LIPIKAR EMOLLIENT - moisturising emulsion for very dry skin LAROCHE-POSAY

RRP: £11 (200ml as shown. Also available in 400ml pump-action dispenser £16 )

What the promo says:

"This emollient saturates dry skin with lipids immediately. The skin becomes elastic and soft. Light and non-greasy texture absorbs quickly into the skin and does not leave greasy film. Apply once to twice a day, preferably after a bath or shower. Suitable for dry to very dry skin. "

Lipikar contains 10% Shea butter - a nutritive emollient, glycerin to hydrate and thermal spring water as a soothing antioxidant. It penetrates the skin quickly to soothe and restore comfort and suppleness. It replenishes dry skin and compensates for lipid deficiencies, helping to restore the hydrolipidic layer.

Why I bought this product:

Because my mother, who has passed on some positive attributes but also her dry skin to me, told me that the only body lotions worth using on our crepe paper skin were those containing LIPIDS. She's not stupid, my Mum....

Packaging:

La-Roche-Posay products come in simple no-nonsense packaging. As they are usually available from good chemists...they have gone for the 'clinical' sort of image...lots of white, the 'signature' blue rectangle with the name of the product clearly written on the front in black lettering.

Okay.....so it's not glamorous or attractive....but do you want superbly hydrated skin or an ornament for your bathroom? Lipikar can be bought in a white tube which stands easily on your bathroom shelf or in a pump-action dispenser.

Application:

One squirt from the pump action dispenser goes a long way. But if you are going to do your whole body you will need a squirt for each portion! The good thing about the pump action dispenser is that it can be very easily controlled, so you only squeeze out exactly what you need. A small push obtains just a small amount of lotion. You are not obliged to push the pump down all the way each time. I find one application is generally enough in Winter...but in Summer when I am in and out of the pool...another application before going out in the evening is generally required.

Appearance/Texture:

Just as the promo says.....it is a light cream that goes on easily and is quickly absorbed into the skin. It has a silky texture that isn't greasy and leaves skin looking smooth and hydrated.

Scent:

It has a light, fresh scent on application. This lasts for a while but is not obtrusive if you want to wear your favourite perfume over the top.

Longevity:

The effects last a long time and, because so little of the cream is required, so does the tube/dispenser. I find the large dispenser lasts around three months.

Short term/long term effects:

Excellent. One of the best body lotions around.

Value for money:

Excellent. ....especially if you follow the suggestions below!

Sarah's HOT TIP to make it last:

As I have suggested before with similar containers, the flexible tube has the advantage that it can be cut open and covered with cling film...enabling you to gain at least another week of use.

I wasn't going to be defeated by the harder pump action container either....convinced that there was more to be had once the pump no longer worked...I took a sharp knife to the container and sliced it in half. I gained a MONTH's worth of body lotion!

Suppliers:

A good reason for a visit to France! Available from all good chemists.

http://www.garden.co.uk/

http://www.beautefrance.com/