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Everyone wants to smell good. It’s pretty easy not to smell bad. You really just need to maintain a few hygienic practices consistently. However, smelling really good takes a few extra steps. Here are some recommendations I have for your shower routine:

1. exfoliate

Before your shower routine, you should quickly exfoliate your skin to shed off any dry, dead skin. The buildup of dead skin cells, especially when mixed with sweat and bacteria, can lead to some unpleasant smells. So brush it off!

I recommend a classic dry-brush such as this SCALA Natural Bristle Body Brush. Apparently, goop has a good one.

If you are looking for something with softer bristles, I’ve liked the Kitsch dry brush as well.

After the manual labor, let’s mix in some chemicals. Specifically, glycolic acid. The Ordinary knocks it out of the park with their Glycolic Acid 7% Exfoliating Toner. It’s less than $10, and you can use it everywhere, from your hair to your toes. Many people use it instead of deodorant, it’s that much more effective. It scrubs the dead skin cells clean off, but it has plant extracts to keep the skin smooth and soothed.

For those with sensitive skin, you can do this 1-2 times a week.

2. double-wash

When it comes to washing your body, it takes two. First, you need an antibacterial soap, something simple like Dove or Dial bar soap. Something unscented is preferable. Keep it simple to give your skin a clean foundation to work with.

After you do your first wash, you can then top it off with your soap of choice. I prefer neutral scents so they don’t conflict with any oils or perfumes I put on later. You can just stick with the classic Dove once again.

For those that would like a scent, you should try:
Nécessaire The Body Wash – Eucalyptus

Glossier’s Body Hero Daily Oil Wash

3. lotion and layer!

Once I’m out of the shower (but before I’m fully dry), I lock everything in with a body lotion or oil. This is key to making your scent last longer.

I have always loved the Cetaphil Face & Body Moisturizer. It applies nicely and keeps my skin soft. It’s also hypoallergenic and non-comedogenic, so there’s nothing making my skin irritated.

I do enjoy the Glossier shower set for those who want to add something with a hint of Neroli, the Body Hero Daily Perfecting Lotion is a perfect addition.

I like to top it all off with a body oil, just to give my body a nice shine and extra softness. My go-to is the Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Purpose Dry Oil from Nuxe. It’s a French staple for a reason, never goes wrong.

Once you’ve nailed your shower routine, perfume becomes the cherry on top—not the only layer. Smelling good isn’t just about what you spray—it’s the whole experience.