Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream
I've come to the conclusion that Japan just like, gets me. I'm of the opinion that Asia has superior health and beauty products, but Japanese companies in particular are responsible for providing me with my favorite makeup remover, my go-to pain reliever, and my beloved eyelash curler. And now our friendly neighbors across the other pond have introduced me to my new favorite moisturizer, Yu-Be Skin Cream.
I'm really into moisturizers. I own about, oh, 400 of them. But I'm not into all these whipped body butters that smell like gingerbread. I want my moisturizer to appear straight up medicinal, from its packaging to its texture to its smell. That's right: I'd rather smell like camphor than cinnamon spice. How else can I know my super-duper-medical-strength moisturizer really doing its job?
Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream fits all my requirements. It has the most fantastic, no-nonsense packaging that lets you know from the get go that this shit is no joke. The moisturizer looks like something a hospital would use on a burn victim... and it smells like camphor. The camphor smell fades in less than a minute, so you don't have to worry about stinking up your environs, but I love how the smell makes me feel like I'm doing something to really treat my dry skin, not just put a temporary coat of flowery-smelling moisture on it.
Yu-Be cream works so well because it's glycerin, not petroleum based. Did you know that glycerin is the best moisturizer for your skin? Proof: I like to use bar soap in the shower, because it's just plain easier, but all bar soaps dry out my skin. But not glycerin based soap! That stuff keeps me clean AND adequately moisturized (I buy the Whole Foods 365 brand soap - it costs about the same as Olay or Ivory or whatever, but is made of glycerin and magic). Anywhoodle, the glycerin and camphor in Yu-Be combine with vitamin E to give you skin a serious wallop of moisture that lasts and lasts. I keep a tube in my bag right next to my Aquaphor, so I can grease myself up from trout pout to elbow whenever necessary.
There are only a few products in the Yu-Be Universe, but I take that as proof that the original formula is perfection and there is no improving on it. I originally got a tiny little tube of Yu-Be as a sample with a Sephora order, but after using it just once I knew I needed a full tube. The 1.25oz tube is small, but a little goes a long way. Or you can buy the big ass tub of the stuff, which I may end up doing. Yu-Be is available at Sephora and many other beauty stores, but I'm sure you could also find it at your Mitsuwas or Uwajimayas or the like, if you're looking for the full-on Asian Beauty Secret Experience.