The Leg Test

What body lotion keeps your skin the softest and smoothest by far? We think we have the answer—but take this simple test to see if you agree.

CHEAP + EFFECTIVE | Can you believe the lengths even celebrities go to when they want to convince the public of the superiority of an inexpensive beauty product? Case in point: the 2005 episode of the Tyra Banks Show where Tyra whipped herself and the members of her studio audience into a whirling-dervish-worthy frenzy before presenting each attendee with a bedazzled tub of her go-to body moisturizer.

Undoubtedly Tyra felt shock and awe were required to convince viewers that petroleum jelly, a ubiquitous product that retails for around $3 at Wal-Mart, was at least if not more effective than $300-a-jar products like La Prairie Skin Caviar Body Cream for softening rough, dry skin.

Had Tyra really wanted to hammer home petroleum jelly’s efficacy, she could have suggested her fans take the Leg Test.

THE LEG TEST

The Leg Test is a way to determine which body cream is most effective for your skin type. My late Aunt Hazel, who worked in the beauty industry and was a big fan of “PJ” as she called it, explained the rules to me:

1. Take a shower or bath. While your skin is still damp, apply and rub in petroleum jelly on one leg and a different moisturizing product on the other.

2. Twenty-four hours later, check to see which leg feels smoother. If you can’t tell at this point, take a sponge bath and let the products remain on your skin for another 24 hours.

3. After 48 hours, Aunt Hazel assured me, “cheap old Vaseline” will be the last product standing.

And you know what? Every time I’m tempted to buy a new cream and I’ve taken the leg test with those free samples manufacturers provide, Aunt Hazel’s words about the superiority of cheap old Vaseline have proven true.—Annabel Lee