I take my skincare routine seriously and am constantly tweaking and tailoring it as the seasons change. I must say, the winter weather lately has not been kind. With temperatures in the negatives, my whole body is feeling the effects of the cold, and, frankly, my skin has never been drier.
When it comes to my facial routine, I stay diligent, but I’ve added First Aid Beauty’s Ultra Repair Cream back into the rotation to really stave off dryness. It will always be my holy grail when January is truly living up to its reputation. I, however, am not as loyal when it comes to body care. While I have sung the praises of Nutrius’s Brazilian Body Butter Cream — which I still love — I’ve recently found myself reaching for something different, and impressively, more affordable: the Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Body Lotion. I pair it with the brand’s Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Body Gel Oil, and I will not be going back until the temperature rises again (heck, I may not even go back then; I’m very much in love).
Now let’s get into the nitty-gritty details.
My review of the Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Collection
When the Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Body Lotion and Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Body Gel Oil arrived at my door, my skin was really craving moisture. As I mentioned, winter had done a number on it, and nothing in my current collection seemed to do the trick — including luxury products with much higher price tags. I decided to put them to the test right out of the box. I stepped into the shower, went through my routine, robed up, and got to applying — first the oil, then the lotion.
Yes, you definitely don’t need both to moisturize (I’ve tried using them independently since and can confirm this), but when your skin is crocodile-like and as dry as the Sahara, doubling down felt like the only option. And I was right. The results were instant and long-lasting hydration. Dry patches smoothed out, texture improved, and my skin felt closer to its summer state (almost — it’s not a miracle, but it really does the job).
In terms of texture, the gel-oil hybrid is far less runny than your average body oil. It holds its shape when you squeeze it from the bottle and spreads beautifully across the skin, sinking in almost instantly. The lotion, by contrast, is a little looser than a typical body butter but richer than the more fluid lotions in my collection. I love this balance — it’s moisturizing without lingering too long on the skin.
Finally, the scent. Both products have a medium-strong cocoa butter fragrance. I personally love it — it pairs beautifully with my earthy, gourmand lotions and potions.
The drawbacks of the Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Collection
No skincare product is without its flaws, but luckily, there are only two potential drawbacks worth noting — and they’re very minor.
The first is the scent, which might not even be a con for you (it certainly isn’t for me). It has a rich cocoa butter aroma that lingers, and I love it. However, if you prefer fragrance-free products or a different scent profile — floral, citrusy, etc. — these might not fit as seamlessly into your routine.
The second is that the bottles don’t have pumps. Again, this comes down to preference. Pumps usually offer more precision and convenience, but the squeeze-style bottles are still more hygienic and easier to control than a tub-style lotion. I personally prefer this style because it’s easy to tuck away and travel with, but I understand if you prefer other packaging.
Other than that, I would call the Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Body Lotion and Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Body Gel Oil near perfect.
My final thoughts on the Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Collection
When it comes down to it, most people looking for a good moisturizing lotion would be impressed by this collection. I find both the lotion and the gel oil incredibly nourishing, great at banishing dry patches, and effective at smoothing out texture. Their low price tags are just the cherry on top.
Of course, scent is subjective — if you’re not a fan of fragranced products, especially cocoa butter, these might not be for you — but they’ve really rounded out my routine and made winter’s effects on my skin much less of a nightmare. I’d call that a win.
Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Collection Pros
- Very affordable
- Extremely hydrating
- Sooths irritated skin
- Smooth, non-greasy texture
- Rich cocoa butter scent
Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Collection Cons
- Stronger smell than some may like
- Bottles don’t have pumps
What are reviewers saying about the Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Collection?
Reviewers are singing the praises of the Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Body Lotion and Vaseline Intensive Care Cocoa Radiant Body Gel Oil — they hold an average rating of 4.6 stars and 4.5 stars, respectively, on Amazon Canada. Reviewers agree that this dynamic duo is deeply moisturizing, non-greasy, and smells amazing. They’re also big fans of the affordable pricing. A very small minority (around 1%) had issues with the scent, so if you’re extremely sensitive to smells, you might want to opt for a fragrance-free alternative.
