Herbivore Botanicals' Coco Rose Body Polish Is My New Favorite 2-in-1 Product

We put Herbivore Coco Rose Exfoliating Body Scrub to the test after receiving a complimentary sample from the brand. Keep reading for our full product review. 

I’ll be the first to tell you that I’m not all-in on the body scrub concept. I get it, your body is like your face. It deserves to be cleansed, scrubbed and oiled up. But oftentimes I’m spending so much time on my 15-step skincare routine that I kind of just glaze over the body-care portion. Let’s just say that when I received this polish I genuinely couldn’t remember the last time I had used one. I’ll tell you right now, I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did.

Ahead—my full review.

About My Skin: Chronically dry 

I just finished a round of Accutane, an intense acne medication that dries out your skin like crazy. Needless to say, I’m always slathering on lotion before bed. Surprisingly, body scrubs have always been a step I’ve skipped, mostly because my focus has been on the neck and above. I’m also a serial self-tanner, so I’ve steered clear to prolong my color. Little did I know this product would soon double as an exfoliator and a body moisturizer all at once. 

The Feel: A thick, delicious paste 

I will say that I appreciate the texture of this scrub. It has a paste-like consistency that keeps the sugar neatly stuck together rather than crumbly and messy. That’s all thanks to the plethora of natural ingredients. Hydrating coconut oil combines with the detoxifying pink clay to form that thick, wet paste. I like how gently the sugar crystals exfoliate my sensitive skin and how evenly they dissolve away in warm water. 

The Scent: Coco rose, as the name implies 

I’m not going to lie, I'm not over the moon, in love with this scent. In general, I favor edible-scented scrubs. Anything from citrus to coffee to baked vanilla would be my first choice—I want to crave a body scrub. It’s not bad, it just smells heavy instead of fresh. It’s very oily in texture (which I like) but the coconut oil smell almost covers the rose notes. Still, it’s subtle and not at all overwhelming, which I prefer to a manufactured perfume scent.  

The Use: Shaving and self-tanner prep

Michael Ahmad has a few hacks for this everyday product. It’s a great prep step for shaving. “Sugar gently agitates hairs upward, and virgin coconut oil provides a lovely gliding surface for your razor,” he explains. It’s true, the oil left behind is so slippery that I was able to forgo shaving cream altogether. 

I should also mention that as an avid self-tanner, I also started incorporating the product into my prep. Michael suggested, “use Coco Rose the evening before self-tanning to ensure that skin is left exfoliated and moisturized but doesn't disrupt the development of your tan.”

The Results: Buttery-soft skin

I like to use this product directly on dry skin. Before my bath or shower, I’ll apply it firmly, in circular motions, all over my body. A little goes a long way. I like to let it sit on my skin for a few minutes, rather than quickly rinsing. Once I do shower it off, my skin feels baby-bottom soft.

The Value: You get what you pay for

Around $40 may seem like a tiny fortune, especially if, like me, you’re not already buying a scrub. Truthfully though it’s a small price to pay for the quality of the product you’re getting. You can think of it as scrub and body oil in one to make the price feel more digestible. Of course, you could always try a DIY recipe at home for less. 

Similar Products: An eye on natural ingredients 

Osea Salts of the Earth Body Scrub ($42): If you're into the rose scent, here’s another option for you. It's a mineral-rich blend of dead sea, Bolivian Rose, and Himalayan pink salts that not only exfoliate but detoxify your skin. A generous helping of shea butter also ensures lasting hydration. 

Ouai Scalp & Body Scrub ($38): If you’re looking to get more bang for your buck, try this scalp and body scrub combo. It also enlists sugar crystals and coconut oil to clear out dead skin and rehydrate skin from head to toe. Hot tip: Make sure you section off your hair so that you get the product directly on your scalp.

C  & The Moon Malibu Made Body Scrub ($38): This certified organic blend has a huge celeb following and I think it’s because it smells so good. It has a fresh-baked vanilla scent that’s good enough to eat. It has a bigger, grainier texture than the coco rose one but leaves your skin feeling equally as supple thanks to a long list of oils (coconut, sweet almond, jojoba, and castor to be exact).