From bare leg confidence to feeling fab sleeveless, these body products actually work (2025)

Blame our stoic attitude towards the British weather, but when drizzle is so ingrained into our daily expectations, it’s easy to be caught out when the sun finally emerges. While it’s a delight to realise it’s too warm for tights and jumpers, what lies beneath those layers can come as a shock. Gnarly knees, flaky shins, dry triceps and mottled chests can all take the shine off summer.

Fretting over these little imperfections is a waste of time and energy, of course. Life’s too short to not wear shorts! That said, it’s good to know that there are now quick, easy and realistic ways to feel a smidge more confident during our precious sunny days.

It’s all thanks to the exciting new breed of body care that’s putting our favourite, most trusted face ingredients to good use below the neck. From retinoids and exfoliating acids to niacinamide, peptides and vitamin C, here’s what’s going on, from our heads down to our shoulders, knees and toes.

How to... get instant bare-calf confidence

Need a fast fix to bare your shins? Step one is to exfoliate away that grey layer of dryness. Celebrity skin guru Michaella Bolder advises using a facial skincare approach for your legs, swapping physical scrubs for a glycolic acid-based smoother. ‘If you exfoliate using a gritty scrub, you won’t get that same effortless, radiant sheen. Then layer with a hyaluronic body serum, followed by a rich body moisturiser.’ Try Naturium The Smoother Glycolic Acid Body Lotion, and Q+A Hyaluronic Acid Post-Shower Moisturiser. Once you’ve created that smooth canvas, you’ll be able to apply an instant leg perfector without fear of it snagging on your calves or knees. The universal-toned Erborian CC Body Tinted Body Moisturiser has the same airbrushed finish and soothing Centella asiatica ingredient as the brand’s CC face cream.

How to... get good to glow

Gradual tan is a win-win for body confidence, as it’s packed with moisturising skincare and it’s a safe bet even for novices. As celebrity tan expert James Harknett says: ‘It’s buildable, won’t transfer on to your sheets and doesn’t sink into folds and lines on the body.’ Be sure to dab moisturiser on dry areas prone to build-up, such as heels, elbows and knees. Three Warriors Gradual Tan, includes hydrating avocado oil and calming aloe vera. As a safety net, try Rose & Caramel Purity Excel Xtra 60 Second Tan Remover, which James rightly calls ‘brilliant’ for instantly shifting blips.

How to... use a body gua sha

A gua sha isn’t just for your face. Massaging in a body oil or lotion with a larger tool – such as L’Occitane Body Gua Sha Massage Tool is incredible for stimulating blood flow and lymphatic drainage, says skin expert Michaella Bolder. ‘Start at the ankles and work up in flowing lines. Draw the gua sha round to the backs of the knees and from backs of thighs to the groin, so you’re gathering up fluid and taking it to the lymph nodes. It only takes moments, your body feels alive and your skin radiates beauty.’

How to... refresh your décolletage

The chest is prone to discolouration, especially if you’ve been less vigilant with SPF. ‘Dark patches can be caused by UV damage and also perfumes reacting to the sun – most of us have sprayed this area enthusiastically at some point,’ says SBC founder Abi Cleeves. ‘Look for ingredients such as liquorice and hexylresorcinol, which help to calm sun-induced pigmentation.’ Try Skinsense AP Perfecting Anti- Pigmentation Neck & Décolleté Cream.

If you want to plump dehydration lines, ‘A good, rich moisturiser is fine – you don’t have to spend a fortune,’ says aesthetics doctor and Age Well podcaster Dr Sophie Shotter. Try Garnier’s vitamin C-infused Body Superfood 48th Nutri Glow Cream. ‘I wouldn’t bother with silicone sheets that claim to smooth cleavage crinkles. I don’t think they make a massive difference,’ she adds.

How to… feel fab in a sleeveless dress

Arms can look a bit mottled at this time of year, so enlist niacinamide to help even out skin tone and texture. Paula’s Choice 5% Niacinamide Body Serum is fantastic for tricep smoothing. However, if you’re plagued by chicken bumps (aka keratosis pilaris), don’t try a grainy scrub. ‘That won’t work, but lactic, glycolic or salicylic acid exfoliators are good,’ advises Dr Shotter. The Inkey List Glycolic Acid Exfoliating Body Stick has proven effects on chicken bumps.

Concerned by crepey arm skin? ‘It’s largely due to oestrogen loss, so a prescription topical HRT cream can help,’ says Dr Shotter. An instant glow lotion works wonders as well. Refy Body Glow is a GHI- approved lustre lotion that’s the perfect accessory for any sleeveless outfit.

How to... tone with tan

Listen, nobody’s suggesting you paint on a six-pack (that would be ridiculous), but it is possible to make any body area look a touch more toned with tan. ‘On a light base layer of colour, apply a bit extra to enhance definition,’ says tan guru Jimmy Coco, who uses this hack with his Hollywood clients.

‘Find a mirror with overhead lighting (a bathroom is usually ideal) to show up all the shadow from muscle or bone. Then, with fingertips or a makeup brush, apply extra tan on to those shadows to enhance the contour. You could emphasise the collarbones or flex your foot and add extra tan where the muscle pops out. Then blend the edges for a seamless finish.’ Jimmy Coco Sunless Tinted Tan Soufflé is excellent.

How to... deal with strawberry legs

Ah, the dreaded little dark dots. ‘This is usually caused by shaving,’ says Dr Shotter. ‘To help avoid strawberry legs, you need to shave in the direction of hair growth, always using long strokes, a sharp razor and a lubricating shaving creme for a smooth glide.’ GH recommends the Gillette Venus Pro ComfortGlide Coconut which has Olay moisturising bars built in.

Exfoliating is also important, adds Dr Shotter. ‘By removing the dead layer of skin, there’s less chance of the hair bending back on itself and becoming ingrown.’ Finish with a nourishing oil to keep limbs supple and soothed.

How to…firm things up

If there’s a magic cellulite melter in a jar, somebody’s gatekeeping it. However, some of the best facial firming actives are trickling into body care, and your thighs can reap the rewards. ‘I’d recommend retinol for the body – it helps keep skin tone looking smooth, so even cellulite looks better,’ says skincare guru Nilam Holmes.

You’ll need patience, adds Dr Shotter. ‘Body-care technology has come a long way and can make a visible difference to skin quality and firmness. But you need to apply products daily and give it at least a month before you see the effects.’

Three firm favourites for 2025