As a working mom I get precious little time to myself so the five (okay 25) minutes I spend in the shower each morning are my sanctuary. And what better than to luxuriate with a body scrub to leave you feeling refreshed and glowing?
Est?e Lauder Body Performance Exfoliating Body Polish
Sleek products and sleek packaging are what we have come to expect from Est?e Lauder and the Body Performance Exfo Exfoliating Body Polish is no exception. A rich, white cream that is unbelievably smooth for a body scrub really will leave you feeling polished. I had a slight sheen for the rest of the day. The polish works via a system of beads: skin-refining beads for an intensive and precise polishing action, and moisturising beads with encapsulated Vitamin E.
Price: £23 for 200ml
Available from: 25 beauty counters around Cyprus
Dove Gentle Exfoliating Body Scrub
This was the one of two among those tested that lathered up like a soap or shower gel. A pale pink thick cream with attractive red granules, it felt quite rough on the skin but also invigorating. Dove’s claim that the product is made of 25 per cent moisturising cream was backed up by the smooth feel of my skin for the rest of the day. Real products for real people, their slogan says. They could add at prices almost everyone can afford.
Price: £3 for 200ml
Available from: supermarkets
Apivita energy salt scrub
This scrub, presented in a heavy glass tub, is enriched with ginger, lime and green tea to energise. It smells divine in the pot, with a trace of ginger. It is quite runny, pale orange with small grains to exfoliate in addition to Dead Sea salts and vitamins. I tried it after a hard day at the office when I was due to go out with friends. It helped perk me up and keep me going till the small hours. The glass tub is quite difficult to handle when in the shower but well worth the effort.
Price: £9.90 for 190ml
Available from: pharmacies around the island
Tisserand Organic Lavender Exfoliating Body Scrub
I’m a sucker for anything with lavender in it and this bright purple package (which makes it ideal for gifts) attracted me immediately. An all-over scrub that is lightly scented by the essential oil of organic lavender, this one feels almost like clay when applied. Its smoothness is luxurious. It also contains raspberry and exfoliating vanilla in addition to rosemary and white nettle to tone the skin. Left mine feeling fresh all day.
Price: £11 for 125ml
Available from: Foreveressence Trading, Tel: 25 347129 for stockists or to order direct
Marks & Spencer Spa Life Body Exfoliator
This range from M&S is based on the sea and just the look of the tube is almost enough on a workday morning in Nicosia to imagine yourself in those turquoise waters. A fresh-smelling gel that contains particles of natural loofah and apricot seeds to exfoliate. It is a bit rougher than most of the other products but that is refreshing, although I needed to use quite a lot to cover my whole body. It’s squeezy tube and flip top lid make it very easy to use in the shower.
Price: £3 for 200ml
Available from: Marks & Spencer stores around the island
Korres Grape Seeds Body Scrub
Madonna is reportedly a fan of Korres products and after using this scrub I am starting to understand why. Quite a rough scrub, it squeezed easily out of the tube, looking almost like mud. The grape seeds help to remove dead skin, while red vine leaf extract improves blood circulation and relieves tired legs, which is worth getting into the shower for if you are anything like me and wake up with flagging limbs. A refreshing product that left me smelling clean and feeling refreshed, although not quite up to the onstage acrobatics of Madonna.
Price: £8.10 for 150ml
Available from: Herm?s, Habitat and Beauty Line
L’Occitane Lemon, Cardamom, Eucalyptos Body Scrub Gel
There are lots of body scrubs to choose from at L’Occitane, most of which seem to be choc full of Shea butter. This one however is, as the name indicates, more of a gel. I was expecting it to be green, but it is a white gel with small pieces of apricot kernel and walnut shell to exfoliate. The essential oils of eucalyptus and lemon made this one of the most scented scrubs used and also, its freshness made it both ideal for men (and indeed my husband was keen to get his hands on it) and for waking up in the morning. It is also one of only two that froth up like a shower gel. I will be back to try the other scrubs.
Price: £9.50 for 250ml
Available from: L’Occitane, Themistocles Dervis Street, Nicosia. Tel: 22 818151
