It’s been a while since I blogged about my body scrubs, so I thought I would continue with another eco-friendly, vegan brand ~ Kosmatology. This was another brand that my Kloverbox subscription introduced me to and I have been a repeat customer with their products. In fact, I will be purchasing some more body scrubs this weekend, as they have a Fourth of July promo code ~ I will post it at the end of this review. I am featuring two scrubs from Kosmatology ~ a sugar body scrub in the scent Goody Goody Grapefruit and their famous Mint Your Feet Foot scrub.
About Kosmatology: “Dr. Covey formed Kosmatology because after the birth of her children, she was unable to find high-quality organic and natural skin care products that were free of harmful preservatives and chemicals. Using her fifteen years of experience as a compounding pharmacist, she was able to develop and formulate all organic and natural solutions. We are very pleased to bring her creations to the marketplace for all to enjoy! (source Kosmatology)
Goody-Goody Grapefruit (Grapefruit-Cinnamon) Sugar Body Scrub I usually purchase the hand sanitizers first to get a sense what the fragrance is before I commit to a more bigger purchase. However, Kosmatology now makes mini versions of several of their products, so this means you can actually test drive the product, not just the scent! I was already familiar with the Goody-Goody Grapefruit scent, which doesn’t smell like grapefruit at all. Instead, it is a warm, sweet cinnamon scent that is so relaxing and aromatic. I am not sure if Kosmatology is aware that their grapefruit products don’t smell like grapefruit, but I hope they never change the formula! I think that the cinnamon just over powers any grapefruit essential oils.
This scrub is made with organic, fair trade unrefined sugar instead of microbeads. Microbeads are synthetic and are abrasive, cause micro tears in your skin and are very harmful to our eco-system. They cannot dissolve in water, nor does our water treatment facilities have the capability to filter them from our water supply. They absorb toxic materials and contaminate our wildlife with poison as they consume the microbead-infested waters. The USA will be banning micobeads, so turning to sugar for exfoliation products will be more common.
The US will ban the production of personal care products and cosmetics containing plastic microbeads from July 2017. The new law, which is aimed at protecting the nation’s waterways, will also ban sales of cosmetics containing microbeads beginning July 2018, and over-the-counter drugs containing these plastic particles by July 2019 (Chemistry World)
Sugar dissolves in water, is a gentle exfoliator and doesn’t cause damage to our eco-system and doesn’t poison the water and wildlife. Sugar is contains glycolic acid, which is an alpha hydroxy acid (AHA) ~ this means it will help skin cell turnover, unclog pores, removes dead skin cells and polishes your skin ~ revealing fresher, glowing youthful skin. Sugar is also a humectant, which means it not only traps moisture in your skin, but attracts water too, so it very hydrating.
Grapefruit contains citric acid, which is another natural AHA to help exfoliate ~ it also is an astringent and preservative as well. It is rich in antioxidants, such as vitamin C and d-limonene, and antioxidants will help combat free radicals, helping to prevent fine lines, wrinkles and repairing your skin. Grapefruit is also an anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial, so it helps heal and soothe your skin and prevents infections. This scrub not only contains grapefruit essential oils, but nice big chunks of grapefruit peel, which aids in exfoliation.
Cinnamon has a warm sweet spicy scent that is very soothing and relaxing. When applied topically, it helps skin infections due to its antiseptic properites and improves your skin’s texture by plumping up the skin ~ it stimulates your blood vessels, therefore, bringing blood to the surface of your skin, and it also seems to increase collagen levels as well, meaning your skin will increase its elasticity.
Vitis Vinifera (grape) seed oil has been used since the 16th century and it contains moisturizing and nourishing compounds, such as linoleic acid (omega 6 essential fatty acid) and vitamins. It absorbs into your skin without an oily feeling and assists other ingredients to penetrate deeper into your skin.
This scrub is also preservative free, cruelty free and vegan. The texture of the scrub is not a wet one ~ it has enough oil to hold the sugar and grapefruit peel together in clumps, making it easy to massage into my arms and legs in a circular motion.
I normally use this scrub on my upper arms and the backs of my legs, where I will get little raised bumps ~ this scrub really exfoliates well and helps smooth my skin. I don’t have to worry about oils in the shower, as it doesn’t really leave a greasy residue behind. Just grapefruit peels ~ it is a messy scrub because of those peels, but I still love it just the same. Kosmology makes two other scents in their body scrub ~ Herbal Fresh ~ a Spearmint Rosemary scent and Botanical Bliss, which is a lavender vanilla. I have tried the scents before in other products, but I am eager to try the scrubs in those scents as well. I love a good minty scrub too! Goody-Goody Grapefruit, with its warm cozy scent, is perfect for fall and winter ~ it just reminds me of the holiday season because of the cinnamon. A full size 9 oz tub is 18.99, but they also sell 3 oz minis for $8.99
Ingredients: Organic Fair Trade Sucrose (Sugar), Organic Vitis Vinifera (Grapeseed) oil, Organic Citrus paradisi (Grapefruit) peel, Organic Citrus paradisi (Grapefruit) essential oil, Organic Cinnamomum zeylanicum (Cinnamon bark) essential oil
Mint Your Feet Peppermint-Eucalyptus Mineral Salt Foot Scrub Alas, there is no mini for Mint Your Feet, so you will have to take my word that this stuff smells FANTASTIC. There is also a matching foot balm that is so nourishing and thick, that I save it for wintertime, when my feet are so dry and cracked from the cold weather. This is a mineral salt foot scrub and the salt grains are HUGE.
Sea salt contains minerals, such as magnesium and calcium and actually improves your skin’s hydration because it will strengthen your skin’s barrier function. These minerals are classified as natural moisturization factors by scientists. Sea salt helps detox your skin, while killing bacterial due to its antiseptic properties, and reduces inflammation, giving your skin relief.
Peppermint contains natural menthol, an organic compound with local anesthetic properties which provides a wonderful cooling sensation while naturally alleviating discomfort. Peppermint also has anti-inflammatory and antispasmodic properties which relieve muscle pain and tension. It also has antibacterial properties that prevent infection and alleviate odor. (source Kosmotology)
Eucalyptus applied directly to the skin has an anti-inflammatory effect which reduces muscle stress and relieves muscle pain. Eucalyptus has healing properties when topically applied to the skin. Eucalyptus can promote wound healing. (source Kosmotology)
Safflower oil is a natural anti-inflammatory and it will protect your skin from high level of toxins and bacteria, which makes this a great oil for your feet ~ your feet are exposed to all sorts of things on the ground and during the summertime, even more exposed with sandals and running around in bare feet. It is also rich in linoleic acid and it very gentle and moisturizing.
This scrub is paraben and preservative free and is also cruelty free and vegan.
Since this scrub has a lot of oil and huge salt crystals, I don’t use this when I am taking a shower, as it would just melt away in the drain. Instead, I use massage it on my dry, clean feet, usually sitting on the side of the bath tub. I am able to really exfoliate my feet without the salt dissolving in water. I also keep my salt scrub in the frig, to help solidify the oil, making it easier to handle as well. The minty goodness of peppermint and cooling eucalyptus help reinvigorate my feet and refreshes them. This is one of my favorite spa treatments for my feet. Full Size 5.5 oz jar $16.99
Ingredients: Sea Salt, Organic Carthamus tinctorius (Safflower) oil, Organic Mentha piperita (Peppermint) essential oil, Organic Eucalyptus globulus (Eucalyptus) essential oil
One thing I really love about Kosmatology products is that they really seem to have discovered how to make great products with less ingredients. Both scrubs have 9 ingredients between the 2 of them ~ five ingredients in the Goody-Goody Grapefruit Body Scrub and 4 ingredients in the Mint Your Feet Foot Scrub. If you are interested in eco-friendly, vegan and organic skincare products, check out Kosmatology ~ they have face oils and cleansers ~ I have used and reviewed their Lemongrass line for oily skin last year ~ body washes, hand soaps, hand santizers (I love their hand santiziers!), pain relief balms, and much more. Have you tried anything from Kosmatology ? What were they and how did you like it? Right now until July 5th, 2016, you can save 20% off all of their products using promo code JULY4TH.
[ description in italics from Kosmotology ]
Unboxing Beauty 