Transitioning a body care routine from winter to spring is less dramatic than it sounds, but the products that made sense in February rarely hold up by May. Heavy creams get replaced with lighter formulas. Sunscreen moves from optional to necessary. And a few targeted treatments for exfoliation, acne and self-tanning earn their spot back on the shelf.
The picks below come from editors who have been testing these products through daily use, not a single trial run. The categories cover the full range of what a spring body care routine requires, from scrubs and moisturizers to sunscreen and foot care.
Exfoliation is where most spring routines start
The skin that spent winter under clothing tends to need a reset before warmer months. Several editors pointed to exfoliation as the first change they make when the weather shifts.
The Beia Bikini and Body Scrub ($35 to $38) combines pumice, rice powder and glycolic acid for physical and chemical exfoliation, balanced with green tea, aloe vera and glycerin to prevent the dryness that some scrubs leave behind. It works as a traditional scrub or as a mask left on the skin for a few minutes before rinsing.
Dove’s Body Scrub (from $8) uses a creamy formula that reads more like a lotion than a traditional grit-heavy scrub. It provides gentle exfoliation without abrasiveness, which makes it easier to build into a consistent weekly routine.
The Native Japanese Golden Pear Body Scrub ($10 to $12) also takes a gentle approach and comes in a generously sized container at a price that does not require any justification. The pear scent lingers without overwhelming, which is a balance most inexpensive scrubs fail to land.
Moisturizers worth switching to for spring
Winter moisturizers tend to be too heavy once temperatures climb. The editors on this list made the switch to formulas that hydrate without the residue.
Naturium’s Bio-Lipid Restoring Moisturizing Body Lotion ($15 to $20) is unscented and lightweight enough for spring and summer wear, but editors with dry skin note it still performs in colder months. The formula keeps skin moisturized through the day and produces a visible glow with consistent use.
The Maëlys Get-Up Daily Toning Body Milk ($52) works well in humid conditions where heavier creams would feel oppressive. It contains peptides intended to support skin tightening, and its texture is closer to a fluid than a traditional lotion.
Josie Maran’s Vanilla Vibezzz Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter (from $16) manages to be rich without feeling greasy after application. The vanilla scent is lighter than most fragranced body butters. The brand also offers refillable packaging and travel-sized pouches that are more practical than the compressed tubes common to travel products.
Flamingo Estate’s Jasmine Damask Rose Rich Cream ($48) functions effectively as both a hand cream and a body cream. The jasmine scent holds throughout the day, and the formula absorbs quickly without any stickiness.
Spring body care and the sunscreen question
Sunscreen is the category where spring routines most consistently fall short. Two products in particular stood out among the editors surveyed.
Dune Suncare’s Bod Guard Invisible Gel Body Sunscreen ($25 to $27) is reef-friendly, non-tacky and noncomedogenic, which matters for anyone prone to chest or back breakouts when sunscreen sits on the skin for hours. The gel formula absorbs without the white cast that discourages consistent body sunscreen use.
Beauty of Joseon’s Relief Sun Aqua Fresh Sunscreen ($14 to $22) is a lightweight facial option that leaves no visible residue. It has built a reputation as one of the easiest daily sunscreens to apply and maintain.
Targeted body treatments for spring
A few specific skin concerns come up more often once warm weather arrives, and the products addressing them are worth keeping accessible.
The First Aid Beauty Body Acne Clearing Mist ($20 to $30) contains salicylic acid for treating and preventing breakouts on the chest and back, along with glycerin to maintain hydration. It works well layered under body lotion and before sunscreen application.
The Gillette Venus Pubic Hair and Skin Daily Ingrown Hair Serum ($15 to $18) addresses post-shave irritation and ingrown hairs with a formula designed for sensitive skin. Applied after showering and before body lotion, it has shown consistent results in reducing itchiness and improving skin texture in the area.
The Earth Therapeutics Precisso Foot File ($15) uses nano-glass rather than stainless steel, which removes hard skin from the soles of the feet without the cutting risk associated with metal graters. The long handle makes it easier to reach the bottom of the foot both inside and outside the shower.
For self-tanning, St. Tropez’s Gradual Tan Classic Firming Lotion ($20 to $29) produces a natural-looking tan over several days of use. It was named the best gradual self-tanner by the CNN Underscored team last year. The formula has a coconut scent, which sets it apart from the chemical smell associated with most self-tanners.
