Forest Essentials’ Mashobra Honey & Vanilla body lotion product review

(see also Aloe Vera & Neem Body lotion)

I’ve noticed a theme in my blog, which is I don’t review the products that I personally love and have been using for many years.

There is no time like the present to fix this (as well as register and vote for Joe Biden. #joebiden2020 #bidenforpresident)

What’s inside the product?

The product uses cold-pressed almond and apricot oils and, kokum butter as the moisturising ingredients. These essentially act as emollients and occlusives (see moisturiser basics for more information)  

(Occlusives form a protective barrier, preventing water loss as well as creating conditions for barrier repair. Emollients will make skin feel soft and smooth by filling in the cracks and gaps between corneocytes. It’s a temporary effect, and the next time you (e.g.) wash the results are gone).

These ingredients are easily absorbed into the skin and give the product a spreadable consistency.

The cold-pressed process ensures that the almond and apricot oils retain their nutritional content. 

Therefore, the product should be rich in Vitamin E, oleic and linoleic acid and polyphenols. All are excellent for the skin. Vitamin E is a potent antioxidant that protects skin cells against free radicals.

The almond oil is also rich in skin identical ingredient squalene and minerals (e.g. Manganese)

What do I think of the product?

When I buy a FE body lotion, I have no concern that it has undesirable chemicals such as parabens or BHT.

Also, the spreadability of the product and its absorption is a non-issue.

However, I am superficial and strong smells bother me. I could never use FE’s Nargis body lotion.

I love the smell of this product. There is a faint trace of honey and a soft hint of vanilla. (It is not an astringent, synthetic vanilla fragrance that you may smell in (e.g.) shampoos or Body Shop products)   

I have a cupboard dedicated to just body lotions, and I use this product frequently. It also doubles as my hand lotion.

Available for sale at Forest Essentials’ website. Retail price is INR 1,350 at date of this blog.

Other MV& H products?

FE make an MH&V soap, which is either out of stock or discontinued. This is a beautiful soap if you can get your hands on it.

I have used the MH&V mist in the past, which was a shocking disaster. The smell was too strong for me, and frankly, I just don’t have the time for a leaky plastic container. I would rather pay extra for a functioning glass recyclable bottle.