Bodycare can be expensive, but a beauty journalist has rounded up her top 10 products, all under £10. Louise Whitbread, a freelance editor, has tried and tested hundreds of bodycare items over her career and narrowed down her favourites.
Her picks include lotions that soothe eczema flare-ups, a scrub for fake tan prep, a foot cream for cracked heels, and a super-strength deodorant for excessive sweating. She notes that it's especially useful to fine-tune your bodycare routine as winter approaches, when skin can get drier and more irritable.
Top picks for hands, body, and feet
One of her top products is the M&S Apothecary Calm Hand Wash, which looks and feels expensive but costs £7. It is scented with lavender and sweet orange, and refill pouches are available for £10.
Nivea Soft Moisturising Cream for Face, Hand and Body is another favourite, priced at £2. It is creamy but lightweight, absorbs quickly, and comes in multiple sizes, including a 500ml supersize and a 25ml travel pot.
For those short on time, Superdrug Vitamin E Moisturising Body Lotion Spray costs £4.50. It is a lightweight mist that barely needs rubbing in and is full of skin-softening vitamins.
Foot care and eczema solutions
The CCS Foot Care Cream, at £9, contains 10% urea, eucalyptus oil, glycerin, and lactic acid. It works on dry, cracked heels and is fast-absorbing. The author applies a thick layer to clean, dry feet and wears socks to let it sink in, noticing a difference within two days.
Mixa Urea Cica Repair Body Lotion, priced at £8.99, is a silky, lightweight lotion that absorbs in seconds. The 400ml bottle lasts months and soothes eczema without being heavy.
E45 Daily Moisturising Body Lotion for Dry & Sensitive Skin, also £8.99, is a brand the author relies on more than any other. It soothes dry patches without exacerbating eczema flare-ups, is not greasy, and is safe for the whole family. A 400ml bottle typically lasts nearly five months with daily use.
Scrubs, deodorant, and shower gel
The Q+A AHA Exfoliator Body Scrub, at £8, has a vanilla and coconut scent and contains lactic acid, glycolic acid, and upcycled corn in a creamy base.
Driclor Antiperspirant Roll On Applicator, £8, is a medicated antiperspirant that forms a gel matrix in sweat glands to reduce sweat flow. It should be applied before bed to dry, clean skin and washed off in the morning. The author saw improvement after about a fortnight, especially during London's heatwave, and then used it once a week.
The BEAUTYPRO Foot and Callus Peel, £9, is ideal for winter. The booties are dual-layered, with an outer layer that stays dry for 90 minutes. Users should avoid foot creams for at least seven days after, not wash feet with hot water, and not use on broken skin. Skin flaking typically occurs six days after use.
The Ritual of Karma Foaming Shower Gel, £9.20, is scented with lotus flower and white tea. The author notes it is rich, creamy, and lathers well, making it ideal for shaving legs and underarms.
