It’s sunny with a chance of skin—and more precisely, body. As of late, we’re seeing the rise of body care. Both makeup and skincare brands are venturing into the scene, with their own spin on the concept. Known for their colour cosmetics, both Rare Beauty and Tatcha have dipped their toes into the category, launching the Find Comfort and Hinoki lines respectively. But they aren’t the only ones. Keep reading to read all about how the world is moving on to a new trend: the skinification of body and hair care.
All over the world, everyone wants a slice of the pie—Canada’s Nudestix have Nudebody; Germany’s Augustinus Bader has an entire range dedicated to it; and America’s Origins and Drunk Elephant are both taking a stab at it too. The general interest in the vertical boomed as the world exited the COVID-19 lockdown. During that turbulent time, many of us turned to skincare as an outlet, and as a result, the audience is expecting similar high-performing formulas in body care. And innovate they did.
Newcomers Kosas and Urban Jungle made a splash upon entry with their chemical exfoliant-infused body washes—a dream for those battling body acne. Kosas Sport Good Body Skin (which arrives in two delicious scents) sloughs off dead skin with the power of AHAs and fruit enzymes in a formula that’s gentle for even those with sensitive skin types. Urban Jungle Grime Fighter works similarly with the benefits of lactic acid, with the additional moisturising perk of apricot seed oil to bring back nourishment to the skin. In a twist, you can also now find an infusion of magnesium in luxury body washes. REN Atlantic Kelp and Magnesium Anti-Fatigue Body Wash is perfect for those with an active or sedentary lifestyle. The key ingredient works to unravel knots and soreness to lull you into a sense of relief.
While physical exfoliants are frowned upon for facial purposes, the body can take on a little more energised jostling—so body scrubs persevered. A treasure from the fragrance powerhouse, the Diptyque Smoothing Body Polish doubles as an ointment after a vigorous scouring. Pomegranate seed oil and peach butter work in tandem to unleash their fatty-acid-rich quality to result in skin that is left incredibly supple to the touch. Its creamy texture glides over the body, allowing the grains to work their magic without going overboard. If instant gratification is what you’re aiming for then look no further than the Fenty Skin Cherry Dub Body Scrub. The trifecta of sugar, AHAs, and fruit enzymes are just what the doctor ordered to unveil glazed, commercial-ready skin. The best part? There’s a light layer of hydration that remains after you wash it off, and the succulent scent inspired by Barbados cherry leaves you feeling like a total snack. Lastly, the hot-selling Frank Body Glycolic Body Scrub bumps off texture and tightens pores with the help of niacinamide. With volcanic pumice in the mix, you’re getting both actions from physical and chemical exfoliants in one fell swoop. No matter which route you take with body exfoliants, know that crystal clear and smooth skin is in the cards for you.
Last, but not least, the scalp is finally getting the attention it deserves. All this time we’ve been so focused on the shaft and getting our hair to feel as smooth as possible, that we forget to address the root cause—follicular health. Since that has clocked into our collective consciousness, we’re now seeing an onslaught of scalp-related products to pamper it with. You can start at the earliest point in the routine, which is with the Briogeo Scalp Revival Rosemary Pre-Wash Oil. Supplying the scalp with a shot of barrier-strengthening and stimulating ingredients, it’s a quick treat for yourself—especially if you couple it with a satisfying head massage. Leave it overnight for best results, but of course, if you’re in a hurry, follow up with the rest of your routine after 15 minutes. To really suck out all the impurities, consider the Omorovicza Revitalising Scalp Mask, which is enriched with the brand’s iconic purgative Hungarian Moor mud. On top of that, it’s also imbued with salicylic acid to unblock hair follicles, which is the best way to start healthy hair growth. 20 minutes is all you need to get the best results.
You also have the luxury of choosing between a scrub or a micro-peeling treatment. The Oribe Serene Scalp Exfoliating Scrub taps the exfoliating abilities of AHAs and fruit extracts to do away with clogging product buildup, letting the scalp breathe. Similarly, the Kerastase Symbiose Micro-Peeling Cellulaire Scalp Treatment utilises micro-peeling acids and plant-based beads to purify the scalp—including pesky dandruff! Additionally, it offers a pleasant cooling sensation from the menthol, leaving you truly refreshed.
This story first appeared in the June/July 2024 Issue of GRAZIA Malaysia.