I think it won’t be an understatement if I say that I have neglected writing about body care products, yet they play an equally important part in my regimen as products that I apply on my face. Growing up with eczema, applying body lotion was a daily ritual for me, sometimes even more than twice a day, so I have gone through many products out there. Neutrogena’s Norwegian Formula Deep Moisture Comfort Balm is one of my old-time favourites, and the newer addition with hyaluronic acid is similarly satisfying.

The Norwegian Formula Deep Moisture Comfort Balm has a simple yet very effective formula. It is a moisturising balm based on fatty alcohols like glycerine and a few others. It also includes shea butter and other ingredients to make the product work. There’s a scant amount of fragrance, and the balm has a lovely, pleasant scent that shouldn’t be a problem for anyone.

This balm is a classic. I use it all over my body, from my face down to my toes. The cream absorbs slowly into skin (using the product on damp skin speeds up the process), making it smooth and soft to touch. It’s great on its own or layered on top of a lighter product, which I will discuss below. I especially like to use this balm in winter when my skin is very dry and needs extra care. It feels rich on skin without being unctuous. It also works phenomenally well as a hand cream. Apply a thick layer of this product on damp hands and put on a pair of cotton gloves, the next day, your hands will be smooth, plump, and ready to face a new day filled with constant handwashing. I don’t have much to say other than it’s a must-have, it’s affordable, and it does what it is supposed to do.

The Hydro Boost Whipped Body Balm is a newer addition to Neutrogena’s body care lineup. The key ingredient is hyaluronic acid, which is a stalwart moisture-booster for skin. It’s not surprising that it has become everyone’s favourite in recent years. Usually, products with hyaluronic acid need to be sealed with more occlusive products to avoid moisture loss, but it’s not the case here. The product contains occlusives such as petrolatum, dimethicone, and quite a bit of glycerine. I have said it many times before, I don’t like products with mineral oil (or similar ingredients) in general, but this is one of the few products that I enjoy using. It doesn’t sit on my skin, it doesn’t feel like it suffocates me, and it doesn’t make me sweat excessively. The product also contains good, old vitamin E, which helps to strengthen your skin barrier. There’s fragrance in the formula; the scent is rather refreshing. I don’t know what to compare it to, but I like it. I’ve read few online reviews and some people dislike it. I don’t mind the fragrance here, as I mainly apply the product to my body, and the smell dissipates pretty quickly, or my nose gets used to it.

This skin-pleasing, featherlight gel-balm will be appreciated by many. It instantly soaks into skin and hydrates it. I especially enjoy using the product during summer, when it’s hot, and I can’t be bothered with heavy, buttery creams that I will sweat out. In winter, I layer it underneath a richer cream like the one above, and in tandem, they provide the right amount of moisture for my persistently dry skin. It’s also worth noting that using a body product with hyaluronic acid is particularly beneficial if you want to prevent stretch marks or fade newly-formed ones. It’s not the best treatment, but supposedly hyaluronic acid can help to diminish them.

I highly recommend both of the balms. They are fantastic skin moisturisers that will suit all your needs without breaking the bank. Both are available from all of Neutrogena’s stockists worldwide.

Ingredients:

The Norwegian Formula Deep Moisture Comfort Balm:
Aqua, Cyclopentasiloxane, Glycerin, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Glyceryl Stearate, PEG-100 Stearate, Butyrospermum Parkii Butter, Sodium Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Acrylates/C10-30 Alkyl Acrylate Crosspolymer, Isohexadecane, Polysorbate 80, Sodium Hydroxide, Phenoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Propylparaben, Parfum (neutrogena.co.uk)

The Hydro Boost Whipped Body Balm:
Aqua, Glycerin, Isopropyl Palmitate, Petrolatum, Cetyl Alcohol, Dimethicone, Sodium Hyaluronate, Ethylhexylglycerin, Cetearyl Olivate, Sorbitan Olivate, Sodium Acrylates Crosspolymer-2, Carbomer, Xanthan Gum, Sodium Hydroxide, Tocopherol, Phenoxyethanol, Parfum, CI 42090 (neutrogena.co.uk)

The Norwegian Formula Deep Moisture Comfort Balm and the Hydro Boost Whipped Balm are available from Neutrogena’s stockists worldwide.