Finding that perfect lotion, deodorant, or bodywash is a harder task than one may assume. Our team of testers dipped our hands, legs, and arms into hundreds of different formulas to pick 11 winners that will never leave your skin feeling dry, greasy, or dull.
Best Scented Bodywash
Cyklar
Sensorial Body Wash in Sacred Santal
It might seem like you have to pick between a gorgeous scent or *actually* good skincare when shopping for a new bodywash. Thankfully, the beauty gods looked upon us with favor when the Cyklar Sensorial Body Wash ended up in our hands. This multi-oil formula left our skin feeling baby soft in between showers thanks to its rich blend of sodium PCA, fatty acid water, and glycerin, and its entrancing, woody scent made our showers smell like the upscale interior of a five-star spa.
Best Unscented Bodywash
Naturium
Glow Getter Multi-Oil Hydrating Body Wash
While we love a great-smelling soap, even the slightest trace of fragrance can be too much for very sensitive skin. The scent-free bodywash from Naturium won us over for its easy-to-lather formula, ultra-hydrating results, and squeaky-clean skin sensation that never left us feeling stripped. Its impressive performance can be attributed to a makeup of moisturizing glycerin, hydrating squalane, and nourishing linoleic-rich acids, which not only made our skin supple but also gave it a nice glow.
Best Lotion
Oak Essentials
Luminous Body Lotion
No one can deny the very intense year this was for bodycare, which made the task of picking the best body lotion quite a challenge (a welcome one, at that). We ultimately fell for this luxurious baby-blue concoction due to its intensely hydrating formula that somehow never felt heavy, rich ingredient list that provided anti-aging benefits, and calming lavender scent that added an aromatherapy aspect to our nighttime routines.
Why experts love it: “Oak Essentials Luminous Body Lotion is a great option for not only nourishing skin and adding hydration but also soothing inflammation. The formula utilizes blue tansy, which is rich in antioxidants, to improve skin health and reduce inflammation paired with rose oil to help hydrate the skin. It absorbs into the skin quickly and doesn’t leave the skin feeling tacky or greasy. It’s easy to wear all day.” — Corey L. Hartman, MD, Dermatologist and Founder of Skin Wellness Dermatology in Birmingham, Alabama
Best Body Butter
Tronque
Firming Body Butter
There’s something about French skincare that just never misses, and the same sentiment applies to bodycare—specifically when it concerns Tronque and its rich, firming body butter. Though we often look at firming products under quizzical brows, this blend of more revitalizing ingredients than we can list before your eyes glaze over really does deliver on its texture-improving promises. Not only did we noticed a dramatic increase in hydration and skin elasticity, but our fine lines were also smoothed, our skin plumped, and our tone evened after routine use.
Best Exfoliating Body Treatment
You may be acquainted with chemical-peel facials, but these exfoliating body towelettes were just as effective as a pricey spa visit. Each glycolic acid– and salicylic acid–soaked sheet gently gave our skin a tone- and texture-evening treatment, penetrating the dermis with a potent blend of vitamin K, bilberry, and caffeine to minimize the appearance of KP, body acne, and ingrown hairs. The best part? We didn’t have to rinse after, but we took extra care to layer up with our favorite sunscreens.
Best Deodorant
Some of us were hesitant to switch from our trusty stick deodorants to this creamy formula, but we were collectively stunned after experiencing the sweat-resistant, odor-defying powers of this aluminum-free deodorant. While some natural deos require a transition period while your body excretes the toxin buildup from regular formulas, we skipped that part when using this odor-blocking balm. Its botanical-rich formula cares for your skin, and its sustainable packaging is recyclable, making it not only a wise choice for your body but also the planet.
Best Self-Tanning Lotion
Lux Unfiltered
N°32 Gradual Tanning Cream in Santal
Who has time for eight-hour self-tan mousse anymore? Not these editors or our panel of judges, so naturally, we found ourselves fawning over this santal-scented body lotion that gradually develops into a realistic bronze without transferring onto your clothes. While we loved the sun-kissed glow this heaven-scented lotion imparted, we adored how dewy and soft it made our skin feel. With a base chock-full of cocoa and shea butters, squalane, and avocado and passionfruit oils, it’s no wonder that our skin was so glowy after using this salve.
Best Glow-Enhancing Body Sunscreen
Vacation
Classic Whip Glow SPF 30
We’re in the constant pursuit of a good glow, but there’s no time that we crave it more than summer. This radiant sunscreen is not just a standout for its out-of-the-box packaging (c’mon, a whipped cream can?!). Its impressive list of skin-loving ingredients (coconut and banana extracts, aloe vera, vitamin E) and gold-flecked, shimmery formula also make every skin tone look ethereal. Plus, it’s way too much fun to apply.
Best Body Mist Sunscreen
Kopari Beauty
Sunglaze Sheer Body Mist Sunscreen SPF 42
Speaking of glowy sunscreens, enter Kopari’s Sunglaze Sheer Body Mist. Armed with SPF 42 and sprinkled with skin-illuminating shimmers, this airy formula feels weightless and offers skin-brightening, hydrating, and shielding benefits thanks to a nourishing ingredient list that includes vitamins C and E and hyaluronic acid. Oh, and did we mention it smells like coconuts? Score.
Why experts love it: “As a sunscreen advocate, I love any product that encourages people to use SPF. This body mist is easy to apply and feels light and comfortable on the skin. It’s never sticky or heavy, and it gives a beautiful, glowy finish while effectively protecting the skin against harmful UV rays.” — Candace Marino, Celebrity Aesthetician
“Glow and protection in one!! Sign me up. It’s nongreasy, nonsticky. It’s basically skincare, suncare, and body highlighter in one. Truly sheer and truly luxe for an award.” — Vanessa Marc, Celebrity Aesthetician and Founder of Vanessa Marc Spa
Best Hand Serum
If hand serums are a new category for you, allow us to introduce you to the only one you need try. We tested a handful of luxurious contenders, but nothing made us stop to touch and smell our hands quite as much as this pick from Sidia. Its sleek tube houses a nourishing blend of avocado and shea butters (plus a healthy dose of aloe vera), which kept our hands feeling supple but never greasy. Perfect for rubbing in and going back to the computer to type up beauty reviews, this hand cream remained a mainstay in our editors’ chic work bags.
Best Hand Cream
Soft Services
Theraplush Hold Extra Refill Set
If your last step before getting into bed is slathering on a rich hand cream, congrats—you’ve found your people. Though we’ve fallen for so many formulas throughout the years, we collectively favored this sculptural jar filled with Soft Services’ retinol-infused hand cream. This midweight hand lotion utilizes a mixture of colloidal oatmeal, panthenol, and, of course, retinol to plump and condition the skin on your hardworking hands overnight. By morning, we noticed happier cuticles, a much smoother texture, and nourished skin where we last had dry patches.
