Product Review: The Body Shop Scrub & Body Cream

The Body Shop has been on my radar since high school, but I have to admit that until I was invited to a media preview in late August, I hadn't set foot in one of their stores in ages. Now that I've had time to test-drive some of their new bath and body care launches though, I'm starting to get an inkling of how much I've been missing out on all these years, especially when it comes to their much-loved body scrubs and body butters. Today I'm focusing on the French Grape Seed Body Scrub ($32) and Ethiopian Green Coffee Cream ($36), which will keep your skin feeling soft and smooth all winter, particularly if you opt for the oversize 350 ml tubs. More details after the jump!

The Body Shop Spa of the World French Grape Seed Scrub Refining Body Scrub

I've tested and reviewed a lot of body scrubs in the history of this blog, but would you believe this is my first experience ever with a Body Shop body scrub? The French Grape Seed Scrub ($32) delivers a satisfying body scrub experience and noticeably softer skin.

The instructions printed on the side of the of the jar say to use the French Grape Seed scrub on wet skin, working it into the arms, abdomen, hips, buttocks, and thighs with firm circular motions. However, the Body Shop educator at the media preview also suggested using it on dry skin for more intense exfoliation. I've been doing the latter, and on dry skin, the French Grape Seed Scrub feels gummy and grainy. The granules stick to skin instead of falling off all over the tub, and the scrub heats up to the touch slightly. I like to think this pleasant warming sensation is boosting micro-circulation and decreasing bloating as I concentrate on massaging my limbs and torso. The scent is fresh and fruity (albeit unidentifiable as one particular fruit) and fades within minutes of rinsing the scrub off. The formula rinses away relatively cleanly—no unpleasant residue, just a touch of oil to soften skin.

The French Grape Seed Scrub combines French grape seed powder and fair-trade sugar from Paraguay to achieve its granular, scrubby texture. I'm impressed with how naturals-heavy the ingredients list is, and although it's not 100% natural, none of the chemical ingredients in the list are endocrine disruptors or rank higher than a 3 or 4 according to EWG.

The 350 ml tub is such a nice, generous size, you'll probably have enough scrub to last through winter and beyond. Personally, I love a nice scrub anytime of the year. In the spring and summer months it preps skin for sun dresses and shorts, while in the winter months it sloughs off dead skin cells to keep skin soft and let lotion absorb better. Definitely a year-round shower treat!

The Body Shop Spa of the World Ethiopian Green Coffee Cream Firming Body Cream

What good is using a body scrub if you don't follow up with a scrumptious, silky body butter? The Ethiopian Green Coffee Cream ($36) promises to do more than moisturize though. The formula boasts Ethiopian green coffee, which contains caffeine to stimulate and energize skin and help de-bloat, and Community Trade olive oil from Italy to soften skin and lock in moisture. Again, the ingredients list is naturals-heavy but not 100% natural.

Although I don't know how effectively the Ethiopian Green Coffee Cream firms skin over time, I can confirm that it has a pleasant, whipped texture and a fresh scent that complements the French Grape Seed Scrub, and it feels slightly cool to the touch. (The warming sensations of the body scrub + the cooling sensation of the body butter = micro-circulation booster and effective de-bloater.) A little bit goes a long way. The Body Cream absorbs quickly and delivers noticeably softer skin instantly, with results that last all day. As with the scrub, the 350 ml tub holds more than enough product.

Are you a Body Shop fan? Can you suggest any products I should try next?