• About
  • Login to comment
    • Facebook
    • RSS
    • Twitter

Now Smell This

a blog about perfume

Menu ▼
  • Perfume Reviews
  • New Perfumes
  • Perfumers
  • Perfume Houses
  • Shop for perfume
  • Resources

Alba Botanica Kukui Nut Body Cream ~ scented body products

Posted by Pia on 28 February 2009 23 Comments

For those of us on the East Coast, it has been a cold winter, no doubt about it. I'm entirely ready for spring, but meantime my skin is showing every sign of a mid-winter crisis — it feels taut, itchy and generally uncomfortable. So for the past few weeks, I've been grumbling and rummaging around for various solutions that would fit into my new 'returning student' budget!

I decided to take a chance on an Alba Botanica body cream since I've been pleased with their body washes (see my review of Honey Mango Bath & Shower Gel, and Bois de Jasmin has a review of their Midnight Tuberose Shower Gel). Their Kukui Nut Body Cream seemed like a good bet — chock full of rich nut oils plus shea and cocoa butter, hypo-allergenic, 100% vegetarian and it comes in a jar which always makes me feel that tad more luxurious.

It's not a bad little cream. Like the other Alba Botanica products it seems to be good quality for the price. It's fairly rich — not as rich as the really fabulous jar creams, but thicker than your average pump lotion. It smoothes on nicely and doesn't leave a greasy feel, which is a big plus. It does a good job maintaining moisture, even if it doesn't quite soak in deep to heal the really dry areas.

The real drawback for me was the scent. I was anticipating a sort of nutty burnt sugar scent, and I wasn't far off, but I didn't anticipate how much it would linger on clothes or stick to sheets/towels etc. If you don't totally love the fragrance to start with, you might end up hating it. Imagine a rich creamy caramel sauce mixed with coconut oil, and you'll more or less have the general idea. It's not bad the first few times — it's warm and kind of comforting — but after a while it got to me. Even when the sweetness of the scent wore off, a slightly soapy undertone lingered on the skin and interfered with the dry-down of more delicate perfumes. I tried using it at night a couple of times instead, but I hated the way my sheets smelled afterwards. On that score, I won't be re-purchasing this one, but if you love this type of scent, it might be your perfect winter cream.

Alba Botanica Kukui Nut Body Cream is $12.49 for 6.5oz.

Filed Under: scented body products
Tagged With: alba botanica, cheap thrills, cream or lotion

Advertisement


23 Comments

Leave a comment, or read more about commenting at Now Smell This. Here's our privacy policy, and a handy emoticon chart.

  1. Anonymous says:
    28 February 2009 at 3:11 pm

    I've found the same the same thing with this Alba line…the tropical scented stuff. I really wanted to like it, but didn't. The other thing is, and I don't think the majority of the readers here mind about this, but people who typically buy Alba might, this product does have parabens.
    On the otherhand, their unscented “very emolient” body lotion which has been my HG for years is wonderful and does not have parabens.

    Log in to Reply
  2. Anonymous says:
    28 February 2009 at 4:41 pm

    That's good to know about the parabens–particularly for people with paraben allergies. And it's always good to find a decently priced wonderful body cream-thanks!

    Log in to Reply
  3. Anonymous says:
    1 March 2009 at 12:40 am

    Yes Pia, The Alba “very emolient” is amazing. I can't recommend it enough. IIRC, the scented “very emolient” one is on the tropical side, and very pleasant. I just like the unscented lotion b/c then it doesn't interfere w/ my SOTD :-)

    I'm also able to refill it at my local health food shop which is really nice.

    Log in to Reply
  4. Anonymous says:
    1 March 2009 at 7:55 am

    Thank you for the review. the Alba Organic Kukui Nut Oil smells like cotton candy, which is too bad, since it is a nice post shower body oil.

    I second the unscented Alba lotion. I buy the giant pump bottle. It has a pleasant, slightly nutty smell and absorbs like a dream.

    Log in to Reply
  5. Anonymous says:
    1 March 2009 at 9:06 am

    I went looking for the coffee-scented Alba aftersun cream that both Jessica and Robin seemed to like. They didn't have it at my Whole Foods, but they had Alba supershiny lip gloss I liked, it had a really nice texture. Unfortunately, it smelled extremely strongly of sweet coconut and I just wasn't sure I could stand having that scent right under my nose for long!

    Log in to Reply
  6. Anonymous says:
    1 March 2009 at 10:39 am

    Butting in to say I got mine at drugstore.com, although may have already said that here somewhere. And, it smells like sweet coffee and the scent, like the one Pia is reviewing here, is strong and it lasts. If you hated it, it would probably make you nuts too! But no coconut.

    Log in to Reply
  7. Anonymous says:
    1 March 2009 at 10:50 am

    I agree that the scent for this one is too strong. It's still not as bad as the coconut milk body cream, which is overbearing from the moment it's applied.
    Unscented lotions are my preferred choice. Alba used to have (or still do) a lightweight unscented body lotion in a purple bottle. I can't find it anymore and couldn't find a good unscented lotion to replace it (it's more difficult that one would imagine to find a good consistency and quality moisturizer!) – so I make do with Alba's hand & body cocoa lotion which smells like vanilla and honey but is not overpowering. It's also paraben free. It's rather neutral and doesn't interfere with what I'm wearing afterward, but I'm still looking for a good unscented one.
    On another note, I absolutely love their jasmine & vitamin E face cream. And they used to have a coconut milk and mint face cleanser which was sadly discontinued. It was really refreshing to use both together – I enjoy both the scents and what they do to my skin.

    Log in to Reply
  8. Anonymous says:
    1 March 2009 at 1:20 pm

    It think I checked and the drugstore.com shipping to Canada was pretty much as much as the product itself or something… I though Whole Foods was my solution, but then they seemed to have every Alba product BUT the coffee one. They did have the Desert Essence Pumpkin Hand repair cream that Jessica recommended, though, and I like it a lot.

    Log in to Reply
  9. Anonymous says:
    1 March 2009 at 1:34 pm

    HI Ayala!

    Is this the unscented one you are talking about? It has purple writing. Anyway, you should give it a try and it should be available in Canada.

    http://www.drugstore.com/qxp72894_333181_sespider/alba_botanica/very_emollient_body_lotion_unscented.htm

    I agree it is difficult to find a high quality unscented moisturizer and this one fits the bill.

    Log in to Reply
  10. Anonymous says:
    1 March 2009 at 2:07 pm

    I like unscented lotions for that reason as well–and you can even scent them with essential oils or a bit of fragrance as well if you are in the mood!

    Log in to Reply
  11. Anonymous says:
    1 March 2009 at 2:09 pm

    Clearly this lotion is a 'must try' then! Thanks!

    Too bad about the oil though…I like oils for the summer, they give a nice sheen, but preferably minus the cotton candy! LOL

    Log in to Reply
  12. Anonymous says:
    1 March 2009 at 2:12 pm

    Erin, my mother picked up an Alba Coconut lip gloss/balm–wondering if it is the same one you saw. If so, I agree–the smell is a bit much. I do like their products, maybe they could just tone down the Hawaiian line a bit? LOL

    Log in to Reply
  13. Anonymous says:
    1 March 2009 at 2:13 pm

    Thanks R! Will probably avoid that one too, or will have to start washing sheets every day!

    Log in to Reply
  14. Anonymous says:
    1 March 2009 at 2:16 pm

    Oh, that's interesting about their facial moisturizer–I haven't tried their face care line. Good to know that you like it. I love jasmine creams!

    And sounds like the very emollient cream mentioned in some of the comments above might be just what you are looking for?

    Log in to Reply
  15. Anonymous says:
    1 March 2009 at 9:34 pm

    I agree with Pikake – the Alba unscented very emollient body lotion is great, I use it daily. I don't know about Canada but I've found this at Marshall's or TJMaxx here in the US, a huge 950ml bottle for $10. I always stock up when I see them.

    Log in to Reply
  16. Anonymous says:
    1 March 2009 at 10:05 pm

    Thanks Ahsu! It also seems to be available at drugstore.com for those outside the US. Look forward to trying it!

    Log in to Reply
  17. Anonymous says:
    2 March 2009 at 3:25 am

    Pia,

    It could very well be the one; I run out of it and couldn't find it again long ago and did not keep the bottle.

    The jasmine cream is nice and light. Scent-wise it goes well with Le Parfum de Therese!

    Log in to Reply
  18. Anonymous says:
    2 March 2009 at 7:54 am

    If you're looking for an unscented body cream, try Cetaphil moisturizing cream for dry, sensitive skin. Comes in a tub. Don't need much. Very moisturizing. Doesn't have that unpleasant “unscented” smell that some unscented products have. It does have a faint scent, but it doesn't linger on skin, and definitely doesn't compete with perfume. I highly recommend it!

    Log in to Reply
  19. Anonymous says:
    2 March 2009 at 7:55 am

    Oh, and no parabens (at least what I can tell from the list of ingredients).

    Log in to Reply
  20. Anonymous says:
    2 March 2009 at 11:02 am

    Ayala, as I watch the blustery wind and snow sweep across the backyard this March morning, I'm thinking Le Parfum de Therese might be just the perfume for today–a defiant nod towards summer, but bold enough to work in this wintry cold! Thanks for the reminder! :-)

    Log in to Reply
  21. Anonymous says:
    2 March 2009 at 11:03 am

    Thanks Karin! And I do love creams that come in a tub, LOL.

    Log in to Reply
  22. Anonymous says:
    3 March 2009 at 1:31 pm

    Pia,

    Ahh, Le Parfum de Therese is definitely one of (if not THE) most cherished and loved perfumes ever. I wore it the other night when going out to watch The Godfather II in the cinema. Can't wait for summer myself!

    Log in to Reply
  23. Anonymous says:
    3 March 2009 at 10:39 pm

    Le Parfum de Therese for the Godfather II…how utterly perfect!

    Log in to Reply

Leave a reply Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

Advertisement

Search

From NST at Twitter

  • "ernesto neto highlights the cycles of nature in latest installation at tanya bonakdar gallery" (scented exhibit in… https://t.co/qp81Uglhsx, 15 hours ago
  • @ChemistBottle Can't disagree...always liked that bottle shape but the colors aren't appealing, 16 hours ago
  • Updated info on Guerlain Habit Rouge L'Instinct https://t.co/LwuZCy3gtq https://t.co/exoPnjgQId,
  • Amouage has streamlined and repackaged the Libray (Opus) collection. 2 remain: Opus V and Opus VII. Rose Incense fr… https://t.co/D1pIB4gZzW,
  • "Blossom season takes over! Saudi's Taif Rose Festival delights one and all" (mashable middle east) https://t.co/bSvUUGZeJz,

Browse by…

Topic

Perfume talk New fragrances
Shopping Books :: News
Body products Home fragrance
Polls Another subject

Date

April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
Prior months

Author

Robin Jessica
Angela Kevin
Erin Guest Author

Tag

Celebrity perfumes
Cheap thrills
Collector bottles
Perfumista tip series
Video
The complete tag index

Recent reviews

Atelier Cologne Love Osmanthus
Moschino Toy Boy
Arquiste Misfit
Diptyque Eau Capitale
Zoologist Bee
Parfum d’Empire Immortelle Corse
Comme des Garcons Series 10 Clash
Frédéric Malle Rose & Cuir
L’Artisan Parfumeur Le Chant de Camargue
Yves Saint Laurent Grain de Poudre
Régime des Fleurs Chloë Sevigny Little Flower
Chanel 1957
Gallivant Los Angeles
Amouage Portrayal Woman

Blogroll

Bois de Jasmin
Grain de Musc
Perfume Posse
The Non-Blonde
More blogs...

Perfumista lists

100 fragrances every perfumista should try
And 25 more fragrances every perfumista should smell
50 masculine fragrances every perfumista should try
26 vintage fragrances every perfumista should try
25 rose fragrances every perfumista should try
11 Cheap Perfumes Beauty Outsiders Love

Favorite posts

The Great Perfume Reduction Plan
Why I Love Old School Chypres
New to perfume and want to learn more?
How to make fragrance last through the day
Fragrance concentrations: sorting it all out
On reformulations, or why your favorite perfume doesn’t smell like it used to
How to get fragrance samples
Perfume for Life: How Long Will Your Fragrance Collection Last?

Upcoming

List of upcoming Friday projects

Back to Top

Home
About Now Smell This :: Privacy Policy

Shop for Perfume Online
Perfume Shopping in New York
Perfume Shopping in London
Perfume Reviews
New Perfumes
General Perfume Articles
The Monday Mail

Glossary of Perfume Terms
Perfume FAQ
Perfume Links
Perfume Books
Fragrance Awards

Noses ~ Perfumers A-E :: F-K :: L-S :: T-Z

Perfume Houses A-B :: C :: D-E :: F-G
H-J :: K-L :: M :: N-O :: P :: Q-R :: S
T :: U-Z

Copyright © 2005-2022 Now Smell This. All rights reserved.