Relaxing at the beach, sipping on a margarita cocktail, basking in the warmth of the afternoon sun — all of that sounds divine, but what isn't so fun for me is the tan that comes with it! Yes, that golden-y brown skin does look attractive, but I’ve never really understood the appeal of getting a tan. Slathering on that tanning oil and baking under the sun for hours sounds supremely relaxing but I’d rather steer clear of it to protect my fair (more like pale) skin from tanning. But the summer heat spares no one. A walk to the train station or just a quick trip to the grocery store is enough to leave my skin with an unwanted tan. And, after trying multiple home remedies and using various different tan removal products, I think I’ve found what I’ve been looking for. Read on to find out my honest opinion on the body scrubs that I’ve tried, loved and that have shown great results.
My experience:
First things first, opening this bottle felt like entering a coffee shop. It has a refreshing coffee aroma, one that could act like a wake up call of sorts for people who need coffee first thing in the morning. Moving on the texture of the scrub — it has a dry, grainy texture, one that I do not usually prefer, but with so many people recommending this product, I just had to put it to the test. It comes with a spoon to help scoop out the product with ease. You can feel the grains in this one, but they’re not front and centre. It still feels surprisingly gentle on the skin. I started off with a small amount and used more product as required. Massage it onto your skin for at least 2-3 minutes and then rinse it off. I used this body scrub twice a week and there were visible results – think smooth, soft and even toned skin.
Key Ingredients:
- Coffee and caffeine to exfoliate and reduce tan.
- Coconut oil to nourish, moisturise, and soften skin.
My experience:
Between its goopy-yet-grainy texture, squeeze bottle container, scent, this body scrub has a lot of positives. It’s made with a combination of natural ingredients that help to slough away dead skin cells and dry patches. Since the scrub is on the finer side (as opposed to gritty), it’s gentle on the skin and can be easily distributed all over the body. A little goes a long way, so squeeze out 2-3 pumps and you’re good to go! Massage it onto your skin for 2-3 minutes and you’ll see noticeably brighter skin. I would definitely recommend this scrub to anyone who is looking to eliminate a tan in less than 5 minutes. Not to mention, it’s highly economical and is worth every penny. Don’t forget to moisturise well after you step out of the shower.
Key Ingredients:
- Papaya that helps exfoliate without irritating the skin.
- Neem is the moisturising agent.
- Dates help maintain skin elasticity and prevent melanin accumulation.
My experience:
The ingredient formulation is similar to many of the home remedies that our mothers and grandmoms have been using all these years. I’ve used the haldi, turmeric, and yoghurt blend for tan removal before, which hadn’t shown the desired result, making me slightly sceptical about this body scrub. Similar to the Biotique papaya scrub, this body scrub too has a creamy texture with fine granulated particles. It’s slightly yellow in colour, which may be due to the turmeric present in the product. Moving on to what I think of this product, this scrub gets the job done by cleansing and hydrating, but de-tanning might take longer than one expects. What I do love about this product though is its ability to thoroughly exfoliate and the glow it leaves behind.
Key Ingredients:
- Turmeric helps improve skin’s complexion.
- Saffron has natural skin lightening properties that promote a healthy glow.
- Walnut beads aid in exfoliation making skin look smoother and refreshed.
