Fuji Green Tea from The Body Shop

Good news, Body Shop lovers. Our favorite, cruelty-free, vegetarian, one-stop body care shop has done it again.

Seeing as the first Body Shop store opened in the UK in 1976 and the first in the US opened in 1990, I don’t know how they keep coming up with new, innovative, and interesting product lines. But they do. Though they are now owned by L’Oreal, Inc., The Body Shop itself has always stuck to its cruelty-free values.

The latest from their creative minds is a a Fuji Green Tea scent. It’s more than just a clean, beautiful scent though – it’s a whole line up with an eye to helping you detox in a “modern day tea ceremony.” (No tea drinking actually required – we’ll get to that.)

A bit about green tea: most of us know that drinking green tea has certain health benefits. The Japanese have always been particularly aware of this, using it in centuries old tea ceremonies. According to the Body Shop, some Japanese women also apply it to their skin to retain moisture and tighten pores. Who knew?

With this knowledge in mind, they’ve developed a modern day beauty ritual to leave you feeling relaxed, renewed, and refreshed.

Step 1: Detox and Cleanse
This is done with:
-Fuji Green Tea Body Wash (vegetarian, contains honey)
-Fuji Green Tea Exfoliating Soap (vegan)
-Fuji Green Tea Body Scrub (vegetarian, contains honey)
-Fuji Green Tea Bath Tea and Bath Infuser (vegan)

First, let’s get clean – both literally and metaphorically. The body wash is The Body Shop’s standard luxurious formula, with a great lather that leaves skin smooth to the touch. The Exfoliating Soap is unique to this line. It is made with real green tea leaves and exfoliates dead skin cells and daily build-up. I liked that it was gentle enough to use both on my rough feet as well as on my softer legs and arms. The Body Scrub (also unique to this line) is similar, but since it’s in a gel base it’s easier to take with you – on a trip, to the gym, etc. Both provided the same refreshing green tea scent and healthy-feeling, detoxed skin.

The Bath Tea and Bath Infuser is the most fun product in this line. You can buy a tin of Fuji Green Tea “Bath Tea” – which is bath salts that you add to your tub that make for a smooth and scented soak. For a real “tea ceremony” feel, pick up one of their Bath Infusers. It basically looks like an actual tea infuser, and lets you soak (and maybe even reuse) your bath salts without the grains getting in places you might not want them. Turn on some bamboo flute music and you will be all set for your relaxing, refreshing detox bath.

Step 2: Replenish Pure Moisture
Here you can choose from:
-Fuji Green Tea Sorbet (vegetarian, contains honey)
-Fuji Green Tea Body Lotion (vegan)
-Fuji Green Tea Body Butter (vegan)

After scrubbing yourself and cleansing your body and mind, it’s time to moisturize. I listed these products in order of heaviness. The Sorbet feels relatively thick coming out of the tube, but it actually goes on light as a feather. It absorbs quickly, easily, and completely. If you only want a small amount of non-greasy moisture to start your day, this is definitely the product for you. The Body Lotion is a Body Shop favorite, always available in a number of scents. It offers a medium amount of moisture that is long-lasting. A little also goes a long way with this product, which my wallet appreciates. The Body Butter is, as you probably know, the gold standard of intense moisturizers. It goes on extremely thick, hydrates even the thirstiest skin, and lasts in both moisture and scent.

Step 3: Refresh the Senses
One last treat:
-Fuji Green Tea Eau de Cologne

Let’s take a minute to talk about the scent, because it’s really what’s going to make this line popular. First off, this scent is completely unisex. In fact, my fiancé (who has to be cajoled even into using an eye cream), actually TOOK this cologne from me. He loves it. It’s refreshing, simple, clean, and light. It has some floral notes, very subtle. What you mostly smell is green tea, bergamot, and lemon. A bottle of this spray would make a great gift for men or women.

You can purchase these products individually, or in a few fun sets from The Body Shop. These would make great gifts, or maybe just something fun to try out with your friends. Either way, I’m sure you’ll get a hearty “arigato!” from anyone you share them with!