March 29, 2024

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I’m the definition of a creature of habit. For years, a drugstore face wash and moisturizer have been the extent of my skincare routine — if you could even call it that. And aside from quickly rubbing a glob of lotion over freshly shaven legs, I rarely give the rest of my skin any attention. Slowing down and indulging in lavish skin care was foreign to me for most of my life, but when I had to test products for a round of beauty awards in 2020, my perspective on body care completely shifted — and it’s never been the same since.

Specifically, one product opened my eyes to the beauty of nourishing all of your skin — not just your face — with moisturizing ingredients. The game-changing product in question? The Phyto Replenish Body Oil by Dermalogica, an Oprah-approved skincare brand. This magical jar single-handedly turned me into a huge advocate for prioritizing body care. Now, I look forward to lathering the soothing oil onto my skin so much, I make every excuse to shower just so I can indulge in using it afterward.

Listen, I know you might be hesitant to opt for an oil instead of your tried and true body lotion. Full disclosure: When I first heard about body oils, the words “slick” and “greasy” came to mind, and I wasn’t interested either. But when I tried Dermalogica’s version, I promptly ate my words and changed my tune on everything I thought I knew about the moisturizing method. 

A small amount of this body oil mixed with a splash of water in my palm creates a milky texture that feels buttery-soft when applied to skin. And contrary to what you might expect, it absorbs quickly, leaving my skin feeling supple and hydrated with little to no dry-time needed before I can get dressed. But to be honest, I love spreading this oil all over my body so much, I leisurely enjoy the process for longer than necessary. And it doesn’t transfer to fabrics once I finally bite the bullet and put clothes on, BTW.

Oh, and its scent — a delicate mixture of orange blossom and bergamot — is subtle and calming, immediately transporting me to a luxurious spa. It lingers on my skin all day but isn’t overpowering (aka, the perfect combo for a fragrance.) While $53 is more than I typically spend on a skincare product, I’ve been using the same 4.2 ounce bottle for three months now. A little goes a long way, and trust me: You won’t regret treating your skin (and nose) to this glorious body oil.