Pumice Power

In cosmetics, an exfoliator (also called exfoliant or scrub) is a material or a substance that helps remove the dead skin cells from the skin's surface. 

The human skin renews itself regularly, in cycles of 5 to 6 weeks on average (although this changes with age). New cells are created in the deepest layers of the epidermis and work their way to the skin's surface. Even though they usually flake away on their own, they sometimes stick around for too long, clogging the pores and giving a dull and tired appearance. This is when an exfoliant comes in handy. Coarse materials buff and cleanse the skin perfectly. Some substances, like enzymes or natural acids, even have the properties of eating dead skin cells or dissolving what binds them together.

For decades, the cosmetic industry has been using microbeads to scrub the skin. Unfortunately, these are little plastic bits and they are so tiny that they can escape from sewer treatment plants and end up in the rivers, seas and oceans. They have been proven to contribute to global plastic particle water pollution, significantly damaging our planet’s wild aquatic life. Thankfully, microbeads were banned from rinse-off cosmetics in many countries in the late 2010s. Regardless, Lush has always preferred to use natural, biodegradable materials instead of microbeads such as enzyme-rich fruits, ground nuts, shells, bamboo stems or seeds. They are just as effective options!

Refreshes and softens the skin.

Makes the skin look healthier and gives it a glow.

Helps unclog pores.

Can help other ingredients to penetrate the skin better.

Lush use many types of natural scrubs! To find out more about each of them and their suppliers, browse your Lush product’s list of ingredients and click on the ones you are interested in. This should take you to a page full of details.

If you're not sure where to start, here are our selection of body exfoliators and face scrubs. Let’s smooth it all!

Orange is a very well known and delicious fruit. It’s one of your five a day - but has many other benefits to your skin and wellbeing!

An orange is a well-known fruit within the citrus family that grows on trees all around the world. The sweet orange is a flowering tree with glossy, evergreen leaves and thorny branches, and it is thought to be native to China, and East Asia. The trees now grow all over the world. Botanically, their juicy, edible, orange-coloured fruits are a type of berry called a hesperidium.

Orange juice and oil have astringent, cleansing properties that help the skin and hair to glow.

Oranges contain potassium, folic acid, and large amounts of vitamin C, which together with lutein help improve skin elasticity.

Citrus scents are usually uplifting and refreshing, but the sweetness of oranges tends to be so cheerful that it actually promotes rest. You feel good, therefore you relax.

Orange peel wax is considered a good vegan alternative to lanolin as it has similar emollient, moisturising and emulsifying properties, with a lightweight feel. 

We use orange in many different forms (essential oils, juice, peel, wax…) for different products, and each of them can be purchased in different places around the world. To find out more about our suppliers, browse your Lush product’s list of ingredients and click on the ones you are interested in. This should take you to a page full of details!