Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream

This might be the most versatile skin care product I have come across. I’m sure most of you have heard of Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream. This cult skincare product found in 1930 by Ms. Arden herself has many fans around the world, even including Prince Harry (the young Royal used it to keep his skin soft during extreme weather conditions on his South Pole expedition last year). Used by countless makeup artists and skincare specialists, this cream is told to be a “must have” for anyone who is beauty-obsessed.

I got my tube of Elizabeth Arden’s Eight-Hour Cream a few weeks a go when the weather was still very cold and dry, so I’ve tested it during harsh winter conditions. I wasn’t completely convinced whether or not I should buy this cream, as the price was a bit steep: about $20.00 for 1.7 oz tube. The active ingredient in the Eight-Hour Cream is petrolatum-the same compound that makes  up Vaseline. But you know me; I still wanted to see what all the hype was about.

“This legendary skincare classic works wonders to moisturize and protect anytime, anyway you choose. Shape browns, revitalize shine, soothe dry hands and smooth cuticles and nails. (…) Treats symptoms of chapping, peeling or flaking due to minor burns, sunburn, windburn, scrapes, abrasions or cracked lips.”

First thing that I have to mention is the fragrance: it’s very medicine-like and it reminds me of something that my grandma would put on me when I was sick (lol) but it no way is it an unpleasant or bothersome scent. When I bought the Eight-Hour Cream, I didn’t realize that it comes in two different versions- the original (which is the one that I have) and a fragrance-free version, which is the same exact product, minus the synthetic fragrance.

The formula is very smooth and may feel a bit sticky at first, but it absorbs quickly while still leaving a soft, protectant layer on the skin. I absolutely love using this on my lips; as I’ve mentioned countless times, my lips are constantly dry and flaky, which makes it difficult for me to wear lipstick. Since I bought this cream I noticed that I don’t reach for lip balms as often as I used to, I sort of don’t want to use anything else on my lips. This product is also amazing at soothing windburn, I even used it around my eyes to heal extremely dry skin and it worked great.

I think that what impressed me the most was when I had Hubby use this on his hands. During winter his hands got dry to the point when they were cracking and bleeding, despite the fact that I was literally forcing him to use a hand cream every chance I got (I even put one in his car, on his nightstand and in the kitchen). I even used oils on his hands in an attempt to soothe his skin. Nothing helped until I told him to try the Eight-Hour Cream one night. When we woke up in the morning and I touched his hands I couldn’t believe how smooth and soft they were, they healed completely, overnight. No cracks, no roughness, no dryness, just baby soft skin. That’s when this cream really impressed me and I knew that I’d be a “keeper”.

There are countless uses for the Eight-Hour Cream both in makeup and skincare and I’ve absolutely fallen in love with it. I will definitely re-purchase once I run out, but I think that next time I will opt for the fragrance-free version.

Paula xx