Avalon Organics Lemon Hand and Body Lotion

Something no one ever told me about being pregnant was that I would find myself a victim of many weird skin afflictions. Sure, I knew about the possibility of stretch marks, but the dryness? The itching? The mystery pustules? These were all new experiences for me. A little research revealed that the best thing to do, regardless of the presentation of the skin ailment, was to MOISTURIZE.

A quick check of my closet revealed many moisturizers. The ones that worked well didn’t smell very good. The ones that smelled good didn’t work well. And they all seemed to be full of parabens and other potentially carcinogenic ingredients. What was a crazy pregnant lady to do (other than scratch obsessively, of course)?!

Enter Avalon Organics: makers of wonderful, soothing lotions that actually work, and smell delicious while they do it. I fell in love after using the convenient tester of the Lemon Hand & Body Lotion at Whole Foods (I am a fool for citrus. So clean! So fresh! Who cares if my husband thinks it smells like Lemon Pledge – he is a philistine, and undeserving of good smells.), and have been using it daily ever since. It’s not greasy, and it spreads nicely, and that lemon scent is heavenly.

If you’re not a lemon fan, they also make lavender, rosemary, peppermint, and even unscented. I would recommend a heavier-duty cream for overnight use on really dry winter skin, but this lotion is wonderfully effective for daytime. $9.95 for 12 ounces, which should last you through winter if you don’t overdo it.