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What do you get when you take a Glossier alumni and and ex-Lauder executive? An impossibly chic body care line, of course. For Nick Axelrod and Randi Christiansen, body care and its ensuing categories (shower gel, lubricants, moisturisers, deodorant, scrubs) were lacking. And so Nécessaire was born: a minimalist, chic, genderless body brand that presented as skincare. It wasn’t cheap and overly fragrant. Instead, it was a curated edit of modern essentials that were either fragrance-free or smelt like something straight of the shelves at Diptyque. But more interestingly, the range was spiked with skincare-adjacent actives like niacinamide, hyaluronic acid and ceramides. Because why should our face have all of the fun?
The brand has been Instagram catnip since launch, in turn spurring a much-needed overhaul of the traditionally boring category. And I for one, am all for it. So in celebration of a new year, I’m turning a new leaf, namely the way I tend to the skin south of my neck. And Nécessaire feels like the perfect place to start.
Keep reading for my review.
Image credit: Nécessaire
This is not just any body cream. Instead, it’s a high stakes take on arguably one of the most mundane products out there. Lightweight but supremely hydrating, it contains medowfoam, marula and cacay oils to soften skin and impart a healthy (not greasy) sheen. It’s also rich in niacinamide, so you can expert better body skin long term. Put it this way… in a pinch, I’d use it on my face.
Nécessaire The Body Lotion, $25. shop now
This product is the exception to my “no granular exfoliants” beauty rule. It’s gritty, yes, but not in a way that physically hurts or leaves the skin red. But the real kicker is the inclusion of AHAs and BHAs. Glycolic, lactic and salicylic acid form one hell of a body smoothing trio, working together to slough off dead skin, prevent ingrown hairs and keratosis pilaris. my tip is to massage it in for at least a minute so the actives have time to take effect.
Nécessaire The Body Exfoliator in sandalwood, $30. SHOP NOW
There is something wonderfully indulgent about luxurious shower gel. It’s like a designer tracksuit. Not a need, but a (very) nice to have. The Sandalwood iteration of the brand’s take on shower gel is everything you could hope for and more: feels cleansing but not stripping, foams just enough, comes housed in an impossibly chic bottle and smells like expensive perfume. Five stars from me.
Nécessaire The Body Wash in sandalwood, $25. shop now
Nécessaire The Body Serum, $45. shop now
Just when I thought I’d fallen hard and fast for the aforementioned products, I tried the Body Serum. It is exactly as it sounds: a nutrient-dense, water-light serum designed for the body. Packed with ceramides, hyaluronic acid, glycerin, niacinamide and panthenol, smooth it over any areas that need extra love and top with moisturiser. Bonus points for the lack of fragrance, too. Almost too special to use (almost).
Holding image credit: @nycbambi
