Let's Talk: Gold Bond Ultimate Rough & Bumpy Skin Daily Therapy Cream

So, rough and bumpy skin is not uncommon, and I've had it on my upper arms for years now. I usually try to find shirts that cover my arms, even when it's hot out (which is almost always in Memphis!). You can imagine how excited I was to try the Gold Bond Ultimate Rough & Bumpy Skin Daily Therapy Cream! It's a chemical exfoliant and moisturizer distributed by Chattem, Inc. (in Chattanooga, TN...SOUTHERN SHOUT-OUT!), but made in Canada. I bought mine at Wal-Mart for $9.97.

First things first...here are some pictures of the product:

 

So, nothing too exciting about that packaging (which is fine since it would probably just add to the price). It's a thick cream that I've been putting on my arms by hand (no body brush, cosmetic pads, etc.).

As you may be able to see, the packaging claims to have 8 intensive moisturizers with the following proven results:

• "90% Experienced smoother, softer skin in just 1 week,
• 72% Reduction in bumps/the appearance of KP in 4 weeks,
• 89% Experienced consistently less bumpy & significantly softer skin in 4 weeks"

Also, Gold Bond explains that not only can you use it on arms and legs, but also elbows, knees and heels. It has a "gentle yet effective combination of AHA, BHA, and PHA exfoliates", is dermatologist tested, fragrance free, non-greasy, and non-irritating.  To see the list of ingredients and what they are, scroll to the bottom.

While I do think it has helped my skin a little (definitely not near any of the result percentages), it smells worse than pond scum. It is NOT fragrance-free. I've tried and tried to keep this on my skin every day like directed, but it smells so bad it could scare a rat off a cheesecake! To be honest, I don't see much of a difference than when I use a sugar scrub and lotion on my arms. And, the sugar is definitely a more pleasant smell!

I also completely disagree with their claim that this is a non-greasy formula. It's not as greasy as some...you know, the ones that make you feel like a greased up pig in a pig wrestling contest? No, not that greasy, but definitely sticky and just...yeck.

Have you tried this? Does it smell to you? Do you see a difference? Did I just get a bad batch? Let me know what y'all think! I'd love to hear your opinions.

Ingredients*:

• Water
• Gluconolactone - mild exfoliation acid
• Hydroxyethyl Urea - skin moisture retention and peeling substance
• Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter Extract - Skin softener
• Cetyl Alcohol - skin softener and product thickener
• Ammonium Lactate - skin moisturizer
• Petrolatum - skin moisturizer and smoother
• Potassium Hydroxide - pH modulator and skin cleanser
• Propanediol - solvent that helps other ingredients penetrate skin
• Salicylic Acid - (aka BHA), pore exfoliant
• Dimethicone - silicone, "slip agent"
• Glyceryl Stearate - skin softener and binding agent
• Steareth-21 - cleansing and binding agent
• Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice - plant extract for skin conditioning
• Jojoba Esters - derived from Jojoba plant, moisturizer
• Theobroma Cacao (Cocoa) Seed Butter - plant extract that slows loss of skin moisture
• Caprylyl Methicone - silicone, polymer
• Polyacrylate Crosspolymer-6 - product thickening agent
• PPG-3 Benzyl Ether Myristate - "slip agent" helps for easier spread of cream, moisturizer
• Citrus Limon (Lemon) Fruit Extract - plant extract moisturizer
• Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Fruit Extract - plant based product thickening and binding agent 
• Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract - plant based skin conditioning agent
• Saccharum Officinarum (Sugar Cane) Extract - plant based moisturizer
• Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Extract - plant based soothing agent
• Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract - plant extract, antioxident, skin soother
• Tocopheryl Acetate - antioxident, vitamin E
• Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate - antioxident, vitamin C, helps with skin tone
• Panthenol - vitamin B, humectant (attracts and holds water in skin)
• Bisabolol - plant extract, skin soothing
• Polyglyceryl-4 Laurate/Succinate - product binding agent (keeps ingredients mixed)
• Stearamidopropyl PG-Dimonium Chloride Phosphate - lipid replacement moisturizer, product stability agent
• Phenoxyethanol - preservative
• Propylene Glycol - slip agent, humectant
• Hydroxyethylcellulose - product thickener

*I am not an esthetician, detmatologist, etc. These definitions are my own layman terms from the research I have done.