My body care routine has evolved by leaps and bounds since this time last year. Not only have I stepped up my body wash and body oil formulas, but I’ve also been slowly curating a selection of the best scented body lotions. One timely reason is that New York City seems stuck in a winter that refuses to end. Another is that I have come to deeply appreciate the process of lathering myself with only the best body care formulas on the market.
Scented lotions add another element of intimacy to a body care routine that makes me feel grounded and in tune with my body in a way that I don’t often experience in this very hectic city. Plus, after being diagnosed with a panic disorder about two years ago, my sense of smell has become more important to me than ever. Combine it with my love of self-care, and we have a recipe for a very bougie yet gratifying body care routine.
Assume that the humble body lotion is boring compared to the rest of the body care options on the market? Think again. Trust me when I tell you that the options below will add a little something extra to your getting-ready routine. Whether you have a scent-infused ritual before you go to bed or you need something that makes your perfume last longer throughout the day, prepare to meet your new favorite scented body lotions.
Diptyque
Orphéon Perfumed Body Lotion
You know how some perfume auxiliaries can smell similar to the eau de parfum but be muted by the fact that it’s in a different formulation? You won’t have that issue with this lotion from Diptyque. It’s like they had a vat of Orpheon, put a little lotion in it, and bottled it up. This product smells phenomenal.
Byredo
Bal D’afrique Body Lotion
Bal D’afrique is one of my favorite scents from Byredo, and the lotion is the cherry on top. The formula is on the thinner side, so I’d pair it with an oil for deeper moisture or use it in the summer months when I want a lightweight body formula.
Maison Francis Kurkdjian
Grand Soir Body Lotion
I don’t believe in special-occasion products, but if I did, this option would definitely be used only on very rare occasions. Scented with Maison Francis Kurkdjian’s Grand Soir, this lotion is warm, a little spicy, sweet, and perfectly cocooning—i.e., the best base for a beast-mode fragrance stack.
Cyklar
Sacred Santal Body Cream
There is no world in which there is a scented body lotion list and Cyklar’s formulas don’t make it. I’m a massive fan of Vanilla Verve, and that gorgeous, slightly musky vibe that it has, but you can’t go wrong with any of the brand’s scents.
Nécessaire
The Body Lotion Olibanum
Olibanum is one of my favorite notes of all time, and Nécessaire’s The Body Lotion Olibanum is perfect. Peptides and niacinamide firm and support the skin barrier, while plant oils and butters provide deep moisture, leaving your skin feeling extra soft. Add in that woody, slightly resinous quality from the Olibanum, and you have yourself a fragrance masterpiece.
Not only does this lotion smell like the most gorgeous, sun-kissed tree, but the formula is bar none. It’s been one of my favorite body moisturizers for well over a year now, and if I’m being honest, it’s number one on my list. (I’ve actively had to stop myself from opening another one to test other lotion formulas—it’s that good.)
Sol de Janeiro
Delícia Drench Body Butter
While it’s marketed as a butter, Sol de Janeiro’s Delícia Drench cream has a more lotion-like consistency for me, so I use it as such. It’s another one of those lightweight formulas, so I prefer to use it during warmer weather, but the scent is truly the star of the show for this one. Vanilla orchid and sandalwood combine for one of the prettiest fragrances that I have ever encountered, both from this brand and in the world of perfumes.
Noteworthy
N,551 Amber Sunset Body Butter
Amber fans, this one is for you. Noteworthy recently released a new body butter that is so wonderfully fragranced that I could not stop sniffing the back of my hand when I first tried it. If you’re not a fan of florals, don’t let the Lily of the Valley top note scare you; the additional cedarwood, amber, and sandalwood come through fairly quickly and completely wrap me in the more gorgeous scent bubble.
Evolve Together
Nutrient-Rich Body Cream
Evolve Together has some of the best hand washes on the market, but the body cream is a sleeper hit. The new scent, Havana, has a spicy-wood profile, featuring cardamom, vetiver, violet, and cedarwood. It’s the perfect moisturizer for year-round wear as these notes pair beautifully with pretty much any other scent family.
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