"At this point, almost everyone has a regimented skincare routine and beauty cabinets overflowing with serums, moisturizers, face masks, and everything in between. The importance of keeping your skin moisturized and protected from the elements is common knowledge—so why are we ignoring the rest of our bodies?
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The face and neck account for only 3.5 percent and 2 percent of our total body surface area—meaning, we’re neglecting a whole lot of skin that has similar, if not identical, needs as your face and neck do. So, you may be asking: How do you build a body care routine? Do we need to be treating our body skin differently? Do I need a multi-step routine?
The answer is yes… and no.
“It is so important to treat the skin on our body the same as the skin on our face,” says Skin Director and Co-Founder of NUDESKIN, Dr. Ally Frankel. “Although the [skin] on our body is thicker than our face, it is still susceptible to breakouts, hyperpigmentation, aging, and UV damage. If we do not cleanse, exfoliate, tone, and moisturize our body consistently as we age, we will most definitely experience one if not all of these issues.”
It’s undeniable that we’re entering a new era of body care, but adding new products and a new routine can be daunting. Read on to learn which products and ingredients will give you that sought-after radiant glow ASAP.
Moisturizers and Lotions
The basis of all skincare is keeping the skin hydrated and moisturized. From avoiding dry, itchy patches to keeping skin soft to the touch, moisturizer plays a key role in body care. The easiest way to incorporate this into your routine is to apply directly after you get out of the shower, as “your pores are open from the warmth of the water, which will help the moisturizer absorb quickly,” says celebrity makeup artist Sarah Egan.
Visibly moisturize, firm, and strengthen the skin with this daily body lotion. Formulated with five different peptides, it infuses skin with vitamin A, C, E, F, Omega 6, and 9 for up to 48 hours of hydration.
We love Rare Beauty cosmetics and skincare, and their body products are just as amazing. A nutrient-infused body lotion, this product will hydrate the skin for up to 24 hours with a fresh, non-greasy feel and a relaxing, earthy aroma.
An iconic, fast-absorbing body cream, this product visibly tightens skin with body-loving ingredients, including caffeine-rich guaranà extract, cupuaçu butter, and coconut oil. We also love this body cream for its warm, Brazilian-nut aroma that is good enough to eat.
Actives
Retinol body lotions are becoming increasingly popular, and thank the heavens, because it is a fantastic active to use on both the face and body. “Using a retinol body lotion will add moisture to the skin and smooth skin’s texture,” says Egan. But be careful—retinol isn’t all fun and games. “If you use a retinol on your body, it’s important to wear sunscreen daily because it makes your skin more susceptible to the sun.”
With pure retinol, nourishing cocoa butter, and moisture-replenishing squalane, this body lotion repairs dryness, helps firm skin, smooth texture, and brightens dullness. Designed to leave you radiant from head to toe, VERSED’s formula is lightweight, so you won’t feel greasy or slimy before slipping into bed.
This nourishing body lotion promotes skin renewal to improve texture, tone, and firmness. Formulated with pure retinol and skin-soothing Allantoin, it will leave your skin feeling soft, supple, and nourished while also reducing visible redness and irritation.
The 0.25 percent retinol in this serum works to speed up collagen production for next-level skin cell turnover to improve fine lines, wrinkles, and dullness, while hydrating ingredients such as niacinamide and glycerin help promote balanced, bright skin.
Serums and Oils
When it comes to body care, it is all about hydration, hydration, hydration. “Hyaluronic acid, ceramides, and shea butter are all great ingredients to look for in body products,” says Egan. When shopping for serums, oils, and other topicals, be sure they include these ingredients to help lock in moisture and promote radiant, smooth, and firm skin all over.
If you’re prone to dry skin, this transformative oil will leave you with silky, supple skin on your chest, shoulders, knees, and toes. An indulgent super blend of 13 essential oils and six cold-pressed plant oils, including tuberose, rose oil, sandalwood, and evening primrose, this body oil promotes youthful skin and, of course, hydration.
This body serum is formulated with an antioxidant-rich blend of Argan and Tsubaki oils to firm and nurture the skin, while holy basil extract and Vitamin C help to smooth texture for a radiant glow.
A body oil that hydrates like a moisturizer and absorbs like a serum? Say less. This skin-barrier-boosting oil delivers intense hydration for skin that looks and feels softer, firmer, and healthier.
Acne Products
Just like on your face, the pores on your back and chest can get clogged and irritated, causing annoying pimples and flare-ups. If you’re prone to body acne, you know it can be tougher than facial acne as the skin is less delicate on the back and chest. Though you can’t cure acne overnight, there are a handful of skincare-expert-approved products that will alleviate flare-ups in the future—and remember, consistency is always key. To see optimal results, especially when it comes to clearing acne, be sure to try your new skincare treatment for at least three months at a time.
This body cleanser is infused with a blend of gentle yet effective acids to visibly clear clogged pores and smooth skin while hydrating. The mood-enhancing aroma has notes of orange, jasmine, patchouli, and almond for an indulgent shower experience.
Reduce the appearance of blemishes and the dark spots they leave behind with this all-over body polishing treatment, formulated with glycolic, lactic, and salicylic acids that not only reduce signs of aging but also support natural collagen production.
If you struggle with back acne, treating those hard-to-reach spots can be a challenge. This treatment spray is easy to apply and is designed to deeply clear pores, preventing new acne blemishes from popping up.
Exfoliators
Using a mix of chemical and physical exfoliants on the body is a key step in a body care routine, helping to minimize breakouts, rejuvenate your complexion, and even help your serums and moisturizers work that much better. Dr. Frankel recommends incorporating enzymes and acids into your routine to gently exfoliate without compromising the skin’s barrier and to focus on problem spots where you may be prone to hyperpigmentation, ingrown hairs, or thicker skin.
This exfoliator is formulated with bamboo grit, fruit AHAs, and holy basil to smooth uneven skin texture, while tea tree oil helps to control excess sebum (AKA, what causes pesky ingrown hairs) for healthy, radiant skin. With eucalyptus and lavender as the key aromas, it will transform your daily shower into a spa-like experience.
Roughness, dry patches, clogged pores, dullness, strawberry skin—this powerful yet gentle milky body serum is a cure-all. Use it two to three times per week to reveal hydrated and soft-to-the-touch skin.
This leave-on body exfoliant is made with BHA that gently sheds dull, dry skin and attacks rough, bumpy texture to reveal smooth, soft, and glowing skin all over.
Tackle problem areas with tough, dry skin with this miracle-working toner. Formulated with glycolic acid, lactic acid, salicylic acid, and a fruit acid complex, this vegan resurfacing toner helps reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and bumps, plus improves the appearance of blemishes.