​​I Tried A Cult-Favorite Body Exfoliator & Didn't Know My Skin Could Feel This Smooth 

Despite having an arsenal of scrubs, brushes, and polishes at my disposal, I don't exactly have my body exfoliating routine down pat. It's not that I'm unaware of the benefits of body care—I've written way too many articles to ever ignore those perks—but I'm simply impatient when it comes to my own shower.

I've got things to do! People to see! I cannot waste precious minutes massaging in coffee granules! 

Jokes aside, I need an exfoliator that feels like second nature to my shower routine so I'll actually stick to a regular regimen. So, when I finally got my hands on the cult-favorite Buffing Bar from Soft Services, I was shocked to declare it a shower-time staple—my skin had never felt so smooth. 

Again, I don't always remember to exfoliate my body, save for a weekly shave. On that note, I don't have the best razor on hand (I usually just pick up a drugstore pack), and I'm a bit haphazard with the routine (told you, I'm impatient!), so I don't always wind up with the silkiest shave.

As a result, areas prone to keratosis pilaris, like the backs of my thighs, can feel bumpy. 

The first time I used the Buffing Bar, I was truly blown away—seriously, I couldn't believe how soft my skin felt. In the shower, I wet the bar and rubbed in gentle, circular motions on my roughest areas (the backs of my arms and thighs), and it immediately released any trapped hairs and keratin buildup.

My poor feet also have some gnarly calluses (commuting sandal-clad in NYC—enough said), so I dedicated a few moments to my heels, and the results were better than any pumice stone I've tried. 

The brand calls the Buffing Bar an "exfoliating brick," which I honestly think is the perfect term. It's certainly not your average creamy bar soap; the experience actually feels sort of like an exfoliating mitt—rough and slightly grainy—yet it still suds up like your traditional bar soap would.

Given these hydrating and cleansing ingredients, you could use the bar all over if you wanted to, but you'll have to ease up on the pressure for more sensitive areas, especially if you're prone to dryness or irritation.

Is the Buffing Bar worth the buy? Take it from someone who loves a streamlined shower routine: This $28 product (which comes in a set of two and is currently up to 20% off!) makes exfoliating an absolute breeze, and it delivers shockingly smooth results.

My only callout is that bar soaps are notoriously difficult to store—if they stay moist, they can easily harbor bacteria. If you don't already have a slotted soap dish to drain excess water, I would suggest investing in the Soft Services Soap Home as well.