So, Lush cosmetics' "Sleepy" lotion is getting a lot of buzz. Not only is it a $10, organic hand-and-body lotion,it also claims to be a sleep aid. If you're thinking, "Wow, that makes absolutely no sense," then I am right there with you.
Reviews quieted the skeptic in me. People with insomnia, chronic illnesses, and anxiety were all claiming it was a miracle product.
"As someone with incurable and not so common chronic illnesses which result in chronic pain and insomnia because of the pain, Sleepy lotion is the one product that can actually help me through the worst of my nights," one reviewer wrote.
"'Sleepy' for sure — helps with anxiety and my serious inability to sleep," another said.
"I am so happy to read this! I got a pot of Sleepy for Christmas and the difference it made to my insomnia has been amazing — it's worked so well in helping me 'turn my brain off' at night that I've even managed to take fewer sleeping tablets and still get a great sleep!" another buyer noted.
I tried Lush's "Sleepy" lotion — and here's what happened.
So, What Is "Sleepy"?
Lush describes "Sleepy" as follows: "Glycerin, cocoa butter and almond oil work together to moisturize skin and lock in hydration to keep skin soft, supple and comfortable all day or all night long. Say hello to your new nightly ritual! Zzz…"
Ultimately, it's a purple-hued body lotion. Its first purpose is to moisturize, and its second goal is to calm. In fact, Lush doesn't claim that it'll put you to bed — it's the fans of the product who do!
How Does "Sleepy" Get You To Sleep Anyway?
The active ingredients appear to be lavender oil, cocoa butter, almond oil, and oatmeal infusion.
According to the Wall Street Journal, physicians believe that lavender can be integrated as part of a calming and relaxing bedtime routine for a good night's sleep.
Oatmeal is chock-full of melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep. But it's not as though we're eating the lotion. Perhaps it just gets in your system through the skin?
Why I'm Testing Out The Product
The product's glowing reviews far outweighed any negative ones. Like many of its fans, I also struggle to turn my brain off at night. I can be exhausted, but as tired as my body is, my brain refuses to shut off come bedtime as thoughts race through my head.
I usually take a sleep aid like Zzzquil, which works great to get me to bed. However, if a body lotion can achieve the same results, then why not kill two birds with one stone before bed?
To make matters worse, I've recently been plagued with strange dreams — and I hate remembering my dreams because they're always confusing and leave me with an odd feeling. They've ranged from being held at gunpoint to getting into arguments with friends I haven't seen since high school, to airplanes crashing into my parent's home.
I just want a good night's sleep. I do not need to resemble my creepy pillow at 3 a.m.
The Experiment Day 1
I went to grab the lotion and the cashier at Lush excitedly told me it was her favorite product in the store. She advised me that it works best after an evening shower right before bed. She told me not to drink coffee and put the lotion on because it will have competing effects. We don't want any funny business!
The first night, I just put it on my hands. I am sensitive to chemicals and wanted to be sure I would't get an allergic reaction to anything in it. I didn't think only putting it on my hands would have any effect at all, but I slept like a baby for the first time in weeks. No creepy dreams either!
Day 2
I was pretty convinced that there was no way some dumb, purple lotion could have given me a good night's sleep. The contrarian rebel in me decided to purposefully sleep without coming near the lotion. This day, I didn't drink a lot of coffee, I ran a couple of miles, I ate pretty healthy — it was the perfect recipe for a restful sleep.
But I couldn't sleep!
Hour after hour went by. The impending doom of the alarm clock lingered. I rustled in the darkness of my bedroom, grabbed my jar of "Sleepy" and rubbed some on my hands.
I was asleep within minutes.
Is this witchcraft?
Day 3
I decided to go all in. Yes, I even put it on my face (I don't think you're supposed to put this on your face).
I've got to say, when you put this all over your body, the lavender really radiates off every pore. The smell is potent, but even as someone who gets nauseous from strong, fragrant smells, I didn't have this reaction.
I was human potpourri, destined for greatness. Look at me now, dad! You said I could be anything when I grow up, but you didn't say I could be a living, breathing majestic orb of ambiance personified. "Breathe me in, honey," I whisper to my creepy pillow.
With little tossing and turning, I was sound asleep before 11 p.m. No racing thoughts. No strange dreams. Just deep, REM sleep, the kind that makes you covetous of sweet, innocent babies. They really don't know how good they've got it.
(Enjoy my avocado jim-jams at your leisure.)
But How Does It Moisturize?
Not only is "Sleepy" a fantastic sleep aid, it's a pretty darn good moisturizer, too. My #1 pet peeve with moisturizers is that most of them don't absorb. Rather, they sit atop the skin and turn you into some sort of lubricated human stick of butter.
This stuff absorbs quickly. The next morning, my skin was soft and bright.
Final Thoughts
Does "Sleepy" Work? I am a believer. I am a woman of science — check my credentials (I have no science-related credentials). I am unconvinced of witchcraft or magic's presence in the material world, but if it exists, this is it. A lotion for insomnia? I know, it sounds too crazy to be true.
Would you recommend it to a friend? You just have to try it for yourself.
Anything that gets me to look like the other side of my creepy pillow is A-OK with me.
Would you ever try "Sleepy" lotion?
Please SHARE this review with your sleep-deprived family and friends if you think it might help!
