Current Obsession: A Skin-Smoothing Body Lotion

In last week's inaugural addition of Current Obsession, I sang the praises of a game-changing, skin-brightening sunscreen from SkinCeuticals that made me fall in love with sunscreen all over again. This week, the object of my affection is a new-to-me body lotion that glides over the skin like a dream, revealing softer, smoother skin in record time.

Drunk Elephant launched into body and hair care a few years ago, but I've only recently gotten to know the line, and the only confounding thing about it is that I didn't discover it sooner. Drunk Elephant is all about effective, non-problematic formulas with the cutest names in skincare. This one, T.L.C. Glycolic Body Lotion, is obsession-worthy not only because of its effectiveness, but because applying it feels so damn nice.

Why I Love It

I'm something of a body lotion connoisseur, and although I love the pampering after-shower ritual of slathering myself with oils, creams, and balms, I detest having to grind thick lotions into my body which can sometimes get stuck in my body hair, resulting in a moment of annoyance rather than self-care bliss. This silky, watery wonder disappears into the skin immediately and leaves no tacky residue. Even better, within a couple days of use, it leaves the skin feeling so smooth you'll want to pet yourself all day.

What's In It

A blend of Alpha Hydroxy Acids (glycolic, tartaric, lactic, and citric) work together to resurface and exfoliate the skin, resulting in a more even and bright tone while revealing super-smooth skin. It also has Marula Butter, a concentrated butter derived from marula oil that floods the skin with moisturizing and barrier-protecting goodness from antioxidant polyphenols, lipids, and fatty acids. Shea Butter dials up the skin-barrier-protecting properties so that the four hardworking Alpha Hydroxy Acids can do their job without making the skin dry, red, or itchy.

How to Use It

While most body lotion is best applied to damp, fresh-out-of-the-shower skin, it's best to apply any exfoliating product – face or body – to dry skin. Damp skin allows for better absorption, and that can sometimes backfire with active ingredients like exfoliators, so this product should always be applied to dry skin. If your body is new to chemical exfoliation, you may need to ease into this product, applying it every day or two until your body acclimates. But I was able to use it daily right out the gate with no irritation; you just may want to take some care around your nether regions.

Why It's Worth It

The convenience alone of a two-in-one body exfoliator and moisturizer is worth the $28 price tag, especially given how long this eight-ounce bottle will last you; I hate the expression "a little goes a long way," but it really does here. I'm not sure if I'll rely on this as heavily in the winter months, but in the warmer months it's been my ideal companion for a soft, bright, moisturized body.

$28, Sephora.