The Only Dolphin Skin Body-Care Routine You Need This Summer

Admittedly, I’m on a lifelong journey to build the perfect body-care routine. Growing up, a bottle of lotion was my only defense against ashy skin on pool days. I quickly realized one product couldn’t combat the dryness from chlorine pools. But that fresh-from-the-pool skin was amazing—glowy, dewy and moist—it was the ultimate goal during the summer, and the dolphin skin trend is bringing those vibes full circle. Designed to give you smooth, slick skin, it focuses on hydrating ingredients and a well-curated body-care routine. Crafting a regimen to achieve the look can feel like adding unnecessary steps at first, but the results are worth the trouble. Below, we chatted with two dermatologists on the trend and what building a good dolphin skin body-care routine really looks like.

Featured experts

• Naana Boayke, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Naana Beauty
• Dr. Asmi Berry is a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles

What is dolphin skin?

The dolphin skin beauty trend is based on creating a smooth and glossy look, similar to the slick skin of the ocean mammal. “It’s dewy, glowy and well-moisturized, but refers to the skin on your body, not your face,” says Los Angeles-based board-certified dermatologist Dr. Asmi Berry. Think of it as K-beauty’s glass skin but for the whole body. While both prioritize hydration, Naana Boayke, MD, board-certified dermatologist, adds that dolphin skin has a twist. She explains that the trend builds on the concept of glass skin, but focuses on hydrating products that give the skin a reflective and smooth look. It also yields a plumped-up appearance that’s brightened and free of dry patches.

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Exfoliating 101

Regular exfoliation isn’t as easy to remember, but it is essential for achieving the dolphin skin look. Remember, the goal is smooth, slick and glowy, which means you need to be consistently removing dead cells from the surface of your skin. Chemical and physical exfoliation work well for achieving dolphin skin radiance. “AHAs, BHAs or PHAs gently dissolve dead skin, making them ideal for improving texture and tone without abrasion,” says Dr. Boayke. Products containing lactic acid or glycolic acid smooth and soften the skin without irritating it. Combining the two types of exfoliation is another strategy that has glowing results. “A gentle scrub once or twice a week can help with texture and ingrown hairs, especially on the legs or bikini line, while chemical actives, such as urea-based body lotions work at a deeper level to dissolve dead skin and reveal softness,” says Dr. Berry.

How to build a dolphin skin body-care routine

Creating a good body-care routine isn’t hard, and the experts agree that there are just four main steps involved: Cleansing, exfoliating, hydrating and protecting the skin. However, like your daily and nightly skin regimens, it comes down to consistency. You probably are already cleansing daily with a body wash, but using a product with skin-loving ingredients will take your skin to new levels of softness. The products in your after-shower routine are just as important. Before you apply your moisturizer, try using a body serum with active ingredients to target things like uneven tone, large pores or dullness. AHAs, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid can be an asset to the skin on your body and provide the same glowing results you’d expect in skin-care products. The final two steps are designed to seal in the good stuff and keep your skin protected from harmful environmental factors. Rich lotions, creams and body oils are ideal for locking in hydration. However, to achieve a dolphin-skin-level glow, Dr. Boayke says that products with barrier-supporting ingredients, such as ceramides, glycerin and shea butter, are ideal. With your skin freshly hydrated and moisturized, it needs to be protected to stay healthy and glowy. A layer of SPF will help maintain tone and texture and prevent premature aging. 

Products to try for dolphin skin

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The spray format makes regular exfoliation a breeze, while the formula is packed with skin-care ingredients to renew and brighten the skin. A quick mist over the skin helps even tone and locks in moisture for all-over softness.

2 / 4

This scrub combines physical and chemical exfoliation into one easy step. It’s formulated with pumice buffing particles and two AHAs to remove dead cells and even skin tone.

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If you’re a fan of Rhode’s Glazing Milk, you’ll love their latest addition. This body care version of the cult favorite provides the same hydrated and glowy finish in a few sprays and leaves your skin baby-smooth.

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This gloss-oil hybrid is designed to lock in water and moisturize your skin in tandem. As the name suggests, the formula is light and airy, making it perfect for achieving the slick dolphin-skin look.