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Last year was all about the bodycare boom—and this year, it’s about refining your lineup. Much like the skin on your face, your body deserves attention too. Still, in the chaos of daily life (who honestly has time for more steps?), it's easy to cast body care aside. But here’s the good news: Recent innovations make treating the skin below your chin easier than ever, so your routine feels like less of a chore and more of a treat.
In preparation for the Well+Good 2025 Beauty Awards, we put the buzziest body launches to the test and came out softer, smoother, and better-smelling than ever (yes, you could say our hard work paid off). Our testers slathered on hundreds of moisturizers, washes, deodorants, and treatments; and we also took a magnifying glass to oral care, evaluating the most high-tech—and budget-friendly—toothbrushes, water flossers, whitening products, and more.
Ultimately, only the best made it through our rounds of cuts, and we’ve got all the details on them ahead. Get ready to add these 15 new MVPs to your bodycare routine.
Meet the 2025 bodycare winners
Best Body Moisturizer
What it is: A deeply hydrating body lotion that helps restore dry, damaged skin.
Why we love it: There’s dry skin—and then there’s itchy dry skin. It may not seem like a major distinction, but to anyone whose dryness comes with the kind of physical discomfort that only a good scratch can relieve, discovering CeraVe’s Intensive Moisturizing Lotion feels like hitting the jackpot. One tester said this lotion was “really calming” on her chronically dry and itchy skin, while another loved how the formula “had the right amount of slip without feeling greasy.” And unlike some body lotions that seem to evaporate by midday, our testers found the moisture long-lasting, thanks to the formula’s barrier-repairing ceramides, smoothing urea, and moisturizing shea.
Best Deodorant
What it is: A powerfully effective spray deodorant that looks (and feels) invisible.
Why we love it: Spray deodorants can be divisive—especially when they leave your pits wet or sticky. But Secret’s Clinical Dry Spray won over even our most skeptical testers thanks to its ultra-fine mist and quick-dry formula. “It felt a little cold when I first sprayed it on, but it dried down totally clear,” said one tester, who also appreciated how long each of the three scents lasted. Another tester agreed, noting that the spray smelled pretty strong at first, but then faded nicely throughout the day. “When I did a sniff check a few hours later, I liked that I still smelled fresh,” she said.
And if you’ve been let down in the past by a spray deo that immediately rubbed off, maybe this will soothe your trust issues: One of our testers was ecstatic that a single morning application held up through a full day of commuting, errands, and toddler-wrangling, with zero white marks on her clothes or pilling under her arms.
Best Body Sunscreen
What it is: A deliciously scented chemical sunscreen that moisturizes as it protects—without leaving a white cast.
Why we love it: Black Girl Sunscreen Vanilla Crème SPF 30 feels, smells, and disappears into skin so much like a luxurious body lotion, you almost forget that you’re applying broad-spectrum protection. The formula is packed with soothing, antioxidant-rich seed oils—like sunflower, jojoba, and cacao—which help deliver lasting moisture alongside broad-spectrum sun protection (thanks to UV filters avobenzone, homosalate, octisalate, and octocrylene).
One tester called it the Goldilocks of sunscreen textures—not too thick, not too thin—and all of our testers couldn’t stop raving about the scent. “The vanilla is the star of this formula,” said one newfound fan. “It’s light and gourmand, not artificial, and honestly works great as the base layer in my fragrance routine.”
Best Body Scrub
What it is: A non-oily scrub that sloughs away dead skin to leave you smooth and soft.
Why we love it: Body scrubs are often either too greasy or too gritty, but Daise nails the balance with a formula that’s just exfoliating enough to smooth rough patches, without leaving behind an oily film (or a million scratches). “I loved that it didn’t make my skin greasy or the shower floor dangerously slick,” said one tester, who also noticed her skin looking noticeably brighter and more even after just a few uses. With a gel-like texture and six scent options ranging from juicy melon to cozy vanilla, this scrub will turn your shower into a full-on self-care moment—without the hefty price tag.
Best Body Wash
What it is: A rich, creamy body wash that moisturizes while it gently cleanses.
Why we love it: What the Eos Cashmere Body Wash lacks in suds, it more than makes up for in moisture. “It feels so hydrating—honestly more like a lotion than a body wash—and it didn’t leave my skin tight at all,” said one tester, pointing to the formula's moisturizing blend of shea and cocoa butter. “After drying off, I felt smooth and moisturized, and didn’t need to rush to apply lotion afterward.” For dry skin, that’s a major win, but this body wash also gets full marks for doing its core job well: cleansing. The formula rinses clean, smells incredible, and comes in four cozy, luxurious-smelling scents. Our favorite? The classic (and very viral) Vanilla Cashmere, pictured here.
Best Acne Body Wash
What it is: A clarifying cleanser with acne-fighting salicylic acid and niacinamide.
Why we love it: Cleansing is a key part of managing body breakouts—but not all body washes are made with acne-prone skin in mind (see: oil- and butter-heavy formulas). Peach Slices Breakout Banisher Body Wash, on the other hand, is laser-focused on clarity, combining 1 percent salicylic acid with oil-balancing niacinamide to gently exfoliate pores and help prevent future zits. “My skin felt smoother, my breakouts looked less inflamed, and I had fewer bumps overall,” said one tester. And she wasn’t the only fan in her household: “My fiancé’s been using it on his body—and, admittedly, his face—and even he said his skin looks calmer and more even.” A true team player.
Best Body Exfoliator
What it is: A spray-on salicylic acid treatment that lets you target body breakouts from any angle.
Why we love it: PanOxyl’s body spray has the kind of no-nonsense name (see: “acne banishing”) and powerhouse formula (2 percent salicylic acid) that signals serious results. And according to every one of our acne-prone testers, it absolutely delivers on its claims. The 360-degree nozzle makes it easy to target breakouts anywhere on your body, and the clear formula absorbs quickly into skin without feeling sticky. “I love this and will 100 percent keep using it,” declared one tester with KP (keratosis pilaris), who started reaching for it ahead of tank-top season.
The formula—which also includes brightening niacinamide and vitamin C—even helped “fade some lingering discoloration” on one tester, who saw a decrease in hyperpigmentation and bumps after a few weeks of use. Just a reminder, though: Salicylic acid can be drying if you use it every day, so make sure to pair it with a good body lotion to keep skin calm and happy. Of course, your mileage could vary. “I used this daily with no issues, though my bumps did scab a bit before they cleared,” said one tester. Another found that alternating days worked best for her sensitive skin: “It helped reduce dryness while still giving me results.”
Best Ingrown Hair Treatment
What it is: A multitasking exfoliating stick that soothes, exfoliates, and helps prevent ingrown hairs.
Why we love it: Formatted in a super-smart stick format to make anywhere-application easy, the ingredients in this serum tackle ingrown hairs on four fronts: Soothing shea butter and allantoin calm freshly waxed or shaved skin; lactic and mandelic acids gently exfoliate to keep hairs from getting trapped; azelaic acid helps fade post-ingrown discoloration; and yellow daffodil extract may even help slow regrowth over time.
Testers loved the mess-free format and subtle citrus scent, and they especially appreciated how hydrating the serum felt on reactive areas. “I’ve been using it on my bikini line post-wax, and I’ve definitely noticed fewer ingrowns than usual,” one tester said. “It glides on so smoothly and feels instantly calming.”
Best Smart Toothbrush
What it is: A sleek electric toothbrush with 10 intensity levels for a customizable clean.
Why we love it: This electric toothbrush captures what Quip does best: Makes brushing your teeth easy and…kind of fun? The kit comes with everything you need—a brush pod, charging cable, mirror mount, stand, and travel case—and despite the high-tech feel, the setup is incredibly intuitive. The brush offers 10 intensity levels that you can adjust with a glide of your finger, so you can find your perfect balance between gentle and deep clean.
“Once I found the right intensity for me, I absolutely loved this toothbrush,” said one tester, who promptly purchased one for her partner to use. “It got in between my teeth really well, my gums felt comfortable, and my mouth felt really fresh after brushing.” Another perk? It holds a serious charge. One tester used hers for weeks before needing to plug it in. And while it has a built-in two-minute timer, don’t be surprised if you find yourself brushing past it, because it just feels that good.
Best Budget Toothbrush
What it is: A powerful electric toothbrush that delivers a satisfyingly deep clean—no setup required.
Why we love it: Maybe you’re not ready to invest in a $100+ electric toothbrush, or maybe you just want a simple upgrade from manual brushing. Either way, the Colgate Total Battery Powered Toothbrush is proof you don’t have to spend much to make a big difference in your oral-care routine. For less than $15, this no-fuss toothbrush had our testing pool surprisingly excited to brush their teeth each day. “I literally love this toothbrush so much, and I've looked forward to brushing every single day since I opened the package,” said one tester, who appreciated that it’s ready to go the moment it’s in your hand.
The brush features two settings (regular and sensitive), which you can toggle with a long press, and the soft-but-dense bristles “really get in there,” as one tester put it. “I felt like I was brushing with an electric cloud—I am seriously obsessed.” Overall, we’re beyond satisfied with how thoroughly this one left our teeth in just two minutes, and while testers say it’s a great entry point to electric toothbrushing, you may just find yourself sticking with this toothbrush indefinitely.
Best Toothpaste
What it is: A minty, stain-fighting toothpaste that gently whitens with each brush.
Why we love it: Any toothpaste that promises office-level whitening has a bridge in Brooklyn it would like to sell you. But Tom's of Maine isn’t promising miracles—just gradually brighter teeth over time, and on that front, it absolutely delivers. Instead of relying on peroxide (which can irritate sensitive teeth), this foaming formula uses calcium carbonate and hydrated silica to gently polish away surface stains.
“It was subtle and it took some time, but my teeth looked slightly whiter with each use,” said one tester. Another added, “I’ve been using this twice a day for months and definitely feel like my smile is sparklier than usual.” And perhaps best of all? No tooth sensitivity among any of our testers. For anyone who’s felt the burn (literally) from other whitening formulas, that alone makes this one worth the switch.
Best Tooth Whitener
What it is: A brush-on whitening treatment that makes brightening your teeth ridiculously easy.
Why we love it: This whitening pen from Crest is officially our new gold-standard for at-home whitening—especially for anyone who self-describes as “low maintenance” (or, according to our testers, “lazy”). The twist-and-brush design makes it ridiculously easy to use, whether you’re whitening before bed or in the car (yes, really), and the results speak for themselves. One tester, who hadn’t had an in-office whitening treatment in nearly a year, said this pen helped keep her teeth noticeably brighter and earned her compliments within weeks: “I definitely feel like my teeth are brighter now.”
And unlike a lot of other whitening options that can cause zaps and zings on sensitive gums, this one didn’t cause any discomfort among our team. “No sensitivity, no gum irritation, nothing,” says one tester, adding, “it even has a slightly minty taste, which I appreciate.”
Best Water Flosser
What it is: A rechargeable water flosser with a precise jet tip that cleans between teeth and around gums.
Why we love it: The AquaSonic Icon Rechargeable Water Flosser is proof that you don’t need to spend a ton to get a superior water-flossing experience. At only $30, it held its own against pricier models we tested, with three intensity settings, a jet tip that actually reaches your back molars, and a water tank that’s easy to fill and clean. And despite its simple design, it delivered a noticeably thorough clean—without turning our bathrooms into a splash zone.
“My mouth definitely felt cleaner after using this,” one tester said. “And even on days when I skipped regular floss, this still easily got everything out from between my teeth.” Bonus: A few testers with gum sensitivity noted less bleeding and irritation over time (huh, almost like your dentist was right about flossing), making this a great option for anyone trying to upgrade their oral-care routine without a big investment.
Best Luxury Bodycare
What it is: A handheld at-home laser that uses non-fractional technology to stimulate collagen on your face, neck, chest, and back of hands.
Why we love it: The latest and most powerful device from NIRA yet, the Pro+ Laser uses the same 1450nm non-fractional laser wavelength found in offices, but at a lower intensity that’s safe for daily at-home use. And trust us (and our very passionate testers) when we say: The technology is legit. The non-invasive laser works just below the surface of your skin to stimulate collagen production—i.e., the protein responsible for keeping skin smooth and firm—without causing irritation or downtime.
Despite being an incredibly powerful at-home device, using it is simple: Select your power level (start low if you’re new), hold the laser flush to your skin, and wait about two seconds until you feel a gentle flash of warmth and hear two beeps—that’s your cue to move to the next spot. “The instructions recommend using it on clean skin, but I’ll be honest: I’ve never once done that because I'm too lazy,” one tester admitted. “I usually use it while watching TV, over makeup, and can confirm I’ve still seen results.” She clocked just two minutes a night per treatment area, and saw gradual softening in her fine lines over time—particularly around her eyes and on her neck. “It’s totally painless, and now it’s just a part of my nightly routine.”
Best Legacy Bodycare
What it is: A lightweight body lotion that uses lactic acid to smooth bumpy skin—without any stickiness.
Why we love it: If you’ve got keratosis pilaris (KP) or rough body bumps, you’ve probably heard of AmLactin, the original acid-spiked bodycare brand that was doing exfoliating lotions before they were cool. And though the formula was highly effective at smoothing skin, it had a sticky finish that made it tough to use consistently. So we’re thrilled to report that the brand has completely reformulated its products—and our testers found they performed even better than ever.
“I cannot express how thrilled I am that the new AmLactin is no longer sticky,” said one tester with severe, lifelong KP. “When I saw they reformulated it, I had high hopes, and they nailed it.” Our team agreed, noting that the new formulas sink in within minutes and leave behind a non-sticky, satin finish. But our favorite of the bunch was this Intensive Healing Lotion with 15% Lactic Acid AHA, a rich and creamy moisturizer that gently exfoliates bumps while moisturizing dry patches.
Though our sensitive-skin testers experienced no irritation from once-daily use, it still packs a strong dose of lactic acid, so you may want to start slow (every other day) at first, especially if you’re new to acids.
How to shop our 2025 bodycare winners
Identify your specific needs
Getting serious about body care doesn’t mean adding a dozen new steps—it means curating your routine to match your skin’s needs. Are you dealing with dryness and looking for long-lasting moisture? Struggling with body breakouts or trying to fade hyperpigmentation? Once you’ve pinpointed your goals, it’s easier to build a simple, effective lineup that actually works.
Come up with an (active ingredients) plan
Once you’ve identified your bodycare goals, it’s time to think about ingredients. For anyone dealing with body acne, dermatologist Naana Boakye, MD, founder of Bergen Dermatology in Hackensack, NJ and expert on this year’s awards panel, recommends starting with salicylic acid—a beta hydroxy acid (BHA) that exfoliates inside your pores to help prevent breakouts. It’s the key ingredient in two of our 2025 winners: PanOxyl Acne Banishing Body Spray and Peach Slices Breakout Banisher Body Wash. But before you reach for your acids, it’s important to have the rest of your routine in place.
“Your go-to trio should be a gentle cleanser, moisturizer, and sunscreen,” says Dr. Boakye. “When picking out a moisturizer, you want to look for lipids like ceramides and emollients like shea butter to moisturize the skin.” Because salicylic acid is an exfoliating acid, it can make your skin more sensitive to sun damage if you don’t take the proper precautions. “You want to cleanse, apply your acne medication, moisturize, and use SPF on exposed skin on top of your moisturizer,” she says, adding that “a lot of people skip the last step, and it’s why they aren’t seeing improvement in their discoloration.”
Treat sensitive spots strategically
Another area that’s often overlooked? Your underarms and bikini line, where hair removal can lead to bumps and ingrown hairs. We awarded the EADEM Smooth Slate Ingrown Relief Serum for its gentle, swipe-on application and soothing formula, but Dr. Boakye notes that your hair-removal technique matters just as much as your post-removal treatment. “Shaving and waxing can be pretty harsh on the skin,” she says. “If it’s within your budget, laser hair removal can help reduce irritation long-term. If not, try alternating with trimming to minimize friction and trauma to the skin.”
Dr. Boakye also recommends pairing your exfoliants with calming ingredients, and says a little hydrocortisone cream can help reduce inflammation in the short term. “The most important thing to note about that area is that the less manipulation the better,” she adds. “Even if you don’t want to skip your monthly wax, try not to over-shave in between appointments and regularly exfoliate to keep your skin feeling its best.”
How we chose our bodycare winners
- 12 months: Our beauty awards spanned April 2024 to April 2025, during which time we reviewed the body lotions, serums, cleansers, exfoliators, tools, and more.
- 1,500 nominations: PR agencies, beauty brands, and industry insiders submitted their standout products across categories for consideration, each one then undergoing a thorough vetting process from our editors.
- 2,000 products considered: In addition to external nominations, our editorial team also tracked nearly every U.S. beauty launch to create a starting list of contenders.
- 250 tested: Our team tested more than 250 total products to assess performance, application, and efficacy.
- 8 experts consulted: Our award finalists were individually tested by a panel of dermatologists, plastic surgeons, cosmetic chemists, hairstylists, trichologists, and makeup artists.
- 70 winners selected: After months of rigorous testing and reviewing, 70 products—15 of which were body products—earned the title of Well+Good 2025 Beauty Award winner for their incredible performance, quality, and innovation.
To learn about our awards methodology—and see the testing process in action—go behind the scenes with us here.
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