Crazy like a... clean freak?

So, who remembers a time before anti-bacterial hand gel?


I do!!

I actually remember being given a gift of a Bath & Body Works (henceforth BBW) 'Cucumber Melon' toiletries for X'mas in 2002 which contained a bottle of anti-bacterial hand gel.  It was the first time I'd ever seen or heard of the stuff.  I honestly thought the gifter was a little eccentric and the item a little 'niche' (for those crazy nannas out there)...Fast-forward 9 years later and the gel has become integral in my working + general life....


But somehow, I've never found anything better than the BBW version.


Australia is either too slow or too stupid or too restrictive/protectionist to allow in the BBW company.  Of course, there is also the possibility that the company exists in a bigger city and/or that BBW has simply never cared to come to here...  My point is, however, that there are only 4-5 companies which put antibacterial hand gel onto my local stores' shelves - Lifebuoy, Aqium, Purell are the main contenders ... although everyone's getting in on it and some chemists/drugstores who do their own.


I've tried all their hand gels.  And although they may add in 'moisturizing' aloe, they all pretty much smell the damn same - like serious alcohol.  Some even leave a slimy film on your hands to boot.  Why there are no more pleasantly scented versions available here remains a mystery to me.  


I've been spoilt by ol'BBW, and so actually buy their pocketbacs online.  I know for a fact that there are nice scents and non-slimey textures available! ;)  And the overall price difference is approx 50cents per mini bottle (usually less).  Yeah, seriously, 50cents.  For an item I would have to use (for work) a minimum of 20 times per day (and so generally use whatever is at work), and which I would choose to use for an additional, perhaps 5.   


I've since also noticed that BBW now also makes anti-bacterial hand lotion.  Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Why don't we get any of this stuff (or the equivalent) in Australia????  .....This stuff is GENIUS.  Hands dry and gross?  -- Anti-bac hand lotion to the rescue!  


..Ahem.... I'm digressing...


I found out the other day that BBW is discontinuing my beloved 'Cucumber Melon'.  The scent that started it all.  The original and still my favourite.  Evocative of both cleanliness and nostalgia.  ... So I reacted by buying 8 bottles.  I would have bought more had they been available. 


Anyway here's pictorial proof of both my sadness and obsession.


Finally, boooooo to you BBW, for stopping production on a classic scent.  Simple and unencumbered.  So much better than the overpowering " Twilight Woods" and the too-sweet "Twisted Peppermint".


Tis the end of an era.






PS: of the locally available varieties, 'Chemist's Own' offers the most olfactory pleasure.  And is non-slimey to boot.  It has a cute chubby bottle and is the only one I'd buy again.