When I was a teenager, I discovered my face was sensitive. Anything I used would either break me out, or leave a scar or mark on my skin. My mum kept buying products, trying to rectify one problem or the other. On the other hand, the skin on my body was okay except I had a condition called dermatographia which is also known as skin writing. With this condition, when I scratch my skin or even rub my skin aggressively, my skin would break out in hives and the scratches would be swollen and irritated. It usually disappears in 30 minutes but it can be the most miserable 30 minutes of my day. I plan to post a bit more detail about this condition in the coming weeks.
Besides mild dermatographia, my skin was pretty normal until I returned to Nigeria for my NYSC( National Youth Service Corps), and while I was in camp my skin broke out the worst hives I had ever experienced. Suddenly my skin became really sensitive and anything I applied on it I would react to. The itching, coupled with dermatographia, became exponentially unbearable so I had to start taking Zyrtec allergy pills once a day just so I could function. Years went by, my symptoms got worse and I became very dependent on Zyrtec. Three years ago, my husband and I decided it was time to expand our family so he encouraged me to stop taking the allergy pills because he didn’t feel comfortable with me ingesting them daily; so we started on a journey to find an alternative solution for this condition. After months of slowly weaning of Zyrtec and testing one product after another, I finally came across Shikai all natural shower gel and its made a tremendous difference in calming my condition.
WHAT IS SHIKAI ALL NATURAL MOISTURIZING SHOWER GEL?
It’s a shower gel that moisturizes your skin while cleansing your body. It is rich in aloe and Oatmeal to soothe dry and chapped skin.
ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
Aloe Vera - it is hydrating, softening, healing, anti-inflammatory properties. Aloe Vera is popularly known for its moisturizing benefits and it is fantastic in treating sensitive skin, sunburned or sun exposed skin.
Oatmeal(Avena satvia)- contains a colloid that has soothing properties on the skin. Oatmeal reduces irritation, and relieves redness and itching. Oatmeal soaps are non-irritating and good for people with delicate and sensitive skin.
PRICE
$ 9.49 for 12 oz. / 355 ml
HOW TO USE
I use daily. I pour a little on a sponge or body loofah and massage it on my skin. Rinse with water. I also use it as a shaving gel and it does the trick.
HOW LONG DID I TEST THE PRODUCT?
I have been using this product for 3years.
WHAT DOES IT SMELL LIKE?
The company boasts of using all natural fragrances that are exclusive to their company and try to create fragrances as close to the real deal as possible. I have only tried three scents out of nine shower gel scents that Shikai formulated. The cucumber and melon is their best selling fragrance and it happens to be my favorite. It’s a mild Cucumber scent that doesn’t overwhelm you or the bathroom. My second favorite is the pomegranate shower gel. Its also a beautiful mild scent but it doesn’t smell like pomegranate to me – actually, by the way does pomegranate even have a scent? The third, and my least favorite scent of the three, is the yuzu shower gel. Yuzu is a popular Japanese citrus fruit that looks like a cross between a grapefruit and lime. I am not a fan of this scent because I found it to be too strong for me, plus I think it smells more like guava than a citrus fruit
SKIN TYPE
All skin types can use this product. It is mild enough for children to use. It's especially great for people with sensitive skin or itchy dry skin. I would also recommend it to anyone with a sun burn or irritated skin.
PACKAGING
Beautiful packaging. The package is colourful and gives you an idea of the fragrance. It seals properly and travels well. They even produce small travel sizes.
REPURCHASE: Yes, Yes and Yes
RATING: 5/5
CONCLUSION
Pro:
It moisturizes my skin. The first five days I used it I noticed my skin felt really soft and smooth.
It is gentle and soap free. It does not have the harsh sulfates other shower gel have.
It's not drying. I don’t get itchy right after a shower.
The Oatmeal and aloe Vera soothes my skin.
A little goes a long way so it lasts a long time
Cons:
I wish they had a more masculine fragrance for my husband.
I truly cannot live without this product and I know I would definitely be passing it on to my daughters to use because it has been a life saver.
Please let me know if there is anything I missed or if you have any questions. Have a blessed week.
