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“Body care,” as a category, has a lot of ground to cover; together, products that fall under this huge umbrella keep us clean (body wash and toothpaste), pleasant-smelling (deodorant), healthy (SPF), moisturized (lotions and creams), and in some cases, simply relaxed (hello, gua sha). TL;DR: You shouldn’t overlook your body care routine.
For SELF’s 2023 Healthy Beauty Awards, we tested items from head to toe, determining the best new products that hit shelves this year. Whether you’re shopping for an everyday essential (like a razor that won’t nick your skin) or something nice to have (like a streak-free self-tanner), we hope you’ll find everything you need to stock your bathroom shelf here.
Want to see more from the 2023 Healthy Beauty Awards? Check out the best moisturizers; best nails, hands, and feet products; and the best serums, oils, masks, and spot treatments.
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This lotion is true to its name with a milky consistency that feels light on application and absorbs quickly. It also comes in several dreamy botanical scents, like bergamot cedar and lavender, which offer a little aromatherapy along with hydration.
Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains glycerin, a lightweight moisturizing ingredient.
One tester said: “My only ‘negative’ comment is that I wish the bottles were bigger so that I wouldn’t run out fast! I got to try three scents, and I loved each one. I’d alternate, using each kind depending on my mood.”
Just so you know: The added fragrance here can be irritating, especially for people with sensitive skin.
The Ghana Butter from So Supple Organics strikes a delightful balance: It’s rich enough to hydrate skin all day but won’t leave any greasy residue. Our testers said it was even effective on severely dry, cracked skin (think your heels or hands).
Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains shea butter, avocado oil, and coconut oil—three particularly thick, nourishing moisturizers.
One tester said: “I am in love and have already ordered more. It has the perfect scent and sheen. The lotion is so lightweight and I remain moisturized all day.”
There’s nothing worse than putting on lotion and then having to wait for your body to dry. So…don’t. Instead, try this Nivea cream, which is fast-absorbing and leaves skin feeling soft and smelling fresh too.
Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains jojoba oil, which moisturizes and sinks into the skin quickly. It also contains vitamin E, an occlusive ingredient that seals in moisture and prevents water loss.
One tester said: “The Nivea cream melts into your skin so easily; other lotions feel like they take so long to rub in and get rid of any white streaks, but the Nivea just disappears. It’s also lightweight and doesn’t feel too heavy or greasy on my skin.”
Fragrance-free and hypoallergenic, Vaseline’s Intensive Care Sensitive Skin Relief Body Lotion has a nonirritating formula designed to calm and hydrate sensitive, dry skin. It’s not as thick as a body butter, but the lighter consistency allows it to sink in nicely.
Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains hydrating glycerin and shea butter, as well as colloidal oatmeal, which has a soothing effect on the skin.
One tester said: “This stuff checks all my boxes: fast-absorbing, super hydrating, fragrance-free, and packaged well in a big bottle. I can use it all over my body right after a shower and it’ll start sinking in right away.”
Saje’s Carrot Body Butter is a pleasant multisensory experience: It feels good, looks good, and smells good. While the butter softens and restores the skin, its scent has a comforting, relaxing effect—the perfect cap to a luxurious bath or shower.
Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains several hydrating ingredients, including shea butter, coconut oil, and glycerin.
One tester said: “If you want to feel like you just went to a spa, get this body butter. It comes in a jar-like container and is incredibly thick. The scent is woodsy and earthy without being overpowering.”
Just so you know: The essential oils in this moisturizer can be irritating for people with sensitive skin.
Cetaphil racks up SELF Healthy Beauty Awards year after year—and for good reason. This particular product relieves the dry, itchy, and generally irritated skin that accompanies eczema. Over time it also works to repair and strengthen the skin barrier, protecting it from further irritation. While it’s always best to touch base with your dermatologist before you add new products to your treatment plan, we can confirm that our testers with eczema gave this cream an emphatic yes.
Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains colloidal oatmeal, which can help calm eczema symptoms.
One tester said: “After using a new serum on my face and neck, I developed a severe allergic reaction, causing my skin to break to the point of bleeding. It was not going away—even after using a steroid cream and another compound cream prescribed by my dermatologist. Finally, I decided to stop using the products that were prescribed and started using this moisturizer. After about a week of use, the burning sensation and the flakiness went away.”
This multipurpose oil from Being Frenshe sinks into skin with ease—and it smells great too. It can also be used on hair for a little added gloss and moisture retention.
Bonus points, per the experts: Jojoba oil and shea butter are excellent salves for dry skin.
One tester said: “I love a product that I can use all over, and this one softened my skin with no greasy after-feel. It absorbed instantly, leaving me with a yummy and clean shea butter scent.”
Just so you know: This product contains essential oils and fragrance, both of which can be irritating to people with sensitive skin.
This Ellis Brooklyn body oil hydrates and softens skin while lending a subtle, radiant glow (and a pleasant, lasting fragrance), sans greasiness.
Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains jojoba oil and squalane, which both hydrate skin.
One tester said: “I love, love, love this product! The packaging and presentation was spot-on, it was very easy to use, it went on the skin smoothly, and it smelled spectacular. This glistening golden body oil did exactly what it said it would do—and I will definitely continue to use it.”
Just so you know: This product contains fragrance, which can be irritating to people with sensitive skin.
Sweaty, stinky people behold: This deodorant actually works. It has a mild, sage-y scent and an innovative rubber cap that makes hands-free application even and easy (and totally satisfying—it’s giving ASMR). According to our testers, just a thin layer is enough to get you through a full 24 hours.
Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains the alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) mandelic acid and lactic acid, which are chemical exfoliants that help prevent ingrown hairs. It also contains niacinamide and squalane, which soothe and moisturize.
One tester said: “Deodorant in a cream that doesn’t leave you with crusty pits? Check. A deodorant that smells great, is in a cute package, and actually works??? Check. I will only be using this deodorant until further notice!”
Just so you know: AHAs can be irritating for some folks, especially people with sensitive skin.
Olay’s Regenerist Body Wash left testers feeling smooth and looking bright. One tester was particularly struck by its unique texture: It’s silky and nourishing—“not your typical body wash”—at a drugstore price, to boot.
Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains niacinamide, which brightens, soothes, and hydrates skin. It also contains glyceryl oleate, a compound of glycerin and oleic acid (found in moisturizing plant oils like olive oil, avocado oil, and marula oil) that softens skin.
One tester said: “It smells delicious and is definitely an enjoyable experience for an everyday body cleanser. I can’t say enough about the smooth, silky texture. It’s almost like applying lotion to your skin.”
Nakery’s Intensive Repair Treatment Eczema Relief Soothing Treatment Wash is exceedingly gentle. Although it’s formulated for people with eczema, anyone who deals with very, very dry skin can benefit from using it.
Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains soothing aloe and redness-reducing niacinamide, as well as colloidal oatmeal, which can help relieve eczema symptoms like dryness or itchiness.
One tester said: “It’s super lush and creamy, with just enough lather to feel like it's cleansing. The smell is a little on the oat-y side, but very mild.”
This Soap & Glory scrub delivers on several body care fronts: It buffs away dead skin, helps prevent ingrown hairs, and has an invigorating texture and smell. In addition to lending your skin an all-over glow, it’s simply delightful to use.
Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains glycerin, a lightly hydrating ingredient.
One tester said: “The scrub itself was divine to use, and the plastic tub is especially shower-friendly. It smoothed and softened my skin, leaving it soft and glowy.”
Just so you know: Both physical exfoliants (including scrubs) and added fragrance can be irritating for some folks.
With a full-coverage spray nozzle that works at any angle (even if you’re holding the bottle upside down!), Bask Suncare’s lightweight SPF 50 Non-Aerosol Spray can easily be applied all over the body. It also dries quickly and won’t stain clothes.
Bonus points, per the experts: Chemical sunscreens, like this one, tend to have light, nongreasy formulas, making them a great option for people with oily skin.
One tester said: “The application process was smooth: The sheer spray covered lots of ground without requiring excessive rubbing in. After it dried, I'd never have known that I applied anything to begin with—its texture is that natural. And I didn’t burn while at a baseball game.”
Just so you know: This product contains added fragrance and chemical sunscreen ingredients, which can be irritating for people with sensitive skin.
You can do pretty much any activity in Vacation’s Classic Whip (which, yes, actually comes in a whipped-cream-style can). It smells appropriately summery, and thanks to its light, fluffy texture easily rubs into skin. Wear it for up to 80 minutes in water (or sweat)—and don’t forget to reapply!
Bonus points, per the experts: In addition to broad-spectrum SPF 30 sun protection, this product has added moisturizers like coconut oil, shea oil, and vitamin E, plus soothing aloe vera.
One tester said: “The airy, mousse-like formula is so easy to apply; you don’t have to shake it or squeeze it aggressively to get the sunscreen to come out. It absorbs well and feels moisturizing but not at all greasy, and it smells like a beach vacation but not in a too strong, over-the-top way.”
Just so you know: This product contains added fragrance and chemical sunscreen ingredients, which generate more heat on the skin and can be irritating, especially for people with sensitive skin.
Vacation’s SPF 30 Baby Oil’s nostalgic packaging evokes tanning oils of summers long ago, but it flips the script by employing a range of soothing, protective ingredients to ensure solid sun safety. The slightly glowy sheen it adds to skin is a nice perk.
Bonus points, per the experts: Vitamin E and jojoba oil keep skin moisturized, while chamomile and calendula calm skin in the heat.
One tester said: “The product smells and feels just like baby oil—so much so that I didn't really think that the SPF would be effective. I assumed that I would go out in the sun and burn. But to my surprise, the product really worked and I was totally protected.”
Just so you know: The Vacation Baby Oil contains added fragrance and chemical sunscreen ingredients, which can be irritating.
If you’ve ever gotten your brows professionally done, you may have noticed that your stylist combed them before plucking or waxing. Doing so gives you a more accurate depiction of how your brow hairs lay—and which outliers might be worth putting on the chopping block. This handy multi-tool ensures you’ll never forget that first step.
Bonus points, per the experts: This product is made of stainless steel, so it’s easy to clean after use.
One tester said: “On one end, the tweezers have a little gold comb that’s perfect for combing your brows (or in my case, upper lip hair when it gets that long). The other end has narrow, pointed tweezers. Pretty straightforward to use. Overall, it’s a great, cute set of tweezers!”
Got some rogue chin hairs you’re looking to weed out? The Slant Tweezer from Tweezerman will get the job done: Its tips are sharp and cut at an angle, making it easier to grip individual hairs.
One tester said: “These tweezers are super sharp, which is a bit of a learning curve when you first use them, and can get every little itty bitty hair. Seriously, it’s better than any other tweezer I’ve ever used.”
Gua sha tools can temporarily help with lymphatic drainage (and, as a result, puffiness). This one from PMD Beauty easily covers a nice amount of surface area, saving you a little time while still garnering impressive results. One tester reported being happy that this tool has a nonslip handle—because dropping and shattering a slippery piece of stone is never fun.
One tester said: “It only took me five minutes to see a more sculpted face. The tool came with a booklet that provided easy instructions and pictures on different techniques to try, as well as tips for following the curves of your face to get the best results.”
Lighter than light, quick-drying, and hydrating, St. Tropez’s Self Tan Luxe Body Serum goes on easily with minimal streaks. One tester hailed it as “beginner-friendly”—and, most important, it won’t turn you orange.
Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains hydrating hyaluronic acid and niacinamide, which can soothe and brighten skin.
One tester said: “The serum itself felt nice and not gross—it dried really quickly and I was able to get into bed within minutes. I did have some streaks, but I didn’t moisturize before application and I bet that would have helped. I also applied it to my face, and it looked really natural there too.”
Just so you know: This product contains fragrance, which can be irritating—especially for people with sensitive skin.
The original Schick Intuition (Siri, play Jewel) got a recent makeover: It now has a lower profile (to better glide against skin, avoiding cuts and nicks) and the built-in moisture bar you know and love from your teen years is now hypoallergenic, so it’s easier on sensitive skin. It’s great for an efficient shave at home, or when you’re at the gym or traveling and don’t have any shaving cream handy.
Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains soothing aloe.
One tester said: “No matter what body part I shave, this razor makes the whole process more simple—and less likely to cause nicks.”
At-home waxing might seem intimidating at best and a painful mess at worst. So one of our testers—a curious first-timer—was pleased to find that this Billie kit was far more straightforward than scary. The soft-gel wax is ready to use (no heating or prepping required); the 32 strips come in two sizes and feature long pull tabs; and the kit includes a post-wax serum.
Bonus points, per the experts: The wax contains skin-soothing aloe vera.
One tester said: “I used [a] strip on my bikini area, and it successfully removed a patch of hair in one try. When I was all done, I used the serum wipes and they immediately removed all the excess wax, and left my skin feeling really soft and moisturized.”
These ready-to-use wax strips from Athena Club remove facial hair gently but effectively, and are designed to minimize irritation. They’re made with smaller areas in mind, so it’s easy to target specific parts of the face. Testers also liked that the product comes with a hyaluronic acid serum to calm the skin and retain moisture after your wax.
One tester said: “I did a patch test and then was very successful in my first attempt at at-home waxing. I was afraid the cleanup wipe and/or the soothing essence could make me break out, but nothing of the sort happened. In fact, I kind of doubted that the soothing serum would actually do anything, and it really did keep the red down.”
Kitsch’s Shave Butter bar works into a luxurious lather that conditions skin while adding a layer of protection from your razor. It also rinses away cleanly and won’t leave the razor a clogged mess.
Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains shea butter, a rich moisturizer.
One tester said: “I love the creamy texture of this shave butter—it helped my razor easily glide over my legs and underarms and left my skin feeling soft and hydrated.”
Just so you know: This product contains fragrance, which may irritate sensitive skin.
This SELF Certified toothbrush is a splurge-worthy upgrade, with plenty of useful features that justify its higher price tag: It has seven cleaning modes (daily clean, whitening, gum care, sensitive, intense, super sensitive, and tongue clean), a quad timer, and a smart pressure sensor.
One tester said: “I continue to be wowed by its fancy features (and how clean my teeth feel): pressure sensors that change color when I’m brushing with just the right (or wrong) amount of force; vibrations and animations that push me to brush a full two minutes; and a charge that lasts over a week.”
Foamy toothpaste lovers, this one’s for you. Colgate’s Total Plaque Pro-Release toothpaste makes scrubbing hard-to-reach areas simple and easy, sparking joy while removing plaque and tartar buildup.
One tester said: “It has a strong mint flavor, it foams well, and my teeth feel nice and clean after using it. I didn’t notice a significant whitening effect, but I think my teeth look a little brighter since using it.”
Just so you know: This product contains sodium lauryl sulfate, which you may want to avoid if you’re prone to canker sores or have certain skin conditions, including eczema.
The trays in Burst Oral Care’s seven-day teeth whitening kit are about as breezy as at-home whitening can get: They come prefilled with gel, so all you have to do is stick them in for 15 minutes for seven days straight. According to the brand, teeth can appear up to six shades brighter by the end of the week.
Bonus points, per the experts: This product contains hydrogen peroxide, an expert-approved whitening agent.
One tester said: “The packaging for this is definitely cute—and especially so for this type of product. I like the simplicity of it: Using the trays was straightforward and easy. I also loved that the treatment only required 15 minutes per day for the seven-day stretch. Overall, though, it worked—so much that I give it a gold star!”
