A hit and miss spritz. (Nivea Moisturising Body Spray)

Member Name: nikkisly

Product:	Nivea Moisturising Body Spray
Date:	09/05/01 (130 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Non greasy, Instantly absorbed

Disadvantages: Difficult to apply, Overwhelming perfume

The recent few days of hot sunshine forced me to consider that it was getting round to 'that time of year'.The time when I drag my legs and other assorted body parts out from their Winter hibernation and expose them to the elements. Which I did,on Saturday - only to put them straight back under cover again until I could do a damage control exercise on the dry, white flaking skin which has been lurking behind my jeans since last summer.

I'm not a great one for cleansing, toning and moisturising under normal circumstances - I prefer to rely on my natural beauty which doesn't usually need too much assistance. (ahem!). However, this situation called for desperate measures, and I went straight to Boots, where I was totally bemused and bewildered by the choice of skincare on offer. After reading numerous labels, I decided to go for a familiar name - but a brand new concept (according to the assistant, anyway.)

Nivea, is truly a name from my childhood and I have fond memories of being allowed a little dab of the pure white creme from my Grandmothers royal blue pot. Nivea body spray has the familiar "Nivea" smell, so I immediately felt that here was a product that I could trust. According to the label,this is the "quick and easy way to moisturise your skin". It has been "dermatologically tested" and "provides day long moisture by restoring the skins' natural lipids". Now, I'm not totally sure what a 'natural lipid' is, but judging from the look of my legs, I'm definitely lacking them and,as Nivea promise a "sensational skin feeling - instantly" I parted with my money with great anticipation.

When I got home, I read the ingredients list which started with Aqua (water) and continued with Paraffinum Liquidum (which I assume is liquid paraffin) and glycerin. There followed a long and complicated list of chemicals, which I assume contain my missing lipids somewhere am
ongst them.

The directions for use state that the bottle should be shaken and held upright at a distance of approximately 15 cms. You then spray, and gently massage the lotion into your skin, while avoiding all contact with the eyes.

My first criticism is that Nivea body spray is quite difficult to aim ( men and toilets spring to mind as an illustration of the general 'splatter effect'!). My first few attempts resulted in moisturised mirrors and carpets rather than body parts.

When I did manage to score a direct hit, though, the spray was, as promised on the bottle, instantly absorbed. So much so, that even after massaging it into every part of my body, the palms of my hands were totally 'non greasy'. At that point, the familiar Nivea smell became rather intrusive, totally overwhelming my perfume.

There was also a very slight stinging sensation, which lasted for a couple of minutes after application, and contact with a small cut on my leg almost left me hanging from the ceiling by my fingernails. It HURT!

Disappointingly, I didn't instantly notice any improvement in the condition of my skin. Or, perhaps I should say that, yes, I did notice an instant improvement, but it lasted for only a few minutes before my skin appeared as dry as it was before application.(However, from the general appearance of my legs, I am prepared to admit that I may simply be a desperate case who needs several applications before seeing a positive result.)

Out of curiosity, I have been using this spray twice a day on one leg and not at all on the other, for four days. I would have to concede that the 'treated' leg looks better than the 'untreated' one, but the difference is marginal.

So, on the minus side, this spray is difficult to aim accurately (even on a large target like my legs!), has an overwhelming scent and is definitely not recommended by me if you have cuts or broken skin.
r>On the plus side,it does seem to work (albeit briefly), is instantly absorbed and totally non-greasy.

I don't think that I would buy it again, since my usual emergency measures - a shower, followed by a liberal application of baby oil - seem to be more effective and considerably cheaper.(Although need a definite "Slippery when wet" health warning!)

Now, has anyone seen my lost lipids?

NB the price quoted is the current 'special offer' price at Boots.