Body skincare: the final frontier

Recommendations from a human woman

Jun 05, 2026

Actually Good Things is a weekly newsletter with recs from an internet expert. I know what to buy, and I can tell you exactly why.

This week—while catching I Love Boosters (a delightful, surrealist romp), falling ill, and working overtime on frantic SPF coverage—I’m pondering pour le corps products.

Even for skincare sticklers like myself, the below-the-neck dermis is often neglected. Or maybe caring for it seems less pressing. We only have so much time, after all—and, to be sure, body skin isn’t exposed to the elements (or other human eyes) as often as the face and neck.

Still, I’m trying to give this forgotten frontier the attention it craves. It might not be 10 minutes, twice a day, as with my face skincare routine—but it’s somewhere between that and nothing.

Here are actually good things I’m using to pamper my body skin.*

In the shower

For regular body wash, I’m into Saltair. All the scents are pretty good, but Golden Hour is a warm, summery option.

For exfoliating, I like this dead-skin-dissolving cleanser from Grown Alchemist. Once a week-ish, I reach for the Soft Services Buffing Bar—all hail the queen.

Out of the shower

I hate moisturizing after the shower—anyone else?? It feels like a chore and risks greasy skin leaving marks on clothes or rubbing into my hair.

Even so, I try to do it.

The lowest-effort, everyday option is Curél’s Moisture Milk. It’s technically for the face, but I love how the non-greasy, milky fluid absorbs immediately and doesn’t leave me sticky. Easier still, this Korean spray-on lotion.

And you really can’t go wrong with a pump bottle of CeraVe, a reliable budget-friendly baddie.

On a recent episode of the Fat Mascara podcast, Jessica Matlin said that using drugstore brands like CeraVe “feels like you’re all tucked in for the night.” She’s absolutely right.

SPF

For body sunscreen, I’m bonkers for this quick-drying SPF 50 Australian formula. The light-as-air texture is insane—like, you gotta feel this stuff.

Speaking of light texture, this sunscreen mousse dispenses like whipped cream from a can, spreads easily, and absorbs quickly. A great SPF 30 option and a true win for bringing sexy back to sun protection.

This Alba SPF 45 sunscreen (technically for kids) is one of my forever products. The moisturizing formula rules.

For touch-ups, it’s Supergoop! summery-scented SPF 50 spray.

Before bed

I keep a medley of products on and in my nightstand and use one or two each night as part of my wind-down routine. Again, some of these are intended for the face, but I test tons of products, so sometimes, facial skincare is relegated to the body (respectfully).

The current stack:

Spicules to help other active ingredients penetrate better. Doesn’t need to be expensive—Mary&May and VT Cosmetics are good.
Prescription-strength tretinoin two or three days a week.
Over-the-counter retinol on non-tretinoin days. Nécessaire’s The Body Retinol is a f*cking boss, though Drmtlgy’s version is a better value.
The new peptide-exosome concoction from Paula’s Choice. A few pumps of this next-gen serum on my arms and legs when I want barrier-supporting hydration.

Misc., etc.

An at-home IPL (intense pulsed light) device allowed me to get rid of most of my leg and armpit hair. You have to do it a lot, like weekly for a few months, and touch up every year or so. But if shaving is an inconvenience or body hair bugs you, it’s worth it. (No judgment or shame either way.)

Thanks to laser hair removal, I only need to shave every couple of weeks. For that, I use the Athena razor.

I rub one of these NassifMD pre-soaked exfoliating pads over my arms and legs once or twice a week. Also meant for the face, but I’m more loyal to Dr. Dennis Gross for that area—plus, this larger size works better for body care.