Buying natural bodycare for someone else is never quite as simple as it sounds. Everyone's skin has its own likes and dislikes, so a good body care gift set does a lot of the guesswork for you, bringing together a handful of products that work well as a little routine rather than a random bundle of nice-smelling things.
Whether it's for a birthday, a thank-you, a stocking filler, or a treat for yourself, here's what's worth thinking about before you add one to your basket.
What makes a body care gift set worth giving?
There's usually a bit of thought behind how they're put together.
A few things worth looking out for:
A proper little routine The nicest sets tend to move logically from one step to the next, a scrub to prep the skin, say, followed by an oil or balm to help lock in moisture, rather than three variations on the same product.
Textures suited to the season
A rich body balm feels wonderful in the depths of winter, while a lighter body oil or lotion is often more welcome once the weather warms up.
Ingredients you'd be happy to read the label on
Shea butter, aloe vera, organic sugar, plant oils... Aroma-Zone's simple, recognisable formulas tend to suit a wider range of skin types, which matters when you're buying for skin that isn't your own.
Packaging that already looks like a gift
It sounds trivial, but for some people, not having to wrap anything yourself is half the appeal.
Matching the set to the person, not just the occasion
A little thought about who you're actually buying for goes a long way:
For skin that's easily unsettled
Gentle, fragrance-light formulas are the safest choice and it's always worth doing a quick patch test before using anything new, especially on sensitive skin.
For someone who loves a proper pampering ritual
Pairing a scrub with a rich, follow-up balm or oil feels far more indulgent than a single product on its own.
For the hair care enthusiast
Look beyond body care altogether, a nourishing hair oil or serum makes a lovely addition, particularly for hair that's feeling dry or a little tired from heat styling and colouring.
For someone dipping a toe into natural beauty for the first time
Keep it simple. A handful of recognisable, traditionally-used ingredients is far less daunting than a long ingredients list they've never heard of.
Body care, hair care, or a bit of both?
Some of the most useful gifts are the ones that quietly do double duty.
A dry oil, like Satin Gold Oil or the Dry Oil With Precious Oils, works just as well smoothed through the ends of dry hair as it does when massaged into skin.
A hyaluronic acid serum is another multi-tasker, known for helping skin feel plumper and more hydrated, and just as handy patted onto thirsty hair lengths. Discover Aroma-Zone's hyaluronic acid gift set!
And a simple jar of shea butter might be the most versatile gift of all, hands, elbows, ends of hair, it covers pretty much everything.
If you do know a bit about the hair you're buying for, our hair type guide is a useful way to narrow down which formulas tend to suit it best.
A few finishing touches
A handwritten note or a small addition, a scented candle, a soft flannel, a favourite bath soak, turns a gift set from nice into genuinely thoughtful.
