You know how they say that women are full of mystery? It is true. I definitely am – because how would one rationally explain the fact that I’m fanatical about my facial skincare but cannot be bothered to put anything on my body?

It might be simply because my face is always on display, while the body can be conveniently hidden under clothes. I suspect, however, that it’s also because body products tend to be less effective than face products. They hydrate, but that’s pretty much it. With my hard-core texture issues, this is just not enough – I want serious action against my chicken skin and slowly but surely I’ve been finding things that work. Below are recent favourites that aren’t very glamorous, but do what they’re supposed to do.

1. Eucerin pH5 Skin-Protection Shower Oil. Shower oils/gels/creams are actually a body care category I like (see here and here for proof), as there is no effort involved and it’s another way to experience my favourite scents. There are so many perfumes I love and only 365 days in the year to wear them. This is why most of the time, my choices are extremely non-utilitarian: luxurious, expensive, heavily scented. But sometimes even I just want to get clean and my skin to be moisturised. Eucerin* is great for that – it is a lovely, pretty thick oil that’s gentle and effective and nourishes the skin. When I use this, there’s no need for a body cream, unless my legs are being especially dry. Every time I take a shower with this, I feel like I’ve done my body a favour.

2. The Chemistry Brand Retin-Oil. One thing I love to rant about is the fact that companies never put the really good stuff into body products. You have retinol and Vitamin C and acids in your face stuff, but in body creams and lotions? Nothing. Well, this is slowly changing and trust Deciem to rock the boat. The masterminds behind The Ordinary and Niod are also the owners of The Chemistry Brand that focuses on hands, feet and body. And they do a body oil with retinol. Hallelujah!

As you probably know, retinol is one of the most effective ingredients used by cosmetic industry: it boosts collagen, unclogs pores, helps against pigmentation and dullness. It’s not an exfoliant, but as it speeds up the cell turnover, it effectively functions as one. I have gone through a bottle of the oil by now and it works. If your main issue is texture, this will help. I suggest you don’t expect miracles (not with this, not with anything), but it will make your skin smoother and softer and the results are cumulative and longer-lasting than with a typical body cream. If you’ve used this regularly and then skip a couple of days, your skin will still feel great. The only downside is the bottle size (too small) and maybe the smell (sweet and a bit sickly).

3. Lancer The Method: Body Nourish. Body products that contain acids for exfoliation do exist (Ameliorate, Palmer’s, Cane & Austin are brands that I know of), but there aren’t nearly enough of them. I heard about Lancer Body Nourish cream in a video by A Little Bit Etc, who has excellent taste in skincare.

What immediately caught my attention was the 10% glycolic acid content. It’s definitely there, you can feel it. There is a tingle and if you are sensitive or have small wounds on your skin, it might even get a little uncomfortable. The results are similar to the retinol oil, but I think even more pronounced – skin is definitely smoother, more supple and just nice to touch. And the effect lasts. I feel it also does a better job at hydration, or maybe I just prefer the texture of the cream to oil. Downsides? It is pricy (although the tub is huge) and again, the smell is not pretty. I don’t mind the latter, as I’m here for the results, not the scent. I’m almost certain that the oil and cream together have also made a difference to the pigmentation on my body, but it’s too early to say anything definite.

4. Vita Liberata Body Blur. I look much better when I have a tan, but getting one is a constant struggle. Real sun is bad for you, self-tanning products are frustrating and wash-offs ultimately disappointing. I am happy with my latest purchase in this category, though. Body Blur is of the wash-off variety and it’s the best I’ve tried. It takes me a while to distribute evenly and work into the skin, but once it’s there, the colour looks great (it’s not very dramatic), the skin looks pretty and everything stays put. I don’t know if it would withstand a highlight or a shimmering oil on top, so more testing is needed. But just for a hint of colour without nasty surprises, this is great.

What do you use when you don’t want your body only to smell nice, but actually look and feel better?

*Liina mentioned it in the comments recently, so I went and bought it.