In partnership with Salt & Stone. Editor’s Note: We only select and work with partners that meet our quality standards, so you can rest assured we only endorse products we believe in.
I’m a big fan of little treat culture. Bringing home farmers market flowers, springing for the extra for guac at Chipotle, buying the fancy body wash to upgrade the 5-in-1 sitting in my shower. Indulging in little luxuries to spice up the more mundane parts of my routine is how I survive working full-time, living in Los Angeles, and trying to feel like I have it all together. Is my bathroom counter clutter-free and candle lit? No, but I aspire.
It didn’t take long before Salt & Stone landed on my radar (the brand is viral and often sold out). The LA-born brand makes daily essentials (think body wash, deodorant, body mists) that are clean, alcohol-free, and built around curated fragrance families. You can even shop by scent on their site—a feature that is both helpful and deeply enabling if you have strong opinions about bergamot.
I set out to test their best selling Hydrating Body Wash, and I have thoughts. Here's the scoop...
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A Skincare-First Body Wash
I have dry, easily irritated skin and a weakness for fancy bath products, which makes me both high-maintenance and hard to please. But Salt & Stone’s Hydrating Body Wash is one of the few that delivers on scent, texture, and skin benefits. Since my weekly everything-shower is the closest thing I’ll get to a spa day in this economy, adding this body wash to the lineup helps satisfy my urge to splurge.
The formula features seaweed extract for antioxidants, blue-green algae to calm and hydrate, niacinamide to support the skin barrier, and vitamin E to lock in moisture. And because it’s summer and I’m living in shorts, keeping my legs hydrated (and not flaky) is non-negotiable. This is one of the few body washes I’ve used that feels like it’s actually helping my skin, not just washing it.
I find myself gravitating to Bergamot & Hinoki most often. It’s fresh, woody, and feels like the scent equivalent of Japanese forest bathing — calming in a way I can’t fully explain.
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The (Kinda Genius) Discovery Sets
Salt & Stone’s Discovery Sets are clutch if you’re indecisive or just scent-curious. They let you test-drive multiple fragrances before committing to a full-size bottle — whether you’re exploring body washes, deodorants, or both. It’s the easiest and most cost-effective way to figure out what you actually love.
Then there’s the Build-Your-Own Mini Set. You can customize a kit with body wash, deodorant, body mist, hand cream, or lotion — all TSA-friendly and designed to smell good together. I sprinkle them throughout my life in my carry-on, work tote, glove box. It’s a very low-effort way to feel like you’ve got it together, even when your week says otherwise.
The TL;DR
I’ve tried a lot of clean body products that either smelled great and didn’t work, or worked but smelled…not great. Salt & Stone nails both. These are products I actually reach for every day — because they feel good, smell amazing, and make my routine feel a little less nuts. If you’re looking for easy upgrades that don’t feel basic, this is where I’d start.
