An Honest Review of St. Ives Body Wash (2025)

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I’ve always been curious about the St. Ives body wash line, especially its exfoliating variants that promise a radiant, refreshed feel at an affordable price. After using the Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange and Sea Salt & Pacific Kelp versions for a few weeks in my own shower, I wanted to share an honest review that goes beyond marketing claims and reflects my real experience. This body wash line is well known for its mix of natural extracts, a cruelty-free stance, and a price point that’s easy on the wallet. But as I’ve learned from personal use and by checking the brand’s own information, there’s more to the story than the pretty packaging.

Packaging

One of the first things that struck me about St. Ives body wash is its 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic bottles. It’s refreshing to see a mainstream brand making sustainability a visible part of its design. However, the bottles are still single-use with no refill options, which feels like a missed opportunity for a brand so focused on “nature-inspired” marketing. I actually looked on their FAQ and confirmed there’s no refill program yet.

The design has clearly shifted to a “California heritage” look—bright, optimistic colors and ingredient photography that practically jumps off the shelf. The sunrise arch graphic on the label feels modern and inviting. I also appreciate the practical flip-top cap on the 22 oz bottles, which is easy to use with one hand in the shower. For families or heavy users, the 32 oz pump version is even more convenient. The label is transparent and informative, displaying bold claims like “Made with 100% Natural Extracts” and the PETA cruelty-free logo right on the front. Most bottles state “Made in the USA or Imported,” which generally indicates a stable supply chain.

Ingredients Analysis

St. Ives markets its body wash as containing “plant-based cleansers” and “100% natural extracts,” but when I looked at the ingredient list, I noticed the base is built on Sodium Laureth Sulfate (SLES)—a synthetic surfactant that’s great for producing a rich lather but not truly “natural.” Supporting ingredients like Cocamide MEA and Sodium Chloride help thicken and stabilize the gel texture. This combination creates a pleasant sensory experience but highlights the brand’s clever marketing: the “natural” halo largely comes from the extracts, not the core formula.

The exfoliating particles are made of 100% natural Walnut Shell Powder, the same ingredient used in the brand’s infamous Apricot Face Scrub. While it works well on the body, it carries a reputational risk due to past controversies over “microtears” on the face. I still felt safe using it on my arms and legs, but I kept that history in mind. Each variant features different natural extracts—Pink Lemon Peel Powder and Mandarin Orange Extract for brightening, or Sea Salt and Pacific Kelp Extract for a purifying, oceanic feel. All versions are paraben-free and microbead-free, which is a plus. However, they do include fragrance and synthetic colorants like Blue 1 and Yellow 5, which could be irritants for sensitive skin.

Another interesting detail I came across on their product pages is the biodegradability claims—the Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange formula is marketed as 86% biodegradable, while Sea Salt & Pacific Kelp is 83%. That’s more specific than many mass-market brands, adding a layer of credibility to the eco-friendly messaging.

Scent and Fragrance Profile

If you’re like me, scent is a big part of the shower experience, and this is where St. Ives really shines. The fragrances are designed to be fresh, vibrant, and nature-inspired, transforming a daily routine into something more enjoyable. The Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange smells like “citrus sunshine”—bright, fruity, and energizing. The Sea Salt & Pacific Kelp has a clean, oceanic aroma that feels like a mini beach escape.

I’ve found the scents to be strong enough to fill the shower without being overpowering. They don’t linger on my skin for long after rinsing, but they make the in-shower experience refreshing and uplifting. This variety of scent families—from bright citrus to soft floral to comforting oatmeal—ensures that almost anyone can find a profile they like. In fact, I sometimes switch between scents depending on my mood.

Texture, Lather, and Application

The St. Ives Exfoliating Body Wash has a gel consistency with suspended exfoliating particles. It’s thick enough to stay in my palm without running everywhere, making it easy to control. Thanks to the SLES, it produces a rich, foamy lather—especially when used with a loofah or exfoliating glove. This foam reinforces the feeling of a deep clean.

After rinsing, my skin feels smooth, soft, and refreshed, likely due to the walnut shell powder gently buffing away dullness. While my skin is on the drier side, I didn’t feel overly stripped, though I still like to follow up with moisturizer. I’ve also noticed that a small amount goes a long way, which makes the large bottle last for months. This is something I really appreciate as someone who likes to get good value.

One downside I encountered relates to the Sea Salt & Pacific Kelp variant. Longtime users have reported—and I agree—that a recent unannounced formula change has made it less “gritty” and less effective at exfoliating. The older version had a true salt-scrub feel, while the new one is creamier with minimal grit. This shift has disappointed many loyal customers, including me, because it changes the core performance of the product without explanation.

Effectiveness and Performance

In terms of cleansing and exfoliation, the St. Ives body wash delivers on its basic promises. It leaves my skin feeling clean and refreshed, and the exfoliating action is generally gentle yet effective for daily use. I’ve even used it as a hand wash on occasion when I ran out of soap, and it performs well there too.

However, this is still a physical exfoliant. While most people—including myself—find it suitable for regular use, those with very sensitive skin should be cautious. The walnut shell powder can be irritating if you apply too much pressure or have reactive skin. The fragrance may also be a trigger for some. St. Ives markets the wash for all skin types, but from my experience and the reviews I’ve read, it’s not universally perfect.

On the plus side, the inclusion of glycerin helps keep my skin from feeling dry after use. The results—radiant, smooth skin with a pleasant scent—are consistent with the brand’s marketing claims. But the unannounced reformulation of certain variants shows how easily trust can erode when a brand changes a beloved product without telling its customers.

Price, Size, and Value

One of the strongest selling points of the St. Ives body wash line is its value for money. The standard 22 fl oz bottle usually retails for around $4.99–$5.22 at major retailers, which works out to roughly $0.23 per ounce. This is an exceptional price-per-unit for a product that feels so indulgent. Multi-buy packs and subscription options at major retailers make it even more affordable. Because only a small amount is needed to produce a rich lather, a single bottle can last me for months—something that’s echoed in countless customer reviews praising its “huge bottle” and “great price.”

I also appreciate that St. Ives offers different sizes, including the large 32 oz pump version for families or heavy users. However, I’ve noticed a gap: there’s no dedicated travel-size option, which is inconvenient when I want to take it on trips. It’s a small thing, but as someone who travels a lot, I really wish they had a TSA-compliant size.

Brand Philosophy and Reputation

St. Ives has evolved from a “Swiss heritage” story to a California-inspired identity centered on themes of nature, optimism, and wellness. Its brand message—Natural, Fun, and Effective—is communicated through bright packaging, straightforward claims, and fresh scents. I like that the company has been PETA-certified cruelty-free since 2018 and uses 100% PCR plastic bottles, showing tangible steps toward ethical and environmental responsibility.

That said, the brand’s reputation is complicated. The Apricot Face Scrub lawsuit over “microtears” permanently changed how many skincare enthusiasts see St. Ives. While the case was dismissed, the controversy lingers, especially since the body wash also uses walnut shell powder. The brand also faces accusations of greenwashing because its “natural” marketing contrasts with a formula based largely on synthetic surfactants and fragrances. In my experience, these issues don’t detract from how the product feels or performs, but they are worth mentioning for those who are ingredient-conscious.

Despite these controversies, the mass-market sentiment remains overwhelmingly positive. For example, the Pink Lemon & Mandarin Orange variant holds an average rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars across thousands of reviews at major retailers. Customers repeatedly praise the scents, the value, the large bottle size, and the gentle-but-effective exfoliation. I personally found these reviews to match my own experience.

Who is This For? (Recommendations)

I’d recommend St. Ives body wash to anyone looking for an affordable, sensory-rich body wash that offers mild exfoliation and a wide choice of fragrances. It’s particularly good for normal to oily skin types or anyone who enjoys a bit of scrub in their shower routine without spending a lot. However, if you have very sensitive skin or dislike strong fragrances, you might want to patch-test first or look for a gentler, fragrance-free option. And if you’re a longtime Sea Salt & Pacific Kelp fan, be aware of the formula change.

Final Verdict and Overall Rating