A body scrub is one of the spa treatments that you can recreate something of at home — whilst it won't be quite such an indulgent experience, a body scrub is something that you can really enjoy as part of a long luxurious home pamper, and is great for your skin. Here are five of the Spa Spies' top body scrubs for baby-soft skin.
150ml, £27.20
Shy Spy:
"This scrub is a combination of fig, date and olive seed powders, rice bran and papaya enzymes, and essential oils of lavender, orange, sandalwood and rosemary. It smells gorgeous! The formula is quite dry and thick, so you only need to use a small amount to smooth over wet skin.
The scrub felt like it was giving my skin quite a tough workout, but afterwards my skin was not irritated whatsoever. I have never felt my skin so silky-soft. My boyfriend has dry skin, and also had the same results ... as I realised when the tube migrated over to his corner of the bathroom shelf!"
Verdict: All in all, a fantastic scrub that does exactly what it promises.
185ml, £28
Sedate Spy:
"The exfoliating granules in this balm are nice and fine. Sugar grains are combined with beeswax so they rub into the skin without scratching. The balm turned oily once I started rubbing it onto my skin, so it was very easy to apply. Also, the aroma appears to get stronger on contact. You really can smell the natural aromas of warm jasmine and calming elderflower.
After rinsing off the balm under warm water, I was amazed at how soft my skin felt. I always moisturise after a shower but this time there was no need. My skin looked radiant, felt nourished and silky smooth to touch."
Verdict: The perfect gentle exfoliator for dry or delicate skin.
300ml, £33
Single Spy:
"This black soap contains crushed olives, argan oil and eucalyptus. It comes in a curvy glass jar with an accompanying black "kese" (also known as a "hammam scrub glove" or, for those of us less accustomed to middle-Eastern steam baths, a "mitt"). Putting the unguent's virtues to the test of my time, the amber (rather than actually black) soap did not dissolve very easily. There were no instructions on the jar. In retrospect, I am not sure the method of application matters. Once you get the co-starring twosome of gel and mitt into action, you can see the natural exfoliant get to work…
The soap plus the mitt makes a very effective scrub (with the added evidence, as the mitt is black, of very visible removed skin particles). The soap-and-mitt combo has a definite stimulating and toning effect, too. Plus, the oils that the soap contains mean you are soothed as well as smoothed. Oh, and it lasts a fair amount of time, too!"
Verdict: Send another jar, please!
125g, £26
Sassy Spy:
"The smell of lemongrass and mandarin wafting about my being was really zingy and refreshing in the morning. This scrub is easy to smooth on, and the cane sugar grains melt away to leave the moisturising oils.
This body scrub left me feeling smooth and hydrated, and my limbs didn't dry out in the day, as they usually do. Hooray -- no need to apply a moisturiser afterwards."
Verdict: Uplifting, moisturising, organic, and joyous to use. Big round of applause!
330ml, £34
Shy Spy:
"The sweet rose scent that wafts from the tub is rather like sugared rose petals or a hand-made Turkish Delight. It felt wonderfully indulgent to slather myself in such a confection, and more relaxing than an invigorating citrus or spice scrub. When applied to dry skin, the sugar granules were quite abrasive, so it didn't take much time or effort to buff my skin smooth (the scrub can be used on wet skin for a gentler scrub). As I rinsed myself under the shower, the sugar dissolved leaving the rich oils on my skin. When dry, my skin felt perfectly smoothed, with all rough skin buffed away. It also felt hydrated and retained a little of the gorgeous aroma."
Verdict: A truly luxurious scrub that is perfect for an indulgent at-home pamper.
Summer Spy
3rd May 2013
Spy Likes:
Warmth and sunshine; spas which take me away to another country; fruit infused waters; beach-worth pedicures; deep tissue massages.
Spy Dislikes:
High footfalls; treatments that over promise and under deliver; heavy lunches; loungers drapped in used towels.
