A Budget Holy Grail Product

This is a bit of a departure for me in some ways but today I want to talk about a classic product. A classic product with a proven track record because it's unchanged since it's launch in 1950.

Yep Astral! I know I'm usually all about the fancy expensive stuff, and it's true I am but sometimes you have to just stop and think about the money you're spending. And you know, I remember my own Mum having Astral when I was younger so if it's good enough for my Mum...!

Now from the off I'm going to tell you that both of the above products were sent to me as press samples and both had a hefty press release accompanying it! I'm just going to cherry pick a few choice bits of info and then tell you what I think rather than bore you all rigid with too much info.

First thing is, I thought Astral was a face cream, it's not. It's an all over cream. Face and Body. I haven't tried this on my face, either of them, it's taken me some time to find a regime that suits my skin and I'm determined to stick to it, so both of the above products have been tested elsewhere, on some very dry skin. Original Astral seems to be largely aimed at older/menopausal skin which is another reason I haven't tried it on my face, I'm not quite there yet thankfully!

Okay so Original Astral is full of balanced and nourishing ingredients is what makes it  perfect all over moisturiser, it can also be used as After Sun and make up remover. Personally I've been applying it liberally all over myself, but in particular my lower legs and upper arms, both of which can be very prone to dryness. I've had instant relief and with continued use my skin is starting to feel softer and smoother, even my husband commented the other day that he thought my arms were feeling smoother, result. I've tried a lot of beautiful body creams, particularly since I've started blogging, but this one does all that they did at a fraction of the price. I'm not ready to ditch my posh lotions and potions yet because sometimes when you've had a crap day, slathering yourself in a beautiful expensive lotion makes you feel a million dollars, but for day to day use I can't see me switching from Astral! Now I need to mention that this cream is perfumed, and it's a classic scent some may feel a little old fashioned. It's not overpowering, but it smells lovely and I find it rather a comforting scent, alas I can't describe it, except to say it's like the smell of Mums!

Original Astral comes in 3 sizes, 50ml  (the handbag pot) £1.52, 200ml £4.28 and 500ml £8.16. At prices like that you can't really argue.

I must also give special mention to the new Light and Creamy Astral. This one appears to be aimed at slightly younger skin, the 40+ range, but I'm taking it as read that with both of the products, that is irrelevant if you're putting it on your body, which I am. Light and Creamy, is as you might suspect lighter than Original Astral, with a new (lovely) fragrance and is enriched with Aloe Vera and Vitamin E. It's non-greasy which is nice (not that I've found Original Astral overly greasy) and it's easily and quickly absorbed whilst still feeling nicely moisturising. This works a charm on my whole body, but I prefer the Original Astral on my dryer bits. So I'm thinking when (and if) Summer really comes the Light and Creamy will be absolutely perfect.

Astral Light & Creamy is available in 200ml and is £4.28.

All in all I think this is my new favourite body cream. I'll still be using my posh ones, but I'll keeping those for special occasions and using Astral for all my day to day needs. I'm super impressed. Not only does it work, smell nice, have a reasonable price, but it feels like a more expensive product I think.

Available from all the usual retailers, Boos, Sainsbury's, Superdrug, Tesco and all good chemists.

*This is not a sponsored post (although I'm aware it reads like one!) but both pots were provided free of charge for review purposes*

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