With the sun tentatively shining, it’s time to start prepping your body for warmer weather and the skin-baring clothes that come with it.
At this stage, when jumpers and tights are still the norm, make one simple switch to your routine – swap your regular shower gel for an exfoliating body wash. This is a super gentle way to slough away dead skin cells and get your skin glowing, making things less of a mad panic when the hot weather arrives. Read on for Team ELLE’s pick of the best exfoliating body washes…
Price: £10.20
Stockist: Burt's Bees
Pros: The Royal Jelly and jojoba infused beads work together in this creamy body wash to awaken my dull skin with gentle exfoliation.
Cons: Has a strong 'natural' smell, that I worried would mix with my perfume but it quickly faded.
Verdict: A great kick-start body wash, that left my skin radiant. I also like that it's 99% natural.
Tested by Leonie Eastwood, Beauty Intern
Price: £22
Stockist: Green & Spring
Pros: I loved the zingy spearmint scent of this wash and its cooling and refreshing sensation. It lathers well and leaves my skin soft.
Cons: It’s only slightly abrasive which is a little disappointing as I felt I wanted a little more ‘scrub’ to it, it’s a little too gentle for my liking.
Verdict: I would probably use this as a summer body wash as it’s lovely and cooling but I wouldn’t use it as an alternative to a scrub.
Tested by Georgia Collins, Beauty Editor
Price: £12.50
Stockist: L'Occitane
Pros: It has a gritty, sand-like texture (almond shell granules) which you can really feel working, sloughing off dead skin. It has a refreshing fruity, floral scent.
Cons: You have to be sure to shower off every last bit of residue or it can be scratchy on the skin, but the same can be said for any scrub.
Verdict: After using it for only a few days my skin already feels smoother and softer.
Tested by Suzanne Scott, Beauty Writer
Price: £34
Pros: The grainy texture that feels reassuringly expensive. The scent is a lovely clean floral as well.
Cons: My time in the shower got longer as the fine grains would get between my toes.
Verdict: My skin is brighter and smoother. Win win all round.
Tested by Emma Smith, Beauty Director
Price: £37
Pros: This exfoliating body wash has the best of both worlds – the papain enzyme (from the papaya) works to loosen the dead skin cells, while the granules manually exfoliate.
Cons: I can’t really fault this product. I’d like a few more granules, but then this isn’t claiming to be a scrub.
Verdict: A great buy; it left my skin soft, clean and with a subtle, fruity, scent.
Tested by Amy Lawrenson, Online Beauty Writer
Price: £34
Stockist: Perrcone MD
Pros: The premium formula contains Glycolic Acid, which smoothes over rough patches and brightens skin without the need for granules.
Cons: Doesn't give you that scrubbed-fresh feeling of more abrasive formulas.
Verdict: I was initially sceptical of its exfoliating properties, but my winter-dry elbows and knees, after a couple of applications, were noticeably smoother.
Tested by Emily Cronin, Online News Editor
Price: £9.45
Stockist: Boots
Pros: I love this scrub; it’s packed with granules and smells like breakfast thanks to the honey, almond and banana extracts.
Cons: Annoyingly the granules stuck to the bath tub when I washed it off, which meant I had to wipe the bath every time. I would definitely use this after shower gel, rather than instead of.
Verdict: This is a really great product and definitely one I would use again. It left my skin amazingly smooth.
Tested by Sarah Bonser, Online Intern
Price: £17
Stockist: Primavera
Pros: The aromatic, fresh scent was the perfect start to the day but ultimately, the scrub’s greatest strength was in its gentle exfoliation that left my skin smooth and polished.
Cons: The squeezy bottle made it a little tricky and slippery to use.
Verdict: It’s a luxurious way to kick start the day and leaves skin clean, smooth and exfoliated.
Tested by Alice Watt, Online Fashion Assistant
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