Psst, attention all skincare lovers! I have some skincare ritual-changing news for you. Let me introduce a not-so-new concept that many of us neglect (not on purpose of course). Drum roll, please… body skin care!
Body skin care is uber important, yet so many of us neglect our bodies and focus solely on our facial skincare routine. We have four or more step rituals for our skincare but more often than not, we just slap on some lotion after the shower or in the morning for our bodies and go on our merry way. I must admit, I do this almost every day, but it is time to evolve and give my body skin the TLC it deserves.
2. Why is body skin care important anyways?
Body skin care is pretty much what it sounds like. Skincare for your body, aka products for all the surface area below your neck. There is a slew of products dedicated to body skin care. These products are similar to facial skincare and serve the same purposes. However, they are formulated a bit differently to account for all the differences between facial skin and body skin.
Here are some major differences between body and facial skin
Believe it or not, these major differences play a huge role in the formulation of products and the types of products you should use on each skin type. Body moisturizer is formulated to be thicker and heavier than facial moisturizer because it has far more skin to penetrate. Facial cleansers can be too harsh on body skin and strip the skin of the oils and moisture it needs.
Paying close attention to the products you use is crucial. Using a body moisturizer on your face is a huge no-no. If you were to do this, you could encounter extra oily skin, clogged pores, and acne because our face has way more oil glands than our bodies do.
Skin is the largest organ of the human body and takes charge of protecting our body. The skin protects against bacteria, pollution, chemicals, changes in temperatures, and UV rays. It also maintains the balance of fluids in our bodies and is the first alert of danger and pain.
Not only does our skin deserve the TLC for protecting us 24/7, maintaining healthy skin allows our skin to maintain a strong permeability barrier against unwanted substances. Dry skin, UV exposure, harsh chemicals, and lifestyle factors such as diet, lack of exercise, and smoking all negatively impact the skin’s barrier strength. Moisturizing, wearing sunscreen, eating well, and keeping healthy, happy skin should be one of your top priorities for your health and well-being.
Crafting the *perfect* skincare routine for your face was no easy feat and now it is time to channel the same energy into crafting the *perfect* skincare routine for your body. Finding the right products and steps will take time, but we’ve created an easy step-by-step guide to get you started.
You make be thinking, duh! But really, cleansing the body is so important. You are getting rid of all the chemicals, bacteria, and pollutants you encountered throughout the day.
When selecting a body cleanser think non-fragrant and hydrating. Fragrances can irritate the skin, so try to steer clear of them. Shea butter and oatmeal soaps are great alternatives for people who want a scent but do not want harsh fragrances.
Exfoliation scrubs away dead skin build-up and unclogs pores. Exfoliate 2-3 times a week with a sugar scrub of your choice. Be sure to focus on your elbows, knees, and heels since those areas typically need a little more TLC.
If shaving is your jam, go for it. If no, skip and move on to the next step!
This step is the kicker because everyone’s skin is different, especially people with skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis. Those with eczema and psoriasis typically strictly abide by the products they already trust. They might even have prescriptions from their dermatologist they use (I know I do!)
If this is you and you don’t feel comfortable changing your moisturizing products or routine just yet (or ever) I completely understand. It’s scary taking the jump. But if you’re ready to shake it up and try something new, we’ve taken notes on Olena Beley’s famous 3 step moisturizing method. Check it out.
You are going to want to gently pat your skin dry, do not rub! Patting is gentle on the skin and will keep a little bit of moisture on the body that you want as a foundation for your next steps.
A humectant is a compound that soaks up and absorbs moisture from your skin. They are well-known for retaining moisture in the skin. They do so by forming hydrogen bonds with water molecules, which helps keep the skin hydrated by drawing water from skin cells. Olena Beley recommends using The Chemistry Brand Hyaluronic Concentrate.
Before step two dries, you are going to want to seal it in with a cream or balm to prevent the humectant from evaporating. Olena Beley recommends using Bioderma’s Atoderm PP Balm.
Those are all Olena Beley’s steps! If you are someone like me who has to spot treat with dermatologist-prescribed products, I would just make that my fourth step!
Protect your skin at all costs! Check out our sunscreen guide for product recommendations and more.
We couldn’t give you a step-by-step guide without compiling a dermatologist and fan-favorite product list too! These body skin care products will surely blow your mind and not your budget.
Ladies do not worry, we are covering “down there” care too. Taking care of “down there” is important to keep clean, prevent infections, and prevent ingrown hairs if and when you shave! Here are 3 tips to live by for down there care.
You do not need soap to clean your vulva, warm water will do the job perfectly. If you opt for using soap, use gentle, unscented soap to prevent irritation.
We are like self-cleaning ovens, so washing our vaginas is completely unnecessary and can mess up our hormonal balance and cause infection. This is why it is so important to wash only your vulva or the “outside area”.
Exfoliate the bikini line before shaving and gently exfoliate days after to prevent ingrown hairs. Remember to always shave down too with the hair, never against! Be sure to always keep your sugar scrub and shaving cream on the “outside area”!
Taking care of our body skin may require a little more time and attention at first, but the results will certainly be worth it. Protecting our skin and body while having radiating skin? Who could ask for more!
Skin moods can be hard to handle at times, so remember to listen to your skin’s needs and take it step-by-step. You got this!
Written by Lauren Conklin
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