Body Wash
Favorites
*Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash (target.com): this is my go-to every day body wash that I’ve been buying on repeat for over a decade. Minimal packaging; creamy consistency; lathers and rinses off well; no scent; really moisturizes skin; under $6 for a 22 oz bottle. Can’t beat it.
*Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club Shower Gel (walmart.com): great scent; not sulfate-free so can be slightly drying for sensitive skin, but the luxurious scent is worth it.
Want to try
Others
*Drunk Elephant Kamili Cream Body Cleanser (amazon.com): subtle, sweet smell (probably from the passionfruit oil) while using but won’t last long on your skin (good or bad depending on what you want). Creamy consistency that moisturizes while cleansing. Skin felt smooth & hydrated after. Sulfate-free. Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash has the same results for a fraction of the price, but if you’re looking for a treat/gift for yourself or someone else, this is a great option.
*Guild + Pepper Body Wash Warm Oak (amazon.com): nice masculine, cedarwood scent – perfect for fall or winter; slightly drying due to sulfates and lather is just okay. Would make a nice gift or seasonal body wash for a guest bathroom.
*Sol de Janeiro Brazilian 4 Play Moisturizing Shower Cream-Gel (mini size; standard size): Love the cheeky name and sassy slogan. Has a nice, understated, almost tropical scent. Consistency is really creamy. Lathered well, rinsed off well. Skin felt really smooth and moisturized after using with just a hint of the scent. Sulfate free. Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash has the same results for a fraction of the price, but if you’re looking for a treat/gift for yourself or someone else, this is a great option.
Body Lotions/Moisturizers
Favorites
*Bath & Body Works Cherry Blossom Lotion & Ultra Shea Body Cream (bathandbodyworks.com): beautiful floral fragrance
*Clarins Moisture-Rich Body Lotion (clarinsusa.com): really moisturizing; fresh light scent – I prefer fragrance free for day so it doesn’t interfere with perfume, but this lotion is perfect for after bath/before bed.
*Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion (32 oz): I’ve been using this lotion on my hands & body for decades. It’s the only lotion that makes my hands feel less taut after washing them. Unscented so won’t clash with perfumes, etc. Can’t beat the price. My go-to, everyday body and hand lotion. Highly recommend. The 2 oz size fits perfectly in a handbag.
*Ouai Body Creme (sephora.com): absorbs well; a little goes a long way; the smell is incredible, so relaxing. I prefer fragrance free lotions during the day so it doesn’t interfere with perfume, but this moisturizer is great for after a bath or before bed.
*Maison Margiela Replica Jazz Club Body Cream (walmart.com): the scent is intoxicating. I love putting it on before bed…so relaxing.
*Necessaire The Body Cream (sephora.com): fragrance free (my personal preference, especially for day), absorbs well, really moisturizing. Can use together with Necessaire The Body Serum for extra hydration. Clean beauty product. While the less expensive Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion works just as well, this is a nice luxury option to buy as a treat for yourself or for gifting.
*Necessaire The Body Serum (sephora.com): fragrance free (my personal preference, especially for day), absorbs well, really moisturizing, not oily/greasy. Can use together with Necessaire The Body Cream for extra hydration. Clean beauty product.
Want to try
Others
*Beyond Belief Candy Wishes Hand and Body Moisturizing Lotion (amazon.com): lotion consistency is thick but absorbs well/fast; scent is really sweet (hence the name)
*D’OR 24K Prestige Lavender Body Lotion: relaxing lavender scent, skin feels softs, but nothing special to justify the high price tag.
*Drunk Elephant Sili Body Lotion (sephora.com): love the typical minimal Drunk Elephant packaging. Lotion consistency is more on the thin side, but not runny. Has an interesting, almost sweet smell (probably from all the natural oils in it) that doesn’t last very long so you won’t smell like it all day. Clean beauty product. Absorbs quickly and does moisturize and nourish skin well. However, the Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion does the same thing at a fraction of the price, without any scent. If you’re looking for a luxury body lotion as a treat/gift for yourself or someone else, it’s a good option.
*Kopari Coconut Melt (standard size; mini size); smells nice; really hydrating but in an oily way; messy because it was fragmented and really had to rub it in; it’s a nice pick if you prefer coconut oil as a body moisturizer, but overall I prefer the Jergens Ultra Healing Lotion (described above), especially given the price difference.
Self-Tanner
Favorites
*Jergens Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer (target.com): I apply this moisturizer in Medium to Tan on my entire body once a week. It’s so moisturizing and results in a streak-free, natural-looking tan. Doesn’t have a bad self-tanner smell and price is great. My go-to weekly self-tanner. Highly recommend.
*Bondi Sands Self Tan Eraser (amazon.com): no-mess pump; apply this foam/mousse cleanser on areas you want to remove self tanner or spray tan; leave on 5 minutes; wash off easily using a washcloth or exfoliating mitt. Under $20 and a little goes a long way.
Want to try
*+Lux Unfiltered No. 32 Hydrating Self-Tanning Cream (luxunfiltered.com)
Others
*Golden Star Beauty Self Tanner Lotion (amazon.com): nice smell; doesn’t streak; natural color; newer formula is even more moisturizing than original; takes a while to absorb; price reasonable; not as moisturizing/wallet friendly as Jergens Natural Glow
*Golden Star Beauty Self Tanning Oil (amazon.com): nice smell, nice color without streaks. Absorbs quickly and the oil doesn’t feel cold like a cream/lotion-based self-tanner (great for winter!), unfortunately not as moisturizing and as inexpensive as the Jergens self-tanner.
*St. Tropez Self Tan Purity Bronzing Water Mousse (sephora.com): love the packaging and really appreciate the no-mess pump. Subtle tropical scent (not the typical self-tanner smell). I love mousse self-tanners in general because they absorbs really quickly and aren’t as cold as lotions (especially important in the winter!), however it’s hard to see where/how much you put on. I used it at night and it didn’t transfer to sheets or clothes as promised, but there were lots of missed areas. Color is natural & gradual/buildable. Better self-tanners out there for lower price.
Spray Tan
*Pure Organic Tan – Greenwich, CT
*Coconuts – Rocky Hill, CT
*The Bare Skin Studio – Baltimore, MD
*RejuvePod – Glen Mills, PA
Contour Treatments
Favorites
*Honeydew Coffee Caffeine Firming Cream (amazon.com): smells nice from all the natural ingredients including coconut oil & argan oil; cream is thick but absorbs quickly & is really moisturizing – be careful of it getting under your nails though since it comes in a jar. And most importantly – it actually reduced the appearance of cellulite for a great price (under $12). Highly recommend.
Want to try
Others I’ve tried
*Clarins Body Fit Anti-Cellulite Contouring Expert (6.9 oz): smell is just okay, on the stronger side; serum consistency absorbs fast; works just as well as other contour treatments that are less expensive.
*Nivea Skin Firming & Toning Gel-Cream with Q10 + L-Carnitine (ulta.com): I apply this cool blue gel cream to my thighs & butt. No offensive scent or sticky consistency. Great price point & a little goes a long way. With diet & exercise this product helps reduce the appearance of cellulite on me, but not as well as the Nivea Good-bye Cellulite concentrated serum, which was unfortunately discontinued.