Once again, Kate McLeod’s genius has swopped in to turn a mundane task into an indulgent moment of self-care and intention. As someone who dislikes the act of applying moisturizer, it was love at first use when I tried the Body Stone ($45). It’s a solid lotion bar that has completely overhauled my routine. I love how it feels going on, the moisture it supplies, and the subtle sheen it gives the skin. I force the Stone on just about everyone I love, but I’m getting carried away. McLeod has, for a second time, altered my body care with the Pebble ($48), a fresh take on bath oil.
A close relative to the Body Stone, the Pebble is an innovative solid bath and shower oil. I’m partial to the Sleep Pebble because I’m a sucker for anything scented with lavender. However, the Forest Pebble with notes of hinoki is also enchanting. After plopping the Pebble into your bath, you’ll notice it fizzes a bit, as AlkaSeltzer would. During that fizz, the deep-conditioning oil melts into the bath water. Then it can seep into skin while the pores are open.
The formula features cocoa butter, sodium bicarbonate and jojoba, baobab and kukui nut oils. The scent alone was divine, but let’s talk about the results. I emerged from the bath a smoother, softer, calmer, more moisturized version of myself. For comparison purposes, I left one of my arms out of the elixir. My submerged skin felt as if I’d applied a luxurious lotion, but there was no film left behind. I skipped my usual use of the Body Stone after the bath to see how long the hydration held up. For hours after my first bath with the Pebble, I would touch my skin and wonder why it was so soft before recalling. I’d imagine doing this one a week would change your skin in an even bigger way.
I was only in the bath for about 10 minutes, so I’m sure after any longer, I would have turned into the Velveteen Rabbit. As someone with keratosis pilaris, smooth is the name of the game. Any step in my routine that can take me closer to smoother skin is welcome, which is a box the Pebble checks off.
If you’re not big into baths, the Pebble is also a great shower companion. It’ll make your bathroom smell like a spa and exfoliate the skin on sight. The Pebble Starter Kit comes with 20 pebbles and a beautiful green container with a bamboo top you can refill when you inevitably burn through your stock.
