When I was contacted by NIVEA to review and give away some of their products, I was at first hesitant because I didn't think that they were a cruelty-free company. I inquired about this to Samantha, the PR rep who contacted me, and she provided me with Beiersdorf's official statement (NIVEA's parent company):
Thank you for contacting Beiersdorf Inc. regarding our policy on animal testing. We appreciate your concern about the use of animals for testing.
We do not conduct animal testing with any of our skin care products. Beiersdorf has been at the forefront of seeking alternatives to animal testing. We have shifted our emphasis to in vitro test methods, scientific literature reviews and past history to establish the safety of our products.
We appreciate and share your concern on this issue. As a responsible corporation, Beiersdorf has been addressing this issue for years and will continue to do so, just as we are also committed to providing you with safe, high-quality products.
With that reassurance, I agreed to try out their products in honor of September being National Skin Care Awareness month.
I am a big skincare junkie and I always apply lotion after showering and throughout the day. I hate the feeling of dry, flaky skin. NIVEA sent me three products that are great for transitioning into the cooler and drier fall months. Right now I'm using mostly natural skincare, but I'm not against the idea of trying products that are not all-natural. I liked this trio of products because a light exfoliation followed by moisturizer application is important to keep skin from looking dull.
The Kiss of Olive Oil & Lemon Soothing Lip Care balm was entirely new to me. I generally stick to natural lip care, because non-natural lip balms usually contain alcohol in them, which seems counterproductive to me because it dries out lips. Now, I don't know the ins and outs of the creation of this product and why alcohol may be an essential ingredient, but I did notice that Cetearyl Alcohol is listed as the 11th of 24 ingredients. This lip balm also contains beeswax, which would be unsuitable for vegans.
I really liked the scent of this balm. It's difficult for me to describe, but I suppose the best way I could put it is slightly sweet, slightly citrus-y, and slightly herbal. The texture of the balm is very smooth, too, and the stick itself is an olive green. It stayed on my lips for a good hour after application, which was impressive, and kept them feeling soft.
The Touch of Renewal Lathering Body Scrub is one of NIVEA's most popular products, and I can see why. I love trying new body scrubs and this one is appropriate for daily use because the exfoliating beads are very small. I think that to get the best exfoliation out of it, it should be applied directly to the skin from your hands. For a lighter touch, use it on a washcloth or bath pouf (I opted for the second). The 12 fl. oz size is generous, and a little goes a long way. The scent is a combination of sweet and floral, which I found really pleasing. This body scrub contains NIVEA's Hydra IQ technology to provide long-lasting moisture.
The final product I tried was the Smooth Sensation Daily Lotion. When it dispensed it looked like a standard cream, but when I applied it the texture was much silkier than I anticipated. This also has NIVEA's Hydra IQ technology. It has a light scent that reminds me of baby powder, and is great to use straight out of the shower. I really liked how this applied and absorbed quickly into my skin.
Bottom Line: If you're looking for affordable and effective skincare for fall, I think that these NIVEA products are a good option and I'm happy to learn that they are cruelty-free. Pamper your skin during National Skin Care Awareness month and pick up some NIVEA products!
NIVEA was also kind enough to send me a $50 Visa gift card, which I used to buy some candles and a new dress for work. Want to win $50 for yourself along with the three products I've tried above? Then enter my giveaway after the "read more!"
This sweepstakes is open to U.S. residents aged 18+ only. It begins today, 10 September 2012, and ends at 12:01 AM EST on 18 September 2012. One winner will be selected at random via the Rafflecopter widget and notified by email. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to claim their prize, or a new winner will be chosen. All entries will be verified. NIVEA is responsible for shipping the winner their prize.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
*Disclaimer: I received these products for free to facilitate my review. I was not monetarily compensated for this review and the honest opinions here are entirely my own.
i would like to try the nivea creme
ReplyDeleteMilk and Honey lip protection
ReplyDeleteI'd like to try the lip repair.
ReplyDeleteI want to try the NIVEA Skin Firming Moisturizer Q10 Plus
ReplyDeleteI am entering as Elena
elena150980 at yahoo dot com
I'd like to try I'd like to try EXTENDED MOISTURE HAND CREAM
ReplyDeleteI've always been on the fence with Nivea. Some of their products I love and some I'm just "eh" about. These 3 new ones sound pretty good though!
ReplyDeletelip repair for me, i need it! scg00387 at yahoo dot com
ReplyDeleteI would like to try A KISS OF SHINE NATURAL LOOK GLOSSY LIP CARE SPF 15
ReplyDeleteThanks for the chance to win!
Mendy
mendyd15 at yahoo dot com
Touch of Happiness for me!
ReplyDeleteI'd also like to try this - Honeydew & Pearls Hydrating Shower Gel.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
I would love to try the Touch Of Happiness Orange Blossom Shower Gel!
ReplyDeleteI would like to try out a product for my husband the OIL CONTROL FACE WASH anf I would like to try out the Honeydew & Pearls Hydrating Shower Gel for myself.
ReplyDeletei want the lip repair please
ReplyDeletevanitizebaby at yahoo dot com
Skin firming motion with Q10
ReplyDeleteShuttermom77 at gmail dot com
I would like to try the Extended Moisture Lotion
ReplyDeleteI would like to try their firming lotion to see if it works
ReplyDeletesawstrunk@gmail.com
nivea a kiss of cherry
ReplyDeleteI'd love to try the milk & honey lip protection :)
ReplyDeletedeeg131 at gmail dot com
Touch of Happiness
ReplyDeleteI'd love to try Pure & Natural Moisturizing Night Care. So many lovely things!
ReplyDeleteNIVEA Skin Firming Moisturizer Q10 Plus
ReplyDeletefreebiel0ve@yahoo.com
I want to try nivea creme
ReplyDeleteI want to try their Natural Tone Lotion.
ReplyDeleteI want to try Kiss of Cherry tinted & flavored lip care!
ReplyDeleteLip repair - already dreading winter.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to try the Smooth Sensation body lotion
ReplyDeletetweety800265(at)yahoo(dot)com
I'd like to try the A KISS OF MILK AND HONEY SOOTHING LIP CARE
ReplyDeleteTheir kiss of shine lip care
ReplyDeleteAmanda S
the touch of happiness sounds great
ReplyDeleteA KISS OF MILK AND HONEY SOOTHING LIP CARE
ReplyDeletewould like to try the Extended Moisture Lotion thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'd like to try the A KISS OF MILK AND HONEY SOOTHING LIP CARE.
ReplyDeleterawrms at gmail dot com
touch of sparkle body wash
ReplyDeleteI would like to try the Touch of Happiness
ReplyDeletejennifer marie
lilnursejen at yahoo dot com
Touch of Smoothness
ReplyDeleteI'd love to try A KISS OF NATURAL VOLUME GLOSSY LIP CARE SPF 10
ReplyDeleteNivea Touch of Renewal Lathering Body Scrub
ReplyDeleteDigicats {at} Sbcglobal {dot} Net
I would like to try Nivea smooth sensation
ReplyDeletedealsfan32 at gmail dot com
google reader subscriber
ReplyDeletedealsfan32 at gmail dot com
I would like to try the
ReplyDeleteHoneydew & pearls Hydrating Shower Gel
rjwashington2000@yahoo.com
I'd like to try the NIVEA POWERFRUIT BLUEBERRY HYDRATING SHOWER GEL!
ReplyDeleteskkorman AT bellsouth DOT net