Trader Joe's quietly released this Blueberry and Açaí Facial Scrub years ago, and even though it is now discontinued, it remains one of the most memorable skincare items the store has ever carried. It came in a beautiful heavy glass jar, smelled like a berry smoothie straight out of a blender, and offered a surprising level of exfoliation for the price
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Review
This scrub was one of the rare Trader Joe's skincare items that felt far more expensive than its price tag. The first thing you noticed was the scent. It smelled like a fresh berry smoothie with no synthetic or sugary perfume notes. Just blueberry and açaí goodness. It was the type of scent that made the "for external use only" warning suddenly feel very necessary.
The packaging was another standout. This came in a thick glass jar that felt more like something you would buy at Sephora than a grocery store. It had a surprising weight to it which made the experience feel elevated, although I always felt a touch cautious using a glass jar in the shower.
Texture wise, this scrub struck the right balance between effective exfoliation and a gentle feel on the skin. You could definitely feel the grit, but never in a harsh or scratchy way. It exfoliated well without crossing into sandpaper territory. The formula included alpha hydroxy acids, which explained the mild tingle I felt after applying it. This was normal for chemical exfoliants and helped with brightness and texture.
Despite the gritty exfoliation and the AHA component, it did not strip my skin. It did not moisturize the way a sugar scrub does, but it left my face soft, refreshed, and ready for the rest of my skincare routine. After a week, it never caused breakouts or irritation for me.
At $5.99, this scrub was an absolute steal and truly one of those Trader Joe's beauty products that punched way above its weight class. It is no wonder that people still ask about it even though it has been discontinued for years.
If you can't find this at your local Trader Joe's then this can also be found through third-party sellers on Amazon.
Key Ingredients Overview
Trader Joe's never released a full INCI list publicly, but based on product texture and behavior, here are the standout elements the scrub was known for:
Blueberry and Açaí Extracts
Added fragrance, antioxidants, and that natural fruit smoothie scent.
AHA (Alpha Hydroxy Acids)
Created a gentle tingle and boosted exfoliation. Helped skin look brighter and smoother.
Fine Exfoliating Particles
Strong enough to polish, gentle enough to avoid irritation.
Oatmeal and Shea Butter
Helped soften and balance the exfoliating effects.
How to Use It
Even though this is discontinued, these tips apply for similar berry or AHA based scrubs:
• Use one to three times per week
• Apply to damp skin to prevent irritation
• Massage gently in circular motions
• Let sit for up to one minute if you want extra exfoliation
• Rinse thoroughly and moisturize afterward
Other Trader Joe's Skincare Reviews
Trader Joe's Daily Facial Sunscreen
Essential because AHA use requires sunscreen messaging.
Trader Joe's Marula Oil Cream Cleanser
Similar gentle exfoliation energy and a great comparison for daily vs. weekly cleansing.
Trader Joe's Ultra Rich Body Butter
Readers searching skincare often click into moisturizing products next. Also check out the matching bodywash.
Trader Joe's Hyaluronic Moisture Boost Serum
Perfect follow up since this pairs well after exfoliation.
Trader Joe's Microdermabrasion Scrub
Great for readers who want a comparison between a mild AHA scrub and a more intense one.
Final Thoughts
Trader Joe's Blueberry and Açaí Facial Scrub was one of those rare beauty products that felt like a true hidden gem. It smelled incredible, exfoliated beautifully, and came in heavy glass packaging that made the experience feel extra luxurious. It was affordable, effective, and memorable, which explains why so many people still ask about it today. If Trader Joe's ever brings this one back, it deserves a spot in your cart without hesitation. But if you are looking for some great picks in beauty then check out my post of Trader Joe's Best of Beauty.
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Trader Joe's Blueberry and Acai Facial Scrub
Product Name: Trader Joe's Blueberry and Acai Facial Scrub
Product Description: Trader Joe's Blueberry and Acai Facial Scrub is a long-standing favorite in the health and beauty aisle.
Price: $5.99
Currency: USD
Availability: Discontinued
Summary
Trader Joe's Blueberry and Acai Facial Scrub is a perennial favorite in the health and beauty aisle.
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Value
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Worthy of Repurchasing
Pros
- Delicious scent that smells like a fresh berry smoothie.
- Gentle exfoliation with enough grit to polish without irritation.
- Luxurious packaging with a heavy glass jar that feels high end.
- Soft, smooth results without stripping the skin.
- Affordable price that felt far more premium than the cost.
Cons
- Glass jar caution since using it in the shower always felt a bit risky.
- AHA tingling may be too much for very sensitive skin.
- No moisture boost the way sugar scrubs provide.
- Discontinued status so it is now hard to find.
Dag says
Great review! I will definitely be purchasing this
becomebetty says
Hey Dag! Can't wait to hear your thoughts on this one!
Alek says
I did not buy it but the aroma is amazing! WOW! I like that they used actual blueberry fruit in there instead of just adding extracts/scents. Hope they do more scrubs in the future.
becomebetty says
Me too. I adored their seasonal sugar scrub gift sets that they offer in the winter. Next year I need to pick up 2. I didn't review them, I just used them without taking pictures. Not making the same mistake next year.
Dag says
Oh and I might use a little of this scrub on my hands. Nothing quite like a sugar scrub on your hands to get rid of all of the dead skin and make them all smooth and soft. And not to mention yummy smelling!
judilyn says
I think I would try it, but that is one scary list of ingredients!
Virtual hugs,
Judie
Dag says
Actually despite the appearance of some of the scary looking technical names the product is primarily all natural.
Dag says
I bought this today and used it a little while ago. I love it! I especially love that it's not Uber gritty seeing that my skin is so sensitive. I decided to also buy the HLA serum opposed to the facial serum. The facial serum was quite a bit cheaper but didn't have the pure HLA that I wanted. The HLA is definitely worth trying. It made my skin feel smooth and lightly moisturised but not greasy, oily, sticky or tacky. Considering how hot it's been I don't like going to bed with anything like that on my face. Since you also have really sensitive skin I can't wait until you purchase it and review it.
becomebetty says
Hey Dag! I agree that it is nice that it isn't like being sandblasted. I'll have to keep and eye out for the HLA. I'll add it to my list. Thanks as always for taking the time to stop by!