Kiehl's Gently Exfoliating Body Scrub

RRP: £22/200ml
available in: Pear Tree Corner, Coriander, Grapefruit, Lavender

--What does the promo say?--
"Our creamy and highly effective body scrub gently exfoliates to remove dead surface skin cells without over-drying, leaving skin feeling silky-soft, refreshed and primed for moisturisation."

--Packaging--
In typical Kiehl's style, it looks like it's stepped straight off the shelf of a nineteenth-century pharmacy. The label looks crowded, but it's simpler than it initially appears, and I like how they haven't wasted time on gimmicky images. The company has also really improved the robustness of its packaging in recent years and the flip-top lids are much stronger than they used to be.

--Application--
Visitors to the Kiehl's website are counselled as follows: "Apply a small amount to wet skin and lightly massage in an upward, circular motion. Rinse or remove with a washcloth for further exfoliation. For optimal skin effect after shower pat skin dry and immediately apply the Kiehl's body moisturizer of your choice. if contact with eyes occurs rinse immediately with water." I'd say that the body moisturising (even if not with a Kiehl's product) afterwards is necessary on some parts of the body, especially the feet, for reasons that I'll talk more about in a moment. Application and usage of this product is easy with no problems.

--Scent--
Very sweet and definitely pear-like; some might think it's a bit sickly, so it may not be for everyone. However, there are other scents available, and they're all faithful to the scents they're supposed to represent, meaning that you always get what you expect.

--Appearance--
A white cream in which the exfoliating grains are definitely visible. Doesn't lather up much on the body but leaves nothing visible once you're done.

--Texture and consistency--
Appropriately scrubby while still remaining creamy, non-irritating, and luxurious.

--Effects on the skin--
As I alluded to above, moisturisation may still be necessary after use of this scrub on especially dry areas, since it doesn't hydrate as much as the creamy texture might lead you to believe. On these really very dry areas, the scrub manages to smoothen out the dry skin without getting rid of it completely. However, on areas of the body where the skin is more 'normally' hydrated to start with, it does well in leaving skin smooth and soft.

--Value for money--
This is a good day-to-day maintenance product which is even gentle enough to use around the bikini line and under the arms to prevent ingrown hairs, but I wouldn't use it as a stand-alone treatment. If you have dry skin that really needs eliminating fast, go for something more hardcore (perhaps such as Lush's Ocean Salt) along with any top-quality moisturiser. It also won't have escaped your attention that this stuff is pretty expensive, but then again most Kiehl's stuff is. I was lucky enough to get mine in the sale at nearly 50% off, so it's worth shopping around for.

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