When samples of Mukti’s skincare line arrived at the office, many of us at Truth in Aging headquarters were immediately taken by the beautiful, clean packaging. But even more impressive about this Aussie brand were the products themselves, made with a gentle yet effective blend of organic plant extracts and essential oils. A fan of body washes (and because I was conveniently running low), I decided to put the Mukti Pink Grapefruit Bath and Shower Gel (about $35 in the shop) to the test.

A video on the beauty brand’s site shows Mukti herself, a cosmetic scientist who specializes in natural therapies, describing the body wash as an alternative to soap, which in its typical alkaline state can suck the moisture out of your skin, aging it over time. The ingredients in the formula, Mukti says, are safe enough to use on babies and children (something I think should be said of all such products!).

In her review of the Mukti Shampoo and Conditioner, Marta describes the antioxidant properties of bladderwrack (a seaweed that has vitamins C and B12), ginkgo biloba leaf, and red clover (which contains anti-tumor compounds and tocopherol, a form of vitamin E) – all of which are also prominently featured in the body wash.

As the name implies, the product can be used when running a bath or as your daily shower wash. In my Brooklyn apartment, I don’t have a tub (sad, but true) so I couldn’t test out the bubble bath potential. But in the shower, when I squeezed the gel onto my loofah sponge, I was happy to see that the sulfate-free formula worked up a pretty good lather (thanks to the coconut-derived cocobetaine). And the citrusy scent (from grapefruit seed extract) was wonderfully refreshing for the a.m. If, like Nisha, you find the lingering scent of grapefruit unappealing, you’ll be happy to know that the fragrance does subside. The best part about the body wash was how my skin felt afterward: soft and smooth (far from that squeaky-clean – aka stripped – feeling you often get from cheapo bath soaps). I’m also convinced the body wash helped clear up some pesky (perhaps workout-related) blemishes I’d been getting around the back of my neck and upper back.

The Mukti Pink Grapefruit Bath and Shower Gel is for all skin types, not tested on animals, and certified by the Organic Food Chain in Australia. For me, it’s become a fabulous addition to my morning routine.

Ingredients: Certified Organic Aqueous Extracts of Bladderwrack (Fucus Vesiculosus), Calendula (Calendula Officinalis), Chamomile (Chamomilla Recutita), Ginkgo Biloba Leaf, Horsetail (Equisetum Arvense), Nettle (Urtica Dioica), Red Clover (Trifolium Pratense), Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis), Sage (Salvia Officinalis) & Yarrow (Achillea Millefolium); Xanthan Gum; Cocobetaine (Coconut derived); Certified Organic Essential Oils of Tangerine (Citrus Tangerina) & Lavender (Lavandula Angustifolia); Vitamin B5 (Panthenol); Vitamin E (Tocopherol); Tea Tree (Melaleuca Alternifolia) blend preservative; Salt (Sodium Chloride); Citric Acid; Grapefruit Seed (Citrus Grandis) Extract