I can’t help but feel a bit skeptical of products that are out of the “norm” for what a brand is known for. In this case, I’m talking about Milani. I still think of Milani as a makeup brand, but recently they’ve branched out to also offer some skincare and lip care products, as well as a hand cream. I have yet to try any Milani skincare (unless you count Milani Supercharged Brightening Undereye Tint which contains some skincare ingredients) or lip care products. However, when I placed an order with Milani a couple months ago, I decided to pick up the Milani Peach Dewy Hand Cream.

Milani offers several fruit-themed products, including quite a few that are peach-themed. I was tempted by several, but at the time I was specifically on the hunt for a new hand cream. I usually prefer unscented hand creams since the skin on my hands gets irritated at times, but I couldn’t resist this one. I love peach-scented products!

I’ve been using this hand cream almost every day for over a month now. It even went on vacation with me! I enjoy it very much, yet have never heard anyone else talk about it, so I knew I had to share a review of this lovely product with the world! Continue reading for a detailed review of Milani Peach Dewy Hand Cream.

Milani Peach Dewy Hand Cream product claims directly from MilaniCosmetics.com

Peach Dewy Hand Cream is a rich, moisturizing daily hand cream. Ultra-hydrating but light enough for daily use, the silky finish provides lasting comfort for hands and nails. Infused with Peach Extract, Shea Butter and Sunflower Oil, its creamy texture helps nourish, moisturize and improve the appearance of dry skin.

Disclosure: IntegriBeauty includes affiliate links within product review posts. I receive commissions for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. IntegriBeauty is independently owned and all products discussed within IntegriBeauty product review posts are thoroughly tested and given honest reviews.

Other product details

• Price: $9.99
• Net weight: 2 oz. | 60 ml
• Made in the USA
• Cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny certified)
• Vegan
• Shelf life: 12 months
• Where to buy: MilaniCosmetics.com 
  • MilaniCosmetics.com ships internationally, but they currently don’t ship to Mexico, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Spain, Iraq, or Turkey.
• Overall rating: 8.8/10
  • Hydration: 8/10
  • Greasiness: 9/10
  • Ingredients: 9/10
  • Fragrance: 10/10
  • Price: 8/10

Hydration

This may come as a surprise, but Milani Peach Dewy Hand Cream actually has a very thick consistency. I like that in a hand cream because usually thicker means more hydrating. Thin formulas absorb quickly which is nice, but they don’t necessarily provide much hydration.

For only offering this one single hand cream, Milani did a good job making it nice and hydrating. When I work it into my hands, they instantly feel very hydrated. I wash my hands often and try to remember to apply this hand lotion afterwards to replenish lost moisture. 

My hands get very dry, more than the average person I’d say, and have been that way pretty much year-round since the pandemic hit. I think that’s probably because I use so much hand sanitizer, in addition to washing my hands often. While this hand cream is great to apply throughout the day to replenish moisture, I don’t think it’s quite hydrating enough to soften the worst of the dry patches that sometimes show up on my hands. For those, I need a more intense product to wear overnight, such as a lotion or cream that contains a chemical exfoliant like glycolic acid.

As there aren’t any bold product claims for Milani Peach Dewy Hand Cream, I think its level of hydration is pretty good. It definitely feels rich and nourishing on my skin.

Greasiness

A downside to a lot of thick hand creams is that they tend to feel greasy. I can’t stand that feeling because then there’s residue on everything I touch and it keeps me from being able to use a pen, open jars, etc. I’m sure you’ve been there, too!

Milani Peach Dewy Hand Cream does feel a bit greasy when it’s first rubbed into the skin. Fortunately, that feeling doesn’t last. This cream sinks in quickly so skin only feels greasy for a short time, maybe a couple of minutes.

Non-greasy hand creams are highly sought-after since many people are like me and very bothered by greasy formulas. I think Milani should probably add “non-greasy” to the product claims for this hand cream because that might increase sales! This formula really feels lovely on the skin without making it greasy or sticky.

Ingredients

I’m not sure if most people pay attention to the ingredients in hand cream, but I do for a couple of reasons. First, because my hands are dry, as I mentioned before. Also, my hands are already starting to show signs of aging from sun exposure. I want to make sure I’m putting great ingredients on my hands to keep them hydrated and looking as youthful as possible going forward (though really, the best thing I could do for them is to remember to apply sunscreen on my hands!).

Here is the full list of ingredients in Milani Peach Dewy Hand Cream:

Water / Aqua / Eau, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Glycerin, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Wax, Candelilla/Jojoba/Rice Bran Polyglyceryl-3 Esters, Pyrus Malus (Apple) Fruit Extract, Sodium Polyacrylate, Glyceryl Stearate, Cetearyl Alcohol, Sodium Stearoyl Glutamate, Oryza Sativa (Rice) Bran Extract, Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Extract, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract, Tocopherol, Prunus Persica (Peach) Leaf Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Glyceryl Polyacrylate, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Caprylyl Glycol, Potassium Sorbate, Hexylene Glycol, Phenoxyethanol, Fragrance / Parfum, Yellow 6 Lake (CI 15985) 

When I go through a product’s ingredients, I put them into three categories: “good” ingredients benefit the skin, “bad” ingredients have potential to harm skin, and “neutral” ingredients neither benefit or harm the skin. I reviewed all 26 ingredients in Milani Peach Dewy Hand Cream and determined that there are 11 “good,” only one “bad,” and 14 “neutral” ingredients. I’m honestly impressed by how many skincare “good” ingredients are in this formula. I’ll provide descriptions for each of those below:

• Sunflower Seed Oil
  • Improves damaged or irritated skin barrier
  • Loaded with fatty acids
• Avocado Oil
  • Loaded with nourishing fatty acids
  • Extraordinary skin penetration ability
  • Highly moisturizing
  • Contains vitamin E
• Shea Butter
  • Emollient moisturizer
  • Skin-soothing
  • Antioxidant-rich
• Glycerin
  • Natural moisturizer
• Apple Fruit Extract
  • Moisturizing and smoothing 
  • Acids (like malic and gallic acids) provide mild exfoliation, skin brightening, and antibacterial properties
• Rice Bran Extract
  • Conditions and softens skin
  • Rich source of antioxidants
  • Moisturizing
• Sunflower Extract
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Moisturizing and soothing
  • Contains antioxidants
• Rosemary Leaf Extract
  • Antibacterial
  • Astringent
  • Contains rosmarinic acid, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
• Tocopherol (Vitamin E)
  • Antioxidant
  • Strengthens skin barrier
• Peach Leaf Extract
  • Moisturizer
  • Skin conditioner
• Sodium Hyaluronate
  • Sodium form of hyaluronic acid (they work the same way)
  • Humectant

I am extremely pleased with how many great skincare ingredients Milani included in this hand cream! Honestly, I’m more impressed by the ingredients in this hand cream compared to those in hand creams from some other brands that have been making hand creams for many years. These ingredients are great for keeping hands hydrated and looking youthful, which is exactly what I want in my hand creams.

The one and only “bad” ingredient in this formula is Fragrance. There is no way of knowing exactly what this consists of (i.e. essential oils or artificial fragrance ingredients), but fragrance ingredients are some of the most common culprits in causing skin irritation. The added fragrance in this hand cream fortunately does not have any effect on my skin. However, those with very sensitive skin may want to opt instead for an unscented hand cream.

The remaining 14 ingredients are the “neutral” ones that I mentioned before. These ingredients support the overall formula. They perform important functions and are things like thickeners, emulsifiers, emollients, and preservatives.

I am really very happy with this hand cream’s formulation. Truly, my only complaint about it is the fragrance, but that is actually one of the big selling points of this product. The good news about the fragrance is that there’s only one fragrance ingredient. Some other products include quite a few, which increases the risk of skin irritation. I believe most people will tolerate the ingredients in this product quite well. 🙂

Fragrance

I’m really surprised that Milani didn’t include anything about the scent of this hand cream in the product claims. Most people will probably buy it because of the scent, and let me tell you, it does not disappoint! I am absolutely obsessed with this scent.

When I first received this hand cream and started using it, I couldn’t put my finger on the scent. It’s of course meant to smell like peaches, and it does smell fruity, but I didn’t think peach quite fit. It’s a very sweet scent, so now I think it smells more like peach candy, possibly peach rings, rather than a fresh peach. With that being said, if you like peaches, you’ll probably enjoy the scent of Milani Peach Dewy Hand Cream!

Price

Milani Peach Dewy Hand Cream is priced at $9.99 for a two ounce bottle. There aren’t any other Milani hand creams for me to compare this to, but there are plenty of other affordable brands out there that make hand creams. There is a wide range of prices, but I feel that $9.99 is on the higher end for such a small amount of product. There are options that start at only a few dollars. 

Another hand cream that I’ve used and enjoy is the Yes To Coconut Ultra Hydrating Moisturizing Hand & Cuticle Cream. That one is larger with three ounces of product, and at a lower price. At the time I’m writing this review, that hand cream is currently unavailable on Amazon, but it has previously been available there for only $5.99! I think its overall quality is just as good as Milani Peach Dewy Hand Cream, but at a more reasonable price.

I feel that this hand cream would be more appropriately priced in the $5-8 range. However, it does have a unique and intoxicating scent. If that appeals to you, then I think it’s worth it to spend $9.99 on this hand cream.

I have really put a dent in this hand cream since I started using it. I can’t get enough of it because it feels and smells so great on my hands! Will I repurchase? If Milani continues to offer this product as a permanent item, I will probably order it again eventually. It’s a little pricey as I mentioned in the previous section, but you really can’t beat the amazing scent. It’s almost like the scent equivalent of eating candy, but without any calories! 🙂

Before I wrap up this post, I’d like to look back at the product claims for Milani Peach Dewy Hand Cream and compare them with my own experience using this product. First, Milani states that the formula is rich and moisturizing. I agree 100%! Next they state that it’s lightweight for daily use and has a comfortable silky finish. While this hand cream doesn’t feel lightweight at first, it does absorb quickly to leave hands feeling comfortable and smooth.

The final claim is that the skincare ingredients work together to nourish, moisturize, and improve the appearance of dry skin. Again, I agree! The absorption of moisture from this hand cream instantly improves the appearance of dry skin.

Do you enjoy fruity hand creams? If you do, then you’d probably like this one very much. Please let me know if you decide to give it a try!

Lauren

For the longest time, I thought all body scrubs were mostly the same. They’re gritty, exfoliate the skin, and sometimes provide a bit of hydration. End of story, right? Not really! The Beauty by Earth Body Scrub is a step above the rest. I’ve tried quite a few body scrubs, so I feel confident in making that statement!

Body scrubs come in a wide variety of fragrances, and I was excited to find out that Beauty by Earth Body Scrub now comes in four unique scents! There’s an option for everyone. The scents currently available are Coffee & Sugar, Peppermint Tea Tree, Citrus Lavender, and Vanilla Coconut. I tend to gravitate toward tropical scents, so I of course went for the Vanilla Coconut. It smells just as good as you might imagine! All four of the scents are highly rated, so I’m sure they all smell fantastic.

I haven’t been using the Beauty by Earth Body Scrub for very long, but I’ve used it enough times to have a strong opinion of it! In this post, I’ll be reviewing Beauty by Earth Body Scrub in detail. I will discuss ease of application, exfoliation, hydration, ingredients, and price. 

Please note that I received this product in PR. However, that in no way has swayed my opinion of the product. Beauty by Earth didn’t ask for anything other than my honest opinion, and that is what I share in the following product review.

Beauty by Earth Body Scrub product claims directly from BeautybyEarth.com

This exfoliating sugar scrub revitalizes dull skin for a radiant glow. Packed with thirst-quenching oils, antioxidants, and anti-bacterial agents, our certified organic scrub will leave your skin feeling hydrated and nourished. Smooth skin is just a scrub away.

Disclosure: IntegriBeauty includes affiliate links within product review posts. I receive commissions for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Additionally, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. IntegriBeauty is independently owned and all products discussed within IntegriBeauty product review posts are thoroughly tested and given honest reviews.

Other product details

• Price & where to buy: $29.99 from Beauty by Earth or $17.99 from Amazon 
  • BeautybyEarth.com ships internationally for a flat fee of $28.00. (U.S. orders of $50+ ship free)
  • Amazon.com ships internationally to over 100 countries, but not all items will ship to every country. Update your default shipping address to see items that will ship to your location.
• Net weight: 10 oz. | 283 g
• Made in the USA
• Cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny certified)
• Vegan
• Formulated with natural organic ingredients
• Free of sulfates, parabens, phthalates, synthetic dyes, synthetic fragrance, triclosan, petroleum, and gluten
• Perfect for all skin types
• Overall rating: 9.0/10
  • Packaging/ease of application: 8/10
  • Exfoliation: 10/10
  • Hydration: 10/10
  • Ingredients: 8/10
  • Price: 9/10

Packaging/ease of application

As we discuss different aspects of the Beauty by Earth Body Scrub, you’ll see that I have very few negative things to say about it! Unfortunately, we’re starting off with one of those things. The packaging isn’t anything fancy, just a plastic jar with a twist-off lid. This is probably the most common type of packaging for body scrubs. There are a couple of cons associated with this type of packaging for a body scrub, however.

First off, the lid is smooth plastic without any ridges. That means that if your hands are slippery, you may have a hard time removing the lid. I keep the lid on loosely to make it easier for me to open, but it would be nice if the lid had ridges or some sort of texture to make it easier to grip.

My next issue with the packaging is the jar itself. This type of packaging requires you to reach into the jar to get the product out…while in the shower. You probably see where I’m going with this. I try to keep the jar toward the back of my shower and carefully dip into it to minimize the amount of water dripping into the jar. Despite my best efforts, it’s impossible to keep from getting some water into it. If too much water accumulates in the jar, it will make the body scrub more diluted than it should be.

These packaging issues are shared by most body scrubs, so I don’t fault it too much for these small shortcomings. However, I do hope that Beauty by Earth will consider improving the packaging of this product in the future. Now let’s move on to what matters most–the body scrub itself!

Beauty by Earth Body Scrub is very easy to use. It’s more “concentrated” than some other body scrubs, and therefore only a very small amount is needed. It’s a foolproof formula so you just scoop out some of the scrub and scrub it over any part of the body that’s in need of some exfoliation. For me, that’s usually my arms and legs. 

I work the scrub into my skin thoroughly until the sugar dissolves, which doesn’t take very long (but long enough to exfoliate as needed). Once I’m finished, the remainder of the scrub (minus the oils, but I’ll get into that later) is easy to rinse off with water.

Exfoliation

Beauty by Earth Body Scrub is a physical exfoliation product. Body scrubs use a variety of ingredients to physically (versus chemically) exfoliate the skin, such as plastic microbeads, nut shells, seeds, salt, and sugar. I think sugar is the best choice because it is water-soluble and gentle on the skin. It’s also a natural source of glycolic acid (an AHA chemical exfoliant), which helps to break down dead skin. I’m very happy that Beauty by Earth chose sugar as the exfoliating ingredient for their body scrub.

I think Beauty by Earth Body Scrub provides just the right amount of exfoliation. The granules of sugar are reasonably large to exfoliate effectively. However, they also feel gentle on the skin since sugar granules are rounded. Beauty by Earth recommends starting this scrub by using it only once a week, but I’ve used it a few times in the last week and my skin isn’t remotely irritated or over-exfoliated.

One of the great things about body scrubs, including this one, is that they provide instant results. My skin has felt softer and smoother from the first time I used it. Since then, my skin has improved even more with each use!

Hydration

The primary goal for body scrubs is usually exfoliation, and as I discussed in the previous section, this body scrub is effective for that! Is that all it’s good for, though? Absolutely not! I think hydration is where Beauty by Earth Body Scrub truly shines and stands out from the competition.

I’ll go into detail about this product’s ingredients in the next section, but I will go ahead and tell you that it contains three oils that skin absolutely loves. They aren’t noticeable by feel at first, but once the sugar dissolves, you can really feel those oils on the skin and it is a lovely feeling. They don’t just wash away, either! The oil blend in this body scrub hangs on the skin like no wash-off product I’ve ever used. 

This will sound bad, but the feeling always reminds me of the coating on apples at the grocery store. While that sounds negative, I truly don’t mean it that way. It’s a light layer of oil that remains on the skin to lock in moisture, and it never feels uncomfortable. 

Those that don’t have dry skin will likely find that a body moisturizer isn’t necessary after using Beauty by Earth Body Scrub. Since the skin on my arms and legs does get dry, I prefer to use a moisturizer after every shower. I still think it’s great that when I use this scrub, I’m able to step out of the shower with a layer of moisture already on my skin!

Ingredients

Like most, if not all, Beauty by Earth products, this body scrub has a very short list of ingredients! A small number of ingredients isn’t inherently a good thing, but it does mean that there are fewer ingredients that could potentially irritate sensitive skin. Here is the full list of all eight ingredients:

*Sucrose (Sugar), *Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, *Aroma Oil, *Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Kernel Oil, *Sclerocarya Birrea (Marula) Kernel Oil, Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E), *Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract,* Calendula Officinalis (Calendula) Flower Extract

*Certified organic ingredient

Please note that the fragrance ingredients vary between the four different Beauty by Earth Body Scrubs. This list is only for the Vanilla Coconut Body Scrub.

When I review ingredients, I label each one “good,” “bad,” or “neutral.” Seven of the eight ingredients in this Beauty by Earth Body Scrub are “good,” which means they provide skincare benefits. There is one “bad” ingredient that may irritate sensitive skin. Since this is such a short list of ingredients, I’ll go through each one and provide brief descriptions of their functions.

• Sugar
  • Exfoliant
• Sunflower Seed Oil
  • Improves damaged or irritated skin barrier
  • Loaded with fatty acids
• Aroma Oil
  • Fragrance
  • The specific components of this ingredient are not disclosed; however, many fragrance ingredients can be irritating for those with sensitive skin
• Apricot Kernel Oil
  • Emollient
  • Moisturizing
  • Contains vitamin E and nourishing fatty acids
  • Absorbs easily into the skin
• Marula Kernel Oil
  • Improves skin hydration and smoothness
  • Reduces redness
  • Rich in fatty acids
  • Contains antioxidants including vitamin E
• Mixed Tocopherols (Vitamin E)
  • Various forms of vitamin E, which is an antioxidant and strengthens the skin barrier
• Rosemary Leaf Extract
  • Antibacterial
  • Contains rosmarinic acid, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory
• Calendula Flower Extract
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Antioxidant
  • Skin soothing

I am very impressed and happy with these ingredients! Most of these go a long way in maintaining healthy hydrated skin. Marula oil is probably my favorite ingredient of the bunch because it can do so many things for the skin.

I am disappointed to see “aroma oil” (aka “fragrance”) so high up the list. The closer to the top an ingredient is, the higher its concentration. In this case, it is the third ingredient, which means its concentration is likely very high. Even though Beauty by Earth uses natural fragrance ingredients, this blend could be harmful to some. I haven’t had any problems with it, fortunately, but I don’t have very sensitive skin. Those that do have very sensitive skin should probably avoid this product.

I can’t move on to the next section without mentioning the actual scent of this Vanilla Coconut body scrub. It smells like tropical paradise! I don’t notice any hint of vanilla, but the coconut scent is quite strong. I enjoy it very much! I like that the scent lingers in my bathroom for a while, too. That’s a nice added bonus!

Price

If you saw the price of this product in the “other product details” section, you might be a little bit confused. I know I am! If you purchase Beauty by Earth Body scrub directly from Beauty by Earth, it’s $29.99. If you get it from Amazon instead, it’s only $17.99 (though that could change with time; Amazon’s prices fluctuate often)! I know it’s common for products to be less expensive on Amazon, but it’s not usually that big of a difference.

I’m usually pretty “cheap,” or “frugal,” to use a kinder term, and I usually buy affordable products. That part of me says $29.99 is totally unreasonable for a body scrub! On the other hand, this is a superior product. Even with that in mind, I don’t think I could justify spending $29.99 for any body scrub, unless it’s a larger quantity.

I’m grateful that Amazon also sells Beauty by Earth Body Scrub, because I think it’s definitely worth $17.99. There are more affordable alternatives out there from brands like Tree Hut, but I will still happily spend $17.99 (or maybe even a little more) for a product of this quality. It’s a hidden gem!

Beauty by Earth Body Scrub is not a product you should sleep on! I wish I had tried it much sooner than I did. I previously thought it would be just like every other body scrub, but I was definitely wrong. This body scrub has been an excellent addition to my shower routine and I always look forward to using it. Since I’m using it so often, I’ll probably use it up quickly, but I already know I’ll order another jar when I run out!

Earlier this summer, I reviewed the Beauty by Earth Self Tanner. That product works best after skin has been exfoliated and isn’t too dry. The Beauty by Earth Body Scrub addresses both of those needs! I haven’t tried the combination yet, but I think this body scrub would be a great choice for prepping skin for self tanner. I will certainly use that combo the next time I want to self tan!

At this point in my product reviews, I usually review the product claims and compare them with my own findings. However, in this case, I don’t think it’s necessary. Beauty by Earth’s product description of their body scrub is concise and accurate!

Do you enjoy using a body scrub in your shower routine? If not, it’s a good time to add one since fall and its dry air will be upon us very soon (for those of us in the northern hemisphere). Please let me know if you plan to try the Beauty by Earth Body Scrub!

Lauren

Pacifica has been one of my favorite brands for years. I’ve mainly used their skincare products, but I’ve also purchased some of their makeup, body care, and hair care products. One of my very few gripes with Pacifica products is that most of them are fragranced. A lot of people can’t tolerate fragrance in their skincare and makeup products because skin on the face is more likely to be sensitive than skin on the body. While I prefer unfragranced skincare and makeup products, I do enjoy a good scent experience from my body care products! Pacifica makes some really lovely fragrances, including the fragrance used in the Pacifica Strawberry Peach Body Lotion.

I love strawberries AND peaches, so Pacifica’s Strawberry Peach collection really appealed to me when it launched! This collection started out with five products, but it currently consists of a body scrub, body lotion, and body wash. I tried the body wash first and loved it so much, I just had to get the lotion too! 

I’ve now been using the Pacifica Strawberry Peach Body Lotion for a few weeks and really am enjoying it. If you’re interested in this fruity body lotion, keep reading for my full product review! I’ll discuss packaging, ease of application, hydration, ingredients, fragrance, and price.

Pacifica Strawberry Peach Body Lotion product description from PacificaBeauty.com

Hydrate your beautiful body. An inspiring aromatherapy blend of fresh strawberries and peaches, fruit extracts, hydrating sunflower and vitamin E oils come together to support your most beautiful skin.

Disclosure: IntegriBeauty includes affiliate links within product review posts. I receive commissions for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. IntegriBeauty is independently owned and all products discussed within IntegriBeauty product review posts are thoroughly tested and given honest reviews.

Other product details

• Price: $10.00
• Net weight: 5 oz. | 147 ml
• Made in the USA
• Cruelty-free
• Vegan
• 50% recycled plastic tube
• Formulated without parabens, phthalates, SLS, or mineral oil
• Where to buy: PacificaBeauty.com
  • PacificaBeauty.com ships to the USA and Canada only.
• Overall rating: 9.6/10
  • Packaging/ease of application: 10/10
  • Hydration: 10/10
  • Ingredients: 8/10
  • Fragrance: 10/10
  • Price: 10/10

Packaging/ease of application

Pacifica Strawberry Peach Body Lotion is packaged in an adorable ombre pink squeeze tube. It’s made out of 50% recycled plastic that can be recycled again! I appreciate that Pacifica offers a free recycling program (they even give loyalty points to those that use it) to make it even easier to recycle their products.

I think squeeze tube packaging is perfect for this body lotion. It’s not too thick, so it’s easy to squeeze out. I like that with this type of packaging, I don’t have to dip into a jar and get the lotion under my nails. With body butters, I accept that as part of the deal, but otherwise I don’t want to fuss with it! Anybody else with me on that? 🙂

Pacifica Strawberry Peach Body Lotion has a smooth creamy texture. It’s not an especially lightweight formula, but it’s not heavy either. As texture goes, I think of this as a standard body lotion. It rubs into the skin quickly and doesn’t take too long to absorb. I don’t like it when moisturizing products leave me feeling sticky or greasy all day long, and this one does not do that. You can confidently put on a pair of pants after applying this lotion, without fear of your legs getting stuck!

Hydration

Hydration is always a tough category for me to review because it’s so subjective. I try to be fair to the products I review by basing my opinion on the specific type of product. For example, in this case, I’m reviewing a body lotion, not a body butter. Body lotions are not meant to be as heavy or hydrating as body butters.

In the fall and winter months, my skin tends to be consistently dry. However, in the spring and summer when it becomes more humid where I live, my skin is normal to slightly dry. During these warmer months, I find Pacifica Strawberry Peach Body Lotion to be plenty hydrating. I think it would still be hydrating enough in the cooler months as well, with a heavier moisturizer added into my rotation a couple of times a week.

I think most people will be pleased with the amount of hydration this lotion provides. Those with very dry skin may prefer something heavier, like a body butter. Alternatively, those with very dry skin could use this body lotion “as needed” between applications of heavier products.

Ingredients

I’ve been very impressed by some of the ingredients used in other Pacifica body care products, so I was excited to research the ingredients in Pacifica Strawberry Peach Body Lotion. I’m not as critical of the ingredients in my body care products as I am with my skincare, but I like to see several ingredients that will benefit the skin on my body, too. I’ll still point out the ingredients that could be problematic to those with sensitive skin as well. 

I wasn’t disappointed by my findings and I hope you’ll feel the same! Here is the full list of ingredients for this product:

aqua, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, octyl palmitate, glyceryl stearate, caprylic/capric triglyceride, glycerin, stearic acid, stearyl alcohol, cetyl alcohol, fragaria ananassa (strawberry) leaf extract*, prunus persica (peach) leaf extract, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), hyaluronic acid, tocopherol (vitamin E), helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, camellia sinensis (green tea) extract, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower/leaf/stem extract, camellia sinensis (white tea) extract, arnica montana flower extract, laminaria digitata (sea kelp) extract, xanthan gum, chamomile recutita (matricaria) flower extract, hamamelis virginiana (witch hazel) extract, phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin, parfum**

*ingredient was listed twice; I removed the duplicate that I believe to be incorrect    **natural aromatherapy blend

This is an interesting mix of ingredients, including several that are great for the skin! When I research ingredients, I classify them as “good,” “neutral,” or “bad.” Good ingredients provide specific benefits to the skin, neutral ingredients neither benefit or harm the skin, and bad ingredients have the potential to be sensitizing. Pacifica Strawberry Peach Body Lotion contains 12 “good,” 10 “neutral,” and 4 “bad” ingredients. I’ll start with brief descriptions of the 12 good ingredients that skin loves.

• Aloe barbadensis leaf juice
  • Moisturizer
  • Anti-inflammatory
• Glycerin
  • Natural moisturizer
• Fragaria ananassa (strawberry) leaf extract
  • Skin conditioner
  • May fade brown spots by inhibiting the tyrosinase enzyme which forms melanin
  • May preserve collagen by inhibiting collagenase, which breaks the peptide bonds in collagen
• Prunus persica (peach) leaf extract
  • Moisturizer
  • Skin conditioner
• Ascorbic acid (vitamin C)
  • Purest and most researched form of vitamin C
  • Potent antioxidant
  • Evens and brightens skin tone
  • Boosts collagen production, which helps to keep skin smooth and firm
• Hyaluronic acid
  • Humectant
  • Binds up to 1,000x its weight in water
  • Plumps skin and reduces appearance of wrinkles
• Tocopherol (vitamin E)
  • Antioxidant
  • Strengthens skin barrier
• Helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil
  • Improves damaged or irritated skin barrier
  • Loaded with fatty acids
• Camellia sinensis (green tea) extract
  • Antioxidant
  • Anti-inflammatory
• Camellia sinensis (white tea) extract
  • Antioxidant
• Laminaria digitata (sea kelp) extract
  • Contains antioxidants
  • Nourishes and hydrates the skin
• Chamomile recutita (matricaria) flower extract
  • Antioxidant
  • Skin-soothing
  • May cause a reaction in those that are aggravated by other plants in the daisy family

It’s great to see so many ingredients that hydrate and improve skin, as well as the antioxidants that protect skin from free radical damage! I wish more of these ingredients were closer to the top of the list (only three of them are in the top ten) since those are the ones with the highest concentrations. However, it’s possible that some may be more effective at lower concentrations. 

Next up: neutral ingredients. These are the “supporting players” in the formula. These ingredients perform important functions and are things like solvents, emollients, thickeners, and preservatives. 

The remaining ingredients are the ones I’ve labeled as “bad” for their potential to harm skin. Fortunately, these are all in the second half of the list and therefore likely to be included in very small concentrations. 

The first is lavender extract which is a fragrance ingredient. Unfortunately, fragrance ingredients are some of the most common skin sensitizers. Next is arnica montana flower extract. Some sources think it has an anti-inflammatory property, but it can cause skin irritation. Witch hazel extract has antioxidant and soothing properties, but one of the antioxidants (tannin) can make it sensitizing. It also contains a fragrance component called “eugenol” which may be sensitizing. Lastly, “parfum” which is Pacifica’s proprietary natural aromatherapy blend. Pacifica doesn’t disclose the composition of the “parfum,” but it likely includes skin sensitizers.

I know those “bad” ingredients sound intimidating, but they aren’t likely to cause problems for most people. I’ve never experienced any type of irritation or sensitization from this product. To stay on the safe side, I think those that have sensitive skin on their bodies should avoid this lotion. 

Fragrance

I feel like a bit of a hypocrite here since I just finished reviewing Pacifica Strawberry Peach Body Lotion’s ingredients which included some fragrance ingredients that could harm skin. But let’s face it, most of the people buying this product are probably interested mostly for its scent. I know that’s what drew me in! 

As I mentioned in the intro, I love strawberries and peaches so I knew I’d enjoy the scent of this lotion. I was not wrong! This lotion smells delicious. Pacifica describes the scent as smelling like fresh strawberries with a hint of peach, but I think it’s the other way around. I’m not entirely sure I can even discern a strawberry scent, but the peach is quite strong!

If you don’t like lotions that are heavily fragranced, this one probably isn’t for you. While I enjoy this lotion’s scent, I have to admit that it is intense! If I put it on in my bathroom and my husband goes outside, he says he can smell it outside! It does fade over time, but the scent is potent when first applied.

Price

I’ve noticed lately that some of Pacifica’s products are quite expensive considering it’s a drugstore brand. Fortunately, Pacifica Strawberry Peach Body Lotion is reasonably priced at $10.00 for five ounces (147 ml) of lotion. There are plenty of alternative body lotions in the drugstore price range that can be purchased for less than $10.00, but I’ve found that most are not cruelty-free or vegan.

The other drugstore body lotions also aren’t likely to contain the long list of skincare ingredients that are found in this one from Pacifica. The ingredients and unique fragrance really set this product apart. I think it’s well worth $10.00!

Pacifica Strawberry Peach collection

Do you think you’d really like the strawberry peach scent like I do? You may want to pick up the other Pacifica Strawberry Peach products. It’s a small collection, but not one to be overlooked! Here are the other products available:

• Pacifica Strawberry Peach Body Wash $10.00 (I previously reviewed the Pacifica Ocean Citrus Body Wash that is very similar except for the scent; unfortunately, that product has been discontinued, but you may still find my review helpful)
• Pacifica Strawberry Peach Body Scrub $13.00
• Pacifica Strawberry Peach Bundle (includes body lotion, body wash, and body scrub) $26.00
  • This bundle has a $33.00 value; definitely the way to go if you want to try all three products!

I haven’t tried the body scrub, but I do have the body wash. I’ve been enjoying it as much as the lotion! I use it every time I shower, and then I apply the Pacifica Strawberry Peach Body Lotion to moisturize.

I’m so glad I discovered the Pacifica Strawberry Peach collection this year! The scent is great year-round, but especially in the summer. I really enjoy the Pacifica Strawberry Peach Body Lotion since its scent lingers on the skin for a while after it’s applied. I don’t feel the need to put on any perfume when I’m wearing this lotion because it makes me smell sweet as a peach!

Pacifica doesn’t make any bold claims about this product, but instead provides a brief description. First, they state that it hydrates. I can definitely confirm that! They go on to state that the aromatherapy blend, sunflower seed oil, and vitamin E support beautiful skin. The aromatherapy blend smells great, but it doesn’t actually do anything for the skin. The sunflower seed oil and vitamin E do, though, along with the other skincare ingredients I mentioned in the “Ingredients” section of the review.

I think anyone that enjoys fruity scented body lotions would really like Pacifica Strawberry Peach Body Lotion! It’s quick to apply, hydrates the skin, contains excellent ingredients, smells amazing, and it’s affordable! What more could we ask for? 🙂

Do you plan on trying Pacifica Strawberry Peach Body Lotion? What about other Pacifica body care products? There are so many great options. Let me know in the comments!

Lauren

A golden tan is beautiful, but for those of us that don’t naturally have a tan skin tone, it can be dangerous to achieve. UV rays from the sun or tanning beds may cause skin cancer and lead to premature aging. A healthier alternative to get a tan is to use a self tanning product. Unfortunately, many of them are made with questionable ingredients. I don’t use self tanner often, but when I do it’s Beauty by Earth Self Tanner which is made with all natural ingredients!

What makes for a good self tanner? In my opinion, it should be buildable, streak-free, contain skin-loving ingredients, and last more than a couple of days. Keep reading to find out if Beauty by Earth’s Self Tanner fits the bill.

Please note that Beauty by Earth recently launched Self Tanner Mousse. I have not yet tried that product. In this review, I’ll be discussing the original Self Tanner lotion.

Beauty by Earth Self Tanner product claims directly from BeautybyEarth.com

Want that sun-kissed glow but don’t want to spend hours baking in the sun? Our natural self tanner is the solution you’re looking for! You’ll get the beautiful, healthy tan you want without exposing your skin to harsh UV rays or the potentially dangerous chemicals used in conventional self tanners. Perfect for hiding stretch marks, scars, and veins. Color doesn’t transfer to clothing and sheets. Won’t leave you orange tomorrow.

Disclosure: IntegriBeauty includes affiliate links within product review posts. I receive commissions for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Additionally, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. IntegriBeauty is independently owned and all products discussed within IntegriBeauty product review posts are thoroughly tested and given honest reviews.

Other product details

• Price: $30.99 (save 10% with subscribe and save)
• Net weight: 7.5 oz. | 222 ml
• Made in the USA
• Cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny certified)
• Vegan
• Made with natural ingredients (many are organic)
• Free of parabens, phthalates, sulfates, and artificial fragrance
• Perfect for all skin types, including sensitive skin
• Subtle coconut scent
• Formulated primarily for use on the body, but can also be used on the face
• Where to buy Beauty by Earth Self Tanner: BeautybyEarth.com or Amazon.com 
• Where to buy Beauty by Earth Self Tanner Bundle (includes exfoliating mitt, body applicator mitt, face applicator mitt, and self tanner): BeautybyEarth.com or Amazon.com 
  • BeautybyEarth.com ships internationally for a flat fee of $28.00. (U.S. orders of $50+ ship free)
  • Amazon.com ships internationally to over 100 countries, but not all items will ship to every country. Update your default shipping address to see items that will ship to your location.
• Overall rating: 9.0/10
  • Packaging/ease of application: 9/10
  • Hydration: 10/10
  • Longevity: 10/10
  • Ingredients: 8/10
  • Price: 8/10

Packaging/ease of application

Like most self tanning lotions, Beauty by Earth Self Tanner is packaged in a squeeze tube. Squeeze tubes are simple, but easy to use, which is especially good if you are working with an applicator mitt on one hand! The tube is also made of recyclable plastic, which is a plus. 

A lot of self tanners can make skin look orange or streaky. I was so nervous to try this one because I was skeptical of the natural ingredients’ efficacy in providing a natural-looking tan. Well, let me tell you, I did not need to worry! The tan I get from this product never looks orange, but instead it gives my skin the perfect golden glow. I also haven’t experienced any streaking with this self tanner.

To get the best results, follow the instructions provided by Beauty by Earth:

1. Paint nails to avoid orangey nails (I’ve never remembered to follow this advice, myself, but it’s a great tip!)
2. Exfoliate to gently remove dead skin cells, especially on very dry areas of the body (you can use an exfoliating mitt or a body scrub like Beauty by Earth Vanilla Coconut Body Scrub)
3. Apply a thin layer of self tanner, with gloves or an applicator mitt, evenly over the body and face (if desired), being careful to apply a bit less to loose areas of skin (i.e. elbows and knees) since they are more absorbent and could end up too dark
   1. If you don’t wear gloves or use an applicator mitt, wash hands immediately after application to keep the color off of your palms
4. Wait six hours for tan to develop
5. Reapply the following day(s) as needed to achieve the desired color
6. From there, reapply every 4-7 days or as needed

It’s also recommended to wait 1-2 days after shaving to apply self tanner. If self tanner is applied to freshly shaved skin, pores will show up as little orange dots. 

I can honestly say that I have not always followed these directions and I can speak from experience that it makes a big difference! When I applied this self tanner last week, I didn’t give myself enough time. It was just before bedtime so I was in a hurry and I didn’t properly exfoliate even though I have the exfoliating mitt from the Self Tanner Bundle. I also didn’t paint my nails beforehand. As a result, I had dark brown/orange spots on my toes where I had some dry patches of skin, and a couple of toenails turned a bit orange. It was entirely my fault for not following the directions.

Other than the problems with my feet, the self tanner looked very natural on the rest of my body. As you can see in this “after” photo, the tan from this self tanner is gradual, which I like (this means that if you make a mistake, it won’t be so obvious!). I think my legs definitely looked more tan in person than they did in the photo, but my phone’s camera doesn’t always seem to pick up on color accurately. 

Would I say Beauty by Earth Self Tanner is easy to apply? No, not really…but I don’t think any self tanner is exactly easy to use. Compared to other self tanners, I think this one is probably much easier because there’s no concern about streaking. Also, some other self tanners are tinted and rub off on clothing, sheets, and furniture. This one is white and doesn’t change the color of anything except skin!

Hydration

Hydration might not be something that many people think about with self tanners, but I think it’s actually really important for a couple of reasons. First of all, unless you’re applying a moisturizer before self tanner, the self tanner must also act as moisturizer. Second, self tanner looks best on hydrated skin, so added hydration in the self tanner itself can only help!

I find that Beauty by Earth Self Tanner feels very similar to a hydrating body lotion. My skin always feels great after it’s applied. I’ll go into detail about ingredients later on, but there are several that go a long way in keeping skin hydrated!

Longevity

You may be concerned about the longevity of the tan that develops from Beauty by Earth Self Tanner since it’s a natural product. I’m happy to tell you that it lasts very well! A tan from any self tanner will vary from person to person, but Beauty by Earth states that this one usually lasts 4-6 days. For me, I think my tan from last week lasted 6-7 days.

Since self tanners, including this one, are a bit fussy, I want the resulting tan to last a good long while no matter what kind of activities I might be doing. I appreciate that this one lasts well through swimming, showering, sweating, etc. Now that I remember how well the results of this self tanner last, I may start using it once a week through summer!

Ingredients

This is the first self tanner I’ve ever reviewed, so I was excited to check out the ingredients! I was surprised to find that there is one single ingredient responsible for the tanning property of this product, but there are many other ingredients of interest as well. Beauty by Earth Self Tanner contains only 17 ingredients, can you believe it?! Here they are: 

Water, Organic Aloe Barbadensis (Aloe Vera) Leaf Juice, Organic Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Dihydroxyacetone (Sugar Beet Derived DHA), Cetyl Alcohol, Stearyl Alcohol, Organic Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil, Glycerin (Vegetable), Organic Camellia Oleifera (Japanese Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Organic Punica Granatum (Pomegranate) Extract, Organic Hamamelis Virginiana (Witch Hazel) Extract, Organic Vaccinium Macrocarpon (Cranberry) Fruit Extract, Organic Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Organic Argania Spinosa Kernel (Argan) Oil, Radish Root Ferment Filtrate, Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Pulp Extract, Vanilla Tahitensis (Vanilla) Fruit Extract

I usually start with the skincare ingredients, but this time I’m going to start with dihydroxyacetone (DHA). This is the ingredient that gives skin that lovely sun-kissed tan! It is completely safe and works by reacting with amino acids in the skin to build color. Science was never my strong subject, but I think that’s so cool!

As for the rest of the ingredients, I break them down into three categories: good, neutral, and bad. Good ingredients provide skincare benefits, neutral ingredients don’t directly benefit or harm the skin, while bad ingredients have the potential to irritate skin. Beauty by Earth Self Tanner contains a whopping ten good ingredients, four neutral ingredients, and unfortunately there are two bad ingredients. Let’s start with the good ones (please note that my primary resources for ingredient information are INCI Decoder and Paula’s Choice Ingredient Dictionary):

• Aloe Vera Leaf Juice
  • Moisturizer
  • Anti-inflammatory
• Shea Butter
  • Emollient moisturizer
  • Skin-soothing
  • Antioxidant-rich
• Coconut Oil
  • Moisturizes and seals in moisture
• Glycerin
  • Natural moisturizer
• Green Tea Leaf Extract
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • Contains antioxidants
• Pomegranate Extract
  • Skin-soothing
  • Antioxidant
• Cranberry fruit extract
  • Skin-soothing
  • Antioxidant
• Jojoba Seed Oil
  • Wax ester that stays on the skin surface to moisturize
  • Softens skin
• Argan Oil
  • Contains fatty acids and vitamin E
  • Moisturizes
• Coconut Pulp Extract
  • Rich in fatty acids, proteins, and vitamins
  • Skin-conditioning

Those are really excellent ingredients that are, frankly, surprising to find in a self tanner! Because of these ingredients, Beauty by Earth Self Tanner can be considered a very well-rounded body care product.

Moving on to the “neutral” ingredients, there isn’t anything very interesting. These ingredients are water, cetyl alcohol, stearyl alcohol, and radish root ferment filtrate. They act as solvent, emollients, and preservative, respectively. The two alcohols are non-drying, so there’s nothing to be concerned about with these ingredients.

Lastly, the “bad” ingredients. I never thought of witch hazel as a bad ingredient until I started researching skincare ingredients. It has antioxidant and soothing properties, but there is an antioxidant component called “tannin” that can make it sensitizing. Witch hazel also contains a fragrance called “eugenol” which may be sensitizing for some. The other ingredient that could cause irritation is vanilla fruit extract. It is a skin conditioner, but this particular type of vanilla extract is a common irritant. I’ve been fortunate that neither of these ingredients seem to disagree with my skin, but they could be problematic for someone with very sensitive skin.

Overall, I am thrilled with the ingredients in Beauty by Earth Self Tanner. They definitely didn’t have to include so many skin-loving ingredients, but I’m really glad they did!

Price

Beauty by Earth Self Tanner is definitely one of the pricier self tanning products I’ve seen. It’s $30.99 for a 7.5 ounce bottle, which means it’s $4.13/ounce. In general, I tend to go for more affordable products, but when it came time to look for a good self tanner, this one really stood out to me even though it is expensive.

I was concerned about the ingredients used in traditional self tanners, but I was really impressed by the ingredients in this one from Beauty by Earth. The “no streaking” claim also caught my eye because I know how careless I can sometimes be when applying products. In addition to those things, this self tanner is cruelty-free, and many of the others on the market sadly are not.

I wish this product was a little less expensive, but considering it’s something I won’t need to use year-round I think it’s worth the price!

I am the most fair-skinned person in my family and my pasty white legs have always bothered me. For years, I resisted self tanners because I didn’t want to look orange. I looked at a lot of self tanners before trying Beauty by Earth Self Tanner in 2019. 

I remember the year easily because I bought this product in preparation for vacation in Hawaii! I didn’t want to be the palest person on the beach. 🙂 I’m so glad I found this product because it makes me much more confident in my skin.

Does Beauty by Earth Self Tanner live up to the product claims? Beauty by Earth promises a beautiful healthy-looking tan without dangerous chemicals, that won’t turn you orange or stain fabric. I agree with these claims, except I would like to note again that there are a couple of ingredients that could be irritating for some. If you don’t have especially sensitive skin, this product should be safe for you!

Once I use up this bottle of Beauty by Earth Self Tanner, I’d really like to try their new Self Tanner Mousse. I tend to enjoy moussey products, but I have to wonder if I might run through that product more quickly than the lotion formula. If I do try that product, I’ll definitely write a review!

Have you tried the regular Self Tanner or Self Tanner Mousse from Beauty by Earth? If you haven’t, I absolutely recommend the original formula (and the mousse is probably great, too!). 

Lauren

I always have some type of exfoliating product for my body, whether it’s a scrub like Pacifica Sugared Crystal Supercharged Body Scrub or a chemical exfoliant like Paula’s Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA. Physical and chemical exfoliants work in different ways, but they are both effective to smooth bumpy skin and brighten. An ingredient I never knew could be used as an exfoliant is cinnamon (powder or extract). Cinnamon bark extract is the exfoliating ingredient featured in Pacifica Cocoa Cinnamon Dual Exfoliant from Pacifica’s new Body Treats collection.

I ordered this product on a whim because I saw “Cocoa Cinnamon” and knew it had to smell amazing. I was not wrong, y’all. This exfoliant smells just like a snickerdoodle cookie! Every time I open the jar and take a sniff, I feel like I’m getting a special treat without the calories. 

I’ve established that Pacifica Cocoa Cinnamon Dual Exfoliant provides a satisfying scent experience, but what does it do for the skin? Would I recommend it? Continue reading to find out!

Pacifica Cocoa Cinnamon Dual Exfoliant product claims from PacificaBeauty.com

Treat rough, bumpy skin with something pretty sweet. Our Cocoa Cinnamon Dual Exfoliant, with skin-loving cocoa seed butter, cinnamon, and plant oils, helps hydrate skin and improve its texture. Cocoa seed butter is antioxidant-rich, highly moisturizing and supports softer skin. Cinnamon helps remove dead skin cells and soothes dry skin to reveal smoother texture. When your skin starts to feel a little dry or look scaly, love on your skin with this gentle exfoliant.

Disclosure: IntegriBeauty includes affiliate links within product review posts. I receive commissions for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. IntegriBeauty is independently owned and all products discussed within IntegriBeauty product review posts are thoroughly tested and given honest reviews.

Other product details

• Price: $14.00
• Net weight: 6 oz. | 170 g
• Made in the USA
• Cruelty-free
• Vegan
• 100% recycled plastic tub
• Formulated without parabens, phthalates, SLS or mineral oil
• Appropriate for all skin types, but especially dry bumpy skin
• Where to buy: PacificaBeauty.com 
  • PacificaBeauty.com ships to the USA and Canada only.
• Overall rating: 6.8/10
  • Packaging/ease of application: 9/10
  • Exfoliation: 8/10
  • Hydration: 4/10
  • Ingredients: 7/10
  • Price: 6/10

Packaging/ease of application

Pacifica Cocoa Cinnamon Dual Exfoliant is packaged in a tub that’s made entirely out of recycled plastic. I think that’s great! I’m not usually a fan of tubs or jars, but this one doesn’t bother me as much. A lot of bath products packaged in tubs are difficult to open with wet hands, but this plastic doesn’t feel slick so it’s easy to grip the lid to twist it open. 

The main problem I usually have with this type of packaging is that it doesn’t protect the integrity of the ingredients. Fortunately, I don’t think there are many ingredients in this formula that are sensitive to light or air.

My only real complaint about the jar packaging for this body exfoliant is that if you aren’t careful, water can get into the tub. If left in the jar, the water would probably dilute the formula and make it less effective. I try to remember to set it toward the back of my shower where it’s less likely to get wet, once the tub is opened. I also check it for water before putting the lid back on. If there is water, this formula is thick enough you can flip the tub upside-down to pour out the water.

The texture of this body exfoliant feels amazing on the skin. This will sound strange, but the best way to describe the texture is a smooth lightweight body butter with a little bit of sand mixed in. That might sound unpleasant, but it really does feel nice!

I primarily use this product on my arms and legs, but I will occasionally use it on my hips as well when they get dry. Since the texture is smoother than a body scrub, it’s very easy to massage onto the skin. I use circular motions for optimal exfoliation.

Once I’ve finished applying the exfoliant to my skin, it’s very easy to rinse away. It isn’t sticky at all and doesn’t leave any sort of residue behind.

Exfoliation

Since this is a rinse-off exfoliant, you might expect it to feel and exfoliate like a body scrub. It actually feels very different. As I mentioned above, this formula is quite smooth. You won’t notice any grit until the exfoliant is being massaged onto the skin. Even then, there is very little physical exfoliation happening with this product since there’s no sugar or salt like you’d find in most body scrubs.

While this exfoliant feels vastly different from every other rinse-off exfoliant I’ve ever used, it is effective at exfoliating skin. There’s a caveat, though. The first couple of times I used it, several days passed between uses, and I didn’t notice any exfoliating effect. As I started using it more frequently, I noticed that my arms started to feel much smoother. I normally have quite a few small bumps on my arms, and while they aren’t all gone, they are now much improved. To see the most improvement in texture, I’d recommend using this exfoliant every day or every other day.

Hydration

Reading the description of this product, you would expect it to be quite hydrating. Unfortunately, it doesn’t deliver as much hydration as I had hoped. When it’s on the skin, it feels wonderful and moisturizing. Once it’s rinsed off, however, I don’t feel any hydration left behind.

I will say that this exfoliant doesn’t leave my skin feeling stripped of moisture, or irritated. It just doesn’t provide any extra hydration.

This exfoliant does contain some hydrating ingredients, so I wonder if others that don’t have dry skin on their arms and legs might have a different opinion of how hydrating it feels. I’ll get into the ingredients more in the next section, but I will go ahead and say that I wish Pacifica included more nourishing oils, as I think more hydration would be ideal in a product like this. Pacifica even recommends this exfoliant to people with dry skin, so why not make it as hydrating as possible?

Ingredients

As I mentioned in the intro, I previously had no idea that cinnamon could be used as an exfoliant. I was excited to do some digging into cinnamon extract as a skincare ingredient, as well as the other ingredients, to find out what makes this product work. There are 22 total ingredients in the Pacifica Cocoa Cinnamon Dual Exfoliant formula:

aqua, stearic acid, glycerin, perlite, helianthus annuus (sunflower) seed oil, cetyl alcohol, caprylic/capric triglyceride, cetearyl alcohol, cocamidopropyl betaine, caramel, cinnamomum cassia bark extract, theobroma cacao (cocoa) seed butter, glyceryl stearate SE, coco-glucoside, coconut alkanes, coco-caprylate/caprate, jojoba esters, sodium gluconate, phenoxyethanol, ethylhexylglycerin, sodium hydroxide, parfum*

*our scent blend with natural and/or essential oils

Most of these ingredients are….OK, but not stellar. I break down ingredients into three categories: good, neutral, and bad. Good ingredients provide skincare benefits, neutral ingredients don’t directly benefit or harm the skin, while bad ingredients have the potential to irritate skin. I only have three of these ingredients in the “good” category, 17 are “neutral,” and two are “bad” (again, this just means they have increased potential to be problematic, but they won’t negatively affect everyone).

I’ll start with describing the three “good” ingredients since I think those are the ones we’re most excited about!

• Glycerin
  • Natural moisturizer
• Sunflower seed oil
  • Improves damaged or irritated skin barrier
  • Loaded with fatty acids which strengthen and hydrate skin
• Cocoa seed butter
  • Rich emollient that’s highly moisturizing and nourishing
  • Contains fatty acids and vitamin E

All three of these ingredients are great hydrators, so I’m happy to see them on the list! I’m not sure if their percentages are too low, but as I mentioned before, I don’t really feel the hydrating effects of these ingredients once the exfoliant is rinsed off of my skin.

You might be surprised to see that I didn’t include cinnamon extract on my “good” list. Unfortunately, this ingredient is on the “bad” list! That’s because it’s a known skin irritant. I have found a couple of sources stating that cinnamon (powder and extract) can be an effective exfoliator, as well as having antioxidant benefits, but there isn’t scientific research to back up those claims. Pacifica states that cinnamon helps to remove dead skin cells, soothe dry skin, and promote smoother texture. Since there are no other ingredients in this formula that would act as exfoliants, I think it’s safe to say that cinnamon is indeed an effective exfoliating ingredient. Unfortunately, it could cause irritation on sensitive skin.

The only other “bad” ingredient is the parfum. In this product, “parfum” is a proprietary blend of natural and/or essential oils. This blend might be safer than synthetic fragrance, but even natural fragrance ingredients can be irritating to many people.

Lastly, the “neutral” ingredients. They make up the majority of this formula, which is a little unfortunate since they don’t provide any benefits to the skin. These ingredients do, however, perform important functions. They are ingredients like solvents, emollients, thickeners, surfactants, colorants, and preservatives.

I definitely would prefer to see more ingredients from the “good” category in this product. That doesn’t mean it’s not a good formula, though. It’s just not great. This exfoliant does feel good on the skin and exfoliates to make skin feel smoother, so the ingredients do work to achieve the primary goals of the product.

Price

I wasn’t able to find a single product that’s similar to this one. There are plenty of body scrubs out there, but this isn’t a scrub exactly. Because of that, it’s tough to evaluate the price of this exfoliant.

Pacifica Cocoa Cinnamon Dual Exfoliant is $14.00 for 6 ounces of product, or $2.33/oz. That sounds very inexpensive, but it would be easy to run through a whole tub quickly if you use it daily, or even a few times a week. I haven’t been using it for very long and I’ve used up about half the tub.

Do I think $14.00 is a fair price for this exfoliant? I have to say no. While $14.00 is still within the drugstore price range, I expect more from a body product at this price point.

Pacifica Body Treats

In the intro, I mentioned that Pacifica Cocoa Cinnamon Dual Exfoliant is part of the Body Treats collection. I believe this collection only started with three products and it’s now grown to include six. The Cocoa Cinnamon Dual Exfoliant is one of the newer ones. Here are the other five products from the collection in case you’re interested!

• Watermelon Seed Body Butter $12.00
• Banana Jelly Body Glow Gel $12.00
• Guacamole Whip Face & Body Mask $12.00
• Glow Baby Body Peel $14.00
• Acne Warrior Body Scrub $16.00

If you’re skeptical about the exfoliating ability of Pacifica Cocoa Cinnamon Dual Exfoliant, you may want to look into the Glow Baby Body Peel or Acne Warrior Body Scrub, as they both contain reliable chemical exfoliants. I haven’t tried either of those, but I’m especially impressed by the description and ingredients for Glow Baby Body Peel.

This was a difficult review for me to write because Pacifica is one of my favorite brands and I’m disappointed that this product didn’t work as well for me as I’d hoped. I think Pacifica could definitely make some small changes to the product to improve the formula. Adding sucrose (sugar) would boost the exfoliation, and additional moisturizing ingredients would leave the skin feeling hydrated even after the product is rinsed away.

Will I repurchase Pacifica Cocoa Cinnamon Dual Exfoliant? Probably not. That doesn’t mean that I don’t enjoy it, though. This product provides a nice experience and I look forward to using it every time I shower. It smells so so good, and feels great on my skin!

If you or someone you care about enjoys the smell of snickerdoodles, and a nice scent experience from body products, this might be a fun treat! The only people that I think really should avoid this exfoliant are those with very sensitive skin on their bodies. The cinnamon and fragrance blend could be quite irritating for them.

Have you had the chance to try Pacifica Cocoa Cinnamon Dual Exfoliant or any other products from the Body Treats collection? Please let me know in the comments, if you have!

Lauren

DISCLAIMER: At the time this blog post was written, Pacifica Ocean Citrus Body Wash was still available. Unfortunately, the Ocean Citrus products have since been discontinued. I am not removing this review since Pacifica is still selling other body washes with similar formulas.

Lemon is one of my favorite scents. It reminds me of sunshine and makes me happy! For that reason, I always keep lemon hand soap in the kitchen and sometimes use other lemon scented products as well. For quite some time now, I’ve had Pacifica Ocean Citrus Body Wash in my shower. I mainly use it in the mornings because I find it to be very uplifting. The lemon scent puts me in a good mood for the day!

I haven’t used very many of Pacifica’s body care products, but I think the Ocean Citrus Body Wash is my favorite so far. If you’re like me and love lemon scented products, you may also enjoy the other three products in Pacifica’s Ocean Citrus collection. There’s a shimmer body lotion, body scrub, and even a body/pillow mist. All of those products sound amazing to me and I’m tempted to buy them all!

Pacifica Ocean Citrus Body Wash product description from PacificaBeauty.com

An uplifting aromatherapy blend of fresh lemons and a hint of vanilla to make your shower and bath your happy place!

Disclosure: IntegriBeauty includes affiliate links within product review posts. I receive commissions for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Additionally, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. IntegriBeauty is independently owned and all products discussed within IntegriBeauty product review posts are thoroughly tested and given honest reviews.

Other product details

• Price: $10.00
• Net weight: 12 oz. | 355 ml
• Made in the USA
• Cruelty-free
• Vegan
• 100% recycled plastic bottle
• Formulated without parabens, phthalates, SLS, and mineral oil
• Where to buy: PacificaBeauty.com and Amazon.com 
  • PacificaBeauty.com ships to the USA and Canada only.
  • Amazon.com ships internationally to over 100 countries, but not all items will ship to every country. Update your default shipping address to see items that will ship to your location.
• Overall rating: 9.4/10
  • Packaging: 10/10
  • Cleansing: 10/10
  • Ingredients: 7/10
  • Fragrance: 10/10
  • Price: 10/10

Packaging

Pacifica Ocean Citrus Body Wash, like most Pacifica products, is packaged beautifully. It comes in a plastic bottle with a convenient pump. I always prefer a pump for body wash so there’s no awkward fumbling with wet/soapy hands. The pump also makes it easy to get as much or as little body wash as I want! 

There are a couple of nice bonuses about this product’s packaging. The bottle is made from 100% recycled plastic. Also, it’s narrow to take up less space in the shower. I don’t know about you, but between my husband and I, there’s a lot of stuff in my shower and I appreciate products that have a smaller footprint.

Cleansing

This body wash does an excellent job of getting me squeaky clean from neck to toe (because you know I’m not using body wash on my face!). A little goes a long way with this body wash. A small amount creates a rich lather that makes me feel extra clean. 

I know a lot of people see “foaming” as a bad thing with body washes because that property often indicates that the formula is overly harsh and might strip moisture from the skin. Fortunately, I don’t find that to be the case with this body wash. While it makes me feel very clean, it never makes my skin feel dry. 🙂

Ingredients

I’m not as concerned with the ingredients in my body care products as I am for skincare (going on my face), but it’s still worth taking a look. Those with sensitive skin especially should check the ingredients to make sure there aren’t any potentially irritating ingredients. 

Sometimes ingredients reveal unexpected things about a product. That was the case for me when researching this product’s ingredients. Here’s the full ingredient list:

aqua, cocamidopropyl betaine, sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate, aloe barbadensis leaf juice, parfum*, allantoin, lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower/leaf/stem extract, ascorbic acid (vitamin C), laminaria digitata (sea kelp) extract, chamomile recutita (matricaria) flower extract, camellia sinensis (white tea) extract, arnica montana flower extract, sodium laurylglucosides hydroxypropylsulfonate, panthenol, glycerin, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoate, ethylhexylglycerin

*proprietary aromatherapy blend with natural & essential oils

This is quite an interesting list of ingredients. There are several good skin-loving ingredients, but there are also four bad ones as well as several “neutral” ingredients that make the product work without harming or helping the skin. I’ll go over the good ingredients first (please note that my primary resources for ingredient information are INCI Decoder and Paula’s Choice Ingredient Dictionary):

• Aloe barbadensis leaf juice
  • Moisturizer
  • Anti-inflammatory
• Allantoin
  • Soothes and conditions skin
• Ascorbic acid (a.k.a. L-ascorbic acid)
  • Purest and most researched form of vitamin C
  • Potent antioxidant
  • Evens and brightens skin tone
  • Boosts collagen production, which helps to keep skin smooth and firm
• Laminaria digitata (sea kelp) extract (I assume this ingredient is behind the name “Ocean Citrus”)
  • Contains antioxidants
  • Nourishes and hydrates the skin
• Chamomile recutita (matricaria) flower extract
  • Antioxidant
  • Skin-soothing
  • May cause a reaction in those that are aggravated by other plants in the daisy family (otherwise safe)
• Camellia sinensis (white tea) extract
  • Antioxidant
• Panthenol (provitamin B5)
  • Moisturizer
  • Humectant
• Glycerin
  • Natural moisturizer

Can you guess which ingredient I’m most excited about? Definitely ascorbic acid! I love vitamin C in skincare and I’m very happy to see it in this body wash, too! I’m pleasantly surprised to see that Pacifica chose to use ascorbic acid instead of a vitamin C derivative. Ascorbic acid is one of the most unstable skincare ingredients, but it’s also very effective when formulated and packaged well. You can find more information about ascorbic acid in my recent post on vitamin C in skincare. 

While vitamin C is the star of the show in my eyes, I’m still pleased to see these other ingredients that are so good for the skin. The moisturizing ingredients are especially good to see since skin gets extra dry this time of year. 

Now for the not so good ingredients…most products I review only have one or two ingredients that I consider to be “bad,” but this one unfortunately has four:

• Sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate
  • Cleansing agent with high cleaning power
  • Strong foaming property
  • Harsh on skin
• Parfum
  • Fragrance blend consisting of natural and essential oils (specific oils are not disclosed)
  • Potentially irritating, especially for those with sensitive skin
• Lavandula angustifolia (lavender) flower/leaf/stem extract
  • Fragrance
  • Potentially irritating, especially for those with sensitive skin
• Arnica montana flower extract
  • Some sources claim it has an anti-inflammatory property
  • May cause skin irritation

Of these four ingredients, I am most bothered by the fragrance ingredients. Normally fragrance is lower on the list, meaning that the concentration is low. In this case, both fragrance ingredients are in the top half of the list. I’m not sure why these ingredients aren’t farther down the list to minimize risk of irritation. I have been fortunate with this product and have never experienced any irritation.

Sodium C14-16 olefin sulfonate is the ingredient responsible for that pleasant foam I mentioned earlier in the review. Unfortunately, this is the kind of ingredient that can be quite drying. Luckily, the hydrating ingredients included in the formula help to offset that harshness. As for the arnica montana flower extract, I think it’s far enough down the list that it’s not too concerning.

Lastly, the “neutral” ingredients I mentioned are a solvent (water), gentle surfactants, and preservatives. These are all safe and support the formula.

Fragrance

I absolutely love the lemony scent of this body wash. It makes showers more fun! If you like lemon scented products, I can almost guarantee that you will enjoy this product.

Pacifica describes Ocean Citrus Body Wash as smelling like lemons with a hint of vanilla. Honestly, I don’t pick up on the vanilla, but you might! I don’t have the most discerning sense of smell.

The only thing I wish was different about the scent of this product, is that it could linger on the skin after it’s washed off. Unfortunately, once it’s down the drain the lovely lemon scent is gone. That’s true of most body washes, though! To get more lemony goodness after showering, you could also use the Ocean Citrus Body Lotion and Ocean Citrus Body & Pillow Mist.

Price

Pacifica Ocean Citrus Body Wash is very reasonably priced at only $10.00. There are a lot of body washes at the drugstore that you can pick up for well under $10.00. However, most of them are not cruelty-free or vegan. Also, I can almost guarantee that most of them can’t compete with Pacifica on ingredients or fragrance. 

I also feel that this body wash is a good value because a little really does go a long way. A bottle of this body wash will last you quite a while.

I’ve had this bottle of Pacifica Ocean Citrus Body Wash in my shower for months now and I still enjoy it very much! I think this may be my favorite body wash I’ve ever owned. Once I’ve used it up, I’m not sure if I’ll repurchase it, or try one of Pacifica’s other body washes. In addition to Ocean Citrus, Pacifica makes Cannabis Flower, Lavender Moon, Coconut Cream, and Strawberry Peach body washes. Strawberry Peach sounds great to me!

If you enjoy lemon scented products like I do, I highly recommend that you try this product. In my opinion, it checks all the boxes for a good body wash! Unfortunately, I do think it would be best for those with very sensitive skin to skip this product for reasons explained above in the ingredients section.

Which body wash is your favorite? Have you tried any from Pacifica? Let me know in the comments below!

Lauren

DISCLAIMER: At the time this blog post was written, Paula’s Choice was owned by TA Associates, a private equity firm. Unilever, which is not cruelty-free, announced on June 14, 2021, that it would be acquiring Paula’s Choice. Since I do not support cruelty-free companies owned by parent companies that are not cruelty-free, I will no longer purchase or review Paula’s Choice products.  I am not removing this review since I know many of my readers will still want to support Paula’s Choice.

Skin all over the body tends to get rough, dry, and itchy during colder months when the air is extra dry. I know mine has! Body scrubs like Pacifica Sugared Crystal Supercharged Body Scrub use sugar or a variety of other physical exfoliators to smooth and soften skin, but they may be too harsh for some people. A gentler and more thorough approach to exfoliation is to use chemical exfoliants like salicylic acid which increase the rate of skin cell turnover by loosening the bonds between skin cells.

A few months ago, I reviewed the Paula’s Choice 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant which is a very effective facial exfoliator. Paula’s Choice doesn’t only make chemical exfoliant products for the face though; they also have a couple for the body! Paula’s Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA has the same active ingredient as the 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant, salicylic acid. I feel fortunate that Paula’s Choice sent the Weightless Body Treatment to me as a free gift with some skincare products that I ordered, because if they hadn’t I probably wouldn’t even know this product existed!

Importance of sun protection with chemical exfoliants

Please remember that it’s very important to wear sufficient sun protection when using exfoliants on the face or body. When you have a layer of dead skin cells on top of your fresh new skin, that layer provides some sun protection. Once that layer is exfoliated away, the new outer layer of skin is more sensitive to the sun, and more likely to burn. 

Product claims directly from PaulasChoice.com

This leave-on body exfoliant with 2% BHA, also known as salicylic acid, gently exfoliates built-up layers of dead skin to reveal the radiant, smooth skin hiding underneath. Works from the first application to visibly make rough, dry skin a thing of the past. Ongoing use banishes dullness and promotes resilient skin that’s touchably soft and ultimately smooth. This is a customer favorite, suitable even for skin prone to keratosis pilaris.

• 2% salicylic acid softens and refines rough skin
• Antioxidants safeguard skin and keep it healthy
• Silky lightweight lotion feels beautiful on skin
• Ideal for hard, clogged pores on the arms and legs

Disclosure: IntegriBeauty includes affiliate links within product review posts. I receive commissions for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Additionally, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. IntegriBeauty is independently owned and all products discussed within IntegriBeauty product review posts are thoroughly tested and given honest reviews.

Other product details

• Price: $28.00 (full size) OR $7.00 (travel size)
• Net weight: 7 oz. | 210 ml (full size) OR 2 oz. | 60 ml (travel size)
• Made in the USA
• Cruelty-free
• Fragrance-free
• Non-irritating
• pH range of 3.5-3.9
• Shelf life: 12 months
• Where to buy: PaulasChoice.com or Amazon.com 
  • Available through Paula’s Choice in 20+ countries/regions (each has its own website; they can all be found here) 
  • Amazon.com ships internationally to over 100 countries, but not all items will ship to every country. Update your default shipping address to see items that will ship to your location.
• Overall rating: 9.4/10
  • Packaging/ease of application: 10/10
  • Exfoliation: 10/10
  • Greasiness: 10/10
  • Ingredients: 9/10
  • Price: 8/10

Please note that I am not a skincare professional. I am simply an individual that enjoys learning about and using skincare products. Speak to your dermatologist or esthetician if you have any concerns.

Packaging/ease of application

Paula’s Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA is packaged in a tall opaque squeeze tube with a small opening. This type of packaging is fairly effective for protecting the actives (salicylic acid and antioxidant ingredients) from degradation due to exposure to light and air. The squeeze tube also makes it easy to dispense the proper amount of product. 

The product itself is very easy to use. Its formula is lightweight, as implied by the name, and smooths easily over the skin. I’ve also found that I don’t need as much of this type of product compared to most lotions or other body moisturizers. 

When I use this body treatment, I use it alone. However, since it is a lightweight formula, I believe that any type of moisturizer could be applied over it without any problems. The instructions from Paula’s Choice state that this body treatment should be applied first if using with a moisturizer. I think that’s very important for proper absorption of the active ingredients in this product.

Exfoliation

My favorite type of chemical exfoliant is salicylic acid, which is a beta hydroxy acid (BHA). I’m happy that salicylic acid is also the magic ingredient in this body treatment from Paula’s Choice! I was hopeful that this product would be as effective for exfoliation on the body as the 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant is for the face, since they contain the same concentration of salicylic acid. I was not disappointed!

I apply this body treatment on nights that I feel like my skin needs something extra, like moisturizer isn’t going to cut it. I primarily use it on my arms, legs, and hips since those are the areas that get the most dry on my body. When I wake up the next morning after applying this body treatment, my skin feels very smooth and lightly hydrated. 

My favorite use for this product is on my arms because I think I have a mild case of keratosis pilaris (KP) which causes me to get little red bumps on my arms. Since this body treatment exfoliates away dead skin cells, it smooths those bumps and makes the skin on my arms look much more healthy. Body scrubs can also help with this problem, but I think chemical exfoliation is more effective.

Greasiness

Greasy body products don’t bother me as much as a greasy hand cream, but in general I prefer my products to be non-greasy. If a product is non-greasy, that usually means that it’s quick to apply and absorbs quickly.

Paula’s Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA may look very similar to a body lotion (most of which are at least a little bit greasy), but it feels very different. As I mentioned previously, this product is very lightweight. It’s thin and not at all greasy! This body treatment smooths over my skin quickly and absorbs within a couple of minutes so I don’t feel like I’m getting it all over my pajamas or clothes when I get dressed.

It’s clear that Paula’s Choice put a lot of thought into the texture of this product. The ingredient list reflects this! I’ll go into a little more detail about that in the next section.

Ingredients

I was expecting to see quite a bit of similarity between the ingredient list for the Paula’s Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA and 2% BHA Gel Exfoliant, but they are actually quite different! Of course this is a body product instead of a face product, but they perform the same basic function. The textures of each of the formulas are vastly different, however, and I think that’s probably why the ingredient lists aren’t more similar. 

Water, Butylene Glycol, Cetyl Alcohol, PPG-14 Butyl Ether, Salicylic Acid, Dimethicone, Tocopheryl Acetate, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Epilobium Angustifolium Flower/Leaf/Stem (Willowherb) Extract, Camellia Oleifera (Green Tea) Leaf Extract, Vanilla Planifolia Fruit Extract, Bisabolol, Allantoin, Cyclopentasiloxane, Cyclohexasiloxane, Dimethiconol, PEG-40 Stearate, Sorbitan Stearate, PVM/MA Decadiene Crosspolymer, Polyacrylamide, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth-7, Disodium EDTA, Sodium Hydroxide, Hexylene Glycol, Caprylyl Glycol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexylglycerin, Phenoxyethanol

This looks like a pretty scary list of ingredients, but they’re actually all either good skin-loving ingredients, or “neutral” ingredients that support the formula. There isn’t a single “bad” ingredient in this product! I’ll provide information on the standout ingredients below (please note that my primary resources for ingredient information are INCI Decoder and Paula’s Choice Ingredient Dictionary): 

• PPG-14 butyl ether
  • Skin-replenishing
  • Improves the appearance of dry or damaged skin
• Salicylic acid
  • Beta hydroxy acid (exfoliant)
  • Anti-inflammatory
• Tocopheryl acetate
  • Most common form of vitamin E
  • Antioxidant
  • Strengthens skin
• Chamomilla recutita (matricaria) flower extract
  • Antioxidant
  • Potent skin-soothing property
  • May aggravate skin that is sensitive to plants in the daisy family
• Epilobium angustifolium (willowherb) extract
  • Antioxidant
  • Skin-soothing
• Camellia oleifera (green tea) leaf extract
  • Antioxidant
  • Anti-inflammatory
• Vanilla planifolia fruit extract
  • Antioxidant
  • Skin-soothing
• Bisabolol
  • Skin-soothing
• Allantoin
  • Skin-soothing

Some of these ingredients may seem a bit redundant, but I’m glad to see so many soothing ingredients paired with salicylic acid. Chemical exfoliants can be irritating to sensitive skin or skin that hasn’t had time to adjust to the exfoliating ingredients. Skin on the body usually isn’t as sensitive as skin on the face so I don’t think most people would experience any irritation, but it’s good that Paula’s Choice took the precaution of adding those soothing ingredients to keep skin calm. Since chamomile is known for being such a soothing ingredient, I was surprised to see that it has the potential to aggravate skin. Fortunately, that only applies to people that are sensitive to plants in the daisy family.

The other twenty are a wide variety of “neutral” ingredients such as emulsifiers, thickeners, other texture enhancers, and preservatives. The vast majority contribute to the texture of the formula to make it feel smooth and absorb quickly. The main ingredients responsible for the texture of this formula are the four silicones (dimethicone, cyclopentasiloxane, cyclohexasiloxane, and dimethiconol), PVM/MA decadiene crosspolymer (creates a gel consistency), polyacrylamide, C13-14 isoparaffin, and Laureth-7 (this ingredient works with the previous two to create a non-tacky gel formula).

I think it’s so interesting learning about the ingredients that work together to make a product work. Overall I’m very pleased with the ingredients used in this body treatment! I’d be even happier if the percentage of “good” (versus “neutral”) was higher, but honestly in this case I don’t think it’s a problem. All of the standout ingredients that I outlined in the bullet points above are in the first half of the list, and six of them are in the top ten! That’s great news since the ingredients closest to the top have the highest concentrations.

Price

My perspective on the $28.00 price of this body treatment varies depending on how it’s being used. For someone like me that uses it as needed instead of daily, I think it’s worth it because it’s lasted me a long time. On the other hand, people that want to use it daily will probably run through a tube rather quickly. I wouldn’t pay $28.00 for this if I planned to use it daily because I’d probably run through it in about a month. That’s just my opinion, though. Everyone has a unique perspective and budget.

This product is definitely effective and a great solution for those in need of gentle exfoliation. I’m only taking two points away in this category since I do think the price is fair for those looking for an “as needed” body treatment for especially dry or bumpy skin.

I am very happy to have Paula’s Choice Weightless Body Treatment 2% BHA in my body care collection, especially this time of year when my skin needs a little extra help. I think I only use it about once a week, but my skin always thanks me when I do!

I think this product would be great for anyone that struggles with very dry or rough bumpy skin. The only exceptions would be people with very sensitive skin. Anyone with sensitivity to plants in the daisy family definitely should avoid this product. Everyone else, I suggest you get your paws on this product ASAP! Your skin will thank you. 🙂

Have you ever tried body care products from Paula’s Choice? Paula’s Choice has such a huge range of products, their body care is often overlooked and definitely underrated!

Lauren

Genetics, activity level, diet, environment, and age can all impact which products will and will not work for us. The search for the “perfect” natural deodorant can be discouraging. Natural deodorants are definitely one of the most difficult products to shop for. It’s common for people to try multiple different brands and/or scents before finding one that works well to control armpit odor and wetness.

Some people may struggle more than others with the quest to find the right natural deodorant, if they have sensitive skin or if they sweat excessively. I’m in the second group. I used to sweat a lot even when I used to use antiperspirant deodorants, so as you can imagine, it hasn’t been easy for me to find a natural deodorant that helps me to feel comfortable and dry. I previously reviewed Pacifica Coconut Cream Clean Deodorant, and it was better than nothing for controlling armpit odor and wetness, but I needed something stronger. When I was almost finished working through that deodorant a couple of months ago, I started a long search for a product that would work better for my needs. After a few weeks of weeding through reviews for a wide variety of cruelty-free natural deodorants, I settled on a trial size set of SmartyPits Super-Strength Aluminum Free Deodorant. I’d never heard of SmartyPits, but their “super-strength” formula caught my eye because the first two ingredients are arrowroot powder and baking soda. I need those absorbent ingredients to help me feel dry throughout the day. 

It’s a better value to buy the full-size SmartyPits deodorants, but I went with the trial size set because I couldn’t choose a scent and knew that some scents may not work with my body’s chemistry as well as others. I really appreciate that SmartyPits offers the trial size set for those of us that are unsure of which scent may work best. The smaller trial size deodorants would also be perfect for travel. The trial size set includes four 0.5 oz. deodorants in Coconut Mango, Eucalyptus Spearmint, Tweed + Spice, and Cool Cucumber. I was very surprised to find that my favorite scent of the four is Cool Cucumber!

Before I get into the review of this product, I’d like to tell you one reason I chose SmartyPits. The company donates $0.30 from every full-size deodorant to City of Hope for their breast cancer research and education. They’ve also donated 10,000+ sticks of deodorant to breast cancer warriors and survivors. I love supporting companies that give back!

Product claims directly from SmartyPits.com

If you’ve never used a natural deodorant before and don’t have generally sensitive skin, our standard formula is a great place to start. Baking soda is one of the strongest odor-fighters out there which is why we call our standard formula Super Strength! This is our best-selling product that helps you stay odor-free all day from a single application.

By studying the biological causes of body odor, we’ve developed a formulation that attacks the root cause on three levels:

• A blend of vegetable based powders and oils help to absorb & wick away wetness, separating it from your skin with a moisturizing barrier
• Mineral ingredients like baking soda neutralize the environment where the odor-causing bacteria thrives
• Prebiotics (plant-based food for good bacteria) contribute to the biodiversity & strength of your skin microbiome

Disclosure: IntegriBeauty includes affiliate links within product review posts. I receive commissions for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Additionally, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. IntegriBeauty is independently owned and all products discussed within IntegriBeauty product review posts are thoroughly tested and given honest reviews.

Other product details

• Where to buy full size SmartyPits Super-Strength deodorants: Amazon.com $12.99 or SmartyPits.com $11.99
• Where to buy SmartyPits Super-Strength trial size deodorant set: SmartyPits.com $18.49
  • Amazon.com ships internationally to over 100 countries, but not all items will ship to every country. Update your default shipping address to see items that will ship to your location.
  • SmartyPits.com ships internationally via the United States Postal Service.
• Net weight: 2.9 oz.
• Made in the USA
• Cruelty-free
• Shelf life: 18 months
• Formulated without aluminum, parabens, phthalates, propylene glycol, and talc
• Several scents available (including some that change seasonally)
• 100% recyclable packaging
• Overall rating: 8.8/10
  • Packaging/ease of application: 6/10
  • Odor prevention: 8/10
  • Sweat absorption: 10/10
  • Ingredients: 10/10
  • Price: 10/10

Packaging/ease of application

Most of the SmartyPits deodorants are packaged in traditional plastic packaging that looks just like most deodorants (SmartyPits.com offers a sustainable plastic-free option for some scents). I like this type of packaging just fine. I don’t feel strongly about it except for the fact that it prevents me from having to touch the product with my hands. Some natural deodorants are packaged in jars and the product must be scooped out and applied by hand. Something about that idea weirds me out!

The formula of this deodorant unfortunately makes it a bit difficult to apply. When you open a fresh tube, it looks creamy and smooth like most deodorants. It is creamy, but for some reason it balls up every time I apply it. I have to be careful to apply it over the sink because sometimes a little bit will fall off. It helps if I use light pressure and only apply a small amount. To clean up the balled up bits from my underarms, I press the stick over those areas and it picks up that excess product to be used later. I find this to be more of an inconvenience and it doesn’t detract from me wanting to continue using this product.

Odor prevention

This deodorant does the best job of all the natural deodorants I’ve tried so far, at preventing odor. I’m unfortunately one to get stinky pretty quickly, especially in stressful situations. Working from home, I don’t have as many stressful days, but it still happens from time to time and I need good odor protection.

The reason I took a couple of points away in this category is that even though this product generally does a good job of keeping odors at bay, I do often notice that I start to smell bad around late afternoon. If I reapply, the scents I’ve tried do a good job of masking the odor. 

I don’t fault this deodorant too much for its slightly insufficient odor prevention because I honestly think this has something to do with my body’s unique chemistry. I know a lot of people don’t have sweat that smells as much as mine does.

I apply this deodorant every morning and evening, and doing that seems to help keep me smelling fresh most of the time. The formula is not irritating to my skin, so I can reapply more often as needed.

Sweat absorption

In addition to odor prevention, this deodorant is also the best I’ve tried for sweat absorption/wicking. I notice a big difference between this product and others I’ve tried. This formula is very absorbent, thanks to the arrowroot powder and baking soda! A lot of deodorants don’t contain baking soda because that ingredient can be irritating to sensitive skin, but it is very effective at absorbing moisture (and also preventing odor) so I always look for it in new formulas.

I just started using this SmartyPits deodorant in November so I can’t say how effective it will be in warmer months, but so far it’s been keeping me dry almost all day most days. I only notice that I’m sweating if I’m up doing housework or exercising. All natural deodorants have a limit since they don’t actually prevent sweating like antiperspirants do, but this one is very effective at absorbing sweat and wicking it away from the skin.

Ingredients

I was impressed that Pacifica’s deodorant only had 14 ingredients, but SmartyPits Super-Strength deodorants only have nine!

Arrowroot Powder, Sodium Bicarbonate (Baking Soda), Beeswax, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride (Fractionated Coconut Oil), Hydrogenated Avocado Oil (Avocado Butter), Coconut Oil, Fragrance, Tocopherol (Vitamin E), Inulin

This ingredients list consists of a good mix of neutral ingredients that support the formula, as well as some really good ingredients that have unique benefits:

• Hydrogenated avocado oil
  • Deeply penetrating oil that moisturizes the skin
  • Rich in vitamins and fatty acids
• Coconut oil
  • Moisturizes and seals in moisture
  • Provides a solid foundation for the formula
• Tocopherol (vitamin E)
  • Antioxidant
  • Strengthens skin barrier
• Inulin
  • Natural prebiotic (reduces growth of bad bacteria while promoting good bacteria)

A lot of natural deodorants have moisturizing ingredients, but I was intrigued by the inulin. I don’t believe any of the natural deodorants I’ve tried in the past have contained any sort of prebiotic, but I think it’s brilliant that SmartyPits chose to include that ingredient! The inulin probably contributes a lot to the odor prevention property of this formula.

I labelled the arrowroot powder and baking soda as “neutral” ingredients in this formula, but they are actually really important. As I mentioned previously, these are absorbent ingredients. The other neutral ingredients are emollients which make the deodorant have a creamy texture.

The one and only “bad” ingredient in this deodorant is the fragrance. SmartyPits doesn’t disclose what the fragrance is, but some of the fragrances used may be irritating for those with sensitive skin. Fortunately, there is an unscented option! Because of that, I didn’t deduct any points from this rating category.

Price

Natural deodorants unfortunately tend to be more expensive than conventional antiperspirant deodorants. SmartyPits deodorants are priced consistently with most other brands that I’ve researched. There are certainly many that are more expensive, but it’s rare to see one that is less expensive than this one priced at $11.99. I think SmartyPits priced this deodorant especially well considering how effective it is (at least for me it is), the quality of the ingredients, and the company’s values.

While I don’t think SmartyPits Super-Strength Aluminum Free Deodorant is my “perfect” deodorant, it’s definitely a great product, and one that will be difficult to beat! I am undecided on if I will order any of the full size sticks of this deodorant, but I am leaning toward “yes.” 🙂

SmartyPits is a wonderful company to support and it seems like they have an option for everyone! Their Super-Strength formula is perfect for people like me that sweat a lot, but SmartyPits also offers a sensitive skin formula that is made without baking soda (as well as fragrance free options in both Super-Strength and Sensitive). There are also teen deodorants that have unique fragrances (and are a bit smaller and less expensive), trial sizes (sold individually or as sets on SmartyPits.com), “Ultra Smooth & Sensitive” deodorant creams in jars, and foot deodorants.

Have you made the switch to natural deodorant? If you’re still thinking about it, you may find my blog post Natural Deodorant Products–Pros, Cons, and Everything in Between helpful.

For those of you that have already made the switch, what is your favorite cruelty-free natural deodorant? I love hearing about what works well for others!

Lauren

If you’ve read my previous skincare and body care product reviews, you probably know I’m not the biggest fan of most essential oils because they can sensitize the skin. Essential oils are usually added to beauty products as natural fragrances, but that is not true for all of them. Tea tree oil is a unique essential oil because while it can be sensitizing if a high concentration is applied to the skin, in smaller amounts it can be quite beneficial. It is an antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antifungal, antibacterial, and is also good for treating acne.

Tea tree oil can be found in a variety of products. It is especially popular as a natural option for treating acne and other skin concerns. I am fortunate that I no longer get blemishes on my skin very often, but I still enjoy using some tea tree oil products for their antibacterial property. I’m currently using Beauty by Earth Peppermint Tea Tree Body Wash. My skin always feels extra refreshed thanks to the peppermint scent, and I enjoy knowing that the tea tree oil will banish bacteria so I can feel extra squeaky clean.

Product claims directly from BeautybyEarth.com

Give your daily shower a little more power with our antibacterial body wash. Enhanced with skin-supporting tea tree oil, it naturally cares for sensitive and problematic skin. Helps prevent and treat acne, psoriasis, or eczema. 

Disclosure: IntegriBeauty includes affiliate links within product review posts. I receive commissions for purchases made through these links at no additional cost to you. Additionally, as an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. IntegriBeauty is independently owned and all products discussed within IntegriBeauty product review posts are thoroughly tested and given honest reviews.

Other product details

• Price: $21.99
• Net weight: 16 oz.
• Made in the USA
• Cruelty-free (Leaping Bunny certified)
• Vegan
• Gluten-free
• Shelf life: 12 months
• No sulfates, parabens, dyes, perfume, phthalates, or mineral oil
• 100% natural ingredients (more than 75% of ingredients are certified organic)
• Where to buy: BeautybyEarth.com or Amazon.com
  • BeautybyEarth.com ships internationally for a flat fee of $28.00.
  • Amazon.com ships internationally to over 100 countries, but not all items will ship to every country. Update your default shipping address to see items that will ship to your location.
• Overall rating: 8.8/10
  • Packaging/ease of application: 8/10
  • Cleansing: 10/10
  • Ingredients: 8/10
  • Fragrance: 10/10
  • Price: 8/10

Packaging/ease of application

Beauty by Earth Peppermint Tea Tree Body Wash is packaged in a very attractive bottle with a pump. It looks so nice in my shower and the pump works great. I vastly prefer a pump for my body wash over a squeeze tube. It’s nice to be able to pump out more product as needed rather than needing to open the bottle every time I need more.

My one complaint in this category, and the reason I deducted two points, is that I need to use much more of this body wash than I do with other body washes. I like body wash that produces a nice lather, and while this one does that, I have to use about twice as much as I would with other body washes. I assume this is due to the natural ingredients used in this product.

Cleansing

While I wish I didn’t need to use as much of this product to get my body clean, I have to give credit where credit is due. This body wash does an excellent job of getting my skin very clean. Most body washes accomplish that goal for me, but this one goes above and beyond because of its antibacterial property! My skin always feels fresh and completely clean after I’ve used this body wash.

Ingredients

It was difficult for me to rate the ingredients in this body wash. You’ll understand why once I’ve described each of the 11 ingredients:

Aqua, Saponified Oils of Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil* and Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil*, Vegetable Glycerin*, Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Essential Oil*, Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba (Guar) Gum, Melaleuca Alternafolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil, Citrus Sinensis (Sweet Orange) Oil, Litsea Cubeba (Litsea) Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil*, Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract

*certified organic

• Aqua (Water)
  • Solvent for other ingredients
• Saponified Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil
  • Surfactant
  • Emulsifier
  • Sunflower seed oil mixed with potassium hydroxide and water, and heated, turning the oil into soap
  • Sunflower seed oil improves a damaged or irritated skin barrier and contains fatty acids which help to keep skin hydrated
• Saponified Cocos Nucifera (Coconut) Oil
  • Surfactant
  • Emulsifier
  • Coconut oil mixed with potassium hydroxide and water, and heated, turning the oil into soap
  • Coconut oil moisturizes and seals in moisture
• Vegetable Glycerin
  • Natural moisturizer
• Mentha Piperita (Peppermint) Essential Oil
  • Refreshing/cooling essential oil
  • Potential skin irritant for some, while also possessing the ability to soothe itchy skin in others (doesn’t make much sense, does it?)
  • Mild antibacterial property
• Cyamopsis Tetragonoloba (Guar) Gum
  • Natural thickener
• Melaleuca Alternifolia (Tea Tree) Leaf Oil
  • Antibacterial
  • Anti-inflammatory
  • May clear blemishes
  • Irritating only if used in concentrations over 10%
• Citrus Sinensis (Sweet Orange) Oil
  • Fragrance that may cause sensitization
  • May be effective for treating acne
  • Antibacterial
  • Anti-inflammatory
• Litsea Cubeba (Litsea) Oil
  • Fragrance that may cause sensitization
  • Antibacterial
• Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil
  • Wax ester that stays on the skin surface to moisturize and make skin soft
• Rosmarinus Officinalis (Rosemary) Leaf Extract
  • Antibacterial
  • Astringent
  • Contains rosmarinic acid, a potent antioxidant and anti-inflammatory

There are many skin benefits found in most of these ingredients. The thing that concerns me, however, is how high peppermint oil is on the ingredient list. While it may be soothing for some people, it can have the opposite effect for others. I’m very surprised to see an essential oil this high up the list, since it could have quite a high concentration. Fortunately, this is a body wash rather than a leave-on product, which means this product isn’t very likely to be irritating to most people, despite the potentially irritating essential oils.

I was surprised and impressed to see that five of the ingredients have antibacterial properties. I think that is probably the main reason Beauty by Earth recommends this product for acne-prone skin.

Fragrance

I recognize the risks of using essential oils in skincare and body care products, but in this body wash, they create a very pleasant fragrance. I mostly smell the peppermint oil, but I can also detect the scent of tea tree oil slightly. I enjoy the smell of peppermint, especially this time of year. It’s such a clean and refreshing fragrance, and reminds me of candy canes!

Price

Beauty by Earth Peppermint Tea Tree Body Wash is $21.99 and there are a lot of things that must be taken into consideration when determining if that is a fair price or not. There are a lot of pros with this product: it is all natural, packaged nicely, cleans well, and smells great. On the other hand, more of this product is needed for thorough cleansing compared to a traditional body wash (which means it won’t last as long), it contains potentially irritating essential oils, and $21.99 is a much higher price than what I would usually pay for a body wash. While this is a good product, I think it is just a little bit overpriced.

I have really been enjoying using my Beauty by Earth Peppermint Tea Tree Body Wash, especially now that the holiday season is in full swing! 

Just like with most of the products I review, this body wash isn’t for everyone. If you know you’re sensitive to essential oils, particularly peppermint oil, it might be best to pass on this body wash.

For others, this might be just the thing you’re looking for. A lot of body washes contain synthetic ingredients that can be drying to the skin. This product is a good natural alternative to those traditional body washes.

Do you enjoy using body wash, or do you prefer bar soap? I use both, but have been reaching for this body wash more often lately. 🙂

Lauren