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Gold Bond Pure Moisture Body and Face lotion is a lightweight moisturizer intended for daily use. I found it easy to apply and loved that it dries quickly, leaving my skin feeling soft and hydrated. This lotion doesn’t contain sunscreen, though, so users will have to apply another product for sun protection.
Gold Bond began selling its first product, a medicated powder to relieve pain and itching, in 1908.
According to the Gold Bond website, Arthur Guilford bought the formula from the Rhode Island State Medical Association and began mixing the powder in a small shop in Massachusetts.
Eventually, Gold Bond became a household name, expanding its product line to include body lotion, body powders, foot, face and hand lotions and first-aid remedies.
French pharmaceutical company Sanofi bought Gold Bond from Chattem, Inc. in 2010, making the company a wholly-owned subsidiary. According to data from Statista, Gold Bond Ultimate Body Lotion was the second leading skin-care brand by sales in 2019[1]Leading hand and body lotion brands in the United States in 2019, based on sales. Statista.com. Accessed 8/1/2022. .
According to research, moisturizers improve skin hydration by replacing water lost to evaporation on the skin’s outermost layer (stratum corneum).
The skin’s water content is essential for preventing dryness and keeping skin elastic. Dry skin occurs when the water content of the stratum corneum drops below 10%[4]Purnamawati S, Indrastuti N, Danarti R et al.. The Role of Moisturizers in Addressing Various Kinds of Dermatitis: A Review. Clin Med Res. 2017;15(3-4):75-87. .
Moisturizers like Gold Bond Pure Moisture Daily Body and Face Lotion contain a combination of emulsifiers, humectants and occlusives that work together to enhance the skin’s ability to hold water and improve its appearance.
Gold Bond Pure Moisture Body and Face lotion comes in three sizes: 5.5 ounce, 14 ounce and 20 ounce. You can find it in most major retailers, like Target, Walmart, CVS, Walgreens and Amazon.
The price ranges from $5 to $8 for 5.5 ounces, $10 to $13 for 14 ounces and $11 to $16 for 20 ounces, depending on the retailer.
According to the company, Gold Bond Pure Moisture Body and Face Lotion is ultra-lightweight and hypoallergenic so it should not clog pores. It contains three vitamins (A, C and E), seven moisturizers, hyaluronic acid and grapeseed oil.
“Hyaluronic acid is a great ingredient to apply, as it traps water and can help tighten skin,” says Dr. Succaria.
One clinical trial had 76 women between the ages of 30 and 60 apply a .1% topical hyaluronic acid formulation to wrinkles twice daily for 60 days. The study found significant improvement in skin hydration and elasticity[5]Pavicic T, Gauglitz G, Lersch P et al.. Efficacy of cream-based novel formulations of hyaluronic acid of different molecular weights in anti-wrinkle treatment. Journal of drugs in dermatology : JDD, 2011;10(9):990–1000. .
Research has shown vitamins A, C and E have skin-protecting properties. Vitamin A was the first vitamin approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an “anti-wrinkle agent” capable of changing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles[6]Zasada M, Budzisz E. Retinoids: active molecules influencing skin structure formation in cosmetic and dermatological treatments. Postepy dermatologii i alergologii, 2019;36(4):392–397. .
A 2017 article in the journal Nutrients found that vitamin C in the skin promotes collagen formulation and can protect against environmental damage caused by pollutants and UV rays. They note this effect is heightened with the addition of vitamin E. However, the researchers explain that it’s difficult for nutrients to penetrate skin beyond the outermost layer, and it’s still unknown whether topical creams can actually increase the skin’s vitamin C content[7]Pullar J, Carr A, & Vissers M. The Roles of Vitamin C in Skin Health. 2017;9(8):866. .
In addition to its role in preventing environmental damage to the skin, evidence shows vitamin E can reduce skin swelling, skin thickness and other signs of inflammation[8]Vitamin E and Skin Health. Linus Pauling Institute - Micronutrient Information Center. Accessed 8/4/2022. .
The efficacy of vitamins A, C and E to improve skin varies greatly. According to research, vitamin A’s stability is sensitive to temperature and how it’s prepared. Research also shows vitamin C isn’t readily absorbed by the skin through topical creams and lotions. Vitamin C’s efficacy also depends on the ingredients it’s combined with and the skin’s pH level.
It’s important to note that the kinds of lotions available in pump bottles won’t treat more severe skin conditions like eczema and atopic dermatitis (AD), the most common type of eczema, according to Dr. Succaria. Symptoms of AD include severe itching and inflammation and are usually treated with topical or oral steroids, explains Dr. Succaria.
When it comes to lotions, creams and ointments, “boring is best,” says Dr. Succaria. She also doesn’t endorse any brands nor has she used Gold Bond herself. Avoid anything with perfumes, dyes or parabens that can irritate the skin. Gold Bond Pure Moisture Body and Face Lotion doesn’t contain any of these ingredients.
“Perfumes smell nice but they can make skin dryer in the long-run,” she says. Instead, look for hypoallergenic products (like Gold Bond Pure Moisture Body and Face Lotion). “Of course, if you’re going out for an evening and want to smell good, you can use fragrant products on occasion without any harm,” she notes.
Lotions aren’t the best for repairing dry skin, as they don’t penetrate beyond the surface of the skin to create a barrier to keep moisture in, says Dr. Succaria. She prefers individuals use ointments, like petroleum jelly or vaseline, when the skin is slightly wet, like after hand-washing or a shower.
Lotions can give the skin a “glowy” look, and if you don’t have dry skin or a condition like eczema or dermatitis, they are fine to use for appearance, says Dr. Succaria.
It’s also critical to use a daily sunscreen with an SPF of 30+ that blocks UVA and UVB rays. “Most face moisturizers and cosmetics don’t have a high enough SPF to do any good,” she explains. “You can use regular sunscreen and apply lotion on top.”
Find The Ultimate Lotion Or Cream For Your Body, Hands, Feet, Or Neck From Our Selection.
I used Gold Bond Pure Body Moisture and Face lotion twice-daily for two weeks. I liked the soft, creamy texture but, like other Amazon reviewers, noticed a slight, chemical smell during application.
I liked the product for normal skin. But, since I live in a dry climate, I need a more intensive repair product like an ointment, especially in the winter.
Reviewers on Amazon rate the product 4.7 stars out of 5. Out of 885 reviews, 78% rated Gold Bond Pure Moisture Body and Face lotion five stars while 14% gave it four stars and 6%, three stars.
One reviewer said, “I was amazed on how well this worked on my neck and face. I have extremely dry skin and if you don’t want wrinkles you need to moisturize and moisturize. I used to buy high-end brands of cosmetic moisturizers for over $100 a bottle. Not anymore.”
Other reviewers loved the price and noted the product’s non-greasy feel and lack of scent. Those who rated the lotion poorly commented that it burns if it gets in your eyes and the lotion can be difficult to rub in.
According to Gold Bond, the product is clinically proven to hydrate skin for up to 24 hours.
Gold Bond advises the product is best for normal to dry skin.
Gold Bond Pure Moisture Body and Face Lotion is available through most major retailers, including CVS, Walgreens, Amazon, Target and Walmart.
The Gold Bond website advises pregnant or breastfeeding women to consult their doctor before use.
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Suzie Glassman is a freelance writer specializing in health, wellness, fitness, mental health and parenting. She's also a part-time fitness and nutrition coach based in Denver, Colorado. Suzie loves breaking down complex scientific information into understandable and actionable advice and is passionate about helping others improve their quality of life. She and her husband are parents to a 12-year-old boy, 10-year-old girl and two rescue dogs.
Valerie is a seasoned writer and editor who has spent her career creating content in the parenting and women's wellness spaces. Before joining Forbes Health, Valerie was the trending news editor at Scary Mommy. When she's not helping women and families live their best and healthiest lives, she's spending time with her family, walking her dogs, reading or exercising.