The Beauty Edit | Vol. 9

Shop my full body care routine here

If you caught this week's newsletter, you knew this week’s Beauty Edit was going to be all about body care!

Let me be honest with you about something. For most of my younger life, body care was an afterthought. Shower, slap on some lotion if I remembered, move on. That was it. That was the whole routine.

Then things like PCOS, Endometriosis, and turning 45 happened. And my body was like... no, absolutely not.

Here’s the thing about PCOS and Endometriosis. Sure we know about the more common side effects like excess hair, horrible periods, and infertility, etc. But did you know that along with the hormonal shifts and inflammation come things like excess dryness as well? ME EITHER until I did my own research.

I’ve also been on a GLP-1 for years, long before they became the thing everyone was talking about. I’ve been prescribed this for my insulin resistance, which has helped my AIC tremendously. BUT again, one of the side effects is increased dryness.

Don’t even get me started on my SSRI (which, fun bonus, also makes me sweat more, so I’m simultaneously sweaty AND dry, which is a whole thing) my skin has never needed more help than it does right now.

So I did what I always do…I got a little extra about my body care routine.

And by a little extra, I mean I now have a full routine that includes dry brushing, double cleansing, exfoliating (strategically), shower oil, body serum, multiple moisturizers… and sometimes body oil on top.

Is it a lot? Yes.
Is my skin the best it’s ever been? Also yes.

I broke down everything I’m using (drugstore + Sephora + a few random finds) and exactly how I layer it all!

If your skin has been asking for more lately, this might be your sign to listen.

Before I even turn the water on, I dry brush. It sounds like extra work and it is, but the difference in my skin texture since I started doing this consistently is real. I use the Kate McLeod Dry Brush and I will never go back.

Always Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash first. Every single time, everywhere. My skin is reactive enough that I don’t mess with this step. I need something gentle and reliable as my base cleanse, and Dove has never let me down. Plus it just smells so clean!

After the gentle cleanse, I go in with something a little more interesting. I’ve been loving the EOS Body Wash and the Cyklar Body Wash - both are genuinely lovely and make the shower feel like an actual experience instead of a chore.

This is where things get a little intense, but stick with me.

A few times a week I’ll use a physical scrub - either the TreeHut Body Polish or the Naturium Scrub. Both are great for arms, legs, elbows, and feet. Nothing fancy, just effective.

But my current obsession is the Soft Services Affogato L’Orange Buffing Bar. It smells like an adult orange creamsicle and it’s a gentler version of their original bar, which means I can use it more frequently without irritating my skin. The texture on my arms and legs after using this thing is genuinely something. I also use the LUV Body Scrub for my regular shower exfoliation….Heavy hitter for rough spots. If you have a favorite african net sponge, DROP IT in the comments because I'm on the hunt.

This step has been a total game changer for the dryness situation. I apply a shower oil after everything else while I’m still wet. One of my favorites is the Cyklar In-Shower Oil Balm, (apply this is while you are wet, (DO NOT RINSE) which melts right into wet skin and you basically step out already moisturized. Ceramides, coconut seed butter, the works. It’s so good.

I also have my eye on the Hanni Splash Salve - it works the same way, applied to wet skin before you rinse, and I’ve heard incredible things about it for dry skin. Will report back when I try it.

This is where the real commitment happens, and I’m not apologizing for it.

While my skin is still slightly damp, I go straight in with a body serum. The Uni Body Serum is incredible! It smells amazing and I genuinely notice a difference in my hydration levels when I’m using it consistently. The OSEA Body Serum is another one I love and rotate in regularly.

At least three times a week I use the Saltair KP Body Smoother, which has glycolic acid and urea. If you have any texture, bumps, or just general uneven skin situations going on - this one is worth it. I love that it’s such an amazing product at a great price point.

And now, the lotion step. Which is not just one product. I know. I KNOW. I like to have options.

My current favorites: the Naturium Glow Getter is a body butter I keep reaching for over and over. I even have a travel size in my to-go kit. The AESTURA ATOBARRIER365 Body Lotion has become a new love because it’s packed with ceramides and it’s perfect for sensitive skin. I can’t NOT mention Prequel Barrier Repair (they have two formulas) because each product is incredible for really dry skin types. And the EOS Cashmere Vanilla Body Lotion is my forever comfort product. The First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream also lives in my rotation for the days my skin is being truly dramatic.

I want to try the Vanilla Verve Body Cream and the new illuminating body oil as well. They sound perfect for Summer.

Some days just lotion isn’t enough and those days I layer a body oil on top. The EOS Body Oil, Naturium Body Oil, and OSEA Body Oil are all ones I love. Pick based on your mood, honestly. I love to use a body oil so my skin looks glowing and radiant. No one wants to see dry legs!

For areas that are extra dry (think elbows, knees, heels) I’ve been reaching for a moisturizing bar at night. The Kate McLeod Stone is genuinely one of the best things I’ve ever used for this. You press it against your skin and it melts into the driest spots. It sounds gimmicky and it is absolutely NOT gimmicky. I’ve talked about his brand way back in 2023 on Simply Stine! It doesn’t leave me greasy, but instead super moisturized.

This is a routine that works for my me and my skin. It doesn’t mean that you have to do every single step of this routine. However, if you’re having issues with dry skin, texture, etc - It might be a good resource for products to try!

Also, this doesn’t also include the nutritional changes I’ve made. Chugging tons of water. Eating foods that are good for my body, etc. All of that does make a difference as well.

One more thing to note….you do not need to spend a fortune on products. I have drugstore products in this routine sitting right next to Sephora finds, and they work together beautifully. What matters is consistency and actually using products with ingredients your skin needs- hydrating, barrier-supporting, exfoliating in the right balance.

When you have something like PCOS or you’re navigating hormonal shifts (hello, 40s), your skin needs more help than it used to. That’s not a flaw. That’s just information. Work with it.

My routine is a few extra minutes, yes.
It’s me taking time for me…
But when your skin finally feels like your skin again?
Worth it. Every single time.

Shop my complete body care routine on ShopMy →