As a company, The Body Shop has long been an innovator in the beauty industry. Its U.K. origins started the first major campaign to end animal testing for cosmetic purposes in 1989 (with great success in Europe). As the company grew, it pioneered the idea of fair trade ingredients (paying workers a fair wage when sourcing ingredients from around the world), a zero tolerance policy for animal testing, and a commitment to enriching lives through its business, rather than exploiting them.
I’ve had the amazing opportunity to work with this company for a couple of years and discovered that all their products live up to the hype. Here are the top ten Body Shop products that your skin can’t live without!
1. Camomile Sumptuous Cleansing Butter Makeup Remover
What is it? A luxurious makeup remover for the face and eyes.
For which skin type? ALL skin types, but particularly suitable for sensitive.
The hype: It quite literally melts off ALL makeup, long-lasting lip stains and waterproof foundations alike.
If you regularly wear heavy eye makeup, or most cleansers irritate your skin, this cleansing balm is for you! Apply, massage into the makeup, then rinse off, and it’ll leave your skin feeling super soft.
2. Amazonian Acai Energizing Radiance Mask
What is it? A feel-good face mask
For which skin type? Most skin types, but particularly good for combination or dull-looking skin.
The hype: Instant radiance-boost, 100% VEGAN.
Acai berries and fair trade babassu oil work together in this mask to soften and exfoliate the skin. The fresh smell and tingly feeling on your face is amazing if you need some extra help perking-up in the mornings. It’s a gentle enough face mask to use several times a week.
3. Lip Care, Lip Scuff & Hemp Lip Protector
What is it? Two lip balms, one lip “scuff” or scrub.
For which skin type? EVERYONE needs a good lip balm, but the scrub is especially good for chapped lips during the winter season.
The hype: Dermatologist tested, cute packaging.
No more drugstore lip chaps! Many of them contain high concentrations of fragrance or alcohol, which will dry out your lips and have you constantly reapplying. The Hemp Lip Protector contains hemp seed oil to moisturize, and beeswax to seal moisture into the skin (pro tip: this makes THE best lipstick primer). The Lip Care comes in the cutest packaging and delivers a high-shine dose of moisture for your lips.
Pair either balm with the Lip Scuff, which you can use on a daily basis or to help remove stubborn lip stains. Small coconut grains exfoliate your dead skin cells away, while spearmint extract leaves your lips feeling super fresh.
4. Vitamin E Aqua Boost Essence Lotion
What is it? A lightweight, nourishing moisturizer for the face.
For which skin type? Dry or moderately oily skin.
The hype: Shine-free finish, paraben-free.
This is my favourite moisturizer to recommend to clients with combination or oily skin types! It’s lightweight and won’t clog your pores or leave your skin looking shiny. It serves as an excellent day cream, and transitions well between the seasons if your skin is prone to changes. The cooling sensation it leaves behind is unreal, particularly if you have easily irritated skin.
5. Satsuma … EVERYTHING
What is it? A fresh-smelling bodycare line.
For which skin type? For citrus-lovers.
The hype: Energizing smell, keeps away the bugs!
The Satsuma bodycare line features a shower gel, scrub, fragrances, body lotions, and even a home fragrance. It’s a favourite in store and layers well if you regularly wear a strong perfume (the citrus smells strong in the packaging, but blends nicely into the skin). Pro tip: this is an unreal line to wear in the summer as its strong citrus odours keep away the mosquitos better than the average bugspray!
The body butter is formulated with community trade Shea butter, and provides 24 hour moisture.
6. Tea Tree 3-In-1 Wash, Scrub, Mask
What is it? A facial cleanser, scrub, or mask (you pick!)
For which skin type? Combination or oily skin types.
The hype: Deep cleansing product, organic tea tree oil.
I really can’t stop saying enough amazing things about this product! If you’re prone to blemishes or get the occasional stubborn zits, the 3-in-1 instantly targets and helps prevent them in the long run. It features naturally antibacterial tea tree oil to kill the pimple-causing bacteria, volcanic mineral for a deep scrub, and has a kaolin clay base.
The Kaolin clay is the real hero here, as this lets the product transition from a wash/scrub to a face mask and makes it appropriate for somewhat sensitive skin types. Leave it on for 10 to 15 minutes and the mask will slightly harden and tingle.
Pro tip: If you’re prone to sleeping with your makeup on after a long night out (it’s bad, but we all do it), the mixture of exfoliating and the concentration of tea tree oil is a great way to save your skin and prevent the breakouts likely forming in those clogged pores
7. Black Musk Fragrances
What is it? A fragrance range
For whom? People who like their perfumes sweet and musky
The hype: Synthetic musk (rather than animal-derived) and organic alcohol
If you’re looking for your next signature scent, you just found it. Black Musk notably pairs pear, pepper, liquorice and vanilla for a unique scent that I’ve yet to find anywhere else. The packaging is sleek and the price is mind blowing ($16-$35).
To keep your fragrance lasting longer, layer it with the matching shower gel and lotion.
8. Drops of Light Pure Clarifying Face Wash
What is it? A creamy face wash.
For which skin type? Normal, combination, dry, and dull skin types.
The hype: Vitamin C for brightening, won’t overly dry out your skin.
You really only need a tiny amount of product to lather this cleanser over your entire face, so it’s got a huge bang-for-your-buck value. The smell of vitamin c and red algae isn’t very strong, but these ingredients are super potent when it comes to fighting uneven skin tones and dark spots. Both work together to prevent the sun damage that causes unevenness, as well as to treat existing dark spots. It also takes off heavier makeup in a pinch!
9. Hemp Body Mitt
What is it? A coarse body mitt.
For which skin type? YOURS. Use it.
The hype: It’s hemp, enough said.
I feel like body care accessories do not get enough love, but they can make a huge difference if you’re experiencing ingrown hairs, flaky skin, or just need a deep clean. The Hemp Body Mitt is a coarser mitt that can be used anywhere on the body and helps to stimulate blood circulation. Give your legs a good scrub with this mitt to open up your pores and get the smoothest shave possible.
Unlike what many people assume, dry or sensitive skin still needs to be exfoliated! If you think the Hemp Mitt may be too harsh, check out a loofah and pair it with a nourishing shower gel.
10. Colour Crush Lipsticks
What is it? A lightly-moisturizing pigment for your lips.
For which skin type? All you gorgeous humans!
The hype: Glides onto lips like a chapstick, gorgeous colour selection.
If you’ve been living under a rock, the fact that The ‘Body’ Shop has makeup may be new to you. Next time you’re in a store, be sure to check out the Colour Crush lipsticks. They have a low-key rose scent and community trade marula oil to soften even the driest of lips.
The colours are sorted by high impact shine, red, neutral and pink tones.
My personal favourites include: 101, 105, 320, 03.