I have a huge soft spot for skin-care.
I love trying new products and combinations to get the glow going. Sometimes, I get a little curious about spendy products like the Bal D'Afrique Hand Cream from Byredo. I wanted to treat myself this week, but I was also curious how Byredo held up to my tried-and-tested Trader Joe's Ultra Moisturizing Hand Cream
In-Depth Analysis:
I put both creams to the test. I compared how well each product smelled, both at the beginning and an hour after application, how smoothly each product went on my hands and how the product absorbed into my skin, and then assessed the value for money to create an analytical recommendation based on my results.
Scent:
The Byredo BDA scent is absolutely gorgeous. It started out strong, and it lasted throughout the day, smelling like a basket of fresh fruits and flowers, even after I washed my hands once or twice.
Trader Joe’s UMHC smells a bit like manufactured sweetness, so this is a no from me in the scent department.
Application:
Both products go on smooth and feel luxurious. My hands felt a bit more slick with the Trader Joe's UMHC probably because of the higher concentration of Shea Butter. Both products absorbed into the skin well, but the Byredo absorbed much quicker.
Value for money:
The Byredo BDA hand cream comes in a 1 oz. size. The Trader Joe's hand cream comes in a 3 oz size. So, it would be wrong for me to say that it's $42 for Byredo BDA vs. $5 for Trader Joe's UMHC. Instaad, I normalized the prices so you can compare the price per ounce.
Effective price difference: $42 vs. $1.66 per oz.
Should you splurge?
If you want to treat yourself, yes.
The Byredo hand cream is absolutely divine and it will leave you smelling like a bed of fresh cut flowers on a warm and sunny day. This is a great occasion-specific addition to your skin care collection. There’s no shame in treating yourself to a little something nice.
If you’re on a budget, go to TJ’s.
The Trader Joe’s hand cream will also leave you feeling quite luxurious. As a daily application, this is the most cost effective option to leave your hands feeling soft and moisturized.