Here’s a secret.  I spent two years of my adult life working on film sets as a set dresser.  This may sound glamorous: hanging out with celebrities, making movies out in sunny Hollywood, exclusive parties.  Well it’s not.  In fact, movie sets are far from the sensational Hollywood on the covers of trash mags. Most of my days were spent in jean cut offs, tank tops, work boots and some sort of power tool in my hand while working 12-hour days in the sun during the summer with no relief of shade.

So, why would I leave this life to come review beauty and body care products?  Duh – my hands were starting to get callously, rough and dry.  Ew. I’m a girl who likes manicures, sun dresses and chardonnay and I loathed the way my hands would be at the end of a production shoot.

Now, to keep my hands looking 25 and not 52, I massage lotion into my fingers, palms and arms all day long, especially after I wash them, after shuffling piles of papers and organizing anything remotely dusty.  All three of those daily, office routines can dry out the thin skin on your hands and digits. Recently I’ve taken a shine to Liz Earle’s Nourishing Botanical Body Cream.

Liz Earle’s Nourishing Botanical Body Cream

Since this lotion isn’t exclusively for hands, I use it when I get out of the shower in the morning over my whole body, keeping my shoulders, elbows, knees, ankles, tummy and more, nicely moisturized and soft. This concentrated, deeply hydrating body cream helps my skin retain moisture throughout the day as well as helping to comfort, and improve my skin’s smoothness.

But in addition to my morning lather, I keep the lotion on my desk so I’m sure to reapply liberally as the day continues.  The lavender aromas calm me, even in the most stressful moments at work, like a little bit of incense. And since I rarely wear perfume, the floral smell of Liz Earle’s body cream doubles as my sent, calming me and those around me.

The Breakdown:

• • 6.7 fl. oz / 200 ml bottle
• $30 each
• Echinacea promotes cell renewal and actively encourages the production of fibroblasts, which eventually form the supporting structure of the skin. Echinacea is also anti-inflammatory and is renowned amongst herbalists for its ability to help skin disorders such as acne, eczema and psoriasis.
• Sweet orange citrus oil helps stimulate circulation and improves skin tone.
• Vitamin E protects skin against free radical damage caused by pollution and the sun’s radiation.

Tips:

• If any type of lotion is ever spilt on clothes, gently scrape to remove any excess lotion. Moisten the spot with water and apply an enzyme presoak (follow directions on label). Wait for 30 minutes, then, flush area with water. If possible launder immediately. If not, allow fabric to air dry.