This story is brought to you by Tropicana / Product photography by Perkin Gotohio
As we’ve been taught in school, the locally abundant coconut tree is the tree of life. There truly are many uses of the coconut tree, and I’ve always felt that Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO) is vastly taken for granted as a beauty ingredient. It’s no secret that it is nourishing and moisturizing; plus it can be used for skin and hair.
As it turns out, Tropicana was way ahead of me. Since 1902, they have harvested the power of the coconut tree. Their humble beginnings stemmed from Tapi Basin, Surat Thani, Thailand, with a family of coconut farmers. They have successfully championed virgin coconut oil as the basis of their certified organic, sustainable, and completely vegan product lineup.
Who better to champion this clean beauty brand than President Nadine Lustre? Since publicly announcing her vegan lifestyle in 2022, there was no turning back for the actress. It makes so much sense that she would choose to endorse cruelty-free, preservative-free, organic, and vegan Tropicana products. Bonus: their product lineup is designed to help you get that bikini-ready, island-girl glow!
Image via Nadine Lustre on Instagram
I tried a trio of their bestsellers: the Tropicana Natural Coconut Soap Bar, Tropicana Coconut Skin Lotion, and Tropicana Organic Cold Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil. To be perfectly honest, I had low expectations. I’ve tried other natural products before, and while I felt good about my ethical purchases, the products didn’t perform as well as those I tried before. In my head, that was the trade-off: the products are good for me and for nature, but wouldn’t lather as much, or absorb into my skin as well. Spoiler alert: I was blown away by how well the Tropicana products performed!
Tropicana Natural Coconut Soap Bar
The Tropicana Natural Coconut Soap Bar (50g, P125 / 100g, P240) is crafted from organic cold-pressed Virgin Coconut Oil (VCO), promising gentle skin cleansing without stripping away its natural oils. It has the shortest ingredients list I’ve ever seen on a soap! Just VCO, Aqua (water), Sodium Hydroxide, and Fragrance.
I didn’t think it would lather up nicely because of its brief ingredients list and my previous experiences with other natural soap bars. But lo and behold! After wetting and rubbing the soap bar, a luxurious soft foam emerged. I also enjoyed its refreshingly gentle scent, a subtle mix of sweet coconut, vanilla, and a hint of citrus. True to its promise, it effectively cleansed my skin and left it feeling moisturized after rinsing. Truthfully, it’s the best natural soap bar I’ve tried to date and would recommend it to anyone looking to shift to a natural, vegan soap.
Tropicana Coconut Skin Lotion
Next is the Tropicana Coconut Skin Lotion (180ml, P595), an ultra moisturizing body lotion that promises smoother, softer, more moisturized skin sans the greasy residue and sticky feel. Virgin Coconut Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, and Shea Butter are included in its natural ingredients list. But wait, there’s more: It is formulated with Niacinamide (Vitamin B3), a tried and tested ingredient that combats dark spots. This is the core of the science behind the Tropicana brand’s Coco-Boost Technology, which combines the best ingredients from nature, like VCO, with potent skin actives to bring out that sun-kissed glow from head to toe.
First impressions: nothing stood out for me; the lotion had the typical look and feel of many others I tried before. The moment I worked it into my skin, though, the magic began! It felt refreshing and hydrating on my typically dry legs. It sank into my skin quickly without that greasy feeling.
Before, we’ve got dry skin, as evidenced by the easy-to-draw white marks
Here’s what skin looks like after applying the lotion! There’s a little bit of a glowy finish but it’s not too shiny
In fact, the lotion felt comfortable on my skin, even on a hot summer day. It felt like a refreshing buko juice drink–if my skin could drink, that is. It smelled delicious, like a coconut dessert with vanilla, which surprisingly lasted the whole day on me. Just one pump of the lotion bottle is enough for one limb. The best part? My skin immediately took on a healthy glow, and it felt much smoother to the touch, too. This is my favorite among the three Tropicana products, and for me, who hates lotions, that’s definitely saying something.
Tropicana Organic Cold Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil
I also tried the Tropicana Organic Cold Pressed Virgin Coconut Oil (50ml, P255), 100% pure cold-pressed VCO. It is known as “nature’s best beauty elixir” because this naturally nutrient-rich oil is an all-around moisturizer you can use from head to toe. It calms redness, so it soothes flare-ups. It softens and smoothens even the driest parts of the body (for me, this means my elbows, knees, and cuticles). It helps tame unruly hair, helps prevent dandruff and split ends, and even protects hair from damage. It can even be used as a makeup remover and a gentle tanning oil!
I was a bit apprehensive to try out the Tropicana Virgin Coconut Oil. I feared that I would smell like latik and make me crave biko all day. But once again, Tropicana put my fears to rest as it turned out to have a light, runny consistency without the heavy coconut oil scent. It did have a light gourmand scent, but it faded away pretty quickly, especially when used with the Tropicana lotion.
I love using it at night on my elbows, knees, hair, and cuticles. It absorbs quickly into the skin and has definitely improved my skin texture and overall appearance. As you can see in the photo, a small amount goes a long way–I got that island girl glow instantly after one use! I find it best to use it sparingly–a few drops of the oil is enough for my entire arm. I am definitely adding this to the body care products in my rotation.
The Verdict
All in all, the Tropicana soap bar, lotion, and VCO all surpassed my expectations. I will definitely purchase the lotion after I finish this bottle–it’s the perfect scent for the summer! If you’re looking to try virgin coconut oil products, switch to a natural or vegan brand, or get that island girl glow-up, Tropicana is it! I personally love how my skin continues to improve with each use. I’m confident that by the time summer outings come aplenty, I’ll achieve that head-to-toe goddess glow.
I also look forward to trying their other products: Tropicana Natural Coconut Soap Bar Fruity (50g, P125 |100g, P240) and Tropicana Virgin Coconut Oil Coco & Aloe Gel (100g, P475). Thank goodness they are now locally available in the Philippines at retailers like Watsons, Mercury Drug, and 7-Eleven! Get your fill online via the brand's official shops at Shopee, Lazada, and TikTok Shop. Stay updated by following their social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok.