One of my must-have beauty products is the body scrub. It is
also a favourite of numerous experts and all for a very good reason; scrubbing
in the tub removes dead skin cells and leaves bodies beautiful and radiant. It is also a great cellulite buster and, teamed with regular body
brushing, aids circulation.
I have searched far and wide for a good scrub and have to
say that I was recently disappointed with The
Body Shop’s Sweet Lemon Body Scrub. I found it too soft and it seemed to
disintegrate on my skin before I had even began my scrubbing action. It may be
worth asking for a sample if you have sensitive skin or prefer a gentle scrub,
but I like to feel mine really working and I’m currently loving Palmer’s Cocoa Body Scrub.
It includes natural crushed cocoa beans and shea butter and
promises to exfoliate, refine, polish, moisturise and smooth and I have no
complaints! The crushed cocoa beans act as great exfoliating beads and, if massaged
into the skin in circular motions, do polish and refine. The shea butter and
cocoa butter, the main ingredient which makes up the famous formula used across
the Palmer’s range, are what make the scrub, I think, so special. They leave
the skin moisturised and incredibly soft, even after a tough scour. The real
selling point for me, however, is the scent. It gets me every time. I would
describe it as a light, subtle chocolate and I often find myself nipping into
the shower to steal a whiff whenever I’m in the bathroom, like an addict. It is
that good. I feel the need to warn you though: it is not edible.
It comes in a screw top pot which is ideal for digging your
hands into for getting the perfect amount you desire. I often find tubes
dispense huge amounts with the smallest of squeezes and are a nightmare to use
efficiently when you’re nearing the end. If I were to search for a negative, it
would be the packaging. I would make the tub a more luscious and inviting
chocolate-brown rather than the slightly clinical white that it is now. It
could definitely get away with looking as premium as it feels.
Most importantly, Palmer’s is against animal testing and
describes itself as a ‘cruelty-free’ company. The scrub does, however, include glycerin,
a byproduct of soap manufacture which often uses animal fat. It could be
vegetable glycerin, a seaweed or petroleum derivative, but this is not
specified so I cannot be sure if this product is vegan. But if you’re not a
vegan and want to do your bit, this is a good company to support. Palmer’s is a
member of the World Cocoa Foundation, a nonprofit foundation which promotes a
sustainable cocoa economy and works closely with independent farmers. Palmer’s
is also affiliated with the charities Breast Cancer Care, Susan G. Komen for the
Cure and the Young People’s Chorus of New York City.
The Palmer’s Cocoa Body Scrub is £4.99 and is available at
Boots, Superdrug and Tesco as well as other leading chemists and supermarkets. I
recommend only scrubbing two or three times a week so as not to over-exfoliate
the skin and, if following this advice, the scrub should last a good couple of
months.
Tesco’s Bourbon Cream
Biscuits are also pictured which (much to my joy) contain no animal products
or byproducts and are, therefore, suitable for vegans. Biscuits are something I
have missed most whilst being a vegan, but these chocolate bourbons are an
absolute life saver and a hot tip I wish I had known sooner.
Happy guilt-free scrubbing (and nibbling)!
