It’s certainly a hot topic in the beauty industry: Skincare doesn’t end at your jawline. More people are realizing the importance of adapting a skincare routine for the rest of their body, and there’s a flood of wonderful products on the market that can help you do just that.
Most of us have an elaborate facial skincare regime, religiously applying different cleansers, moisturizers, retinols, and sunscreens to keep our skin in top health. It’s time to extend this ritual to the rest of our body. Your skin is the largest organ of your body, and it requires as much attention and nourishment as your complexion. Body care can range from tackling concerns such as dry skin, body acne, and chest irritation to transforming your daily shower routine into a self-pampering session.
How does body care look like in practice? To me, it begins even before stepping into the shower. A technique I’ve found game-changing is dry brushing, which significantly helps to treat rough and bumpy skin, also known as keratosis pilaris. This common condition often appears on the arms and legs. I integrate dry brushing before each shower, commencing with the legs and gradually moving up my body. To enhance this step, incorporate an exfoliating body scrub to buff away the dead skin several times a week.
If you have skin prone to breakouts, using a body wash or moisturizer with active ingredients such as salicylic acid will be beneficial. Skin can become radiantly smooth with the right products, while dryness can be warded off using gentle cleansers rich in hydrating elements like Vitamin E. After a shower, applying body oil helps lock in the moisture, which should then be followed by an ultra-rich moisturizer. To protect your skin from harmful UV rays, remember to apply a good sunscreen with broad-spectrum coverage.
The options for body care don’t end here, though. Some more fabulous body care essentials include the bamboo dry brush with boar bristle to exfoliate and help remove dead skin; the calming body wash complete with a refreshing blend of eucalyptus, rosemary, and lavender; the nourishing body wash with argan and avocado oils that absorb quickly, leaving your skin hydrated instead of greasy.
No body skincare regimen is complete without dealing with dry, sensitive skin. An ultra-rich moisturizer with hyaluronic acid, mango seed butter, and niacinamide could solve this issue effectively. A good body lotion, preferably one with lactic acid and soothing oatmeal, is perfect for those dealing with keratosis pilaris.
A body gua sha enhances your skincare ritual by helping with lymphatic drainage. Along with tools like the silicone loofah, they take your daily body care routine to the next level – you can bid farewell to clogged pores. Finally, a luxurious body oil could be the cherry on top of your body care ritual, making it seem like a spa session at home.
Just like how you wouldn’t forget to nourish your skin on your face, you shouldn’t overlook the importance of taking care of the rest of your body’s skin either. After all, self-care is an essential part of mental and physical health, and each moment you dedicate to pampering yourself will certainly contribute to a happier, healthier you.