Cosmopolitan’s 2025 Holy Grail Beauty Awards: The Best Body Products of the Year

“This may just be the best drugstore body wash I’ve ever tried. The light, fluffy foam literally feels dreamy on skin, and the range of scents smells really luxe and elevated too. I’m currently obsessed with the soft, floral jasmine and sandalwood blend shown here.”
—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR

“This body wash is honestly so rich and creamy that the first time I used it, I thought I accidentally brought my body lotion into the shower instead. The lotion-like texture lathers with a wash cloth or poof and infuses skin with nourishing shea butter while you cleanse, so it works as a wash and moisturizer all at once.”
—LAUREN BALSAMO, BEAUTY DIRECTOR

“The mandelic acid (it’s a type of chemical exfoliant) in this body wash buffs away dead skin cells and really smooths rough, bumpy texture. I love the cool, tingly sensation this wash provides upon contact (it really wakes you up in the morning!), and it lathers so well without leaving skin feeling stripped. Other perks include the handy pump bottle, the gel-to-cream formulation, and the reasonable price point, considering the amount of product you get.”
—CORINNE SULLIVAN, SENIOR NEWS EDITOR

“Let me preface this by saying I normally HATE bar soap. I don’t find them fun to use and I feel like they don’t get me super clean either. But this gem from Curie? It creates the most sudsy, frothy luxurious lather and envelops my shower in a soothing vanilla scent. I feel refreshed and my skin is extra soft every time I use this.” —MARY HONKUS, CONTRIBUTING BEAUTY EDITOR

“Trust me when I say your Everything Shower needs this Sabon Next Generation Body Scrub. It’s luxury in a glass jar, and while it sells for a higher price point, I can confirm it’s worth every penny. Every time I use it, my skin feels like silk and my tiny Brooklyn bathroom turns into a spa-like oasis. Sabon, I’m begging you to make these in larger sizes.” —SAM OLSON, ASSISTANT NEWS EDITOR

“The exfoliating actives in this serum gently target bumps, body breakouts, and dark spots without being too harsh. It’s expensive, yes, but the way it makes skin baby-soft and smooth is unmatched.” —HEATH OWENS, DEPUTY COMMERCE EDITOR

“I’m late to the game here, but this body lotion is SO good. The texture is perfect: lightweight but still moisturizing enough (thanks to shea and cocoa butters) to keep my skin soft all day long. And the soft vanilla scent is a damn delight.” —LB

“My easily aggravated skin loves this stuff. The gentle formula is fragrance-free and helps my skin retain moisture so it’s soft and smooth all day. And I really love the packaging. It’s simple and elegant. I have zero issue leaving it on my tabletop for the world to see.” —ANDIE FOWLER, SENIOR CONTENT STRATEGY MANAGER

“As someone who lives for luxe, skin-loving moisture, this butter is an absolute dream—rich, velvety, and unapologetically indulgent. The shea, cocoa, and mango butter trifecta is perfection.” —JULEE WILSON, BEAUTY EDITOR-AT-LARGE

“I’ve tested so many mineral body sunscreens over the years, but I always come back to this one from Blue Lizard. The SPF 50 formula is water-resistant, making it ideal for swimming and sweating, and the formula is really gentle too. I use this from head to toe (yes, it’s good enough to use on your face too) before long outdoor runs and I’ve never once gotten burned.” —LB

“I will be keeping a tube of this in my pool and beach bag all summer. It makes my skin look so freakin’ glowy but doesn’t feel too sticky either. And, ofc, it offers solid SPF 30 protection too.”
—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR

“I’ve been loyal to Neutrogena’s Ultra-Sheer line for years, and this version is hands down the best SPF body spray I’ve ever tried. It effortlessly dispenses a powerful, continuous mist of SPF 45 with its easy-to-grip nozzle and features a twist lock to prevent it from leaking into your bag. From the second it touches your skin, it feels entirely weightless. I’m talking zero stickiness or tacky finish.”
—LAUREN GRUBER, ASSOCIATE COMMERCE EDITOR

“I am continually amazed that this lightweight serum is able to make my skin so soft and nourished. You can totally use it alone, but it also layers well with other bodycare products (as a body serum theoretically should). It absorbs quickly and doesn’t feel greasy, so it’s the perfect product to quickly slather on before getting dressed.” —SARAH MABERRY, FASHION AND LUXURY COMMERCE EDITOR

“Most retinols make my skin a flaky mess, but this does a great job and smoothing and softening without causing any irritation. And while it’s exfoliating thanks to AHAs, it didn’t seem to dehydrate my skin even though I used it all winter long when I had my heat blasting.” —MFR

“This stuff is absolutely BOMB. The fragrance is ridiculously yummy and the texture is fast-absorbing, so there’s no annoying greasy residue. I put it on damp skin straight out of the shower and then layer on a perfume to intensify the scent of the oil.”
—CRISTINA COPPIN, DIGITAL VISUAL EDITOR

“When I’ve got a big ol’ zit on my back, I puff up my chest and ask my roommate to stick one of these on. It helps protect the breakout from getting even more inflamed and slowly soaks up some of the excess fluid to flatten it a bit.”
—BG

“As someone who has been getting Brazilians for years now, I’m always looking for a post-wax product that will soothe my skin as well as prevent and minimize ingrown hairs. This formula from Fur is the answer. And the rollerball format is clutch for easy, mess-free application.” —JH

“This gradual tanning cream not only helps slowly build up a sunless tan, it also hydrates skin with shea butter, cocoa butter, squalane, and avocado oil, all while smelling like my favorite fresh, clean woodsy santal perfume.” —BG

“This may just be one of my favorite Drunk Elephant products. It makes my perpetually dry, cracked hands ultra-smooth thanks to marula butter, but it’s not greasy or slimy like a lot of hand cream I’ve used in the past.”
—LB

“I grew up figure skating, so I know a thing or two about proper foot care, and this balm is the best I’ve ever used to combat dry feet. It softens calluses without being greasy, leaving feet soft. (Tip: Wear socks after applying it so it absorbs even further.)”
—AW

“I’m a certified razor snob, and this one far surpassed my expectations. Not only does it perform incredibly well, but it’s actually super cute. The heads are easy to switch out and last for more uses than you’d think before going dull. The design is simple, sleek, and effective. Another standout aspect is the magnetic wall holder—it is super secure and keeps my razor in far better shape than if I just let it sit on my shower ledge.” —SM

“I was already obsessed with EOS’s cashmere shave butter, so I wasn’t that surprised when the brand’s shave oil turned out to be a favorite too. The scent is truly irresistible. Someone once described it as smelling edible, and I can’t help but agree. It’s like a rich vanilla cupcake—delicious but not overly sweet. The inoque silky formula makes skin feel nice and slick (so it’s really easy to get a close shave) but doesn’t leave behind an oily residue.” —SM

“I’m so prone to ingrowns, it’s not even funny, so I’m always looking for a tool that can get me smooth and keep me smooth. The BushBalm is that tool. The trimmer gets pretty much as close to the skin as you can get without causing nicks and is so easy to use that I could do it with my eyes closed. It does the job and does it well, and I love that it’s waterproof in case you want to use it in the bath or shower. I’m also obsessed with the ingrown hair oil from BushBalm—it makes the perfect pairing.” —HANNAH CHUBB, LIFESTYLE EDITOR

“It took me a bit to get the hang of using it and figuring out the right setting (watching some TikToks helped!), but eventually I figured it out and found it relatively simple. After a few weeks, my hair is growing back noticeably slower, which is huge as I’m usually a shave-every-day kinda gal.” —MFR

“There’s nothing I hate more than shaving my armpits every other day, and these wax strips really slowed my hair growth. I also have a super-low pain tolerance, and these did not hurt, like, at all. It might take one or two tries to get the hang of self-waxing, but I promise it is so worth it. These strips removed most of my hairs in just one go, and now I only need to wax my underarms every other week.” —JH

“If you’re looking for a luxe as hell, thicccc body butter, stop right now. Tronqué’s cream is so lush and decadent, and the scent is subtle and sophisticated. The texture is thick, so you really have to work this bad boy in, but that just left my skin feeling extra loved-on and extremely well-moisturized. I wore this in a Chicago winter and not an ounce of ash was in sight. So you know it’s real!” —CAJ

“I’ve blind tested this budget-friendly serum, comparing it to formulas that are triple the price, and this one wins out every time. The niacinamide helps smooth bumps without irritating my skin, and the lightweight texture sinks in so fast.” —BG

“I mean, does it get any more classic than Kiehl’s Creme de Corps? This ultra-nourishing body cream instantly sinks into skin and keeps it soft and moisturized through every season. It’s substantial enough to ward off winter ashiness yet airy enough that it doesn’t feel gloopy or heavy in the summer. A year-round bodycare staple, IMO.” —MH

“Everything about Baude feels so cool, and by association, I feel way cooler whenever I use it. The Darkwave Utopia scent in its body wash and lotion is so unique—like a fresh garden inside a damp, wooded forest.” —BG

Shop the entire Baude collection here.

“I have no excuse for dry skin when this time-saving shower oil exists, because it coats my body with so much ~luscious~ moisture while also making me feel fresh and clean. And it smells like yummy vanilla and violet.” —BG

“Secret’s Clinical Strength Antiperspirant keeps up with this very sweaty girl. Not only does it keep my pits fresh and dry all day, but it also feels lightweight and absorbs quickly with none of those annoying little white specks just sitting on your skin. I appreciate that the scent is clean and subtle, so it doesn’t compete or clash with the scent of my perfume.”
—MEG UY, ASSOCIATE COMMERCE EDITOR

“I am wholeheartedly obsessed with Salt & Stone’s deodorant. I’ve been using the santal and vetiver scent, which smells more luxe than it sounds. It does a great job at keeping sweat and odor at bay, while giving my body a fresh, earthy scent. I also love the round shape of the applicator because it covers my entire armpit with ease, making for a tug-free and smooth application.”
—JH