Now Solutions Vitamin D-3 Cream

Pricing/Packaging:

 

8-10$ for 118ml (4fl.oz). Simple opaque squeeze tube. I didn't have any problems with the packaging. Even though it is quite plain looking, it is well made.

Ingredients:

 

Water, Aloe Vera (Aloe Barbadensis) Leaf Gel, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Shea Butter, d-Alpha Tocopherol (Vit E), Cetearyl Alcohol/Cetearyl Glucoside, Caprylic/capric Triglyceride, Aquaxyl, Vegetable Glycerine, Stearyl Alcohol, Cetearyl Alcohol, Cetyl Alcohol, Cetyl Palmitate, Phospholipids (from soy lecithin), Glucose/glucose oxidase/Lactoperoxidase, Betaine Anhydrous (Trimethylglycine) (TMG), Jojoba Oil, Meadowfoam Seed Oil, Cholecalciferol (Vit D-3), Sodium Hyaluronate (Hyaluronic Acid), Sodium Ascorbyl Phosphate (Vit C), Retinyl Palmitate (Vit A), d-Panthenol, Squalane, Satsuma Orange Aroma, Hydroxylated Soy Lecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Potassium Sorbate, Citric acid.

Excellent (very beneficial ingredients, proven research)

Good (mostly beneficial ingredients, not extensive research available or just not quite outstanding properties)

OK (mostly thickeners, emulsifiers, mild preservatives, pH adjusters, all that is necessary formulation wise, but not a skincare per se) 
Bad (anything that shouldn't be in skincare, irritants and fragrance)

Ingredients Discussion:

 

For a body moisturizer this is an extremely loaded formula.  There are numerous antioxidants (vitamins E, C, A, D3) and moisturizing ingredients (shea butter, glycerin, jojoba and meadowfoam oils, phospholipids, hyaluronic acid, squalane, aloe vera). Even though this cream is marketed as vitamin D3 cream, I think the blend of numerous actives what actually makes this product effective, not that single ingredient. In fact, there not that much research regarding vitamin D3 as a topical agent. But it seems there are potential anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and even  immune stimulating benefits for the skin. Honestly, high concentrations of vitamin E and shea butter here are what really work.

There is one irritating ingredient present, which is artificial fragrance. It is not high on the list, but still it is always better to have a fragrance free product.

Consumer Thoughts:

 

First, regarding the scent. It is not very strong, but surprisingly feels quite artificial. It did linger on my skin for a couple of hours, and I didn't like how sour it turns on me. But, if not used on large areas (all over the body), it actually doesn't bother me that much. But I wish it was whether more pleasant or not present at all.

Second, regarding the texture. When used as a hand cream, it did absorb into skin without any problem. But when I used it all over the body, I found that it took a bit longer to rub in than I wanted. Also, this cream is not actually that heavy. I am not sure it will work for very dry skin (as advertised). But for slightly dry to normal skin it works very well.

Verdict:

 

Great product for a great price. Plain looking packaging should not stop you from trying it out. However, since the amount you get is relatively small, it will probably not work well as a body moisturizer. I will definitely repurchase it in the future to use on my neck/chest and hands (because amount of actives here is enough for me to compare it to a good face cream). 
I am taking off half a point for not very exciting fragrance and texture that didn't please me 100%.

4,5 out of 5.