What is body polishing, Gen Z’s popular shortcut to radiance?

Glow up in minutes: Gen Z is embracing body polishing as their fast‑track to dewy, radiant skin.Glow up in minutes: Gen Z is embracing body polishing as their fast‑track to dewy, radiant skin.(Image: Pexels)

A great body polish isn’t just another scrub but a treatment that delivers instant smoothness, hydration, and a luminous glow. Skin so nourished that you might even skip your body lotion. For Gen Z, who value efficiency over lengthy routines, body polishing has emerged as the perfect low-maintenance ritual that still feels indulgent.

Body polishing as a powerful multitasker

Unlike elaborate beauty regimens, a good polish is about efficiency. The creamy textures, indulgent scents, and immediate results turn a daily shower into an uplifting ritual. It’s not just about glowing skin — it’s a moment of “skin-tainment” that combines practicality with pleasure.

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Self-care today is less about 10 complicated steps and more about intentional acts that deliver maximum results with minimal effort. Atreyee Kar, Founder of beauty brand Murshmallow, captures this shift in mindset perfectly. “Body polishing is the ultimate hack because it’s a powerful multitasker. It’s not an extra step — it’s a step that replaces others.

Think of it as your shortcut to that spa like glow. In the time it takes to scroll through an Instagram feed, you can buff away dullness, boost circulation for a natural radiance, and deeply hydrate — all in one shower session. It’s a potent act of self-care that’s literally built into your existing routine.”

How often should you polish?

The secret to effective body polishing lies in moderation. If your skin feels tight, raw, or overly sensitive, that’s a clear sign to scale back. The focus should always be on consistency with care — one mindful polish a week is more effective than overdoing it. Kar emphasizes balance, “The golden rule is listening to your skin, not the algorithm. Over-exfoliation can compromise your skin barrier, leading to dryness and sensitivity. 1-2 times per week is the sweet spot for most skin types.

This is enough to slough away dead cells and maintain that coveted smoothness without overwhelming the skin. After a week of sweating at the gym or before a special event where you want ultra-glowy skin, you might polish twice. During a lazy week at home or in drier, colder months, once is plenty.”

Ingredients to look for in a good polish

This new generation of polishes doesn’t just scrub — it heals, hydrates, and protects. Gen Z consumers are famously ingredient-savvy, and with good reason. Modern body polishes now go beyond grainy scrubs to offer multi-level benefits. Here are the top ingredients you can look for while buying yourself the perfect body polish.

• Multi-Depth Exfoliation: Advanced formulas combine physical exfoliants like Dead Sea salt or sugar with gentle chemical exfoliants such as lactic acid. The result is a double-action effect: surface-level polishing plus deep cellular renewal for longer-lasting smoothness.

• Barrier-Protecting Hydration: Skin-identical ingredients like niacinamide, squalane, hyaluronic acid, and betaine help lock in moisture, repair the skin barrier, and improve elasticity.

• Soothing Botanicals: Extracts like Centella Asiatica, licorice root, and portulaca calm irritation, reduce redness, and provide antioxidant protection post-exfoliation.

• Plant-Based Nourishment: Emollients such as coconut milk powder, marula oil, and shea butter penetrate deeply to nourish, while ingredients like bakuchiol, resveratrol, and arbutin even skin tone and enhance radiance.