Oh no—yet another beauty buzzword to file away. When you first heard about the best serum shower gel recipes, you might have thought: What on earth is that? Isn’t it just…shower gel? Not exactly. Across the beautiful world, one Skin care first method There has been a shift away from skin care and makeup mixes to active-rich body care products. Essence Body Wash follows the same philosophy, delivering concentrated ingredients in the form of a body cleanser designed to proactively address issues, whether that’s targeting discoloration and breakouts or boosting hydration with botanical moisturizers.
Board-certified nurse practitioner Vanessa Coppola, DNP, FNP-BC, MSCP, explains it simply: “Traditional body washes focus primarily on cleansing, often using surfactants that strip away oil and disrupt the barrier. In contrast, serum body washes are designed to cleanse while actively treating the skin,” says Coppola. Fashion. “These formulas often contain higher concentrations of bioavailable actives like humectants, lipids, barrier repair ingredients, and sometimes mild exfoliants suspended in a gentler cleansing base.” Think of Essence Body Wash as skin care in the shower, not just hygiene.
FashionFavorite essence shower gel
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Choosing a shower gel is no longer a one-size-fits-all approach, but is starting to reflect how we choose facial serums and cleansers—choosing consciously based on our skin’s needs, and caring as much about what happens in the shower as we do our vanity. “As people become more familiar with facial skin care routines, they often explore how to best care for their body skin,” double board-certified dermatologist Dr. Brendan Camp tells us Fashion. “The popularity of body-specific skin care products illustrates the recent increase in interest.” The freewheeling attitude of body care companies is suddenly being guided by prudent decision-making.
Below, there are more than six of the best essence body washes worth considering, and experts weigh in on their top picks. No matter your skin type, you can get some major skin care benefits with just one purchase.
Best combinations for collagen peptides: Olay Super Essence Shower Gel
- why we like it: Olay Body Wash arguably helped coin the term “essence body wash.” It has a silky gel-like texture and an impressive list of active ingredients, including niacinamide and vitamin C for brightening, and BHA for exfoliation; nourishing collagen peptides and vitamin E to provide hydration. All of this comes at a very affordable price—just $13, which is far less than the overpriced smoothies you can make at home.
- Main ingredients: Niacinamide, collagen peptide, vitamin C, vitamin E, BHA, AHA
- fragrance: Yes (Coconut, Vanilla & Cork)
- size: 18.5 fl oz
- More to know: Dermatologist tested and free of parabens, phthalates and silicones.





