We’re wallowing in dry triple digits here in Los Angeles, and even my hardiest cacti need a sip of water. To cope, I’m running in the mornings, taking walks at night, and pushing my AC to the edge like it’s the war rig in Mad Max. I am also, per the advice of my dear former colleague, managing my temperature and sweat by spritzing twice a day. With all that extra time spent under my shower head, I’ve drilled down on a few ways to make my late-summer/early-apocalypse ablutions especially refreshing. That means finding the coziest, most functional towels to dry off with, the most transportive luxury laundry detergent to wash them in, and the beachiest herbal scented oil to hydrate my sunbattered skin. In between making sure I don’t smell bad, I’ve been mostly laying back with a cold bottle of NA wine and squeezing in my final beach reads of the season (I tore through Susanna Moore’s 1995 skinny erotic-thriller In the Cut, and plan to watch the film adaptation starring Nicole Kidman ASAP). Below, my humble recommendations for the best shower and bathmaxxing products to make it through the rest of summer with dignity.
1. Orb x Wahine Fragrance Oil
Orb is a Melbourne-based company that sells bottles of multi-purpose scented oil that can be smeared directly to your skin like a perfume, dripped into a bathtub for softer skin, placed in an oil diffuser or burner, or worked into your typical body oil. Just yesterday, they launched a collab with pro skateboarder, model, and actor Evan Mock’s Hawaiian-inspired fashion label Wahine, and it’s basically the only thing I want to dab on my neck for the rest of the heatwave. The scent is lightly herbal and beachy in the way that true lovers of the coast would instantly recognize, with notes of surf wax and hibiscus. But beyond the scent, it really is a fantastically dynamic concoction. It’s strongest if you apply it straight to your body, but I like it best as a bath amplifier. Not only do you leave the tub with softer skin, but also with the faint smell of summer trailing behind. Given that my skin has been perpetually parched all month, it’s been a welcome addition to my countertop.
2. Mother Science Molecular Genesis Barrier Repair Moisturizer with Malassezin
My boyfriend had to go to notoriously un-air-conditioned Paris in the midst of the really bad heat wave in early July, which kicked off a string of breakouts that he then struggled to nip in the bud—an unfortunate reality of sweat and summer. Eventually I let him borrow this moisturizer and he said it immediately helped clear up the lingering spots on his neck and forehead. Technically this is a moisturizer meant to even out fine lines and smooth texture, but I think its star ingredient—the recently discovered malassezin—really does triple duty as a barrier repair agent and powerful dark spot remover. There’s a reason why I’ve recommended Mother Science’s Retinol and Molecular Hero Serum before. No matter what product you’re using from this brand, their signature ingredient will consistently deliver brighter, even-toned skin.
3. Typical Stretch Towel
I’m a Big Lebowski-level robe lover, but I usually switch to just towels in the hotter months. That said, I’ve always been annoyed by the precarious nature of a wrapped towel post spritz. No matter how big one is, it never feels secure enough for me to move about my home without the risk of flashing my neighbors. Which is why I was stoked to discover these big stretchy towels from the brand Typical, co-founded by Herschel Supply Co.’s Lyndon Cormack. They’re designed for easy and especially secure wrapping, which I tested by tucking one around my waist and going about my morning business. But they also don’t skimp on fabric quality and absorption. I opted for a quiet neutral, but they have a bunch of playful colors available and will be debuting a few more come September.
4. Guests on Earth x D.S. & Durga Big Sur After Rain Laundry Detergent
My laundry loads double in the summer thanks to all the beach trips and high-temp runs. To make the chore a little less annoying, and my linens all the more fresh-smelling, I’ve been using this luxe collab between the clean detergent company Guests on Earth and the ever-reliable scentmaker D.S.& Durga. If you’re a fan of the latter, you probably already know about their Big Sur After Rain scent, which comes in the form of a candle and an elevated car air freshener. Though it’s not quite a substitute for an actual trip to that magical slice of the California coast, its crisp, moody notes of eucalyptus and damp tree bark are far more sophisticated than your average Tide Pod scent and make my towels all the more inviting after a shower.
5. Caldera + Lab The Great Anti-Aging Serum
If you’re not using a serum with exosomes, you are missing out on a world of advanced skincare benefits. I say this because every time I try a product with the ingredient, it noticeably improves my skin. Exosomes are tiny extracellular vesicles that function as “biological text messages” that can influence your skin’s inflammation, collagen production, and ability to heal. Compared to products like (Plated), which are more gel-based, Caldera + Lab’s anti-aging serum is milkier and more moisturizing—ideal for warmer climates. I’ve been substituting it as a nightly moisturizer immediately after I wash my face before bed. Though it’s specifically designed for men’s skin as it ages, it still did wonders on mine!
6. KiKi “Salty Skin” Non-Alcoholic Skin Contact Wine
I have been known, on occasion, to drink a glass of red in the bathtub. These days I am not indulging quite as much. But what’s August without a cold bottle of wine? This NA skin-contact orange from KiKi scratches my seasonal itch to battle the heat with a festive drink. It’s salty and light, but maintains enough body that it doesn’t taste like straight grape juice. It’s versatile and drinkable enough that you can share it with friends at the beach or as a way to cool down and unwind after a shower.
Source: www.gq.com
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