Review: J.R. Watkins Lemon Cream Hand Cream (caution: do not use while hungry)

Since Rite Aid is having a sale this week on J.R. Watkins products (2/$3!), I thought I better hurry up and post a review ASAP. I recently received an assortment of J.R. Watkins products and will be bringing you additional reviews in the near future, but today I want to talk about my very favorite product of the bunch, the Lemon Cream Hand Cream. Lovelies, this is the product that I wanted Lush Lemony Flutter to be, but I'm jumping ahead of myself here (more on that in a bit):

 J.R. Watkins Lemon Cream Hand Cream 

(retail: $9.99, 3.3 oz)

Before I even get into why I love this product, I have to say that I adore the vintage apothecary packaging. Not only because I love anything old-timey, but because J.R. Watkins has actually been in business since 1868, so they're not just being "cutesy" with this packaging. It's a call-back to their roots:

This hand cream is free of just about every controversial ingredient you can think of, and J.R. Watkins products are also not tested on animals:

From the J.R. Watkins website:

Lemon Cream Hand Cream  N.P.A. Certified Article No. 40509 J.R. Watkins Body Creams provide your skin with the ultimate moisturizing experience. Natural shea and cocoa butters are whipped together with more than 10 natural oils and extracts to protect, soothe and condition your delicate skin. This is a healthy treat your skin will never forget! 96-97% natural Ideal for rough areas including heels, knees and elbows Brand Commitments: • 95% Natural and above • Sodium Lauryl Sulfate Free • Sodium Laureth Sulfate Free • Paraben Free • Phthalate Free • Mineral Oil, Petrolatum free • Dye Free

I also like that this hand cream comes in a convenient squeeze-tube:

But let's get down to the two reasons why I'm going to proclaim this my New Favorite Hand Cream. 

Number one: the fragrance. OK, have you ever eaten the infamous Costco Lemon Cake? Or heck, any type of lemon bundt cake in general? This cream smells EXACTLY like that. I mean, I can pick out the lemon, the sugar, the butter, the frosting...it's got it all. I am seriously tempted to lick my hands when I use this stuff. This is actually want I WANTED Lush Lemony Flutter to smell like, but that product ended up smelling of citronella, diaper cream and band-aids for me (sorry, Lush!).

Number two: for wintertime, this is one rich, thick hand cream that works so well for this time of year. This isn't the kind of stuff that's going to wear off in 10 minutes after you apply it. Now granted, due to all the natural ingredients like shea butter (which, by the way, is the second ingredient down on the list, which means there's a nice amount of it here), macadamia seed oil, jojoba oil, etc., it's rich and it's going to take a bit of time to work it into your hands and get it to absorb. So be prepared for a bit of greasiness at first, but I don't find it lasts long. After a few minutes this stuff absorbs nicely and leaves a wonderful, soft, protective coating behind.

If you're new to this brand and would like to know more, I encourage you to take a look around their website and check out their history, commitment to leaving a smaller carbon footprint and details about their Clear Conscious Club. Interesting stuff!

FINAL  VERDICT: I'm proudly declaring J.R. Watkins Lemon Hand Cream my New Favorite Hand Cream. I'm almost ashamed it took me so long to try this one because not only am I loving it for my hands, but I'm loving it for my feet (especially my poor, dry heels). If you are in the market for a delicious, lemon-cake-scented hand cream that's full of natural ingredients and is rich and thick, this might be the perfect product for you. It takes a few minutes to absorb so be prepared for that, but I think it's definitely worth the extra minute or two because this stuff lasts on my hands and keeps them so soft and protected. I really can't think of anyone this wouldn't work for, with the exception of those who don't like lemony or gourmand fragrances, and those who require a fast-absorbing hand cream. Other than that, I say give this one a shot (especially if you can pick it up during the Rite Aid sale--you don't see these products 2/$3 often, so I'm stocking up).

J.R. Watkins products are available at Rite Aid, Target, Walgreens and other retailers across the nation, as well as online.

Have you tried any products by J.R. Watkins? What do you think of them? Please check back soon because I'll be bringing you reviews of their new body oil mist, tinted lip balms and body lotions in the very near future.

A sample of this product was given to Nouveau Cheap for editorial purposes, either directly from the manufacturer or from the agency that works on behalf of the manufacturer. All reviews on NouveauCheap.blogspot.com are the honest opinion of its author and editorial samples do not, in any way, affect the outcome of product reviews.