others on the same par and had the same results in the past.