You know, it would take a pretty harsh person to criticise a product that’s made directly to fund the Cancer Society (as opposed to the “oh, we’ll donate half a cent from every bottle” type promotion), but as it turns out, I am that person.

What is life without a little luxury?

We all deserve some pampering and if we can help others at the same time, it feels even better. That’s the philosophy behind the Cancer Society’s new range of skincare.

Made from gentle ingredients and infused with natural extracts to soften and beautify, elements is the skin care range that really cares. Treat yourself to elements and know that your purchase is contributing funds to the valuable work of the Cancer Society.

Okay, so that sounds fair enough. I purchased a 500ml bottle of Ginger & Green Tea body lotion from Farmers for $10, thinking that I liked the smell, and that it was a new and interesting product. Turns out I don’t really like the smell that much, but of course that’s very subjective. What I think is more objective is that this lotion isn’t very thick at all (in fact, it kind of slops all over the room when I pump it out), and it doesn’t make me feel very moistened, and it definitely doesn’t last. Their body butter might be better, but if you want a big bottle of value that actually gets the job done, might I suggest Oatmeal and Shea Butter lotion from St. Ives that you can get for around $7 in a (good) supermarket or the Warehouse, and you can donate the $3 to your favourite charity instead?

(I’d offer up this body lotion as a dud trade, but I think it might come in handy for the impromptu foot-massage parties that pop up much more often than you might suspect!)