The beauty world can’t stop talking about body care, so here are all the best products I’ve tried from the neck down: POLISHED with Elise Wilson

Welcome to Polished with Elise Wilson, where FEMAIL’s qualified makeup artist and hair stylist answers your questions and trials the up-and-coming beauty and skincare trends so you don’t have to.

If the past few years were the era of the 10-step facial routine, 2025 is shaping up to be the year we give the rest of our body the same five-star treatment.

According to recent global market data, the body care category is absolutely surging, with sales of everything from luxe body serums to LED light masks climbing at record pace.

In fact, I was even more surprised to hear that body care is one of beauty’s fastest-growing segments over all, outpacing facial skincare in growth for the first time in over a decade.

So, your bathroom shelf is about to get a whole lot more crowded – but with my guidance, it’ll be filled with far better products than before. 

In our age of serious self-care, there’s been a growing shift in the belief that skin below the jawline deserves more than a squirt of supermarket body lotion, and I couldn’t agree more.

Our limbs, backs, bums and even elbows are getting the same kind of high-tech, ingredient-packed attention we once only reserved for our faces.

And as someone whose job it is to trial, test and (sometimes) tan my way through every launch that lands on my desk, I can confirm: the body care boom is real, and it’s glorious.

Here are just a few of the new standouts that have earned a permanent spot in my rotation, plus a few that are on my ‘must-try’ list.

Now everyone can be a beauty buff

If you think exfoliating is just about sloughing off dead skin, think again.

Regular exfoliation helps boost cell turnover, improve circulation, prevent ingrown hairs, and even make your fake tan last longer (and fade more evenly). 

This Silk Exfoliating Glove from Monfrigo ($35) came highly recommended to me from a colleague and is handmade from pure raw silk fibres, tightly woven to lift away dullness without harsh scrubbing.

In one satisfying shower session, it erased my week-old tan, smoothed out those pesky ‘strawberry skin’ bumps, and left my body softer than a newborn seal.

They’re hypoallergenic and much less abrasive on the skin than others, so even the most sensitive skin types can benefit.

Light masking for your entire body

Facial LED masks have been a beauty staple for years, but hey, why stop at the chin?

This GlowLUXE light ($489) delivers seven wavelengths of targeted LED light therapy to larger areas of the body, helping to stimulate collagen, smooth texture and fade the look of scars or cellulite.

Yes, it looks like a futuristic yoga mat, but you can treat every part of your body with this one while you just lay back and relax.

It’s an big investment – but so is your skin.

The tan that won’t ruin your sheets

Self-tans are constantly getting better, which is great because I’m an addict.

Take this new, transfer-resistant Clear Self Tanning Gel ($28.95) from Bali Body for example – it’s fast-absorbing and hydration-packed, meaning no sticky wait time, no stained sheets, and not too much of a musty scent left afterwards – although there was a little bit.

It develops into a natural, streak-free glow while you get on with your life; gym, errands, even wearing all-white dress to the tennis (yes, I tested it).

Scent meets silkiness

Finding a body lotion that actually hydrates while smelling like you’re holidaying in Capri is no easy feat. But in good news, the latest scented moisturisers have completely cracked the code.

I always slap mine on straight after the shower (dermatologists approve!), and as a certified fragrance fanatic, I’m convinced nothing beats a lush body lotion for all-over glow and head-turning scent.

I know strong fragrance isn’t for everyone, but if your skin loves it as much as mine, you’ve got endless options for smelling delicious all day. My current pick is this Santal Body Lotion from Bronte Body ($48).

I’ve test-driven the lot, and trust me, the best ones left me with baby-soft skin – and a few surprise compliments from total strangers.

Breakout Buster

Back and bum breakouts are more common than most of us admit, but finally, body-specific acne care is becoming mainstream.

This pH-balanced Body Spritz ($29.95) from tbh Skincare targets those harder-to-reach spots with patented pimple-fighting tech, minus the heavy creams or sticky residue.

Shaving is having a renaissance

With the Australian shaving market projected to hit a whopping $785 million by 2034, brands like Vivre are making it chic again (sorry Gillette, you’ve had your day).

Their premium razor glides like silk, leaves zero nicks, and looks so good in my shower I actually want to display it.

Pair it with a whipped cream-style shave foam and you’ve got yourself a ritual worth romanticising.

Deodorant creams are now a thing

It turns out deodorant is no longer just for underarms. 

Women are now swiping and smoothing it everywhere from underboob to inner thighs, and even between toes.

I’m glad we’re finally talking openly about body sweat in all its forms, and that brands are responding with gentle formulas suitable for anywhere.

Supermarket faves Rexona For Women Whole Body Deodorant Cream Wild Rose ($9.69) and Gem’s Whole Body Cream Deodorants ($11.20) are leading the charge, delivering all-day odour protection while nourishing skin with moisture-rich ingredients.

So, from high-tech tools to old-school rituals done right, the body care boom isn’t slowing down any time soon.

Happy shopping. 

Disclaimer:

The views and opinions expressed in this article are solely my own and do not reflect those of any brands or companies mentioned. This content is not sponsored or endorsed in any way.