Coffee scrub: Worth the purchase?
These days, I can't go down my Instagram feed or 'explore' page without seeing a teatox plan, a bulky protein power pack, or indeed, a coffee scrub. 'Instagram famous' women are always claiming these scrubs have rejeuvanted their skin, rid them of their stretchmarks, moisturised their ashiness, and banished their psoarisis/eczema.
These scrubs always seemed gimicky. Roll around in a bit of ground coffee bean for miracle skin? When I got the chance to try the Bean Body Manuka Honey Coffee Bean Scrub, I agreed. I finally wanted to see what the fuss was about.
Bean Body Manuka Honey Coffee Bean Scrub claims to be a "luxurious, skin-renewing formula infused with Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil to hydrate, exfoliate and soften your skin from top to toe." This particular scrub has no parabens, is vegan friendly, and cruelty free.
The objectives of BBMHCBS? To "stimulate blood flow to minimise the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks, whilst Cacao and Vitamin E provide antioxidant protection to repair and restore skin. Ideal for eczema and psoriasis, its blend of Himalayan Pink Rock Salt and Demerara Sugar buff away dead skin cells, helping to eliminate blackheads and breakouts for a smoother, more refined finish." As someone with eczema, this was extra appealing.
Opening the large gold packet, I followed the instructions: dampen the skin, grab a large handful, spread it evenly over the body and face in a circular motion and sit for five minutes before washing off. As I did, I was mortified at how dirty my bathtub got, thinking it would be a pain to wash away. As I sat for five minutes head to toe in coffee scrub, I decided to put on a little music. Clearly not thinking past the tip of my nose, I got one foot out of the bathtub and reached over to my phone, forgetting I was covered in a crumbly mixture. Needless to say, it got all over my bathroom floor and in the cracks of my phone. Quickly scurrying back to the tub, I had learnt my lesson, and let out a large, lazy, resonating sigh that I'd have to clean it up after my nice bath.
I can't lie. At this point, I didn't have hopeful results for the scrub, especially because it felt a little sore on my eczema, and it was so darn fiddly. But as I washed it off, smelling of coffee and all, I noticed the results instantly. My skin had never felt so smooth, soft and supple. Was this the result of the honey, or the coconut oil, or the coffee beans themselves? I didn't know, but I felt as if I had just stepped out of a jar of life-size moisturiser. I layed in the bath an extra five minutes feeling my arms and legs, bewildered by the results.
Despite the oversatured marketing of these scrubs and the mess (still picking granules off the floor and bits in my ear), I would safely say I'd use one again, perhaps on a weekly or fortnightly basis. And don't worry, you won't smell like coffee for the next 300 years, either. The scent pleasantly lingers but fades within 24 hours.
Bean Body Coffee Bean Scrub, £14.95
Available from selected Holland & Barrett stores and online at hollandandbarrett.com
These scrubs always seemed gimicky. Roll around in a bit of ground coffee bean for miracle skin? When I got the chance to try the Bean Body Manuka Honey Coffee Bean Scrub, I agreed. I finally wanted to see what the fuss was about.
Bean Body Manuka Honey Coffee Bean Scrub claims to be a "luxurious, skin-renewing formula infused with Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil to hydrate, exfoliate and soften your skin from top to toe." This particular scrub has no parabens, is vegan friendly, and cruelty free.
The objectives of BBMHCBS? To "stimulate blood flow to minimise the appearance of cellulite and stretch marks, whilst Cacao and Vitamin E provide antioxidant protection to repair and restore skin. Ideal for eczema and psoriasis, its blend of Himalayan Pink Rock Salt and Demerara Sugar buff away dead skin cells, helping to eliminate blackheads and breakouts for a smoother, more refined finish." As someone with eczema, this was extra appealing.
Opening the large gold packet, I followed the instructions: dampen the skin, grab a large handful, spread it evenly over the body and face in a circular motion and sit for five minutes before washing off. As I did, I was mortified at how dirty my bathtub got, thinking it would be a pain to wash away. As I sat for five minutes head to toe in coffee scrub, I decided to put on a little music. Clearly not thinking past the tip of my nose, I got one foot out of the bathtub and reached over to my phone, forgetting I was covered in a crumbly mixture. Needless to say, it got all over my bathroom floor and in the cracks of my phone. Quickly scurrying back to the tub, I had learnt my lesson, and let out a large, lazy, resonating sigh that I'd have to clean it up after my nice bath.
I can't lie. At this point, I didn't have hopeful results for the scrub, especially because it felt a little sore on my eczema, and it was so darn fiddly. But as I washed it off, smelling of coffee and all, I noticed the results instantly. My skin had never felt so smooth, soft and supple. Was this the result of the honey, or the coconut oil, or the coffee beans themselves? I didn't know, but I felt as if I had just stepped out of a jar of life-size moisturiser. I layed in the bath an extra five minutes feeling my arms and legs, bewildered by the results.
Despite the oversatured marketing of these scrubs and the mess (still picking granules off the floor and bits in my ear), I would safely say I'd use one again, perhaps on a weekly or fortnightly basis. And don't worry, you won't smell like coffee for the next 300 years, either. The scent pleasantly lingers but fades within 24 hours.
Bean Body Coffee Bean Scrub, £14.95
Available from selected Holland & Barrett stores and online at hollandandbarrett.com