As both a med student and an American citizen, I am feeling the crunch on my wallet right now. Hence why, at first glance, inexpensive but luxurious-sounding products like Olay Body Wash Plus Spa Exfoliating Ribbons really get me excited. Olay Body Wash Plus Spa Exfoliating Ribbons ($7.00, Amazon.com) contains a high concentration of the occlusive agent petrolatum that locks water into the skin, plus seaweed extract (Fucus Vesiculosus). Although research on seaweed extract in human skin is limited, a 1995 study from the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry suggests that a different form of seaweed may inhibit the arachidonic acid cascade in mouse skin, ultimately playing a role in the prevention of skin cancer tumors in the mouse. Olay goes on to state that the seaweed extract microbeads are the same as are “used in many spas,” though the exact scientific basis for this usage has not been affirmed in published studies as of yet.
What I don’t like about Olay Body Wash Plus Spa Exfoliating Ribbons is the product’s inclusion of sulfates, particularly sodium lauryl sulfate, which is a known skin irritant. In fact, sodium lauryl sulfate is sometimes used in laboratory tests to induce symptoms of irritation. Although inclusion of sodium lauryl sulfate in products is very common, and normal product use should not induce skin irritation in most individuals, I still am not altogether fond of it. My other complaint is that, besides petrolatum and mineral oil for hydration, the product’s only other significant ingredient is the seaweed extract, which does not have a ton of research backing.
With that said, my personal experience with the product was still very positive. After using Olay Body Wash Plus Spa Exfoliating Ribbons, I can honestly say that the microbeads feel great on the skin — like a light exfoliating treatment, and smelled great in the shower! The product also left my skin feeling clean and softer than most other body washes I have tried.
Overall, then, I like Olay Body Wash Plus Spa Exfoliating Ribbons for hydration (petrolatum, mineral oil), particularly as the winter months are approaching here in Pittsburgh (brrr!) 🙂 I just might pair it with an ultra-effective body lotion, like Olay Quench (which is packed with niacinamide) or Aveeno Original Body Lotion (with soothing colloidal oatmeal) immediately after my shower for additional healthy skin benefits as well. 🙂 Product rating: 6.5/10. (High concentration of effective proven ingredients: 2/3. Unique or new formulation: 1/3. Value for the money: 2.5/3. Sunscreen: N/A.)
Ingredients:
Water , Petrolatum , Mineral Oil , Sodium Trideceth Sulfate , Sodium Lauryl Sulfate , Sodium Lauroamphoacetate , Sodium Chloride , Trideceth-3 , Fragrance , Seaweed Extract – Fucus Vesiculosus Extract , Citric Acid , Guar Hydroxypropyltrimonium Chloride , Acrylonitrile/Methacrylonitrile/Methyl Methacrylat , Isopentane , Xanthan Gum , Sodium Benzoate , Disodium EDTA , PEG-90M , Methylchloroisothiazolinone , Methylisothiazolinone , Oxidized Polyethylene , Ferric Ammonium Ferrocyanide , Sodium Hydroxide , Violet 2 , Green 6