The beauty team at Allure considered many, many factors when picking the Body Care winners of our 2023 Allure Best of Beauty Awards. Our desire for perfect skin doesn’t end at the collarbone. And yet, so many of the products we slather on our bodies seem perfectly content to do the bare minimum. They smooth and hydrate, but that’s basically the extent of it. We can almost hear our daily body lotion saying, “You’re going to be wearing black tights and chunky knits anyway, so why go all out?”
Our response? It’s time for a new daily body lotion. Because our skin goes all out, every day. It protects us from the elements, moves with us, grows with us, and even records our struggles and triumphs (we’ve got a C-section scar and we’re not afraid to flaunt it). The products on this page work as hard as our skin — and then go the extra mile by soothing, coddling, polishing, and protecting every inch too. What’s more beautiful than that?
Now, check out our favorite nourishing creams, invigorating cleansers, natural-looking tanners, and gentle treatments, plus ultra-effective antiperspirants, gentle hair-removal products, and more. Then read all about the rest of the winners of 2023’s Allure Best of Beauty Awards. Not sure where to start? Check out our Skin Care, Hair, Splurges, and Steals categories for the year’s top products.
Allure Best of Beauty Awards 2023: Body
Jump to your favorite category or keep reading to see every scrub, wash, and bath product:
Best Body Washes
Body Wash, Liquid: Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash
Why it won: Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash has been reformulated — but don’t worry! It still has best-of status because it still cocoons us in fatty acid-rich lather, but now the hydrators have been nano-ized to penetrate deeper. At the end of the day, skin is as supple as it was the moment you stepped out of the shower. (Plus, the redesigned bottle means you can easily flip it over in the shower to get every last drop.)
Body Wash, For Acne: PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Maximum Strength
Why it won: PanOxyl Acne Foaming Wash Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Maximum Strength, which contains the highest dose of benzoyl peroxide you can get without a prescription, penetrates deep into pores, killing acne-causing bacteria at the source. After rinsing, skip the towel — unless you want it bleached.
Body Wash, Bar: Leaf People Chlorophyll & Thyme Face & Body Detox Bar
Why it won: Blooming with botanicals (sunflower, rosemary, thyme), Leaf People Chlorophyll & Thyme Face & Body Detox Bar packs all the mood-boosting, redness-reducing benefits of an herb garden into one moisture-rich bar.
Best Body Exfoliators
Body Scrub, Physical: Tree Hut Ocean Glow Shea Sugar Scrub
Why it won: The grainy sugar crystals and algae extracts in Tree Hut Ocean Glow Shea Sugar Scrub make skin smoother than sea glass.
Body Scrub, Chemical & Physical: Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator
Why it won: The Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator offers a sophisticated blend of physical buffers (bamboo charcoal) and chemical exfoliators (glycolic and lactic acids) to polish away roughness and dullness. Bonus: It comes in a shower-friendly tube.
Best Body Moisturizers
Body Moisturizer, Light: Jergens Deep Conditioning Shea + Cocoa Butter Blend
Why it won: On first squeeze, Jergens Deep Conditioning Shea + Cocoa Butter Blend feels so decadent you might wonder what it’s doing in the “light moisture” category. Give it two seconds. This lotion absorbs on contact and cures dry skin without a hint of slickness.
Body Moisturizer, Rich: Nivea Soft Moisturizing Cream
Why it won: “This stuff made me feel like Benjamin Button,” raves one editor about Nivea Soft Moisturizing Cream. The incredibly plush formula seems to undo the years, making your knees and décolletage feel crepe-free and baby-soft.
Body Lotion, Brightening: Vaseline Radiant X Nourish & Even Tone Body Lotion
Why it won: Vaseline Radiant X Nourish & Even Tone Body Lotion creates a uniform glow with niacinamide. Bye-bye, dark spots.
Exfoliating Serum: Topicals Slather Exfoliating Body Serum
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Why it won: A full-body serum? Sign us up. Topicals Slather Exfoliating Body Serum for Textured Skin veils skin in a delicate layer of retinol and alpha hydroxy acids, producing the dewiest glow this side of… your face.
Body Oil: Pleasing Everybody Oil Matte Moisture Glow
Why it won: The fruit and flower oils (bergamot, primrose, avocado) in Pleasing Everybody Oil Matte Moisture Glow dry to an impeccably clean finish, marrying the suppleness of an oil with the airbrushed feel of a primer. With this dreamy formula, founder Harry Styles has a number one fan in editor in chief Jessica Cruel, who has been applying this elixir every morning for six months straight.
Best Body Treatments
For Acne, Spray Treatment: Versed Back-Up Plan
Why it won: You know those zits that taunt your gaze all the way from your shoulder blades? Versed Back-Up Plan delivers 2% salicylic acid (and sweet revenge) via a spray bottle that reaches those out-of-the-way places.
For Chafing: Megababe Dust Duo
Why it won: Think of the silky, talc-free powder and enormous, cottony puff in the Megababe Dust Duo as the silver lining to having chafe-prone skin.
For Chafing: First Aid Beauty Anti-Chafe Stick With Shea Butter + Colloidal Oatmeal
Why it won: The star ingredients in First Aid Beauty Anti-Chafe Stick With Shea Butter + Colloidal Oatmeal extinguish redness and absorb moisture, while the deodorant-like applicator glides on wherever rubbing occurs (inner thighs, underarms, between boobs).
Best Body Sunscreens
Sunscreen, Mineral Lotion: Avène Mineral Sunscreen Face & Body Lotion SPF 50
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Why it won: Avène Mineral Sunscreen Face & Body Lotion SPF 50 provides potent mineral protection in a thin, milky fluid.
Sunscreen, Mineral Spray: EltaMD UV AOX Mist Broad Spectrum SPF 40
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Why it won: For those who prefer the instant gratification of a spray, EltaMD UV AOX Mist Broad Spectrum SPF 40 defends skin as well as the goopiest formula, but it blends into a sheer finish.
Sunscreen, Chemical Lotion: CeraVe Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen
Why it won: CeraVe Hydrating Sheer Sunscreen contains a combination of physical and chemical UV filters, is weightless enough to use as a facial sunscreen (it won’t clog pores), and powerful enough to slather all over (you won’t sweat it off).
Sunscreen, Chemical Spray: Banana Boat Protection + Vitamins Sunscreen Spray SPF 30
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Why it won: Delivering a continuous mist of SPF and delicate hydration, Banana Boat Protection + Vitamins Sunscreen Spray SPF 30 is a breeze to apply every two hours. Just don’t forget to rub it into your skin post-spritz!
Sunscreen, Chemical Oil: Vacation Baby Oil SPF 30
Why it won: Vacation Baby Oil SPF 30 is packed with hydrating emollients (jojoba and sunflower seed oils) and broad-spectrum protection. Plus, it gives all the retro charm of baby oil — without the retro harm (mineral oil, sun damage).
Best Self-Tanners for Body
Self-Tanner, Mousse: St. Tropez Self Tan Berry Sorbet Bronzing Mousse
Why it won: St. Tropez Self Tan Berry Sorbet Bronzing Mousse isn’t kidding about the “sorbet” part. Or the “St. Tropez” part. The berries and rose scent recalls a palate-cleansing dessert, while the tinted, whipped formula creates an instant, post-vacation glow.
Self-Tanner, Gradual: Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk
Why it won: Bondi Sands Everyday Gradual Tanning Milk is as user-friendly as a self-tanner can get. The silky blend of shea butter and aloe vera does the job of a daily moisturizer, while building up subtle color that has a dewy sheen.
Best Bath Products
Bath Steamer: Bath & Body Works Eucalyptus Spearmint Shower Steamers
Why it won: One tablet of Bath & Body Works Aromatherapy Stress Relief Eucalyptus Spearmint Shower Steamers tossed at your feet conjures a minty cloud that clears your mind, opens your sinuses, and deepens your breathing — all in the time it takes to rinse and repeat.
Bath Bomb: Lush Bath Bomb
Why it won: The oversize Lush Bath Bomb dissolves into scented trails of mermaid colors (pink, blue, green), turning the average tub into a vibrant respite from reality.
Bath Companion: Kate McLeod The Pebble Solid Bath & Shower Oil
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Why it won: “Love, love, love,” enthuses one editor about Kate McLeod The Pebble Solid Bath & Shower Oil. With this starter kit of 20 different pebbles — each one as small, round, and smooth as a river stone — you can release skin-soothing oils (jojoba and baobab) and calming rose or lavender vapors at bathtime.
Bath Soak: SheaMoisture Pink Himalayan Salt Relaxing Mineral Soak
Why it won: You can actually feel your knots start to untangle as you ease into a bath enhanced with SheaMoisture Pink Himalayan Salt Relaxing Mineral Soak. With clary sage and neroli oil, one handful is enough to loosen tense shoulders and a stiff neck. Two handfuls might put you to sleep mid-bath (careful!).
Best Deodorants
Deodorant, Stick: Evolvetogether Deodorant in Monaco
Why it won: The elegant Evolvetogether Deodorant in Monaco is so cool and unflappable, it belongs in a Cary Grant film.
Deodorant, Spray: Native Coconut & Vanilla Deodorant & Body Spray
Why it won: Native Coconut & Vanilla Deodorant & Body Spray feels like nothing and smells like vacation. Site director Sam Escobar, who isn’t the biggest fan of spray-on deodorants, says this one is “extremely good,” thanks to its quick-dry, long-lasting formula.
Best Antiperspirant
Stick: Secret Clinical Completely Clean Invisible Solid
Why it won: Secret Clinical Completely Clean Invisible Solid provides an impenetrable barrier against wetness.
Spray: Unlimited by Degree SmartAdapt Tech Clean Dry Spray
Why it won: For an effortless, no-sweat approach, one quick blast of Unlimited by Degree SmartAdapt Tech Clean Dry Spray will keep you dry — on and off New York City subway platforms — all day long.
Best Shaving Products for Legs
Shaving Cream: EOS Cashmere Shave Butter
Why it won: With a trio of butters (shea, cocoa, argan), EOS Cashmere Shave Butter is ideal for when you want to spend a little more time in the shower: For supersoft skin, slather it on legs in between shampooing and hair-masking, then grab your razor for a satiny smooth shave.
Shaving Gel: Joy & Glee The Shave Gel
Why it won: Unlike most water-based formulas that rinse off before you can even touch blade to leg, Joy & Glee The Shave Gel lathers into a rich whip that hugs skin. “A little bit goes a long way,” says senior news editor Nicola Dall’Asen of the cloud-like cream. “You can make it super foamy to cover a lot of ground.”
Shaving Oil: Tree Hut Moroccan Rose Shave Moisturizing Shave Oil
Why it won: A silky serum laced with glycerin and fruit oils (grapeseed and rose hip), Tree Hut Moroccan Rose Shave Moisturizing Shave Oil — a repeat Best of Beauty winner — cushions skin but won’t jam up your razor.
Best Hair Removers
Razor: Billie Razor
Why it won: With its lightweight resin handle, stainless steel blades, and clever magnetic holder (to keep your razor on the wall and out of puddles), Billie Razor actually makes shaving enjoyable.
Trimmer: Gillette Venus for Pubic Hair & Skin Gentle Trimmer
Why it won: Gillette Venus for Pubic Hair & Skin Gentle Trimmer gets your bikini line back in line without nicks, bumps, or ingrown hairs. And did we mention you can use it wet or dry?
Hair-Removal Wax: Flamingo Body Wax Kit
Why it won: The only good wax is a fast wax, and Flamingo Body Wax Kit makes quick work of unwanted hair with sticky, premeasured strips — no fumbling with messy pots or scalding goo required.
Depilatory Cream: Schick Hydro Silk 2-in-1 Hair Removal Cream
Why it won: Schick Hydro Silk 2-in-1 Hair Removal Cream is the “easy, breezy” update to modern hair-removal creams we’ve been waiting for, says senior copy manager Dawn Rebecky. That’s because it gently exfoliates as it defuzzes — even those hard-to-remove lighter patches — leaving skin silky smooth and ingrown-free.
Best Hand-Care Products
Hand Cream, On-the-Go: Jinsoon Argan + Rose Moisturizing Hand Cream
Why it won: The velvety blend of nourishing argan oil and shea butter in Jinsoon Argan + Rose Moisturizing Hand Cream absorbs in a snap, while the dreamy rose-and-honeysuckle scent lingers long after you return the tube to your purse.
Hand Cream, For Our Desks: Vaseline Intensive Care Sensitive Skin Relief
Why it won: Why not keep a bottle of Vaseline Intensive Care Sensitive Skin Relief perched on your desk year-round? The soothing formula rescues chapped skin without greasing up your keyboard.
Hand Sanitizer: Touchland Power Mist
Why it won: Shaped like a smartphone, Touchland Power Mist slips easily into a pocket, kills germs, locks in moisture, and outlasts gel formulas. If it learns to order sushi, we’re retiring our iPhone 14.
Hand Wash: LAFCO New York Retreat Liquid Soap
Why it won: The notes of ginger and sage in LAFCO New York Retreat Liquid Soap are fancy enough for a boutique hotel; the amino acids and rice proteins are nourishing enough to be a bathroom (and kitchen) staple.
Best Oral-Care Products
Teeth Whitening: Moon Oral Beauty Midnight Dissolving Whitening Strips
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Why it won: Like a bedtime tea, Moon Oral Beauty Midnight Enamel Care Dissolving Whitening Strips combines minerals, chamomile, and lavender to soothe and brighten during sleep. And they’ll melt away before you hit snooze.
Teeth Whitening: Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects
Why it won: For dramatic results, Crest 3D Whitestrips Professional Effects restores mouths to mint condition by eliminating 10+ years of stains. This repeat winner deserves all the brightest, shiniest accolades (again).
Teeth Whitening: Colgate Optic White Express Teeth Whitening Pen
Why it won: The Colgate Optic White Express Teeth Whitening Pen, affectionately called “the holy grail of teeth whitening” by our testers, is so profoundly portable, we’re whitening while typing this.
Floss: Reach Pop Dental Floss
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Why it won: Each spool of Reach Pop Dental Floss contains colorful, flavorful threads (peppermint, spearmint, cinnamon) that glide between teeth without snagging or shredding. And one little case lasts almost as long as it takes to convince that reluctant family member (there’s always one) to book biannual cleanings.
Toothbrush: Oral-B iO Series 5
Why it won: With its rotating movements and oscillating bristles, Oral-B iO Series 5 electric toothbrush provides a satisfying, just-got-a-checkup feeling after each use. This device comes with a screen, so be sure to spend a full two minutes brushing or you will get a frownie face that really brings on the guilt.
Toothpaste: Colgate Total Plaque Pro-Release
Why it won: Colgate Total Plaque Pro-Release produces an enamel-safe foam that surrounds teeth and penetrates hard-to-reach crevices, fighting bacteria in every nook. Four out of five Allure beauty editors recommend this gum toothpaste. (The fifth one was OOO when we did the testing.)
Tool: Davids Professional Tongue Scraper
Why it won: Davids Professional Tongue Scraper is everything it says it is. Crafted from 100% medical-grade stainless steel, this expertly sculpted device removes bacteria in one pass to freshen breath, help prevent gum disease, and jazz up your brushing routine.
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