Pampering body products aren’t just for the winter months – in our minds, body spoils are a staple all year round. And while our editor found a selection of products she adored this past winter, she’s hanging onto them for spring as well. Here’s what she’s been using (and loving!).
SOiL Ugandan Shea Butter (R120.00)
Unrefined and organic, this SOiL classic is understandably a favourite for many people. You can apply it to your skin, hair and nails, and because it’s free from artificial ingredients, it’s even suitable to use on children and babies. It has powerful moisturising properties and protects and nourishes dry and damaged skin. I enjoy using this after a shower or bath, and find it very soothing on my legs after shaving. It feels rich and luxurious and I like the subtle scent.
Available online here.
Cape Island Luxury Lotion Safari Days (R350.00)
My Cape Island Safari Days Candle and Diffuser are already staples on my desk, and adding the Luxury Lotion means I have a winning trio with me while I work. Like all Cape Island products, the scent is unbelievable: Safari Days marries spicy patchouli with wild sage and a woody earthiness. The result is a unique scent that brings the African landscape to mind – just as the name suggests. Made from natural, plant-based oils, the formula is completely biodegradable, free from any harsh or harmful ingredients and cruelty-free. It feels velvety and luxurious on my skin and the scent lingers for quite some time. If you love the Cape Island home fragrance products, I highly recommend you give the lotions a go.
Available online here.
Environ Body EssentiA Derma-Lac Lotion (R325.00)
This lotion is one of a kind and had become a cult classic thanks to its effective formula. A light lotion, it is designed to help soften the texture of rough areas on your skin, such as at the elbows and heels. It helps to gently exfoliate these areas, while giving dull skin a glow by re-energising it and boosting moisture levels. I use it all over, but find it helps prevent razor burn and ingrown hair on my legs, and it’s a favourite for my elbows (which tend to get really dry).
Available at Sorbet and selected clinics, spas and salons.
Eucerin Caring Oil 100& Natural Oils (R159.99)
Made from 100% natural oils (jojoba, sunflower seed and almond), this caring body oil helps increase the skin’s elasticity, helps prevent and reduce stretch marks and leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth. While I didn’t use it on stretch marks, I did use it to nourish my skin during the colder months, and found it did wonders in hydrating and softening it. I even find that adding a couple of drops to your bath water helps soften the skin, and makes the water feel velvety smooth. I love that all the oils used are natural and that is has a preservative-free formula, as that would be an important factor for expectant moms who need a product to help reduce stretch marks.
Available online here.
Shower to Shower Sensitive Fresh Care Deodorant (R31.99)
A good quality deodorant is essential all year round, but is particularly important in summer. While I don’t have sensitive skin on my armpits, I always appreciate a formulation suitable for sensitive skin, as I find the products are usually gentler and on my skin. This Shower to Shower deodorant contains camomile which has soothing properties, but it doesn’t skimp on performance. I love the subtle fragrance and find that it keeps me feeling fresh all day long.
Available online here.
Nivea Caring Shower Cream Rose & Almond Oil (R59.99)
While I love a beautiful soap, there’s something so luxurious about a shower gel. I love this rose-scented formula: it’s rich and creamy, lathers nicely, leaves your skin feeling velvety soft and is really economic as a little goes a long way. It has a readily biodegradable formula (bonus!) and feels ultra gentle on the skin. There are a couple of different scents, but I highly recommend this one as it strikes the perfect balance between floral and creamy.
Available online here.
Terres d’Afrique Myrrh Body Scrub (R938.00)
An indulgent body scrub is always top of my wish list, and this one from Terres d’Afrique has become one of my favourites. It’s a spa product that genuinely brings the spa to you – the scent is incredible, the texture is luxurious and it makes my skin feel smooth and silky. It consists of coconut shell, sugar, rooibos leaves and baobab oil, blended together beautifully to ensure optimum exfoliation. It is beautifully scented thanks to the addition of sweet myrrh. I use this scrub all over twice a week, and while it sloughs away dry and dead skin cells, the baobab oil goes a long way in moisturising my skin and ensuring it stays soft and hydrated.
Available at Kin in 44 Stanley, Johannesburg
