There’s nothing like being told you have soft skin. Besides putting my marriage business out there, it’s one of the things my husband loves about me. However, a compliment is more offensive when it comes from a stranger you meet for the first time. When someone enjoys the way your hands feel after saying hello or just brushing your arm that they have to say something about it? The best.
There’s an inherent sensitivity to body care, whether it’s your own or you and someone special. Body care not only invites you to slow down and really enjoy the act of taking care of yourself from head to toe, but if any fun Valentine’s Day (or night) plans are in your future, your partner will fully reap the benefits of all the love you poured into your body care routine. Soft, supple skin is truly the gift that keeps on giving.
I say all of this as someone who, admittedly, hasn’t had a body care regimen in a long time—it’s like my skin is standing below my neck. In fact, what I didn’t have were products that met my standards. Think feeding but not heavy. Moist but not sticky—the list goes on. If you’re anything like me and determined to not only have the softest skin of your life for Valentine’s Day and beyond, I’ve gone ahead and shared some of the products that make me feel ridiculously soft and add a little something extra to my husband’s time. If your perfect Valentine’s Day involves engaging all of your senses, read on for the perfect list that will leave you feeling sweet AF.
Tools
Soft skin doesn’t just appear; you have to work for it. Below are the tools I use to keep my body feeling smooth and soft.
Keys Soulcare
Energizing Dry Body Brush
I’m a big fan of dry brushing before you get in the shower. Not only does it provide an early exit, but it’s also just a good habit to put in the first place to spend time pampering yourself (or someone else).
Maryton
Natural pumice stone for feet
Soft feet are just as important as the rest of the skin on your body. To make sure my heels stay in good condition, I use a pumice stone about once a week as well indeed go to town. The process is kind of messy, but the results are always very satisfying.
Skincare
I have become a devoted student of the school of flooding skin. So much so that I’ve created my own little way to make sure my skin gets all the water it needs: Triple toning. I do it twice a day, and it’s great for making sure your skin stays hydrated and therefore feels super soft throughout the day.
Eadem
Mami Wata Barrier Firming Facial Mist
Ectoin, allatonin, glycerin, and aloe vera are a few key ingredients in Eadem’s Mami Wata facial mist. It’s great for injecting a ton of hydration into the skin, and these essential ingredients are perfect for people with sensitive, dehydrated skin.
Dr. Althea
345 Relief Cream Mist
Speaking of nourishing, hydrating ingredients, 345 Relief Cream Mist by Dr. Althea has hydrolyzed hyaluronic acid for deep hydration, madecassoside to soothe irritated skin, and even my tried and true favorite, glycerin. The K-Beauty brand has slowly but surely become one of my favorites, and this mist will continue to be repurchased for the foreseeable future.
Beekman 1802
Milk Shake Hyaluronic Acid & Squalane Facial Toner Mist
The final part of my routine includes a healthy spritz of Milk Shake Hyaluronic Acid & Squalene Facial Toner Mist from Beekman 1802. As the name suggests, the super hydrators hyaluronic acid and squalane are the two star ingredients in this formula, but it also boasts jojoba oil, which acts as an occ barrier for moisture in the skin. The result? Softer, plumper, healthier-looking skin.
Exfoliators
While there are pre-shower tools you can use to start the exfoliation process, there’s nothing like a good body scrub in the shower. I’ve been switching between the new formula and the chemical exfoliant I’ve long loved for the soft skin of my dreams.
Cyklar
Lactic Acid Body Polish
Cyklar has to be one of my favorite body products, hands down. When I’m not using one of their body washes (seriously, I have a bottle in my shower all the time), I swap them out for this lactic acid body polish. I highly recommend that you start gently with this product, especially if you have sensitive skin, as it has a combination of AHA exfoliants and small pumice crystals for physical exfoliation at the same time. In other words, prepare for the softest skin of your life.
Nativa Spa by O Boticário
Madagascar Vanilla Exfoliating Body Scrub
Not only do I love how this vanilla body scrub smells (it’s fun to start building your own scent routine), but the actual scrub feels amazing on the skin. The formula uses raw sugar particles, which are larger and therefore provide a gentler refining sensation. The whole process of using this scrub makes me feel like I have love in my body in every sense of the word, and what better way to get the romantic vibes going?
Moisturizers
The key to soft, supple skin is a consistent moisturizing routine. The products below are holy grail items that help me do just that.
The Prequel
Barrier Therapy Skin Protectant Cream
A few weeks ago, I started incorporating Prequel Barrier Therapy Skin Protectant Cream into my skin care regimen, and it has become one of my favorite products to combat this seemingly never-ending winter in New York City. There is no fragrance, and every time I apply it, it feels like I’m putting a blanket of moisture on my skin. Plus, that moisture lasts all night and into the morning until I shower again.
Josie Maran
Argan Oil Strengthening Body Butter
It continues to amaze me how quickly I go through these Josie Maran body butters, especially as someone who easily has hundreds of body care products. It’s a testament to how amazing this formula is—it sinks in quickly, doesn’t leave behind any residue, and most importantly smells amazing. The scent of Golden Hour is on repeat in my house.
Noyz
Mylk De Parfum Only For Man
One of my new favorite body categories is perfume milk, formulas that blur the line between a regular eau de parfum and a hydrating body product. My new favorite body lotion, Only Human, is from the brand Noyz, and the formula is infused with hyaluronic acid to continue hydrating my body care routine, while building the foundation of my fragrance regimen.
Phur
Vanilla Skin Body Oil
I am obsessed with this body oil. Not only does it contain squalene, vitamin C, and a blend of natural oils to hydrate, nourish, and soften the skin, but it also smells amazing. I’m talking vanilla, gourmand heaven, phenomenal.
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