Skin care practices tend to keep a laser-like focus on the face, which is of course the most seen part of your body and also the most delicate.
But the skin covering the rest of your body serves exactly the same protective functions and has the same vulnerability to UV rays, infection and anything else that can compromise its defenses.
Body care, or devoting roughly the same amount of attention to the rest of your body as you do to your face, is going to be big in 2024.
A body care skin routine has much in common with the one you’re used to following for facial care. It’s generally a little bit simpler unless you choose to add serums or other specialized treatments to address specific concerns.
Following is a six-step routine that anybody who wants to show their body more love can embrace.
Cleansing
This is the first step for your body as well as your face.
You’ll need to choose a cleanser that meets the same needs of your skin as the one you use for your face, but in general facial washes are not ideal for your body, since they target the more delicate skin on your face and use ingredients which may either not be strong enough for thicker skin or too harsh because it targets problems you have on your face that don’t exist elsewhere.
It’s best to steer away from artificial dyes and fragrances and use more natural formulations containing ceramides to nourish your skin.
Exfoliation
Because of the relative toughness of your body’s skin you don’t need to be as cautious with this step as many people are with their face, but you still don’t need to do it more than two to three times a week. Either a physical scrub or chemical exfoliator will help you say goodbye to dead skin cells and leave the rest soft and glowing. It’s best to start with your feet and work your way up, paying special attention to the knees and elbows.
Shaving
Here’s another step that doesn’t need to happen every day (or you can use other hair-removal techniques, or not at all), and you may want to save it for those when you have a little more time. Not only is it easier to do a good job free of nicks and scratches but spending a little more time under the showerhead softens your skin and follicles, making them more receptive to letting go of that hair.
Apply shaving cream or gel to your skin and take your time, shaving with the grain to reduce irritation.
Treatment
This is where you can apply any serums, oils or other products to give your skin an extra boost.
There are body serums with vitamin C and other antioxidants to provide that anti-inflammatory protection you deserve to have all over your body.
Body oils can get the moisturization process going a little earlier, and retinols are becoming more widely available for all-over body care to accelerate skin cell turnover, improve skin texture and boost collagen production. This in turn thickens the skin to make cellulite less noticeable.
Moisturizing
Best practice is to get this step in just after stepping out of the shower and toweling off,, slathering yourself from neck to toe with a cream or lotion.
Lotions contain a lot of water and are considered a lightweight option for those with normal skin. Those with drier skin can turn to heavier creams for deep moisture. Ointment is another option for very dry skin, but it can be an occlusive, so it should be used sparingly.
And don’t forget your hands and feet, even if they need different products.
Protection
If you do nothing for the rest of your skin besides running a bar of soap over it, you should apply sunscreen wherever you’re exposed to the sun, and reapply every 90 to 120 minutes. This can get tedious but protects you from UV-caused aging and cancer.
