Product Review: Kneipp-Nature's Experts for Health and Well-Being

Looking for reputable natural bath and wellness products with a rich history?

"Nature has provided us generously with everything we need to remain in good health."- Sebastian Kneipp

Kneipp® is one of the leading providers of bathing products and effective body care. Established in 1891 by the holistic healing teaching of the priest and naturopath, Sebastion Kneipp, the Kneipp® company has been around for over one hundred years. The rich heritage of Kneipp's scientifically proven formulas, naturopathic and pharmaceutical experience and knowledge has been passed on for generations. This unmatched depth is what makes this German based company so distinctive.

Sebastion Kneipp

I had an enlightening experience looking into the history and books written by the priest and healer, Sebastion Kneipp. He actually healed himself of Tuberculosis, which at that time was considered fatal, inspiring his life long devotion and study of holistic healing. His story is inspiring and interesting, a man whose name is of great value to preserve and remember.

Description

There are many products on the Kneipp® website including mineral bath salts, good health herbal baths, massage oils, lotions, body wash, aroma-bath and herbal remedies. Many products are designed for specific ailments or needs such as joint and muscle relief, anti-cellulite, sensitive and allergic skin, wrinkles, stretch marks, scars, dry and cracked skin and healthy feet. All Kneipp® products make great gifts, stimulating great conversation, along side being high-end natural health and beauty products at reasonable prices.

Pros

• Wide variety of products
• Reasonably priced
• High standard of quality
• Skin compatibility as shown through double testing results for efficacy and usage
• Trusted and effective products based on nature and scientifically founded teachings
• Developed and tested in cooperation with dermatologists
• Eco-friendly and resource-protecting company philosophy
• Plant-derived active ingredients
• No preservatives (e.g. Parabens)
• No paraffin, silicone and mineral oils
• No animal-derived ingredients
• No material with a high sensitization potential
• No animal testing (Since 1996 animal testing on cosmetic products is forbidden in the EU)

Cons

• Kneipp® does not provide customer reviews and testimonials on its website
• Kneipp® products can be difficult to find unless ordering online
• Ingredients are not fair trade
• Not enough sampler kits of products

My Experience 

I reviewed three products by Kneipp®; Kneipp® Grape Seed Body Massage Oil, Kneipp® Sensual Seduction Aroma-Bath and Kneipp® Lavender Herbal Body Lotion. Here are my thoughts along with the details of each product.

Kneipp® Anti-Cellulite Grape Seed Body Massage Oil

• Size: 3.4 Fl. Oz
• Glass bottle
• Suggested Retail Price: $19.00
• Actice Herb: Grapeseed oil, Sandalwood fruit
• Ingredients Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Vitis Vinifera (Grape) Seed Oil, Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil Unsaponifiables, Ximenynic Acid, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Peel Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Retinyl Palmitate, Limonene, Linalool, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Hexyl Cinnamal, Citronellol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Geraniol, Citral, Parfum (Fragrance), Tocopherol.

My husband loves when I use this product. It has a light, sweet scent that is not over powering and smells absolutely delicious on my skin. Rich in grape seed oil and sandalwood fruit, this body massage oil is designed to smooth, firm and tone the skin with consistent use, helping to diminish the signs of cellulite. I am the perfect subject for reviewing this oil, having been on a quest to erase my cellulite for years.
The directions say to apply to problem areas and gently massage into the skin in a circular motion. Use on a consistent, daily basis. Begin with legs, working upward in the direction of the buttocks and stomach.

The Kneipp® product booklet that arrived with my package of products suggests using the Grape Seed Body Massage Oil in combination with other Kneipp® anti-cellulite products, although this is not necessary. The product booklet also give a hydrotherapy technique that has a skin firming effect, along with strengthening the immune system. I decided not to use this technique at this time, in order to give a proper review on the oil alone.

I used this oil for four weeks, as directed, in the morning after getting out of the shower. It usually took about ten - fifteen minutes per session to apply. It smells absolutely delightful with a subtle, delicate fragrance. My skin immediately feels noticeably softer after application. The oil penetrates my skin without being overly greasy, as long as I message it into my body the way that the directions advise. After two weeks of use I really did not notice too much of a change in cellulite levels to report. My skin was, however, very soft and I felt better aware of this part of my body having spent more time with it than usual. It wasn't until four weeks of continued use every morning that I started to see results. My husband also noticed these results. Although I really did not have too much cellulite to begin with, I had next to none after a one month trial period of this oil. I will definitely continue the use of this oil, perhaps in combination with the suggested hydrotherapy for firmer skin. I am very happy with this product.

• Skin Firming Water Treatment (Hydrotherapy Technique from Kneipp product booklet) Apply cold water to thighs after warm shower or bath. This strengthens the immune system and has a refreshing and skin firming effect.

Kneipp® Lavender Herbal Body Lotion

• Size: 6.8 Fl Oz.
• Suggested Retail Price: $22.00
• Active Herb: Lavender
• Ingredients Aqua (Water), Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Glycerin, Cetearyl Alcohol, Glyceryl Stearate, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Oil, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Extract, Lavandula Latifolia (Lavender) Oil, Lavandula Hybrida Extract, Tocopheryl Acetate, Panthenol, Retinyl Palmitate, Linalool, Limonene, Geraniol, Coumarin, Parfum (Fragrance), Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Palmitoyl Hydrolyzed Wheat Protein, Carbomer, Tromethamine, Tocopherol.

I cannot get enough lavender in my life. I planted some in my backyard and call it my secret garden gate. What better initiation into a garden than lavender. This botanical has numerous benefits and is said to balance the emotions, lift the spirits, help combat fatigue, promote relaxation, bring about peace of mind and restore strength and vitality. Scent can have a profound effect on the emotions. Essential oil of lavender is one of the safest and most widely used oils in aromatherapy.

Kneipp® has an entire line of lavender products; Herbal Bath, Thermal Spring Bath Salt, Sparkling Herbal Bath Tablet, Herbal Body Wash, Herbal Massage Oil, Herbal Body Oil and Herbal Body Lotion. I am completely addicted to the lavender body lotion. It smells lovely, especially on my skin after a shower, with the added benefit of being very nourishing and moisturizing. My skin feels so soft and smooth after applying this lotion, giving it a nice, healthy glow.

I would really like to try some of the other lavender products without investing in the full size of each product. Although Kneipp® does have a lavender set already, it only contains the lotion and the bath wash. I would love to see the entire Kneipp lavender product line sold together in small sample sizes as a Lavender Gift Set. Perhaps in the future. Kneipp® is a company that continues to grow, reaching out to the consumer and expanding from their base in Germany.

Kneipp® Sensual Seduction Bath

• Size: 3.4 fl. oz. (10-12 baths)
• Glass bottle
• Suggested Retail Price: $20.00
• Also available .68 fl. oz bottle (1-2 baths) - $5.50
• Active Herb: Jasmine
• Ingredients Ricinus Communis (Castor) Seed Oil, Laureth-4, MIPA Laureth Sulfate, Cocamide DEA, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Parfum (Fragrance), Jasminum Grandiflorium (Jasmine) Flower Extract, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Citrus Aurantium Bergamia (Bergamot) Fruit Oil, Linalool, Limonene, Benzyl Salicylate, Butylphenyl, Methylpropional, Citronellol, Coumarin, Benzyl Benzoate, Geraniol, Alpha-Isomethyl Ionone, Aqua (Water), Citric Acid, Tocopherol.

This bath takes me back to my ankh-wearing, highschool daze (aahhm ... I mean days), when I used to where jasmine essential oil religiously. The seductive properties of jasmine essential oil are known to be relaxing to the body and the mind. This powerful aphrodisiac captured my heart long ago.

The Kneipp® sensual seduction bath is a divine, aromatic experience of night blooming jasmine and nourishing sweet almond oil. This bath becomes an invocation, awakening desires that will spring you into action. Erotic, exotic and seductive, this bath is perfect for a romantic evening alone with your partner or an evening of devotion to the goddess within. The bathroom smells heavenly for hours after using this product.

I would purchase an accompanying message oil, body lotion or essential oil blend to go with this aroma-bath in a heartbeat. The bath experience is never enough. Unfortunately Sensual Seduction only comes in the form of Kneipp® aroma-bath. Hopefully this erotic, spicy jasmine and almond blossom blend will be available in other forms soon - very soon. Until then I have found that if I pour a little bit of this bath onto a louffa and use it as a body wash, quickly before getting out of the shower or bathtub, the essential oils stick to my skin and the scent lasts longer. Intoxicating, I cannot get enough Sensual Seduction Bath.

Closing Notes

I am impressed by the history of this company and inspired to learn more about Father Kneipp and his healing techniques. Reasonably priced, it is easy to spoil yourself without going broke. For more information visit Kneippus.com. You are sure to pick up a lesson or two in hydrotherapy and herbal wisdom while visiting.

Kneipp products are available at fine apothecaries throughout the United States, online and directly from Kneipp. If you order direct from the Kneipp® website standard ground shipping is $6.95 on all orders under $100. Standard shipping is free on orders over $100.