Dr. Scholl's Active Series Insoles

I was chosen to participate in the Influenster Dr. Scholl's Active Series Vox box, which means I was sent a free pair of the insoles to try.  According to the product literature, these insoles offer triple zone protection (ball of foot, arch, and heel,) and they are supposed to help prevent pain.  Now, anyone reading this probably knows (or can infer) that I am mobility impaired, and I use a cane for mobility.  I also have balance issues, due to a head injury.  I have chronic leg pain, as well as pain that radiates from my back.  I was really hoping I'd see a difference using these insoles, but they did not help alleviate my pain. 

The insoles I received were a size 51/2 to 8.  Depending on the shoe, I wear either a size 7.5 or an 8.  The photo shows the insoles placed into my size 7.5 Tevas.  As you can see, the toe area of the insoles is quite a bit narrower than the toe part of the Tevas, while the heel portion is wider than the Teva heel.  The instructions that come with the insoles state that you should remove the insoles from your current shoe and use them as a guide to trim the Dr. Scholl's insoles to the proper size.  When I pulled the old insoles out of my sneakers, a size 7.5, the Dr. Schools insoles were narrower at the toe than the insoles I was replacing.  The old insoles were a bear to get out, and the new insoles were smaller than the ones I was trying to replace.  I could not get the old insoles back in properly, nor were the new ones a proper replacement for the ones I removed.  Thus, I ruined my sneakers trying to change out the insoles.  I now have increased pain when I try to wear my sneakers, due to a too small insole which does not cover the toe area of the sneakers.  Additionally, the arch part of the new insoles hits my foot at the wrong point, negatively effecting my balance.  I am not sure they are appropriate for anyone that does not wear narrow width shoes.

I think Dr. Scholl's needs to make these insoles available in a wider variety of sizes.  Perhaps a 7-8 wide would have worked for me.  Perhaps these insoles would work better for someone without all of my issues.  But for this mobility-impaired person, the insoles were just not a good fit, and thus, I cannot recommend them.

Palmolive Soft Touch Review

I received 2 bottles of Palmolive Soft Touch from Influenster for review.  Now, I receive many free samples, and I'm very picky about which of these I integrate into my repertoire, but I WILL be buying Soft Touch again.  It's a great, all around household product.

I received 2 varieties: coconut and Vitamin E.  Unfortunately, both bottles leaked in shipping, so I received a slimy mess!  However, this allowed me to evaluate the product before I actually put it to use.  First thing I noticed was the pleasant scent.  This stuff is not overwhelmingly scented.  It's scented just enough to overpower those odors that arise from food remnants left on dishes before they hit the sink.  The next thing I noticed was the feel.  This soap definitely feels more like a body wash than like a dish soap.  It's thick and luxe like my expensive moisturizing body wash.  Its viscosity is closer to a body wash as well.

But this IS a dish soap, and not a body wash, so the big question is how does it do on dishes?  As good or better than the brand I had on hand (Dawn.)  It also softens your hands while you wash dishes, so there's no need to apply a separate lotion when you are done.  In fact, the soft touch has replaced the hand soap I used to keep by the kitchen sink. 

Years ago, when palmolive was green, Madge the manicurist used to tell folks "You're soaking in it."  Palmolive ought to revive that campaign for this new soap.  Soaking your hands in this palmolive does not dry them out at all.  My skin does not feel tight after washing with the palmolive.

It's also great for getting that crud that ends up on you, instead of on the plate, out of your clothes.  I spot-cleaned my dress after cooking food "popped" on me, and the palmolive did an excellent job of preventing stains.  Dabbing a soapy towel on the spots immediately got them out without leaving soap spots in their place.

Out of the two flavors I received, I prefer the coconut.  But then I love all things coconut anyway, so that's not surprising.  I haven't noticed any difference in how the different flavors perform.

If you are looking for a dish soft that softens while it cleans, try Palmolive Soft Touch.  You'll no longer need those rubber gloves for washing dishes.