When I meet the marketing and advertising contacts of beauty and grooming brands at work, I’m always on the edge of my seat hearing all about the latest technologies and innovative ingredients that have been used to design new products coming to market. Like any beauty freak, I love textures and ease and fuss free routines but I tend to stick to what I know and like. When I was offered a sample of Bean Burst Coffee Scrub, like most I was a little confused. What, so this is a pack of actual beans that you just scrunch and rub on yourself?
I already know that caffeine has an abundance of benefits to the skin, especially for cellulite. As you’ve probably gathered I’m obsessed with visiting salons for treatments; whether it be massages, lymphatic drainage, pressure or even cupping. In my experience yes these treatments do work but it’s annoying trying to commute to these places, find the time to go and let’s be honest it can get quite expensive – especially in this beautiful city of London. Caffeine is known as a diuretic – something that works to dehydrate the fat cells beneath the skin and definitely does reduce the appearance of cellulite. I’m a true believer in holistic therapies and natural ingredients and I’ve even found that green tea extracts in oil can help firm the skin. If you add an element of exfoliation to the process, circulation is improved particularly on the surface meaning that skin is tightened and more taught, not even to mention the antioxidants which can aid the appearance of aging and sagging.
From the box I chose the sweet orange scrub for my indulging long shower (apologies to the new mums, I do honestly feel really selfish when I tell people I spent 30 minutes in there) which I opened before getting in just to see what the hell it was. Priced at £15, this particular pack specifically calms the body and promotes radiance. Well that I do need because my milk bottle white, unhealthy Winter body can definitely do with a bit of that.
Now cellulite aside, this is also designed for your whole body – including your face – but there was no way I could do that just yet through fear of my sensitive skin reacting badly. I popped a bit on in different places and rubbed in circular motions then left for 15 minutes while I applied a hair mask.
After a wonderful tingly sensation, I rinsed off the scrub and was pleasantly surprised at not only the lack of mess but how soft my skin felt afterwards. I didn’t smell strongly of coffee like I expected but more of a warm sweet citrusy smell. It did leave a teeny layer of oil but I love that as it kept my skin moisturised when I got out of the shower.
These specially formulated coffee scrubs definitely exfoliate, hydrate and moisturise the skin at a deep level and I did notice a firmer, brighter appearance. Now I’m not saying it looked like I’d spent two months at the gym but it did go some way to improving the quality of my skin without any need for chemicals (they’re paragon, phthalate, sulphate, alcohol and perfume free).
Scrubs are £15 per pack but you can get all three packs in one go by purchasing the gift pack. You get 3x 100g multi pack (containing sweet orange, peppermint and grapefruit blends) which is not only a treat for those busy ladies (and men) but also makes for an impressive Christmas gift. It costs just £28.