Everyone’s raving about Elizabeth Arden 8 Hour Cream Skin Protectant – on the net, in books, mags, friends. It’s a classic skin care product, around since the 1930s, that I’m just cottoning on to. And I managed to get a pretty good deal when I decided to buy. A lot of EA beauty counters have a gift pack on sale at the mo which includes an 8 hour lip balm, hand cream and make-up bag with the 8 hour cream.

The ‘Cream’ is not really a cream at all. It is like Vaseline, which isn’t surprising as the only active ingredient in the 8 Hours is petroleum jelly. Hence it does not soak into skin and has a greasy feel.

It does have a number of great uses though. It protects skin from drying, like any barrier cream. It can be used to sooth chapped lips. You can slick your brows with it. Apply after waxing or shaving to help heal. And use its shine to highlight cheek bones or eyelids.

But don’t try it as a face moisturiser – I was shiny, like really shiny, all over my face for 10 hours when I tried it. And it’s no good as a hand cream either as it’s greasy.

It has been great relief to my legs (which get itchy after waxing or shaving). And is great on any dry patches.

My only irk (besides the smell) is that the ingredients are quite basic (other main ingredients are lanolin, mineral oil, castor oil, and so on) and may not justify the high price. I wonder if Vaseline or baby creams like Amolin work just the same. (Vicky, I think ’baby cream’ was a tip from you for dry lips).

I do love the lip balm and hand cream it came with though.