Here in Denver, it’s really dry. I myself struggle with sore skin on my hands. And Holly’s skin has gotten really bad over the last 6 months. I began my search for a suitable lotion when I was offered an opportunity to review exederm. My search ended there. Holly’s skin on her legs and arms was really bumpy and red. Her face was always dry and looked rashy most of the time. Now, her bumps are nearly gone and her face never looks rashy. That’s after using exederm’s products for only a month and a half or so. And I don’t even put the lotion on her every day, although I’m certain if I did, her skin would be completely clear by now! I use a few of their different lotions on her – the intensive baby moisturizer, the lotion and the flare control cream. I also have been using the wash and the shampoo. I would like it if the wash foamed a tad bit more, but it’s foaming is comparable to what I was using before. I don’t use the moisturizer as much as the lotion because of the open-top container it comes in. With a curious and busy toddler it’s harder to get the moisturizer only where I want it when she’s trying to scoop a handful!

exederm has such a great ultra sensitive formula that the National Eczema Association has awarded it with a “Seal of Acceptance” and the products have received the organizations highest rating of 5/5.

The products contain:

• no frangrance


• no color or dyes


• no parabens


• no sodium laureth sulfate


• no cocamidopropyl betaine


• no propylene glycol


• no phthalates

Nothing but pure moisture!

I do have to admit that I miss the fragrance of the brand of wash and lotion we’ve been using up until now. However, I’d much rather my child has comfortable, smooth skin than smell a specific way. From one Mom to another, if your child is struggling with dry skin, you must try out exederm. It’s a miracle! – Katie

PS: exederm also has a full line of adult products. exederm has worked so well with Holly that I have no doubt their adult products are equally excellent.

I somehow made it through my first pregnancy without one stretch mark on my stomach, which was a surprise to me because when I hit growth spurts as a child, my body took on stretch marks like no one’s business! I’ve heard lots about subsequent pregnancies doing damage and so I wanted to make sure I protected my skin. I contacted Palmer’s and they sent me a whole slough of products to try out!

My most used product they sent has been the Cocoa Butter Formula Tummy Butter. I like to slather it on my ever expanding belly right before bed. It’s smell is relaxing but not overbearing. Using it daily as really helped with itchy skin.

My absolute favourite baby product they sent me is the Cocoa Butter Formula Lil’ Face Butter Stick. Holly gets really chapped cheeks but won’t sit still long enough for me to rub lotion into her cheeks. The Butter Stick has been the perfect solution! It goes on just right and Holly actually holds still for it probably because it reminds her of lip chap! The Butter Stick has been the hugest lifesaver since cold weather hit and I recommend every Mom gets one!

Palmer’s sent me some other great products from their Cocoa Butter line such as their Massage Lotion for Stretch Marks, their Formula for Dry, Itchy Skin, their Skin Therapy Oil and their Firming Butter. I’m glad I have a bottle of firming butter. I’ll be using that right away post-pregnancy! I want to get back to myself as quick as possible and I’m so glad I have this Firming Butter!

Here’s a little more about the company:

Under the current ownership, the revolutionary brand Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula was created and introduced to the world. Since that time Palmer’s has expanded on its vast knowledge and heritage, developing brand ranges such as Skin Success, Shea Butter Formula, Olive Butter Formula, Coconut Oil Formula, Olive Oil Formula and Hair Success. These brands give E.T. Browne a strong presence in important market segments such as skin care, pregnancy, skin fade care, and hair care. Palmer’s has a global presence; available in over 80 countries offering the #1 Cocoa Butter brand in the world. This unique heritage and commitment to quality has stood the test of time, making Palmer’s a trusted household name, used by families for generations.

Whether you’re pregnant or have a dozen kids, Palmer’s definitely has many products to help you keep your skin in tip-top shape! They even have organic products. – Katie

All of my children seem to have dry skin but my youngest two were hardest hit. Fortunately we have a water softener in our home, but even then I have to be careful what kind of products I use during and after bath time so they don’t scratch themselves silly when their skin starts to itch due to excessive dryness. And living in arid Utah doesn’t help!

I am a big fan of organic skin care products, especially those created with little ones in mind. That’s why I was super excited to test PurGood’s baby wash and body lotion on George and Livi. They’re almost out of their Gabriel Couzian products and I’m in the market for new (and more affordable) options.

First, a bit about PurGood:

PurGood is committed to providing organic, eco-friendly products made from socially and environmentally responsible resources. Our intent is two-fold, to provide a safe product for our loved ones while being good stewards of our earth.

I’m all about two-fold missions, especially when they support people and planet! PurGood sent me samples of their Baby Wash & Shampoo and Baby Lotion to review on Boutique Cafe’s Daily Dish. My first impression? How clear the baby wash was—and I mean clear. It kind of takes you by surprise when a baby wash/shampoo lacks color…and I kind of like it!

We tested the baby wash a few times and it’s a winner. Though not as powerful as bazillion-dollars-a-bottle Gabriel Couzian, PurGood did NOT dry out my children’s skin, which is saying a lot. Most off-the-shelf brands, even those geared toward dry and sensitive skin, don’t do much for their borderline exzema. To find a brand that is organic and effective AND affordable is awesome! Even better, PurGood’s baby wash and shampoo uses organic ingredients gentle to the skin and is free of “artificial colors, fragrance, parabens and sulfate and is made with pure fruit and vegetable extracts.”

PurGood’s baby lotion was just as impressive. It absorbed quickly and kept my babies’ skin moisturized throughout the day. Even without artificial fragrance it still smelled rather nice. (Sometimes products without those artificial ingredients smell a bit unpleasant.) PurGood’s baby lotion is not only free of artificial fragrances but also artificial colors, parabens and sulfate and like the baby wash, is made with pure fruit and vegetable extracts.

What else is there to love about PurGood? It’s concern for the environment:

• PurGood containers are recyclable: “We believe that recycling on a daily basis is a way in which each one of us can do our part to help the environment.”


• The company uses only recycled packaging materials including biodegradable packing peanuts.


• PurGood uses minimal packaging for our products so you have less to throw away when they arrive.

I’ll be out of my samples soon, but at around $12 a bottle, I’ll be including PurGood into our daily (okay, almost daily) bath time ritual. Oh, and it’s even more of a no-brainer purchase when you learn two moms are behind the design of the products and concept for the company.—Emily

*** Giveaway! PurGood is giving away one baby wash/baby lotion gift set! ***

Here’s how to enter. You can do as many of these as you’d like. Each one is worth one entry into our giveaway; please leave a separate comment for each one you do:

•  Visit PurGood.com and tell us what most impresses you about the company and/or its products.
•  Become a fan of PurGood on Facebook and leave a comment telling us you joined. (Feel free to leave a comment on their fan page telling them you found them via Boutique Cafe!)
•  Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL of your tweet.

Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: April 8, 2010 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

• Congratulations to Lacey K., the winner of the PurGood giveaway! Thank you to everyone who took the time to read the review and add a comment. Keep reading the Daily Dish for your chance to participate in more giveaways!

When I hear the word “Mustela” the first thing that comes to mind is pregnancy products for women. I’m not sure why; perhaps I had a sample of their nursing comfort balm in my standard-issue diaper bag upon release from the hospital. Whatever the reason I had no idea Mustela had such a serious line of products for babies as well as moms.

Mustela’s Bébé line, which includes daily hygiene, bath time, diaper change and skin protection products, is designed specifically for your baby’s delicate skin. To introduce me to the line the company sent me a handful of travel-size product samples from their Dermo-Pediatrics line and a small tube of their High Protection Sun Lotion (SPF 50). Granted, a tablespoon of product isn’t much to review but it was enough to get me interested in learning more, and here’s what I discovered about Mustela’s Dermo-Pediatrics infant care products. They are:

• created with the collaboration of healthcare professionals;


• for children prone to problems such as eczema, irritations, rashes and sensitive to intolerant skin;


• hypoallergenic, non-irritating, fragrance-free, paraben-free and have no artificial colorants;


• tested under dermatological and pediatric supervision (not sure what that means but it sounds impressive);


• composed of “specific ingredients of natural origin.”

We tested the body milk (lotion) from the Stelatopia line, which is designed to help with eczema, and though we couldn’t give it a thorough review due to the amount that was sent, I can say it went on smoothly, absorbed quickly and didn’t have a greasy feeling at all. Those are all important qualities I look for in a lotion, especially one whose purpose is to relieve the symptoms of eczema. As far is its powers of moisturization, the jury’s still out on that (i.e. it will take more than a tablespoon to test for that!). We didn’t have a chance to test the cream cleanser…I always forget to grab it before putting the little ones in the bath and I can’t leave them once they’re in water. Dang!

But we were able to give the sun protection lotion a good test run and taking my kids’ opinions into consideration, it received a mixed review. Mustela’s High Protection Sun Lotion (SPF 50) is a 100% mineral sunscreen, which often makes for a thicker sunscreen. In this case it was definitely thicker than my kids are used to slathering on their skin. The oldest two complained it was hard to apply and the youngest two complained because it was hard for Mom to apply. With two squirmy little ones I need something that goes on quickly and easily, but this sunscreen gets one vote in its favor due to it being made from minerals (titanium dioxide and zinc oxide). That’s some of the best sun protection you’ll find!

Mustela’s sun protection lotion is also hypoallergenic, fragrance-free, water-resistant, extra-broad spectrum (IR & long and short UVA/UVB rays). It also has a unique combination of zinc salts and natural plant active ingredients (aloe vera and soy phytosterols containing Vitamin E) that provide protection against free radicals. It also costs about $15 for 1.6 fluid ounces, a price I’m a bit hesitant to pay just so I can hear more whining from my kids during those long summer days. I guess the jury’s still out on this one too since it looks great on paper and does a great job preventing sun damage (no sunburns while my kids had it on) but is a pain to apply and a pain in the budget.

I wish I had more personal feedback to offer you on their other products, but Mustela’s reputation alone makes their products worth a try, especially if you’re looking for a daily regimen designed specifically for delicate newborn skin. Oh, and don’t forget about their products for moms!—Emily

With cranberries on the table and in the tummy I thought today’s review a fitting one. Jason, the “pure, natural & organic” line of skin and body care products, sent me two holiday samples: Cranberry Rejuvenating Body Scrub and Cranberry Hand & Body Lotion. Though I don’t do the turkey and cranberries thing, I was more than willing to test these two product out for our readers.

The facts: Jason’s Cranberry Hand & Body Lotion is made with cranberry oil (packed with antioxidants), aloe vera and chamomile to soothe dry skin. It is free of parabens, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate, mineral oil, lanolin, petrolatum and animal by-products. It is not tested on animals.

My take: Though this lotion did do a good job of soothing and hydrating and is free of a lot of not-so-natural ingredients, the smell was a little off. Though at first whiff it clearly smelled of cranberries, it had a second scent that was not quite as “fresh.” I’m not one of those chefs who can smell a dish and tell you the exact ingredients so I can’t tell you if it was a combination of cranberry and chamomile or if it was another of its natural ingredients. I do know it was off enough to keep me from using it again even though it was a great lotion overall.

The facts: Jason’s Rejuvenating Cranberry Body Scrub uses non-GMO corn cob combined with papaya fruit extract to exfoliate the skin. Ginkgo, cranberry and ginseng leave skin rejuvenated and moisturized. It is free of parabens, sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate, mineral oil, lanolin, petrolatum and animal by-products. It is not tested on animals.

My take: Though this one had that same slightly “off” smell as the lotion, it wasn’t nearly as noticeable or bothersome. Perhaps using it in the shower and following it up with my own favorite lotion helped. It is a pretty good exfoliator though I would have liked a little more exfoliation. I do give it an A+ in moisturizing; my skin felt silky smooth without an oily residue on me or the shower floor. And for the price (about $7), it’s a very affordable way to exfoliate.

Though I didn’t love the smell of Jason’s Cranberry products (mostly the lotion), it did peak my interest enough to want to try other body care products from Jason. For a natural and organic line, the prices are well within budget. It may not be the season for cranberry but it is the season for affordable bath & body gifts!—Emily

Mother’s Day might be over but that doesn’t mean we can’t pamper ourselves! I’m always on the hunt for something to soothe my feet, silken my skin, refresh me with amazing fragrance, and ease my tension. Having quality products in my home that aid any brief moment of relaxation and rejuvenation are a hot commodity to me. I personally don’t often have time to get to the spa, or the money to afford those expensive treatments, so the alternative is my own little convenient home spa.

I recently discovered some praise worthy natural body products from a new company called Chloe & Jane, that I couldn’t wait to share. Co-founding girlfriends Laura Albin and Wendy Viscuglia wanted to create a line of spa quality products that were luxurious, relaxing and eco-conscious. Basing their new company on the history of their own friendship, Laura and Wendy used some “alter-ego’s” on opposite sides of the spectrum to name their company. Chloe, a certified spa junkie and Jane, a skeptical spa newbie. The result being a line of hand soap, moisturizing body wash, hydrating wonder lotion, pure sugar body polish, and ultra smooth body butter.

Each product is created with all-natural ingredients, but the real pleasure is in indulging in the use of them. The fresh spa scents available include: Lavender Sage, Citrus Camomile and my ultimate favorite First Bloom.

In “testing” (aka: totally indulging) in my review of their product line, I was throughly impressed with Chloe & Jane. The consistency of their body butter is dreamy and left my skin feeling hydrated, but not oily. The Wonder Lotion is aptly named, it’s like “silk” in a bottle. And my favorite of all the products I tested had to be the Pure Sugar Body Polish! Perhaps because it sounds so delicious but is calorie free, but mostly because my feet and legs looked so healthy and beautiful after I tried it. Kudos to Chloe & Jane who have taken my own little home spa to new heights! – Daria

PROMOTION: from for our Boutique Cafe readers!
15% discount + Free Shipping, no restrictions
Use Promo Code: HAPPYCAFE

Giveaway: Chloe & Jane is offering a wonderful Giveaway for TWO of our Daily Dish readers. The Perfect Duo Gift Set winners select choice of fragrance!
To enter our drawing please leave a comment telling us: Are you a spa junkie like Chloe, or a spa newbie like Jane? Please include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: May 21, 2008 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

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