Bath & Body Favorites

The older I get, the more I realize the importance of self-care and my daily shower ritual is no exception to the rule. Standard bar soaps and drugstore body washes that are filled with overpowering synthetic scents and grains of plastic have quickly been replaced by more indulgent favorites that make my shower time (let’s face it, one of the only times a kid is not chatting away in my ear…) a relaxing, much-needed retreat. If even only for five minutes. Here are a few of my holy grail favorites in case you’re looking to step up your shower game a little, too…

Kiehl’s Soy Milk and Honey Body Polish (above). This has to go first because it has been a favorite of mine for many, many years. The Soy Milk and Honey scent is an offshoot of their classic Creme de Corps fragrance and it’s the perfect warm, creamy combination. The scrub particles are gentle (and natural-ish!) and leave your skin feeling buffed, polished and super soft. There is an accompanying lotion if you’re into that extra step but you don’t really need it for normal skin because this is just rich enough.

Mario Badescu Botanical Body Soap. I love Mario Badescu and it’s not just because of my Romanian roots. The line is affordable and effective which is a rare combination in skincare these days. A small bottle of this is $8 and the larger one is $14 and I find a little goes a long way so it will last longer than you might expect, even with daily use. It has a subtle, clinical scent that I kind of like. Not flowery, not perfume-y, just simple and clean. A really nice every day favorite.

MoroccanOil Shower Milk. This is a brand new favorite for me. The beloved haircare brand has made a strong foray into bath and skincare over the past few years and their new Shower Milk line is just as good as the rest of their collection. The salesperson described it as “bathing in a robe of MoroccanOil scented cashmere” and I promptly handed over my credit card. It’s a rich, creamy wash that leaves a light, hydrating finish and that signature scent of theirs is always one of my favorites…but if it’s not yours, it comes in rose and orange blossom scents as well. A true little luxury.

Laura Mercier Almond Coconut Creme Wash. You might love Laura Mercier for her famous tinted moisturizer but it’s the bath and body collection that really wows, in my humble opinion. I love coconut-scented anything but only when it’s done right and Mercier does it perfectly. Not too sweet, just warm enough, and paired with almond, it’s simply amazing. The entire collection is super luxurious but the body wash is an extra easy way to spoil yourself a little, just because…

Aveda Stress-Fix Composition Oil. Finally, one of my favorite ways to truly unwind in the shower (or bath) is by adding essential oils to the mix and the Aveda blends are some of my favorites. I promise that a few drops in your bath water or shower stream will instantly transform your day. You can also use it to give yourself a little scalp massage or shoulder rub while you’re in there and let the steam amplify the oil’s effects as you breathe deep and truly relax. If even for five minutes. Because every minute counts.

*One more thing: I recently signed on for Sephora’s new Flash service and it’s a no-brainer if you’re a product junkie like me. It’s $10 for a year and you enjoy unlimited 2-day shipping on anything and everything for free. Kind of like Amazon Prime but approximately $80 less. I will do the math for you…it’s a great deal. Not sponsored, just sharing because it’s pretty darn great. But apologies in advance to my Canadian friends…excluded yet again. Sigh.