Cult classic: 12 ways to use Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream

Just what is it about Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream that’s made it a cult staple in the bags of everyone from runway makeup artists and top fashion models to global beauty editors and Prince Harry?

And yes, that’s the very same Prince Harry, of the British royal family fame. Mr. Meghan Markle was armed with this potent cream while trekking in arctic conditions for the Walking With The Wounded Allied Challenge to the South Pole.

Back to the Eight Hour Cream, first let’s get one thing clear: This is actually a balm and not a cream. It doesn’t have hi-tech stem cells (in fact, the core ingredients – petrolatum, beta-hydroxy and vitamin E – have remained unchanged since the 1930s), it’s not super-expensive (clocking in at $24) and it’s not pretty but it works.

And works so well that a tube of this take-everywhere, use-for-everything work-horse is sold every 30 seconds. Which is a LOT of tubes! And there’s a reason for that: It’s really good.

And while there are an infinite number of ways to use this classic cream, here are 12 great ones.

Skin saver

The cocktail of petrolatum, skin-soothing beta-hydroxy and anti-inflammatory vitamin E soothes, restores, calms and helps relieve minor skin irritations, including roughness, redness, chapped, cracked or dry skin. Perfect for protecting skin from drying winds, central heating and air conditioning… just add a dollop of Eight Hour Cream onto your hands, let it heat up, then apply it over the face and neck as a protective moisturiser!

After-sun soother

With its legendary soothing and moisturizing benefits, it’s the ideal after-sun treatment to relieve minor sunburn and calm dry, irritated sun-exposed skin. 

Lip scrubber

Dab a bit of Eight Hour Cream on your lips, then gently scrub with an old toothbrush – goodbye flakes and chapped lips!

Lip protector

Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream makes an excellent lip treatment, healing quickly and leaving behind a soft shine and a light, glossy effect.

Cuticle comforter

The Eight Hour Cream also doubles up as a superb conditioning balm to soften rough, dry cuticles, keeping smooth, supple and beautifully manicured. Especially perfect for brutal winters!

Brow shiner

Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream is brilliant at keeping unruly brows in place, providing a bit of sheen and creating a perfectly defined arch that will stay in place all day. All it takes is a dab and a spoolie brush or wand to comb it through the eyebrows.

Glow giver

Found in top makeup artists’ kits worldwide, this all-in-one beauty tool is perfect for adding a soft glow or a hint of red-carpet-ready sheen. For best effect, add a dab at the highest point of your cheekbones (post-foundation), or along the collar bone, knees and shins.

Eye opener

Want romantic looking eyes with a bit of shine? Take a touch of Eight Hour Cream on your fingertip and apply it into the center of the lid, over your eye shadow. This will really open up the eyes and give them a sheer, ethereal glow.

You can also apply the product on bare skin at the highest point of the brow bone, right below the brow. This will create a subtle highlight, without the dated look of a shimmer.

Chic-maker

‘Tis the time for some edgy sexiness and one of the easiest ways to incorporate it into your look is by mixing a bit of soft taupe or light gold eye shadow with Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream and brushing it through the brows. This will create a gorgeous ombre effect that’s very young Hollywood.

Age concealer

Thicker patches of skin – like the elbows and knees – can get dry and ashy as you grow older, making them visible markers of your age. Counter by rubbing a small amount of Eight Hour Cream into these areas regularly!

Overnight healer

Massage Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream into your hands and feet before bed every night to heal even the roughest, driest skin while you sleep. Worried about your sheets? Don a pair of socks and cotton gloves.

Flight tool

Flying leaves your skin dull and dehydrated? Take a dime size amount of the Eight Hour Cream in the palms of your hands, warm it up by rubbing the hands together and pat onto face to boost skin’s in-flight moisture levels.

Leg wear

This balm calms irritation, reduces redness and leaves legs super-smooth and silky-soft. Great as an après shave or après wax treatment. 

Hair help

Fried or frazzled hair? Rub a little of this classic cream into the dry areas – especially the ends – leave it on for half an hour, then wash with your regular shampoo.

If you’ve discovered other uses for Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream, do tell. Please.