Product Review: GAIA Body Care Lavender & Frankincense Body Wash and Body Moisturiser

I have never had sensitive skin. My skin has put up with most things from hash masks to over-fragranced products. But while being pregnant all of that has changed, and I now seem to get small itches and irritations if my skin doesn’t like the ingredients in the products or if they are too perfumed. Here are my thoughts on the *GAIA Body Care Lavender & Frankincense Body Wash and Body Moisturiser;

 

What They Say:

Body Wash: "A glorious soap and sulphate free body wash that is gentle enough to use every day in the shower or bath without stripping your skin’s natural protective oils or creating dryness. Containing organic avocado oil and organic gingko biloba to nourish and rejuvenate, and organic chamomile extract to purify and soothe. These washes are an ideal soap replacement to care for your skin and leave it fresh, clean and silky soft."

Body Moisturiser: "A luxurious body moisturiser perfect for ‘locking in’ moisture after your shower or bath, or to hydrate and soften throughout the day. Made with skin-softening organic oils to help skin maintain its suppleness without leaving a greasy residue". 

RRP: Body Wash: $14.95 (250ml), Body Moisturiser: $14.95 (250ml) – Available from Available Gaia Skin Naturals Online http://www.gaiaskinnaturals.com, Terry White Chemists, Priceline, major baby stores, independent chemists, and health stores.

 

What I Say:

I have recently trialled the GAIA Pure Pregnancy Belly Oil, which I absolutely love, if you’ve missed my review, you can see it here.

And common for all the GAIA ranges, including their pregnancy and baby ranges are that they have been made without any of the ingredients known to irritate the skin or suspected of being harmful, so consequently the products do not contain any sulphates, petrochemicals, lanolin, paraben preservatives, propylene glycol, phthalates or artificial fragrances.  And of course the company is Australian owned, and the products Australian made, without being tested on animals.

 

The Lavender & Frankincense Body Wash is furthermore free from soap, and contains organic extracts of ginkgo biloba, ginseng and chamomile to calm and revitalise tired, stressed skin, organic avocado, organic evening primrose and organic wheat germ oils to nourish and soften, even dry or flaky skin, as well as it contains Vitamin E and essential omega 3 good oils for healthy skin.

When a body wash doesn’t contain soap, it makes me think that it will be difficult to lather up, but that is far from the case. Just a small amount used on its own, and a nice light lather is made, although the result is even better when using a bath sponge. Smoothing it over my skin, it feels soft, a little like a body oil is being used. And after the shower my skin feels soft and clean, and without being dried out or feeling tight. Rather it feels soft and smooth, although I still feel the need to follow with a body moisturiser (as I always do!).

While using the Body Wash a nice relaxing and calming lavender aroma spreads through my bathroom. It is a very natural and very female scent, which is still quite subtle. Once rinsed dried off from the shower, this scent more or less fades.

Like the Body Wash, the GAIA Lavender & Frankincense Body Moisturiser is of course free of all the chemical nasties, and it contains Enriched with organic rosehip, organic evening primrose and organic wheat germ oils to nourish and soften dry or flaky skin and reduce the visible signs of aging as well as organic calendula and organic ginseng extracts soothe irritation and revitalise the appearance of the skin for a youthful healthy glow. It also contains Vitamin E and essential omega 3 good oils for healthy skin.

The Body Moisturiser has a nice light consistency which quickly absorbs into the skin, leaving the skin soft , smooth and thoroughly hydrated, yet without making the skin feel sticky.

Like the Body Wash it has a lovely natural calming scent of lavender – however, while the scent from the Body Wash fades once out of the shower, the scent from the Body Moisturiser does linger for a little longer, although it does eventually fade completely. But again, as it is a natural scent, and as it is still so subtle that it doesn’t clash with my perfume, I don’t mind at all.

After having used both products together for several weeks, I am happy to say that I feel that they have not only helped sooth my irritated skin, but also reduced the irritations and itchiness that I get on my skin. As for the claim of reducing signs of ageing, I am not so convinced that I have seen any noticeable results. But to be honest, I also wasn’t expecting to see any major results.

Both the Body Wash and the Body Moisturiser come in simple frosted plastic bottles with a flip lid, which makes them easy to use, and both are very concentrated so a little goes a long way, making them great value for money at just $14.95 each.

Yes, the products are more expensive than the average drugstore/supermarket brand – but the ingredients used speak for themselves.

 

Overall I really like the GAIA Body Wash and the Body Moisturiser, and I have enjoyed everything from the feel to the scent of the products – and the fact that they do not contain any chemical nasties, just makes they even better.

And then there is the fact that GAIA have adopted an orphaned baby orangutan, "Carlos", as part of The Australian Orangutan Project's many undertakings to conserve orangutans and their habitat, providing shelter, food, veterinary and nurse care to the orphans 24 hours a day – that just makes me love the brand and products even more, so I will definitely be purchasing these products again in the future.

 

* Product was kindly provided for consideration, and has reviewed in accordance with my Disclosure Policy.

 

Have you tried any of the products from GAIA? Are you concerned with the use of chemical nasties in your skincare products? What is your favourite body wash and body moisturiser?