Best Body
We spend a lot of time tending to our complexions, but the skin on our bodies is just as worthy of our attention. Here, our edit of the products you need to keep limbs hydrated and youthful year-round.
La Crème Main
With its inimitably chic packaging, Chanel’s La Crème Main is as elegant as it comes. But its strengths go beyond aesthetics: it’s hydrating without that off-putting stickiness often associated with hand creams. May rose wax helps strengthen the skin barrier (perfect for restoring chapped hands), while iris pallida’s brightening properties help nix sun spots and pigmentation.
Crème de Corps
With fans including Kate Moss and Oprah (not to mention the thousands of devoted beauty lovers who have sworn by it since it hit the market in the 1980s), it’s pretty clear that Kiehl’s Crème de Corps is as cult as it comes. Rich in cocoa butter and squalane (two superstar hydrating ingredients), it’s a dream for dry skins, while sinking in quickly enough for you to get dressed straight afterwards.
Arnica Cream
Arnica’s healing properties have been harnessed for centuries to treat all manner of ills, and Weleda’s rendition is the strongest version on the market. Rub onto sore muscles after a particularly strenuous gym workout, or massage onto sprains to reduce inflammation – it even accelerates healing bruises. It’s a natural yet effective addition to any first aid kit.
Almond Shower Oil
For those who can never be bothered moisturising post-bathing (we won’t judge), who want to add an extra layer of hydration to their body care routine, or who just want their showers to smell like a delicious marzipan dream: this is for you. It cleanses like a (very luxurious) shower gel, but its lipid-rich formula leaves limbs soft and comfortable. Totally lush.
Tonic Body Treatment Oil
This body oil shot to cult status thanks to the generations of women globally who have sworn by it to stave off stretch marks during pregnancy, but everyone will benefit from this potent pot of plant oil goodness. Featuring a mix of aromatic plant essences (like hazelnut, rosemary and geranium), it hydrates beautifully and smells divine.
Vitamin E Body Treatment Scrub
Gone are the days where body scrubs left skin irritated and angry. Unlike other body exfoliants, this divine Jo Malone offering has an innovative creamy texture that you apply to dry skin and rinse off, buffing skins smooth while also deeply hydrating, thanks to the inclusion of vitamin E. So much so that you might not even need to moisturise post-shower – yes, you read that right. And it is, as is to be expected from Jo Malone, an utterly luxurious and indulgent treat.
Tan
When real life bronzed goddess Elle Ferguson put her clever mind to crafting the ultimate self-tan, our expectations were (very) high – and safe to say, we were not in the least disappointed. It’s a streak-free, super natural looking tan, loved by loads of celebrities (it’s frequently cited as a favourite by our WHO profiles). And instead of that tell-tale fake tan smell, it’s fragranced with roses – just divine.
Airbrush Legs
Supermodel legs in a can. If you’re in a rush and don’t have time to do a full tan, but can’t face the thought of going out with pasty pins, spritz some of this magic on for sleek, bronzed legs in seconds. The best bit? It doesn’t transfer, and its hydrating formula leaves legs in even better condition than before application.
Dry Body Brush
Body brushing is a habit you should be adopting, if it’s not already part of your daily self care routine (we’ve been obsessed with it for years). And it’s an absolute cinch with this brush from Manicare – the bristles help stimulate lymph drainage and exfoliate dead skin cells, while the little nodes help get a deeper massage to increase blood circulation and boost energy.
Hand Mask
Our hands tend to take a hit in everyday life, yet we often don’t give them the TLC that they quite frankly deserve. Which is why these little masks are fab – bascially a sheet mask but for your mitts, they hydrate parched palms, brittle nails and scraggy cuticles, and deliver gorgeously soft hands. Pop a pair on while watching the telly and kill two birds with one stone.