"Although “confident” is a word many would use to describe me, my boasting is strictly non-physical: my glowing wit, my ability to always give advice, and overall just how much of a joy I am. But it’s rare that I’ll gas myself up about a physical attribute. It’s not that I don’t love myself; it just doesn’t come naturally and feels awkward. But when I tell you I have skin as soft as a baby’s butt, I’m unwavering. My body care product drawer is just about overflowing, but I might have finally found the perfect concoction.
This 24-ounce Stanley is the take-anywhere hydration essential that’ll make an everyday appearance.
A few weeks ago, a house guest told me that I had the “softest skin” they’d “ever felt,” likening it to a “blanket,” which I find extremely weird but somehow very fitting. It wasn’t surprising—I spend a lot of time (and money) on my body care, but it wasn’t until I gave myself a feel that I realized all of the body issues I’ve dealt with forever are starting to subside. The keratosis pilaris on the back of my arms is smoothed, the scars from my endometriosis surgeries are flattening, and the dark spots on my knees are lightened. I quickly walked to my bathroom and stared at my products, and I immediately knew: These seven products were the reason.
Soft skin starts in the shower, and for me, it's not sudsy and it sure as hell doesn't come from a loofah. I swear by a cleansing oil to remove dirt, oil, and makeup from my face, so when I saw this marketed as a body cleansing oil, my interest piqued. I've been using this religiously for a year, and I now can't use any other body wash. It actually leaves my skin moisturized and clean—a conundrum I never thought possible.
I especially loved this in the summer when I was covering my body in layers of sunscreen. Sunscreen, especially mineral, can be hard to remove, but this oil does it beautifully.
I have tried dozens of body scrubs in my day, and this one is still my favorite. It beats so many high-end scrubs that are quadruple the price. It makes my skin feel really smooth and moisturized after use without being too abrasive. I use this all over my body, but I especially focus on my underarms, legs, and bikini line before shaving.
One of my biggest tricks is using a scrub the night before I shave instead of minutes before. Shaving is another form of exfoliation, so it's best to give your skin some time to heal and calm down in between.
I never thought I'd be the person recommending a dedicated scrub for your butt, but here I go. This isn't your typical scrub; it's infused with shimmers that make your skin glow, even after you wash it off. I also started using this on my chest and shoulders in the summer when I was wearing tank tops because it gives your skin such a golden glow. I use this before any big event and feel like my best self.
I have a lot of scars and dark spots all over my body, and while they're not the end of the world and I can appreciate them, I was excited when I started using this and it diminished them. I have quite a few scars on my stomach from surgeries that are raised and show through clothes, and it's so frustrating. This is the first product I found that actually worked to flatten them a bit. They'll probably never go away, but the slight difference has made this one of my top products of the last year.
I also love this on dark spots, like on my knees or inner thighs. It's an easy gel that you can apply at night, and I've experienced zero irritation.
Behold: the best body care item I've tried—maybe ever. I have used countless creams, scrubs, and serums to tackle the keratosis pilaris on my arms and legs, and nothing has ever even made a dent. I started using this before bed because it made my skin feel really moisturized without feeling sticky, but after a few weeks, I noticed my KP was practically gone.
My skin has never felt softer since I started using this. If you have stubborn bumps that just won't quit, this might be your savior. I also have been using it as a gentler retinol on my neck, and I've experienced no redness or irritation, and my tech neck creases are slowly but surely easing up.
In the mornings, I like to add a really thick, occlusive moisturizer to my skin, especially any skin that might be showing through my clothes. I've been using this shea butter cream for over a year, and I still swear by it. My skin not only feels super moisturized and healthy, but it also adds a serious glow. Plus, the scents linger just enough that if you've got a special someone, they're in for a treat (literally).
And if I'm really feeling like pampering myself, I'll apply an oil all over at night before bed and use a body gua sha to give myself a massage. I love this one because it sinks in really well before bed and doesn't leave me feeling sticky. It's also lightweight and easy to apply all over (some oils are just gloopy and a pain). This also has just a little bit of CBD that makes my body feel really relaxed, especially when followed with massage.