** This post was written by Fiona. She no longer blogs for Swatch And Learn. However, Mary still continues to blog and will be happy to reply to your comment. **

I’m not a germaphobe! There. I got that out of my system. I do not, however, like the idea of getting sick from germs and viruses – even if it’s just the common cold. That’s why I always carry around some sort of anti-bacterial product with me.

I’m actually using several anti-bacs right now – one for work, one at home and one in my purse. OK, so maybe I am starting to sound like a germaphobe… but these products are so convenient, and most of them smell great (aside from Purell). Since the flu’s alive and kickin’, I thought I’d review the one I currently use at work: Bath & Body Works Cucumber Melon HandiBac Anti-Bacterial Hand Foam.

Bath & Body Works Cucumber Melon HandiBac Anti-Bacterial Hand Foam Pictures & Photos

Claims: TRUSTED, but Product: Just OK

√ Reduces germs
√ Leaves hands soft

Key Notes

• Name: Bath & Body Works Cucumber Melon HandiBac Anti-Bacterial Hand Foam
• Amount: 50ml or 1.7fl. oz.
• What I Paid: $1.67 CAD (part of 3 for $5 sale)
• Retail Price $5.50 CAD
• Other Cucumber Melon Antibacterial Products Available: Cucumber Melon Anti-Bacterial Deep Cleansing Hand Gel PocketBac, Cucumber Melon Anti-Bacterial Moisturizing Hand Lotion
• Active Ingredients: Ethanol, USP 20%; Benzalkonium Chloride, USP 0.11%
• Inactive Ingredients: Aqua, Parfum, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Glycereth-26, Dimethicone PEG-7 Phosphate, Disodium Cocoamphodiacetate, Pentylene Glycol, Benzophenone-4, Disodium ETDA, CI 19140, CI 42090, CI17200
• Where to Buy: Bath & Body Works stores

Bath &Body Works Cucumber Melon Anti-Bac Hand Foam Review

Cucumber Melon isn’t my favorite Bath & Body Works scent, but it is a trusty. If I want to try a new product and the fragrance that I like isn’t available, I always go with Cucumber Melon. I do like the smell of it, and the scent is quite neutral and not overbearing.

Bath & Body Works Cucumber Melon Foaming Sanitizer has that scent I’ve come to expect. However, I notice that it’s less cucumbery and more melony. There is slightly less of the refreshing smell and more of the rich fruity essence. It still smells good though.

But if I had a choice (or if there isn’t a massive B&BW sale on the hand foam), I would definitely get the PocketBac over this. Bath and Body Works Hand Foam in Cucumber Melon is too watery for me. It’s supposed to foam up, but as you can see in the picture, the foam is minimal. It’s mostly very liquidy! I’d much prefer the gel consistency of the PocketBac as it doesn’t run everywhere.

I also find the packaging very cumbersome (or cucumbersome har har). Yes, you get more product than the PocketBac, but the pump bottle is also a lot bigger so it’s not as handy. Speaking of the pump, I don’t like that either. I’ve clumsily dropped the bottle on its side several times with the cap off, and the liquid splatters out! I’ve actually had it leak just by turning it upside down, even though the cap was on! I wouldn’t put this product in my purse!

Bath and Body Works Foaming Anti-Bacterial in Cucumber Melon does do its job properly. After using it, I feel like my hands are cleaner. It doesn’t ‘soften’ my hands per se, but it doesn’t leave them dried out either.

Final Verdict: 7/10

It’s just a personal preference that I don’t think it foams up enough and that the packaging is too big. But since it does tackle the tasks that it promises to, it gets a pass from me. And if there’s a good sale on it with great scents that I like, I would still get it. Who can resist a Bath & Body Works sale, really?

What do you think of the Bath & Body Works Foaming Antibacterial? Do you like it more than I do?