Aveeno Pomegranate + Rice body wash, $6.99

I first smelled this body wash at my friend's house after she had come back from a trip to CVS. I couldn't get the fresh smell out of my nose so I knew I had to pick up my own bottle of Aveeno's Positively Nourishing Smoothing Body Wash in pomegranate + rice. I tend to just use bars of soap but realized that having an exfoliating body wash would probably come in handy when taking care of my dry skin in the colder months.

This body wash smells really good, I don't know if I smell pomegranate exactly but it isn't an overpowering perfume smell or anything. It is nice and mild but lingers on your skin for hours after the shower. It seems like it is saying this smells like pomegranate and rice but honestly there is no rice smell and it is worded a little awkwardly. The bottle notes that rice beads and walnut shells are included in the body wash as exfoliants, not that it is a rice scented.

I don't use this body wash daily but I do use it pretty regularly. I enjoy the light exfoliation that leaves my skin feeling very soft afterwards. If you're allergic to walnuts be careful because there are actual walnut shells in the body wash.

Final verdict:
Cost: The price varies but it is around $5-7 at drugstores depending on where you go/live.
Does it actually smooth skin?: This is a mild body wash that definitely does the job of smoothing your skin but it does it very gently. The exfoliants aren't harsh and neither is the scent.
Repeat offender?: I really like this body wash and I would definitely buy it again.

-M

Aveeno Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer, $15

Attention, those with sensitive skin: This may be the moisturizer for you! A couple months ago, my skin got irritated from an acne medication. My old moisturizer didn't help--it would sting and burn when I put it on, especially right after washing my face. I decided to try Aveeno's Ultra-Calming Daily Moisturizer, hoping that it would calm my pissed off sensitive skin. It did. I threw away the medication, but the moisturizer stayed.

This stuff is "fragrance-free, oil-free, noncomedogenic, [and] hypoallergenic"--probably one of the gentlest moisturizers around. Plus, it has sunscreen in it (available in SPF 15 or SPF 30) which, as you know, is important for keeping your skin looking young. The moisturizer soaks into your skin quickly and smells just faintly of sunscreen. Now, I also have combination skin (oily and dry, wee!), so I use moisturizer primarily on my cheeks and try to avoid the corners of my nose and my chin. That being said, I haven't had a problem with oil while using this, but judging by its lotiony feel it might not be best for oily skin. But, I don't know for sure. (Perhaps SPF 15 would feel a little lighter.)

What really sold me on it is that, pretty quickly, it had a noticeable effect on my skin's appearance. The tone looks more even and my face just looks healthier. It's as simple as that.

Final verdict:
Cost: $15 is actually pretty cheap for moisturizer--the top picks at Sephora average about $50 or so! And since you really don't need a lot, it lasts a long time.
Is it true?: Aveeno claims that it "visibly reduces the appearance of redness and soothes sensitive skin," and I have found this to be true.
Skin types: It's probably best for those with sensitive skin, dry skin, or combination skin. I'm not sure if it would be best for oily skin.
Repeat offender: Yes! I'm really happy with it.

-T