The Mediterranean Diet, the Mediterranean Lotion?

Maapilim’s body lotion is the stuff you’d expect to find lying around an Axel Vervoordt-designed home. The minimal warm packaging whispers money and in-the-know taste, fitting for a brand based off of ingredients from around the Mediterranean. If Restoration Hardware had its own line of grooming products, we now know what it would look like (have you seen their terra cotta candles?).

We tried their body lotion in the midst of winter, our hands so dry and cracked from extensive seasonal handwashing and COVID prevention that they were painful to use.

The color of cinnamon horchata, the lotion was light and went on rather easily without having to do much rubbing. Boasting Omega 3, 6, & 9, it also has olive oil to help soften and moisturize while reducing itchiness and irritation. We can attest to the fact that immediately our hands felt healthier and calmer, with surprisingly zero pain despite being applied over skin that was ashy and cracking. It also contains almond oil for hydration and nutrients. If you’ve ever tried Burt’s Bee’s Almond & Milk Hand Cream, you know that almond oil can feel slightly greasy; while not as greasy per se, Maapilim’s lotion will certainly leave you with a slight sheen from said oil which is easily solvable by patting your hand gently with a paper towel (or, let’s be real, on your pants). It’s a facet of the lotion we actually don’t mind considering it helps form a barrier that keeps our hands moisturized for several washes afterward before you need any reapplication.

Upping its quality was its unrecognizable and haunting smell, a mix of sandalwood and vanilla. If you like warmer notes - myrrh, vetiver, oud – this is your lotion.

At $36, it’s definitely pricey for the volume you get, but if you’re looking to treat yourself with something unusual and effective, we highly recommend it.

Maapilim Body Lotion, $36

Price point: High