1. Banyan Tree Aloe & Lavender Body Lotion, B750/250ml

They say: A nourishing body lotion featuring aloe vera and lavender oil that is aimed at improving dull and dry skin.
We say: We’ve never seen a pairing of aloe vera and lavender before. But the result isn’t bad at all. While the lavender scent helps relax the nerves, the smell of aloe vera is refreshing and well suited to the current hot and humid weather. What we don’t like is its texture, which is a bit too light and runny to stay in place and you need be really careful when pouring it from the container.

2. Erb Lavender Lush,  B1,090/230ml << Lavender Loaded

They say: Contains lavender that helps soothe the skin, centella to boost collagen production and honey to restore the skin’s moisture.
We say: This lotion has the strongest lavender smell of the six, as it contains both lavender water and essential oil. The smell reminds us of the classic English powdery lavender fragrance our grandma uses. That’s not necessarily a bad thing, but the smell is so strong you couldn’t use it with any other fragrance, and it lasts for more than six hours. So perhaps it’s best applied before bedtime as lavender is said to provide a better sleep. 

3. Harnn Cymbopogon Body Soufflé,  B1,150/220ml

They say: Light but concentrated, this cream combines extracts of water lily stamen and hibiscus fruit, as well as lavender and lemongrass oils, to keep the skin moisturized, smooth and fresh, and increase skin elasticity. It also features natural antiseptic and anti-inflammation properties of natural essential oils.
We say: Cymbopogon is meant to be Harnn’s first line for both men and women (compared to previous lines which were sweeter and targeted ladies). The lotion is light but concentrated, as advertised, but features a strong lemongrass scent so that the smell of lavender is barely distinguishable at first. Leave it for five to ten minutes and it smells a lot more pleasurable with a perfect combination of lemongrass and lavender notes. The best thing? This East-meets-West aroma makes you feel like you are in a high-end hotel spa. 

4. Gla Skin Source Nourishing, B385/250ml << BK PICK!

They say: Among their three formulas, this is the one best suited to dry skin thanks to ingredients like rice milk, shea butter and botanical oils.
We say: Before we could only find Gla products at BIG+BIH fairs and when we hopped into Lemon Farms convenience stores at petrol stations. Now that they have a counter at Siam Center, though, making it a whole lot easier to buy. The lotion has a rich texture but is easily absorbed into the skin. After application you smell like a blend of lavender and lemon peel; a scent that is not too light nor too strong and very reminiscent of an Asian-themed spa. Once this note disappears, after a few hours, along with the moisture, you know it’s time to re-apply. This is our top pick, not just on price but also quality and aroma.

5. L’Occitane Lavande Body Lotion,  B1,355/250ml

They say: Originally from France’s Provence, one of the world’s most famous producers of lavender, L’Occitane is Lavande Body Lotion is among the esteemed brand’s most popular products. It contains lavender essential oil from Haute-Provence and organic shea butter, helping hydrate the skin and leaving you pleasantly scented.
We say: This is the most expensive lotion in the test, and given the brand, we expected a lot. The texture is light and smooth so it easily soaks into the skin. It gives a pleasant lavender smell at first, then the shea butter reveals itself a few minutes later. There’s also a slight citrus scent, but we don’t know where it comes from. Anyway, even though the texture is light, it surprisingly hydrates the skin for long periods. 

6. Panpuri Solitude Soothing Body, Balm B1,050/220ml

They say: This high-end body lotion combines aloe vera, chamomile, lemongrass and Tahiti butter to help heal and hydrate the skin. As it contains a lot of acidic extracts, it’s not recommended for use before direct exposure to the sun.
We say: Packaged in a tall bottle, the lotion is light but rich in texture, meaning it instantly hydrates your skin. It features a strong smell of citrus, thanks to extracts of lemongrass, lemon and grapefruit oils, so you hardly notice the scents of lavender or chamomile—perfect for fans of acidic scents.

Banyan Tree Gallery. Banyan Tree Bangkok, South Sathorn Rd., 02-679-1200. www.banyantree.com
Erb. Try 5/F, Central Chidlom, 02-793-7777. Facebook.com/erbasia  
Gla. The Selected, 3/F, Siam Center, 02-658-1000. www.glanature.com  
Harnn. 1/F and 3/F, CentralWorld, 02-613-1429/30. www.harnn.com  
L’Occitane. Try 1/F, Central Chidlom, 02-793-7777. www.loccitane.co.th  
Panpuri. L/F, Gayson, 02-656-1199. www.panpuri.com