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Lloydspharmacy Aqueous Cream BP
by CosmicLove
~ Why I Bought It ~
I didn't - this was actually given to me by my Mum, who'd spotted it in the chemists & picked it up as she said it was quite cheap. I was really grateful as I get through a lot of aqueous cream due to having dry, eczema prone skin.
~ Price ~
This isn't the cheapest aqueous cream at £1.39 for a ... 100 gram tube - the brand that I usually buy is only £2 for five times the amount of product, so I wouldn't buy this myself when I know that there are much cheaper options.
~ Packaging ~
I really like that rather than coming in a big bulky tub this aqueous cream comes in a tube which is quite neatly designed and it stands upright. It is easily squeezable and a neat little size so it doesn't take up very much room. It has a flip top lid which find very handy and it is less messy than the aqueous cream that comes in tubs as I don't have to scoop the product out - I just squeeze a blob into the palm of my hand and run it over my skin which is a lot less messy.
~ My Opinion ~
In my opinion aqueous cream is pretty much the same despite the brand name so when my mum gave me this I wasn't too excited - I have used heaps of aqueous cream over the years. I did however find it unusual that it came in a tube and I prefer this to the tub packaging that most aqueous creams come packaged in as it is a lot less bulky.
The cream itself is white and thick with a wet and silky texture. It doesn't really have much of a smell to it which I like as some of the aqueous creams that I've tried in the past have smelt very medicinal - this doesn't. The cream is just the right consistency - thick, but not too thick.Itsmoothes over my skin fairly easily even when it is insanely dry and flaky. My skin at the minute isn't too good with small patches of open sores on my ankles from where I've scratched my eczema, so understandably I wasn't too keen on the idea of using this on them but I knew I needed to keep the area moisturised so I gritted my teeth and slathered some on but it actually didn't sting at all and provided a soothing, cooling sensation.
The cream does feel very greasy and it leaves my skin with a white, quite sticky residue for a while after I've applied it as it doesn't sink in that quickly so I tend to apply it at night (though I do apply it multiple times a day when my skin is really bad) and apply a bandage over the top to avoid it getting my clothes sticky and leaving white residue on them.
The cream does take a while to work - the effects are not instant for me as my skin is so dry, and I have found that I need to apply it several times a day to smooth out my really dry, rough and flaky patches of skin and once my skin starts looking a little better I make sure I continue using it to keep my skin feeling smooth and moisturised. The cream is very greasy and it leaves my hands feeling greasy after I've applied it so I always need to wash my hands afterwards and I try to apply it when I don't need to get dressed straight away as if I do it leaves greasy patches on my clothing.
~ All in All ~
A moisturising, gentle cream which leaves my skin smooth and soft. It is not a miracle cream and it doesn't instantly make my skin look better but with regular use it is an effective way to keep my skin looking and feeling healthy and it doesn't make my eczema any worse.
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Floradix
by spiritwood
Floradix is my first choice of health supplement if I am run down (more so than usual) or if I have any kind of infection, and having M.E, I do get a lot of infections especially over the winter. I use injectable B12 as well as this liquid all year round at the moment because this winter was particularly bad for me (12 courses of ... antibiotics and steroids this winter!). I also find it useful as I am still lactating and need all of the energy I can get. Floradix is a fruit, veg and herb extraction, a liquid syrup containing honey which has no preservatives or nasties. Once opened it needs to be refrigerated. This is a large bottle which lasts just over a month (when taken as recommended).
Floradix is manufactured and sold by Salus-Haus who are a Bavarian company founded in 1916 by Dr Otto Greither. The company has been at the forefront of natural supplements and herb teas for over 90 years and they sell a range of capsules, liquids and teas which can be found in all major health shops and online. The company actively contribute to the well-being of the environment and even the power supply to their production unit is generated naturally by a stream that runs through the centre of the Bavarian factory. UK companies, take note!
THE PRODUCT:
The liquid arrives boxed with plenty of info on the outside. It is heavy and the bottle is large and made from dark glass to protect the contents. The lid is gold coloured and vacuum sealed. There are a few different sizes of bottle available to buy and the range also extends to liquids for kids, and liquid ginseng and magnesium supplements. It slots in the fridge easily as it is a stocky but narrow bottle. You are advised to shake well before use and to take approximately 30 minutes before meals (morning and evening).
Dosages:
Adults: Take 10 ml twice a day.
Children 3 - 5 years 5ml taken once daily
Children 6 - 12 years 10ml taken once daily.
The warnings on the bottle state not to exceed recommended dose and to keep out of the reach of children.
THE GOOD STUFF:
Floradix contains iron (in the form of iron gluconate), vitamins B2, B6, B12 and C (the B complexes aid fatique). The Iron content is essential for normal red blood cell production and this is also supported by the B vitamins (6 and 12). Vitamin C is included and it aids iron absorption. In liquid form these are easily metabolised by the body. The liquid also contains herbs, kelp and fruit extracts which make the product taste strong but unoffensive. It has a very "vitamin" smell which I find from the B complexes. very brewers yeasty. 10ml taken twice daily provides 15mg of elemental iron.
(For those who like lists, here are the ingredients:
Aqueous Extract (54%) from Carrots, Nettles, Spinach, Quitch Roots, Fennel, Ocean Kelp, African Mallow Blossom. Fruit Juice Concentrates (29.4%) Pear, Grape, Blackcurrant Juice, Water, Blackberry, Cherry, Orange, Red Beet, Lemon, Carob Extract, Apple. Aqueous Yeast Extract, Honey, Aqueous Rosehip Soft Extract containing 4% VITAMIN C, Iron = Ferrous Gluconate, Wheat Germ Extract, Vitamin C (Ascorbic Acid), Natural Flavours, Thiamin as (Thiamin Hydrochloride), Riboflavin as (Riboflavin Sodium Phosphate), Vitamin B6 as (Pyridoxine Hydrochloride), Vitamin B12. )
NO NASTIES:
NO alcohol is present in Floradix, nor are there any preservatives, colourings or flavourings. It is lactose free and vegetarian but not suitable for vegans due to the honey content.
The combination of fruit and vegetable juices and extracts assist with the age old problem of constipation, which is a common side effect from taking Iron. Floradix is also GMO free.
NO PILL POPPING:
A supplement is no substitute for a healthy diet of course but sometimes we needs a boost in times of illness, pregnancy, stress etc, I use Floradix to keep me as healthy as possible in my circumstances as well as a boost when ill and not having to swallow lots of vitamin pills is a bonus. I do not find the taste offensive although it is strong. If you find it yucky then it can be diluted in water or juice and chugged.
NUTRITIONAL VALUES: (Typical values per 10ml)
Energy 33.6kj/8kcal
Protein <0.1g
Carbohydrate 1.9g
Fat <0.1g
Vitamin C 13mg
Thiamin 0.8mg
Riboflavin 0.9mg
Vitamin B6 0.4mg
Vitamin B12 0.6ug
Iron 7.5mg
DOES IT WORK?
Well I am not a good candidate or advert for the product I am afraid as my health is awful! However it would probably be worse without this and my attention to diet. It is not a miracle cure by any means but is a useful and healthy addition to a good daily diet. There are many accounts on the net in regards to the success of the product so I would advise you to read those first. I do recommend it for many reasons, ease of taking would be one, lack of nasties another and the fact that unlike many vitamins it does not contain sorbitol or preservatives.
PRICE: Starts at £11.49 for 500ml on Amazon, and from £16 in health stores. The 250ml bottles are obviously cheaper at around £8.
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Otex Ear Drops
by thriftygiftyisme
Optrex Ear Drops
I have ears which just love to hold on to their wax, and of course you should not poke down the ear with cotton buds, pen tops, or whatever you lay your hands on.
It use to mean having to have my ears syringed regulary at the doctors, it doesn't hurt, but it is a pain making the time to go ... there.
=Otex to the rescue=
The last time I was having this done, my nurse asked had I considered using Otex ear drops, as they were an item that can be purchased from chemists without the need for a prescription.
=Blocked Ears=
When my ears are blocked, it is like a temporary deafness, I am forever saying pardon, the TV control the volume goes up, and I do get ear ache with it, so any possible relief is worth a try.
=Cost=
I tend to get mine from Boots (mean collector of loyalty points), and they are £4.49 for a bottle.
=The Product=
The drops are in a small little container, which has a built in dropper, for using the application into the ears, the product is boxed in a small brown based cardboard box and has Otex on the box as well as the bottle.
=Shelf Life=
Once opened the bottle has a shelf life of 4 weeks, after this you do need to discard the product.
=Blocked Ears=
As I mentioned I have blocked ears, and when I use these drops, I use the drops twice a day, usually for about 4 days, which softens the wax, for me, sometimes they are not strong enough to shift the wax, but the liquid softens enough that the nurse can syrine away.
=Would I recommend=
I would highly recommend the drops, as they are a great product, there not a product that I keep in the store cupboard but once I notice a build up of wax, then I get a bottle.
=One Tip Don't move too soon=
When you put the drops into your ears, you feel like a fizzing feel, this is the otex reacting with your ear wax. I personally find that if I lie down either on the bed or the settee, and apply the drops, wait about 10 minutes then apply to the other ear, this gives the substance more chance to work, otherwise if you move to quick, the otex just comes pouring out of your ear..
=How do I know whether its working=
Different people have different feelings with their ears, for me to know that the Otex is working, the TV starts to be back at a more normal volume, and I find that the wax is breaking up and coming out of my ear, Not in big lumps, just small amounts. Which although sounds disguisting, it is working.
=Stubborn Wax=
If you have really stubborn wax, you may feel that if you don't have lumps of wax coming out, it does not mean that the Otex hasn't worked, it is softening it, and if you need it to be syringed, it is soft ready for the nurse.
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