Move over, cucumber melon. Bath & Body Works announced today that it’s launching Essentials, a new body-care line designed specifically for sensitive skin.
The line takes the brand’s signature body-care experience and reworks it with a more skin-first approach, pairing what the brand describes as dermatologist-approved, clinically tested formulas with soft, “second-skin” fragrance. The products are formulated without sulfates, parabens or phthalates, according to the brand.
Spanning three products, the collection includes the Skin Replenishing Body Wash ($19), a pH-balanced formula made with glycerin to condition and nourish skin with every wash. The Ultra Hydrating Body Lotion ($19) combines hyaluronic acid, shea butter and cocoa butter for what the brand says is 48 hours of continuous moisture and dry-skin relief. The Eau de Parfum ($40) offers a soft scent designed to stay close to the skin rather than project. Each product comes in three shared scents: Vanilla Silk (vanilla, praline, sandalwood), Cashmere Amber (amber, mandarin, musk) and Suede Blossoms (jasmine, bergamot, tonka).
“I like seeing body care evolve beyond simply fragrance and texture toward formulas that address skin health,” says Dallas dermatologist Elizabeth Houshmand, MD. Still, she recommends caution for certain skin types. “For anyone who is highly reactive or sensitive to fragrance, however, I still recommend reviewing the ingredient list and patch-testing before incorporating a new product into a daily routine.”
