Not Foaming At The Mouth For This One (Other The Sanctuary)

Member Name: Ali72

Product:	Other The Sanctuary
Date:	15/01/06 (417 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Pleasant smell, doesn't dry skin

Disadvantages: Expensive, poorly-lasting foam, rest of range is better

I am generally a big fan of products made by The Sanctuary, a wonderful day spa in Covent Garden in London (ladies only). Their products are usually good quality, and are available from the spa and Boots The Chemist. This Christmas Boots ran a BOGOF offer, so it was no surprise that I received a number of Sanctuary gifts.

Among them was a bottle of Foaming Bath Soak, which I think was only recently introduced to the Sanctuary range. It comes in a bottle of 250ml for £4.50 (although as I mentioned, I was given it). You can also buy it as part of many different gift packs of Sanctuary products. The bottle is clear, squeezy plastic, with the characteristic fish logo of the Sanctuary on the front (a downwards pointing fish in an orange-washed circle). To dispense the bath soak, you press down on one side of the orange bottle top, which pops up a spout on the other side. The content is pale orangey-yellow and has a creamy, silky texture, which I found easy to squeeze out of a full bottle; however, with subsequent use I have found that it’s a bit thick, and needs shaking down / multiple squeezing (or alternatively, for impatient people like me, unscrew the top and stick the bottle under the tap).

The blurb on the front of the bottle states, “relax and indulge your body with Wheat Protein, Aloe Vera and Patchouli Oil to unwind, moisturise and condition your skin”. I would say that you could smell that it contains wheat protein, although to be honest, it smells pretty much like most of the Sanctuary products do, a fairly distinctive fresh, yet subtle, smell. There is a slight note of fruit, which I assume is the Patchouli oil. Unlike most Sanctuary products though, I found that I had to use quite a lot to get the amount of foam I wanted and the “feel” of the product in the water. For those familiar with these products, it’s definitely a less luxurious feel than, say, Mande Susu (which, at £7.95 for 475ml is also cheaper). If you use quite a lot, then the foam produced is adequate, although it doesn’t last for an entire “soak”. The bottle contains enough for around 5 decent baths.

Afterwards, I found my skin didn’t feel dry (so better than using soap, for example), but it also didn’t exactly feel moisturised either. To be fair though, the back of the bottle does state, “For best results, follow with The Sanctuary Body Lotion”. My husband did comment that I smelt nice though, and the smell lingered for hours.

Overall, I must admit to being slightly disappointed with this product. It does give a pleasant bathing experience, with a lovely smell, but it almost feels like they have “spoilt” it by making it foam – but maybe that’s just my personal preference. It doesn’t “feel” as luxurious as a typical Sanctuary product and seems a little expensive as a result. Also, to make it foam, it contains sodium laureth sulphate, which will concern some consumers since this has been investigated as a potential carcinogen. I also notice on the list of ingredients that it contains the colours “Yellow 5” and “Yellow 6” and several stabilisers and preservatives – which seems a little odd for a product promoting itself on it’s “natural” ingredients. I don’t dislike it, but I probably won’t be rushing out to buy it either.

Summary: I don't dislike it, but I probably won't be rushing out to buy it either.