Health & Beauty | Beauty: Products

Some of us are bath people and some of us are shower people. Some of us prefer evening for this cleansing ritual and some prefer morning. Whichever camp you’re in, here are some great products to incorporate into your cleansing routine.

The Lather Cloth is an amazing hybrid: A square washcloth with 100% cotton terry cloth on one side and an exfoliating mesh body scrubber on the other. There are long loops on two corners that you can hook your fingers in and scrub it across your back! This is one of my favorite features of this amazing tool. I only wish someone would now invent a device that could also rub body lotion into my back! Unlike the scrunchies or even back brushes, which both collect bacteria and have to be replaced often, this wonderful cloth is machine-washable. The Lather Cloth comes in a variety of colors and a box containing two costs only about $15.
You will want to use a good body wash with your Lather Cloth, and one option is Jurlique’s Jasmine Shower Gel. This lush gel uses Jasmine, honey and marshmallow to clean and moisturize your skin with a heady sensual scent—great to use before a romantic evening. It also comes in balancing Rose, stimulating Citrus, and soothing Lavender. About $22 for 10 ounces.
Another favorite is Tree Hut’s Shea Moisturizing Hawaiian Kukui Body Wash, which smells so clean and tropical (the scent is from the kukui nut). Organic shea butter repairs skin and is anti-aging, the kukui nut oil promotes fast absorption and heals dry cracked skin, and rosemary leaf extract is a great anti-oxidant. This product is paraben and sulfate-free, and you can find it online for as little at about $8 for 17.5 ounces.
Once or twice a week, you will want to use an exfoliating scrub, and Fake Bake has a great one called Passion Fruit Body Polish. I like the fine grit of the natural exfoliate, luffa, and the scent is fresh and sweet. It includes high concentrations of botanicals such as aloe vera, chamomile, yarrow, elder flowers, sage, fennel and marigold oil. These ingredients help soften and nourish your skin. This scrub is paraben-free, is not tested on animals, and contains natural, organic preservatives. Only $12 for 6 ounces.
Once you are finished with your cleansing, you’ll want smooth legs. If you use a razor, Queen of Smooth has an interesting shaving gel called Ta-da! It is a silky gel with tea tree oil, and it is paraben and perfume-free. It glides on easily and is clear, so you can see what you are shaving. Ta-da is non-drying like some other shaving lotions and gels, and it’s a great way to get a close shave after a nice long bath or shower. You can purchase this online for less than $3 for 5 ounces.