Strawberry Oil, 60 ml

A strawberry oil sold under the El Nile Horas name. The front of the box calls it a natural premium oil, cold pressed, and gives the size, 60 ml. It comes in a black box lettered in gold, with the brand's triangle, a small plant sprig and the Eye of Horus at the top and a drawing of strawberries, two whole and one cut in half, with green leaves above the name. A cold-pressed strawberry oil is pressed from the tiny seeds on the outside of the fruit, but the front of the box lists no ingredients, so it does not say whether this one is strawberry seed oil alone or a base oil with strawberry.

What it is for: the front of the box lists no uses, so these are the usual ways strawberry oil is used. It is an oil for dry skin on the face and body; it softens dry cuticles and the skin around the nails; and it adds softness and shine to dry hair ends. It is a cosmetic: it works on how skin and hair look and feel.

Use a little at a time. For the face, warm one or two drops between your fingertips in the evening and press them gently onto dry areas of clean skin, away from the eyes. For the body, warm a few drops between your palms after a shower and smooth them over dry skin until they sink in. For dry ends, one or two drops on dry hair are enough. For the nails, rub one drop into the cuticles of each hand.

The difference from an unlabelled bottle in a bazaar is what you can see for yourself: a brand name and a printed box with the name and size on the front. It reaches you unopened, at the price on this page, with nothing to haggle over.

It is for external use only: do not swallow it. Try a drop on the inner arm first and wait a day before using it more widely, and do not put it on broken or irritated skin. If you are allergic to strawberries, do not use it. The front of the box lists no ingredients, so if you have allergies, read the label on the bottle before you use it. It is not a sunscreen and has no SPF. Keep it out of the eyes and away from small children.

Close the cap after each use and keep the bottle out of direct sun and heat. Oil can mark fabric and towels and makes floors slippery, so wipe your hands before you touch clothes. At 60 ml it is under the 100 ml cabin limit and can fly in hand luggage inside the clear liquids bag; screw the cap down tight before you pack it, and in checked baggage seal it in a zip bag.

Who it suits: anyone with dry skin on the face or body, dry cuticles or dry hair ends who wants one simple oil for them, and anyone looking for a small, useful present from Egypt that packs easily. Skip it if you are allergic to strawberries or dislike the feel of oil on your skin.