Product Review: Tree Hut Hawaiian Kukui Olive & Shea Sugar Body Scrub

I know, I know. This isn't related to hair at all. But what kind of friend would I be if I kept all the good secrets to myself?

I stumbled upon this jar of goodness on an aimless trip to Target with my sister. Note: Never go to Target without a game plan. You'll buy anything and everything, just because the store smells like popcorn, Starbucks, and new plastic bags. Trust me. Anywho, while perusing the beauty section I came across a section of Tree Hut shower gels, lotions, scrubs, and more. Curious about the scrub, I opened the jar and peeked inside. It was love at first sniff. The sale price + $1 off coupon on the front of the jar sealed the deal. How did it stack up against my DIY scrubs and other brands I've tried? Let's find out.

Ingredient List:
Sucrose (sugar), Glycerin, Polysorbate 20, Silica, Aleurites Moluccana (kukui) Seed Oil, Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter), Ascorbic Acid, Retinyl Palmitate, Carthamus Tinctorius(Safflower) Seed Oil, Oenothera Biennis (Evening Primrose) Oil, Prunus Amygdalus Dulcis (Sweet Almond) Oil, Persea Gratissima (Avocado) Oil, Macadamia Ternifolia Seed Oil, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Oil, Olea Europaea (Olive) Fruit Oil, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol, Caprylyl Glycol, Sorbic Acid,Yellow 5, Red 40, Red 4, Orange 4, Blue 1

Ingredient Analysis: (first 6)

• Sucrose: Sugar (of course, it's a scrub)
• Glycerin: Generally vegetable-based humectant that absorbs and retains moisture from the air
• Polysorbate 20: Emulsifier that enables oil and water to mix. It helps product disperse, is a thickener, and stabilizer of essential oils.
• Silica: Naturally occurring element that supports a number of bodily functions. It absorbs toxins on the skin, increases firmness and elasticity of skin, and can help slow the aging process.
• Aleurites Moluccana (kukui) Seed Oil: Cold pressed oil of the Candlenut Tree. It is high in omegas 3 & 6, soothing, and softening to skin without leaving a greasy film. It is believed to be beneficial for people suffering from psoriasis, eczema, acne, and other skin conditions.
• Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea Butter): Emollient fat from the nut of the East or West African shea nut tree used to soften hair and skin, and aid in moisture retention.

Availability: I've only been able to locate it at 1 Target store (the one on Hawthorne and 120th, for my LA folks). It's available online, and I'm hoping that more large-chain stores will pick it up.

Affordability: The shelf price is about $7.29 for an 18oz jar. Target has it on sale for $6.49. For that price, I still would have tried it. But the extra bonus was the $1 off coupon on the front of the jar. 18oz of product for under $6? I couldn't say no. Besides, similar products (Shea Moisture, Bath & Body Works, Burt's Bees) cost more and offer less product.

Product Claim/Description: Delight your senses as you smooth your skin with this rich, exfoliating Olive & Shea Sugar Body Scrub. The whole sugar grains provide a gentle yet deep exfoliation, the olive oil and shea help preserve your skin's natural moisture, and the Vitamin C keeps your skin looking healthy.

Performance/Delivery: Typically, sugar scrubs I have used or made contain larger, more coarse granules of sugar. Although they feel good, they are seemingly more abrasive and difficult to use on the face. I really like the fine sugar consistency, it definitely makes for easier use. Larger granules of sugar are prone to clumping and are harder to rub all over. Plus, they're a pain to send down the shower drain. The consistency of the scrub is very custard-like. It moves around in the container with the thickness of honey (minus the sticky feeling). I love how it stays mixed together (other scrubs tend to separate and need re-mixing often), and that makes for super easy application and rinse off. It exfoliates well (it feels like a heavenly massage), and definitely helps with softening, smoothing, and moisture retention. Not too sure about the Vitamin C bit. It's down there on the list with Olive Oil, (as Orange Oil), so I'm terribly concerned with the impact. I'm just happy about the silica, shea butter, and kukui being in the top 6. Perhaps they should rename it Kukui & Shea Sugar Scrub...

Drawbacks: Artificial fragrance and colors. This was a let-down for me. The earthy-salmon color is cute, and the scrub smells just how it looks (if that makes any sense). It has a fruity, sweet, flowery aroma, with a slight citrus twinge. I hate that I love it. I wish they could find a more natural way to impart fragrance and color.

Bonuses: As much as it is a drawback, the fragrance is a bonus. It just smells so darn good! It smells like the things summers and island getaways are made of. It literally smells like a tropical island in a jar. The other bonus is that although moisturizing, the scrub doesn't leave you feeling super greasy. Other scrubs tend to leave an oily film that transfers to my clothes, or wherever I'm sitting. I like not having to use lotion, but oily and messy isn't the look I'm going for fresh from the shower. Tree Hut did a great job in balancing out moisturizing skin without making me look like I went swimming in baby oil.

Bottom Line: If it's in your vicinity, give it a try. I love the stuff so much, I went back and bought a 2nd jar (I'm only 1/4 through this one) just in case Target decided to change their minds and stop carrying it. Because spring is here and summer is creeping up, Tree Hut has found a new customer in me. For more information about Tree Hut products, click here.

Do you have a favorite body scrub or recipe? Share in the comments section!