Buddy Scrub Charcoal review

I really wanted to like this Buddy Charcoal Scrub, as I've had awesome experiences with similar scrubs in the past, but unfortunately this one just did not make the cut for me!

The idea is great - charcoal, sea salt and sugar to exfoliate and nourish skin. The packaging is practical, and the labelling is quirky with its sexy-conversational style. But the product itself simply wasn't that nice.

The scrub is black, as it's charcoal-based, and does feel good on the skin, leaving it soft. However, it makes a total mess of your shower, and also I found it leaves big grey blotches on the skin! Not great. I had to remove these blotches using a loofah and body wash after washing off the scrub. Also, the smell of this product wasn't very pleasant - quite strong, and I just couldn't get past the fireplace-esque scent. Some people would probably love this product, but sadly I'm just not one of them.

I used this scrub last night as i wanted to apply my weekly fake tan and needed to exfoliate before i started. I hopped in the shower and took a few handfuls of the buddy scrub and got to work. It was quite crumbly and hard to get to stick on the skin. So to start with I wasted quite a bit down the shower drain. However the scrub that did stay on my skin worked wonders. I always struggle to remove all my old fake tan off no matter how hard i scrub, I've tried various other body scrubs and even lemon and baking soda. This buddy scrub was definitely the winner there. It removed it with a lot less effort too. When i had finished my skin felt smooth and nourished. You get that slight tingly refreshed feeling from the Pepperment which i quite like. I would definitely repurchase for a great tan removal product and general exfoliator. The only reason it didn't get 5 out of 5 is due to the crumbliness which can make it hard to apply. There was a generous amount in the packet so i think its a reasonable price for the amount you get. It comes in a sturdy resealable bag.

First impression: I liked the simple colours used in the packaging and the personal way the text "talks" to you. Although, it does feel rather like a rip-off Frank scrub type of instructions. Most scrubs now have the sexy way of explaining how to use it and it isn't very original any more.

I really liked how it comes in a resealable pouch so you can ensure no water will get inside it. As it says not to get any water in it, it is very easy to just pour it into your hands.

It doesn't have a very strong smell which I enjoyed as it felt fresh and not laden with chemicals and perfumes.

I was worried about being left with black marks all over my skin which has happened before with a previous scrub but to my relief it washed away perfectly.

It is very grainy which feels amazing when I am rubbing it on my skin. I used it all over (except for my face as I have very sensitive skin) and gradually the big grains in it melted leaving my skin deliciously soft. It felt very refreshing and had a slight minty tingle. I felt very clean and soft.

I would definitely use this again. My skin felt hydrated and moisturized - especially after putting on my favorite moisturizer.

Buddy Scrub's packaging says it is "your friend with benefits" but I'm not feeling the love. Not hating exactly either, just...neutral and lukewarm. I was sent the Buddy Scrub with activated charcoal to trial. First it was going to exfoliate my skin with sea salt and sugar. I was expecting my skin to feel smoother afterwards but didn't notice much difference. Likewise with the supposed wonders to my skin after nourishing with activated charcoal and coconut oil. While the product was a bit moist, there didn't seem to be any obvious oil so I'm not sure where that and the jojoba and grape seed oil were. In the pack there's a slight peppermint musty smell but I couldn't smell anything once it was on in the shower. I had thought perhaps the charcoal would leave a mess in the shower but the consistency is like sugar and washes away easily. I think it could work as a hand scrub after gardening but really didn't see that the claims made on the packaging were true or noticed any difference on my body. Having said that, it isn't unpleasant but I'd rather use a product that did make a difference.

I will start at the beginning- The packaging is playful and a little naughty which I found fun and found reading the instructions more entertaining then most beauty products. Now basically what i assume the instructions said is you wet your body in the shower and rub exfoliating scrub on your body before rinsing off. One problem-it says near the bottom not to let water into the bag. So I grab a small container before my shower, put about 1/3 of a cup in it (why didn't they think of individual packets I don't know). Jump in the shower. Now trying to get this stuff to actually stick to my skin was a bit of a balancing act with the right combination of water to scrub ratio and I lost quite a but down the drain without being used. After the second try I seem to be getting the hang of it. The smell is ok in the shower kind of minty. But there is no smell left on my body once it has been rinsed off. Once I jump out of the shower and dry myself that's when I notice the difference- my skin feels soft, supple and moisturised. I have very sensitive skin on my arms and legs (and face) and this didn't make me react whatsoever which was a very pleasant surprise! I feel like I need to use this more than twice a week to keep my skin feeling refreshed but am following directions (would love to use it every day) as the scrubs moisturising effects only last about 12-24hours. Overall I enjoyed using this product and am keen on trying other natural body scrubs to see how they compare.

Here we go, another exfoliator - I thought but wow, this stuff is gorgeous. I did it in the shower and it spread well, smelled refreshing (I love peppermint) and the most surprising thing of all was that it was really moisturizing! I have bumpy skin and child related stretch marks and my whole body felt smooth after the shower and for hours afterwards. I didn't moisturize after just to see what would happen and honestly when I find this product Im going to start buying it for bday and xmas gifts. Love it.

I have used many different body scrubs in the past including coffee scrubs and sugar scrubs. However I had never come across an activated charcoal scrub before so I was very interested in seeing how this scrub compared to others.

This scrub comes in a plastic resealable bag and it is 200g which is the same amount as the Frank coffee scrub products. It is also marketed in the same way as the Frank coffee scrubs. I was expecting this product to smell like dirt because of the charcoal in it. But it actually smells EXACTLY like peppermint candy canes, which I absolutely loved and it made me feel christmassy all over again.

I tried using this product on wet skin and dry skin, however I had more success using it on wet skin. If you use it on dry skin, 90% of the product will end up on the floor. I preferred to use it in the shower (without the water running) as the application of this product can get super messy. Your skin should be damp (not completely soaking wet) otherwise the sea salt and sugar will dissolve straight away and it won’t be a scrub anymore.

After using this product my skin felt very soft, well-cleansed and moisturised. I was worried that I would be left with grey patches on my pale skin from the charcoal, but it washed off easily. One problem I found with this product was that my chest and face broke out in tiny pimples a few days after using this scrub. I can’t say with 100% certainty that the pimples were directly caused by the scrub, but I never changed my skincare routine or diet in any other way over this time. When I used this product again I made sure to only use it on areas such as my arms, legs and hips. I never experienced any other problems after I used it in this way.

I’m not sure if this product helped with my stretch marks or cellulite. I think I would need to use it over a longer period of time to notice any difference.

I really enjoyed the peppermint smell of this product and how it left my skin feeling super soft. I would say that I still prefer coffee scrubs to this charcoal scrub. However I would purchase this product again if I felt like switching up my body scrub routine.

I first saw Buddy on the BR home page as a trial opportunity. Intrigued I had to know more. The description of Buddy made him come to life and his personality was something I could get on board with. He sounded fun and flirty! I was even more stoked to see Buddy in the vault, as I knew that was my best chance of getting a hold of him.

Buddy comes in a simple white baggie with a ziplock top, perfect for keeping out the moist and wetness from the environment. At first I thought it was a coffee scrub but I do think I am mistaken, and I think it is just a charcoal and sugar scrub. It's surprisingly gentle for a scrub but it's not so soft it doesn't scrub. It also smells like peppermint candy canes, and it's a really big plus for me.

Buddy claims to reach all parts of my body, and it's true to an extent - but Buddy can only reach everywhere I can reach, so sadly stupid bits like my back get missed completely. I need to invite someone else to the shower to help!

When I tried it on my hands it felt slightly drying, but on my body in the shower it was the most delicious feeling ever. I smelled like a giant candy cane! The sugar somewhat dissolved on my wet skin and left me covered in a grey sheen which made me feel like the lake monster. Rinsing was easy, Buddy just slid off my body, and true to his word he left my skin feeling clean and bright. It was also glowing and so unbelievably soft.

There was a few bits of grey left over that I missed from rinsing but that's nothing. Buddy is lovely and I do like to use him. And I think I would repurchase him too!

When I first read about Buddy, he sounded a little pervy. I was wary. Then I saw him in the Vault, and I was attracted.

This is a charcoal/sugar scrub. so good for your skin! Wet yourself, then cover yourself in this – but don’t let water get into the pack, and scrub away, then rinse off. Yes, this is as tricky as it sounds. I don’t know about your house, but even if I turn my shower off for a few seconds, when I turn it on again there is a short blast of cold which can feel like an arctic shower. On the other hand, I can’t stand the thought of the scrub all over the bathroom floor. I have to admit, I haven’t been treating my new buddy well, and am very haphazard when I use it. But it is wonderful, gentle exfoliation coupled with peppermint oil, makes me feel pampered.