“A body conditioner protects the skin the same way conditioners protect your hair,” dermatologist Dr. Richard Bottiglione tells Coveteur. “It applies a thin layer of oil to coat the top layer of the skin so that the skin does not have a dry feeling when getting out of the shower.” 

A hot bath with harsh body soaps can strip your skin of its essential oils, making it vulnerable to itchiness and an eczema flare-up. A body conditioner — loaded with a host of skin-loving ingredients such as coconut oil, argan oil, and shea butter — replenishes the moisture lost to the skin during a shower or a bath, says Dr. Bottiglione. 

Usually, body conditioners are applied all over your body as the last step in your shower routine, not after it. After rinsing shower gel or soap off your body, massage a scoop of body conditioner into your flesh. Then rinse all the excess product under warm water for instantly velvety-smooth and supple skin. Quantity-wise, how much body conditioner to use is entirely your judgment call. If your skin feels dry after the initial conditioner wash, you can use more on subsequent use. By the same token, reduce the quantity if your skin feels greasy after washing.