I have been wanting to do this review for ages because I have been using this products for years, so here I wanted to do my fav skin and body care, ever. I have tried a lot of different brands, Clean and Clear, Neutrogena, Lush (I still use their Ultrabland makeup remover because I do think it the best because it doesn't sting my eyes even a little and I have super sensitive eyes, and doesn't make me break out, dry out or give me a rash), Skyn (their wipes gave me a rash on my face :( ), Nivea (I like the Nivea Creme but nothing else particularly.) And none have compared to.... Alba Botanica Natural Hawaiian.
I have used their Kukui Nut and Papaya Mango Body Cream's for years, my mum got me hooked on them and they are the absolute best. They are not really cheap but they aren't super expensive. Alba isn't really a drug store brand (I get it at London Drugs but Walmart and Shoppers Drug Mart don't carry it so I don't really consider it drugstore), but it's not high end either. I get it either at London Drugs which usually carry a handful of the products. I just discovered today that Planet Organic carries almost the full line including alllll of the different shampoos/conditioners (I bought the Coconut today and I am really excited to try it and review it for all you lovelies.) But back to skin and body.
My typical morning routine starts with the Pore Purifying Pineapple Enzyme facial cleanser (sometimes I use it on my Olay Fresh Effects Va Va Vivid scrubber thingy to get a really deep clean around my chin and nose). It is a gel that lathers really well and makes my skin feel really clean but not completely dehydrated, Then I use the Smoothing Jasmine and Vitamin E Moisture Cream which adds necessary moisture to my skin but it is not so greasy that I can't put makeup over top. I have really dry skin so I personal would not use the oil free but there is one available if you are oily or oily combo. I bought the Revitalizing Green Tea Eye Gel a few months ago at Planet Organic because LD does not carry it (at least not the one I go to), and I do really like it, it helps with puffiness but also helps prime my under eyes so my concealer doesn't cake or flake. The cleanser/moisturizer routine suits my skin year round, sometimes I put on two or three coats of the moisturizer on my forehead and cheeks where I am really dry, but I have not found anything better for the price, or even more expensive products have not worked as well for me. Disclaimer! Prices vary depending on where you are shopping and what sales are on so I cannot guarantee any prices, the prices I have given are just the approximate prices for the products where I purchased them, and do not include GST or PST. The cleanser is usually around $12 CAN for 235 ml, it is actually more expensive on the Alba website though, all of the products I am mentioning cost more on the Alba website than what I bought them for at LD and Planet Organic. The moisturizer is $18 CAN for 85 g, and lasts forever! The Body Creams are $10 CAN for 180 g (and I have used the body creams on my face, they do NOT make me breakout and leave my skin really soft, but probably too heavy for under makeup). I think the eye gel was $16 CAN for 28 g. And the shampoo and conditioner are $9 CAN each for 355 ml each. And my new favorite product for summer is the Organic Body Oil - Kukui Nut, which is $10 CAN for 250 ml.
So far I have only tried the Natural Hawaiian line so I cannot comment on any of their other skin care lines (they have 3 or 4 others I think but I have not found them anywhere and I like the Hawaiian too much to order any others online.) UPDATE: As I have done more online shopping I do want to try some of their other products just the see how I like them. I really want to try their sunless tanner and some of their Even Advanced products. And their sunscreen is AMAZING just btw, I use the facial on my shoulders, chest and arms if I know I'm going to be out in the sun for a while and usually have the tube in my purse or backpack if I am going to work. The Hawaiian line has all very tropical scents, the papaya mango (divine citrisy sweet), the Kukui Nut (best way to describe it is when you make sugar cookies and you just have the sugar, butter and vanilla, trust me just go and smell it, now, as in as soon as you finish reading this review get up and go to the store and smell heaven, seriously.) Then they have scents like Coconut Milk (self explanatory), Pina Colada shower gel (again self explanatory, and to die for.) I basically just need to order everything from the Hawaiian line and I will be happy because I am looking at the website right now and I WANT IT ALL!!
The nice thing about this company is they are 100% vegetarian and cruelty free, they smell AMAZING (I know we have established this but if you don't believe me then just go to London Drugs or a health food store and thank me later and we can all share in the warship of the Alba gods.) I get so many compliments when I wear any of the lotions, I mean seriously everybody asks me what fragrance I am wearing. Not to mention it makes me feel happy, makes my skin gorgeous and healthy and works even on my drier than desert skin. And I love using the Kukui Nut Body Oil after I shave because it prevents any razor burn bumps or itchiness which a lot of creams can actually make worse for me because of my sensitive skin.
Okay so to summarize this long rambling review:
I have used their Kukui Nut and Papaya Mango Body Cream's for years, my mum got me hooked on them and they are the absolute best. They are not really cheap but they aren't super expensive. Alba isn't really a drug store brand (I get it at London Drugs but Walmart and Shoppers Drug Mart don't carry it so I don't really consider it drugstore), but it's not high end either. I get it either at London Drugs which usually carry a handful of the products. I just discovered today that Planet Organic carries almost the full line including alllll of the different shampoos/conditioners (I bought the Coconut today and I am really excited to try it and review it for all you lovelies.) But back to skin and body.
My typical morning routine starts with the Pore Purifying Pineapple Enzyme facial cleanser (sometimes I use it on my Olay Fresh Effects Va Va Vivid scrubber thingy to get a really deep clean around my chin and nose). It is a gel that lathers really well and makes my skin feel really clean but not completely dehydrated, Then I use the Smoothing Jasmine and Vitamin E Moisture Cream which adds necessary moisture to my skin but it is not so greasy that I can't put makeup over top. I have really dry skin so I personal would not use the oil free but there is one available if you are oily or oily combo. I bought the Revitalizing Green Tea Eye Gel a few months ago at Planet Organic because LD does not carry it (at least not the one I go to), and I do really like it, it helps with puffiness but also helps prime my under eyes so my concealer doesn't cake or flake. The cleanser/moisturizer routine suits my skin year round, sometimes I put on two or three coats of the moisturizer on my forehead and cheeks where I am really dry, but I have not found anything better for the price, or even more expensive products have not worked as well for me. Disclaimer! Prices vary depending on where you are shopping and what sales are on so I cannot guarantee any prices, the prices I have given are just the approximate prices for the products where I purchased them, and do not include GST or PST. The cleanser is usually around $12 CAN for 235 ml, it is actually more expensive on the Alba website though, all of the products I am mentioning cost more on the Alba website than what I bought them for at LD and Planet Organic. The moisturizer is $18 CAN for 85 g, and lasts forever! The Body Creams are $10 CAN for 180 g (and I have used the body creams on my face, they do NOT make me breakout and leave my skin really soft, but probably too heavy for under makeup). I think the eye gel was $16 CAN for 28 g. And the shampoo and conditioner are $9 CAN each for 355 ml each. And my new favorite product for summer is the Organic Body Oil - Kukui Nut, which is $10 CAN for 250 ml.
So far I have only tried the Natural Hawaiian line so I cannot comment on any of their other skin care lines (they have 3 or 4 others I think but I have not found them anywhere and I like the Hawaiian too much to order any others online.) UPDATE: As I have done more online shopping I do want to try some of their other products just the see how I like them. I really want to try their sunless tanner and some of their Even Advanced products. And their sunscreen is AMAZING just btw, I use the facial on my shoulders, chest and arms if I know I'm going to be out in the sun for a while and usually have the tube in my purse or backpack if I am going to work. The Hawaiian line has all very tropical scents, the papaya mango (divine citrisy sweet), the Kukui Nut (best way to describe it is when you make sugar cookies and you just have the sugar, butter and vanilla, trust me just go and smell it, now, as in as soon as you finish reading this review get up and go to the store and smell heaven, seriously.) Then they have scents like Coconut Milk (self explanatory), Pina Colada shower gel (again self explanatory, and to die for.) I basically just need to order everything from the Hawaiian line and I will be happy because I am looking at the website right now and I WANT IT ALL!!
The nice thing about this company is they are 100% vegetarian and cruelty free, they smell AMAZING (I know we have established this but if you don't believe me then just go to London Drugs or a health food store and thank me later and we can all share in the warship of the Alba gods.) I get so many compliments when I wear any of the lotions, I mean seriously everybody asks me what fragrance I am wearing. Not to mention it makes me feel happy, makes my skin gorgeous and healthy and works even on my drier than desert skin. And I love using the Kukui Nut Body Oil after I shave because it prevents any razor burn bumps or itchiness which a lot of creams can actually make worse for me because of my sensitive skin.
Okay so to summarize this long rambling review:
- Cruelty Free
- 100% Vegetarian
- Smells amazing
- Drug store prices, high end quality
- Great for dry skin
- Great for sensitive skin
- All around fantastic brand
- Makes you feel like you are a Hawaiian Goddess on Vacation on the Beach all year round
So thanks for reading this review, tell me which products you have tried or are interested in trying and what you thing!
Peace, Love and Beauty
- Anna aka Lady Literary
PS picture is from Alba's website, no copyright intended.