Neutrogena Fast Absorbing Hand Cream

I'll begin with the surprise that led me to create this blog, the unexpected discovery of a delightful scent in a seemingly everyday product - Neutrogena Norwegian Formula Fast Absorbing Hand Cream.

Of course not everyday in the sense that it isn't an exceptionally good moisturiser - I can certainly always count on Neutrogena's glycerol-enriched 'Norwegian Formula' products to deal with a bad case of dry hands where other moisturisers fail. Instead it is the understated packaging design (and wonderfully utilitarian pump-dispenser for the 150 mL bottle) that may mislead with regards to the inexplicably rich fragrance within.

The scent, to my mind, evokes the slightly austere but nonetheless reassuring creaminess of Arpège (Lanvin) - Hubert Fraysse's reworking of André Fraysse's 1927 classic aldehydic floral. Though understandably not as vivid or assertive as Arpège, the hand cream borrows the perfume's dry powdery smoothness, using notes such as tuberose (and even the slightest allusion to that ethereal sparkle only aldehydes can impart...?) to magnificent effect.

Definitely a lotion to apply before bed as part of a luxurious nightly moisturising routine, and certainly impressive considering you can buy it for less than £5!