That summer glow.
Summer makes everything – and everyone – look better.
Sun-kissed skin and hair, freckles, soft, tanned limbs – is it any wonder we want our summer beauty to last all year long?
One of the most important things we can do to keep our summer glow going strong is to make sure to moisturise every day. And not just our faces, but our entire bodies.
A good quality body lotion or body oil is your best bet, and the best time to apply it is right after your shower – while your skin is still a little damp.
I am a sucker for soft, nourished skin, and a real body lotion addict, and having tested my way through hundreds of them, here are some of my favourite buys:
1. Trilogy Pure Plant Body Oil
Ever since I started a morning tradition of dry brushing before an ice-cold shower during the Covid lockdown, I have been obsessed with this body oil from Trilogy. When I step out of my freezing shower, I pat myself dry with a towel, the warm a little bit of oil in my hand before applying it all over my body, ideally when my skin is still damp.
And honestly, my skin has never been softer or looked more glowing – no doubt thanks to the nutritious plant oils that are rich in essential fatty acids and vitamins. Sweet almond oil nourishes and protects the skin from drying out, apricot oil is anti-inflammatory and soothing while rosehip oil repairs and strengthens.
€19.95
2. Biotherm Oil Therapy Body Balm
This gorgeous body lotion is another personal favourite of mine, and one I always make sure to pick up when I am travelling, as I tend to find it in duty-free.
The bottle lasts forever, the lotion sinks in immediately and makes my skin look and feel so, so soft – oh, and I love the smell of apricot too.
Biotherm is inspired by the power of thermal springs, minerals and other bioactive ingredients, and the unique composition of its products draws its energy from water in particular, as a natural element standing at the very start of life.
€21.95
A really great bargain buy, the Moisturising Cream by CeraVe has been developed alongside dermatologists, and has a rich formula that helps protect the skin’s natural barrier with three essential ceramides and new technology to provide daily instant and long-lasting hydration.
Hyaluronic Acid helps to retain the skin’s natural moisture, and I love slathering my entire body in this before bedtime.
€14.39
4. La Roche Posay Lipikar Balm Apbiome
If you’re someone who has sensitive or irritated skin, this body moisturiser is the one to get. It is gentle and hydrating and specially designed to soothe the skin, relieving feelings of itchiness, urge to scratch and general discomfort.
I also love how it keeps skin hydrated for up. to 48 hours and is perfectly suitable for eczema-prone skin.
€22
5. Evolve Beauty Super Berry Body Oil
Another really great body oil, and a great choice if you are keen to stick to clean beauty buys only.
Evolve’s Super Berry Body Oil is made for all skin types, and is designed to revive skin and help to reduce the appearance of scars and stretch marks.
Packed with antioxidants and essential fatty acids to deeply nourish and protect skin, this oil glides on and sinks in super-quickly, making your skin look and feel soft and nourished.
€34
6. Summer Fridays Summer Silk Nourishing Body Lotion
My latest find – that I am seriously obsessed with. Summer Fridays is a somewhat cult skincare brand, and for good reason.
The Summer Silk Nourishing Body Lotion feels like a real indulgence, laced with plant butters and oils that melt into skin to deeply hydrate – all with a sunny coconut and almond scent.
£26
7. Sol De Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
From one cult buy to the next, Sol de Janeiro’s Brazilian Bum Cream has won beauty addicts across the globe over with its super hydrating and rich texture that somehow manages to leave no residue.
Oh, and we love how it contains caffeine to stimulate blood flow and reduce the appearance of cellulite (according to reviews) and the nutty scent is totally addictive too.
€20
8. Dublin Herbalists Juniper Berry and Frankincense Body Oil
Love this body oil from Irish brand Dublin Herbalists.
Their gorgeous Body Oil feeds and replenishes your skin, providing lasting, all-over smoothness and softness.
€29.95
9. Nivea Q10 + Vitamin C Firming Body Lotion
Another great bargain buy – and apparently Jennifer Aniston’s favourite.
Nivea’a Q10 + Vitamin C Firming Body Lotion will transform your dry skin and noticeably firm it too, all thanks to the unique formula.
If you dream of noticeably smoother and more hydrated skin, but don’t want to spend a fortune, this cream is for you.
€4.99
10. Drunk Elephant TLC Glycolic Body Lotion
Exfoliating? Check. Hydrating? Check. Rich in antioxidants? Check, again.
This body moisturiser is enriched with a 10% AHA blend of glycolic, tartaric, lactic and citric acids, making it perfect for dry skin. I love how the fragrance is rather subtle, and also that it contains lots of antioxidant-rich oils.
€24
