Pretty And Pampered — Discovered The New Dove Purely Pampering Sweet Cream With Peony Nourishing Body Wash

I often joke that my skin has become a spoiled brat because, after years of trying out high-end body washes and luxurious lotions, it tends to throw a fit whenever I try out a perfectly adequate (and substantially more affordable!) drugstore brand bathing product. In truth, however, the problem isn’t that my skin has somehow acquired caviar dreams and champagne tastes; it’s that, as I’ve gotten older, I’ve developed an increasing number of allergies — environmental (pollen can cause major nasal discomfort), pharmaceutical (penicillin, which I tolerated for decades, is now fatal), and topical (certain chemicals and preservatives can trigger inflammations).  Because most drugstore brand body washes incorporate sulfates (not necessarily sodium lauryl sulfate or sodium laureth sulfate, but perhaps ammonium lauryl sulfate, ammonium laureth sulfate, sodium myristyl sulfate, and sodium myreth sulfate, all of which are surfactants that can prove irritating to skin), along with other potentially precarious preservatives like methylisothiazolinone and phenoxyethanol, these products can wreak havoc on my now allergy-prone skin. Typically, eco-friendly body washes that are paraben- and sulfate-free and which are formulated with all-natural ingredients are a safer bet for me, which is why I’ll often vouch for SheaMoisture, Carol’s Daughter, and Pacifica body washes and lotions that are affordable, effective, and gentle. Now, there’s one drugstore brand that continuously releases body washes that never disappoint, even though they don’t fall in the all-natural category, and that’s Dove. Whether it’s the Dove Dry Oil Moisture Body Wash or the Dove Purely Pampering Pistachio Cream with Magnolia Nourishing Body Wash, Dove creates cleansers that effectively remove dirt and debris while moisturizing the skin and strengthening its own barrier function. If you’re looking for a body wash that’s priced at under $10, you can’t really go wrong with Dove.

The latest addition to Dove’s family of Purely Pampering body washes, the Dove Purely Pampering Sweet Cream with Peony Nourishing Body Wash ($5.47 at drugstores and mass market retailers), is as delightful as its predecessors, featuring a dense but not cumbersome texture, a milky and almost yogurt-like consistency that makes massaging the body wash feel indulgent. It does, in fact, help to create a pampering in-shower experience.

In terms of the body wash’s ingredients, it includes: vitamin E-rich soybean oil, which has a small molecular structure that allows it penetrate the outermost layer of skin; stearic acid, a fatty acid often found in cocoa and shea butter that can replenish and restore the barrier function in skin and hair so as to prevent moisture or lipid loss; glycerin, a popular humectant; lauric acid, a fatty acid found in palm kernel oil and coconut oil that has anti-microbial, moisturizing, and soothing properties; and peony extract, which is said to contain antioxidants that protect the skin and improve its texture, making it smoother. Whenever I’ve used this body wash, I’ve emerged from the shower with my skin feeling fresh and clean but perfectly comfortable — not dry, itchy, or taut.

My only complaint about this body wash is that the peony scent is almost undetectable. Instead, the body wash features a sugary vanilla scent that speaks to the sweet cream aroma touted on the bottle. The peony portion of the aroma, however, is practically imperceptible. Sure, there’s a vaguely floral tinge to the scent, but it’s very faint — a surprising phenomenon given that peonies are so fragrant. Now, don’t get me wrong: the body wash has a pleasant scent but, if peonies are your favorite blossoms (as they are for me) and you’re expecting an aromatic experience reminiscent of a floral bouquet swathed in vanilla cream, you should be forewarned that this body wash will not be the conduit to that fragrance fantasy. That said, the understated nature of the peony note does make the body wash a bit more unisex (my husband never even noticed the floral aroma and he used the body wash daily, much like I did!). Also, the sweet cream scent isn’t so saccharine as to make you feel like a walking pastry.

All in all, I still prefer the Pistachio Magnolia scent above all the other Purely Pampering Body Wash scents, but this one is a nice option when you feel like switching things up!