The old ‘Ulay’ products were never moisturising enough for me, as I have always had quite dry skin. However, I was intrigued by the launch of the Olay Total effects range a while ago, which promised to help reverse the 7 signs of aging – just what I need! The range consists of more than just face creams and moisturisers, and the product I have used the most is the body lotion, or as Olay call it “body anti-aging moisturising treatment”. So, can it live up to these claims?
Let’s start with what this product looks like so it can be recognised on the shelves. Like many of the Olay Total Effects range, it is in a black box, about 7 inches high, with gold and white writing. Inside the box is a white plastic container
with a black plastic lid and a pump to get the cream out. You need to press the pump a number of times when you first use the product, but a quick word of warning here. I have bought about 6 of these body lotions, but the last one has a dodgy pump, so it is very hard to get the cream out. I think I will have to resort to cutting the container in half! Olay Total Effects body anti-aging moisturising treatment is available in most chemists and supermarkets. Prices really do vary on this product, so shop around, but currently Boots are selling the 150 ml lotion for £7.99 or £8.99 for the fragrance free version.
I didn’t realise before, but the latest one I have bought is the fragrance free version. I do have quite sensitive skin, but I have never had a problem with the fragranced version. Even though my current bottle says fragrance free, I can still detect a sort of cold cream smell. The normal one is better, with a lovely light clean smell, which would not clash with perfume. The lotion is a creamy white colour, with a perfect consistency – not too runny so it goes everywhere, but not too thick so it is difficult to rub in your skin. It is very easy to spread on your skin and is absorbed within about 30 seconds, so you don’t have to wander around naked and sticky for too long. It does not leave you with a greasy feeling afterwards, and does not stain your clothes once absorbed. The moisturising effect lasts quite a while, but it will depend on what clothes you have on and whether they are rubbing it off. I use it all over my body, including my hands, and it is even good enough to stop dry elbows. It says it contains vitamin E, vitamin B3 and pro-vitamin B5 as the anti-aging ingredients and should be used daily.
So, back to the claims about reversing the 7 signs of aging:
1. Intensively hydrates dry skin – I would agree with this one, as my dry skin feels lovely and soft after using it. 2. Improves skin’s firmness – well, whilst you have the lotion on, the skin does appear more plump and firm, but it does not make a long term difference – you have to keep on using it. 3. Visibly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles – it definitely does this. My shins often look parched and cracked, like the bottom of a dried up river bed. A quick application of this body lotion, and they are soft and smooth again. However, as for the point about, this is only whilst the cream is on my skin - it does not make a long term difference. 4. Visibly evens skin tone – I can’t say I have noticed an improvement in this area. 5. Helps diminish the appearance of blotches and age spots – I don’t agree with this one. Although by body skin does not suffer with these conditions, I do have age spots on my hands, and this cream has made no difference at all to them. 6. Softens and smoothes the skin texture – agreed (although isn’t this the same as number 3 ‘visibly reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles’?) 7. Transforms skin dullness to a more youthful, healthy looking glow – well, I wouldn’t say that my skin was glowing after using the lotion, but the fact that it is plumper and smoother, certainly makes it look younger.
So the verdict is 5 out of 7 – not bad. I have used other body lotions, such as E45, Ponds and Vaseline Intensive Care, but they really do not compare to the Olay lotion for my skin. They were generally much harder to rub in, as they were too runny or too greasy, and did not leave my skin as smooth. Some of them may be cheaper, but I would rather pay the money in this instance.
Olay must be confident about this product, as they offer a money back guarantee by ringing a freephone number on the box. There is a website too for more information – www.total-effects.com. It is made by Proctor & Gamble.
To summarise, this is by far the best body moisturiser I have ever used, and I have used a lot of body moisturisers, as I am known to like smellies, so get given a lot. The only problem I have ever come across with this product is my current container with the broken pump. I don’t mind that it only fulfils 5 of the 7 claims, as other body lotions will probably only manage about 3. If you have dry skin and haven’t tried this brand yet, I would recommend that you give it a go.
Thanks for reading.
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I still haven't figured out why they changed from Ulay to Olay?!
Shufflebum 09.01.2004 17:41
Good op. I have to say I remain a classic olay girl, but it sounds as if you have found something that suits your skin. Sadly I currently DO NOT need anything which makes my skin look plumper - I think all the fine food at Christmas did that! Rach x
Jan 3rd, 2004
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