You should use a body scrub or exfoliating bar soap to exfoliate your body. Body scrubs, which contain small particles that help remove dead skin, leave the skin’s surface fresh and smooth. In addition to smoothing skin, exfoliating formulas can help body lotions better absorb after use.

Many body scrubs are formulated to be used several times a week while others are gentle enough to be used every day.

Traditional soaps are simple formulas composed of salt, oil and fatty acids that have been used for centuries to effectively cleanse skin. They leave a clean, fresh feeling by emulsifying whatever is on the skin’s surface. Shower gel and body wash formulas are more complex, utilizing a system of surfactants and skin conditioners that cleanse as they condition. While soap leaves you with freshly cleansed skin, body wash and shower gel offer a nourishing cleanse that leaves skin softer.

Skin type, climate and personal preference are factors in finding the best body lotion or moisturizer for you. If you have dry skin, seek thicker body creams or body butters that contain more moisturizing properties. If you reside in a colder climate, you may experience drier skin during the winter months, so replacing your regular body moisturizer with a nourishing body butter or heavier cream can effectively lock in and retain hydration. To help hydrate skin in the summer, you may opt for a residue-free, easily absorbed lightweight body lotion.