Just cleansing is no longer enough. A barrage of body washes promising to pamper your skin and soothe your psyche are competing for the chance to fill your shower caddy. “You’re going to be in the shower anyway, why not use an aromatherapeutic product?” says Jill Freeman, marketing vice president for Freeman Cosmetics, makers of personal-care products, including body washes.
Evanston dermatologist Dr. Andrew Scheman says body washes are milder than bar soaps, and more concentrated. “A little goes a long way,” he says. “Just a dab on a loofah or bath puff will do it.”
From sophisticated scents to those designed to conjure the indulgence of a rich dessert, these combo cleansers aim to transform a practical daily ritual into an opportunity for skin softening and mood boosting.
Some dermatologists are skeptical. Though the products are less drying than traditional cleansers, Scheman says most skins still will need an extra layer of moisturizer after stepping out of the shower. Dry skin in particular will require additional hydration, especially as the weather turns more chilly and dry.
LOTS OF LATHER OR ALL WET?
To find out how body washes rate, we asked a group of women to try seven popular brands. Our panel of testers included Nicole Adams, 22, an editorial assistant; Nancy Berman, 50, a fundraising consultant; Marie Considine, 45, a public television marketer; Bijal Doshi, 28, a medical practice administrator; Karen Heller, 42, a landscape architect; Jane Manzano, 33, a clothing sales representative.
product: CRABTREE & EVELYN CITRUS BODY SHAMPOO $9.50 in Crabtree & Evelyn stores or call 888-426-6591)
selling points: Has citrus-based anti-oxidants.
pros: “Lathered well.” “I felt clean and fresh.” “I could feel the moisture.” “Citrus (scent) was invigorating.” “Left skin soft and smooth.”
cons: None
summary: Raves. Gentle, clean-smelling, effective.
product: BIOELEMENTS COMFORTABLY CLEAN BODY WASH ($21; call 800-533-3064)
selling points: The natural antiseptic and scentsual properties of geranium, lavender and lemon oils. Formula can be custom-blended at hair salons to include extra moisture, soothing concentrate and minerals.
pros: “Lathered well.” “Didn’t dry my skin.”
cons: “Smelled medicinal.”
summary: Custom formulation is appealing, but smell doesn’t sell.
product: FREEMAN VANILLA BEAN AND GARDENIA MOISTURIZING BODY WASH ($3.99 in drugstores)
selling points: Aromatherapeutic vanilla soothes and calms.
pros: “Foamed up well.””Left a nice, silky feeling.” “Smelled good, subtle.” “Didn’t leave a film.”
cons: “Had a food-like smell.”
summary: If you like vanilla, you’ll love this formula.
product: ST. IVES SWISS FORMULA CHOCOLATE CREME BODY WASH ($2.59 in drugstores)
selling points: Contains skin softening cocoa butter, Vitamins A, E and D and a dessert-worthy scent.
pros: “It’s a calorie-free chocolate fix.” “Moisturizing.” “A novelty.”
cons: Scent “may be good for children” but not appealing to adults. “Chocolate in the shower is not pleasant.” “Sticky.” “Globby texture.”
summary: A must for chocoholics.
product: VITABATH MOISTURIZING HONEY & VANILLA GELEE ($9.50 in department stores)
selling points: Has a hydrating honey formula.
pros: “Pretty fragrance, doesn’t linger and smells sweet.” Skin felt “supple and smooth” after using.
cons: Smell doesn’t connote cleanliness.
summary: Split opinion on the fragrance, but the gel works.
product: DONNA KARAN WASHED SILK CLEANSING LOTION ($30 in some department sores; call 800-647-7474)
selling points: Plant-derived moisturizers and a sophisticated scent.
pros: “Scent did not linger.” “Moisturizing was good.””Looks and feels luxurious.””Left a soft feeling.”
cons: “Little lather.” “Scent was overpowering.”Expensive.
summary: Sophisticated scent aside, where’s the suds?
product: OIL OF OLAY MOISTURIZING BODY WASH (3.39 in department stores)
selling points: Same hydrating ingredients as body lotion.
pros: “Did a good job of moisturizing and cleansing.” Left some residue on skin.
cons: “Left residue on the skin.
summary: Good cleansing, but a split decision filmy aftermath.
