Leaves Skin Silky Soft... Without A Rash! (Johnson's 24hour Moisture Extra-Rich Body Wash)

Member Name: GoFigure

Product:	Johnson's 24hour Moisture Extra-Rich Body Wash
Date:	12/06/09 (94 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Possesses a nice subtle scent and leaves skin feeling soft.

Disadvantages: none

Having written a review last week about Dove Cream Oil Body Wash, it came to my attention that very few people are actually aware of the risks of limonene and linalool in soaps, deodorants, household scented products and even perfumes... actually, just about every scented product made nowadays contains these two chemicals.

Before I get on with my review on the Johnson's Body Wash [which doesn't contain these two chemicals], I'd like to take the time, and the opportunity, to address the nature of limonene ad linalool.

Limonene, also known as dipentene, is a colourless liquid hydrocarbon that possesses an incredibly strong odour of oranges - the name itself is a derivative of the word 'lemon' because the chemical is contained in the rind of lemons and other citrus fruits. It is used in cosmetics, some medicines, in cleaners and insecticides. It is also being used as a solvent and paint stripper... note that it is also highly combustible.

Limonene is considered a skin and respiratory irritant, and although the chemical is treated as a hazardous waste when it comes time to dispose of it, no long-term studies have been conducted to see what its effects are on humans.

Linalool, also known as linalyl alcohol, linaloyl oxide, p-linalool, allo-ocimenon, dimenthyl and octadien, is a chemical found in flowers and spice plants. A low dosage of linalool in products will give off a sweet floral scent, with a stronger dose smelling slightly woody and much like lavender. Linalool is used in soaps, detergents, shampoos, lotions... and in flea and cockroach insecticides.

A study undertaken on linalool proved that it triggered allergies in people sensitive to perfumes. Unfortunately, linalool isn't only found IN perfumes, therefore a large portion of the population is at risk when using everyday products.

Although I don't break out into a rash when using mild perfumes [strong perfumes give me massive headaches], I am highly allergic to both of these chemicals when they are present in soaps, detergents and cosmetics - including lotions and creams. Not only do I get massive headaches, but I literally break out in rashes that can last as long as a week.

Needless to say that I spend an awful lot of time reading the ingredients on products, and even so, because manufacturers are only legally obliged to mention these two nefarious chemicals when they are present in doses above the recommended allowance, they are often still present... in smaller doses, but just as dangerous to allergy sufferers. Note that even those who are not allergic to these two chemicals should be wary of seeing them on a label because this meanns that the doses contained in the product are above the recommended allowance.

The only 100% safe bodywash I have found, to date, is the Johnson's 24hour Moisture Extra-Rich Body Wash - luckily for me, it still manages to smell nice, and it leaves my skin feeling soft and silky.

Much like Dove's Cream Oil Body Wash, the Johnson's Body Wash is extremely thick and creates a really lovely lather on a shower puff or sponge - going on, it feels soft on the skin - really luxurious.

The bodywash contains skin conditioners and moisturisers that make your skin feel soft and smooth without ever feeling greasy, and the effects really do [like the bottle promises] seem to last 24 hours. My skin never feels tight or dry after using this bodywash.

The scent is extremely delicate, the only description would be that it smells light and flowery... and clean.

Obviously, Johnson's isn't 100% chemical free, but the chemicals it does possess don't trigger any allergies. For those who are interested in the ingredients, here goes:

Aqua - Glycerin - Sodium Laureth Sulfate - Sodium Cocoyl Isethionate - Cocamidopropyl Betaine - Coco-Glucoside - Sodium Chloride - Sodium Isethionate - Polyquaternium-39 - Polyquaternium-7 - Glycol Distearate - Styrene/Acrylates Copolymer - Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer - Polysorbate 20 - Laureth-4 - Sodium Lauryl Sulfate - Disodium EDTA - Citric Acid - Sodium Hydroxide - Sodium Citrate - Sodium Benzoate - Phenoxyethanol - Parfum - CI 47005 - CI 14700 - CI 42090

Let's face it, perfume has become more of a common accessory than a luxury these days, with everyone and their grandmothers spritzing themselves before leaving home every day. Do we really need to add to that the scent of our underarm deodorant, our shampoo and conditioner, our face cream and hand lotion, and even the scent of the soap and fabric conditioner used to wash our clothes?!

For those lucky legions out there who don't suffer from allergies, give some thought to those of us who do and stop splashing those strong perfumes on before leaving the house. You may not smell yourself... but we DO!

Summary: A great alternative for allergy sufferers.