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When skincare is talked about, the face comes in mind. But hey, not only should the face be taken care of, you should do the same to your body too. Of course your body needs some love, it needs to be pampered and by so doing, you need to create a body skincare routine, for a smooth, well-hydrated, healthy-looking skin.
The face takes the greater care when it comes to skincare, with millions of facial skincare-tips scattered all over the internet. But, you don’t have to blame the players, blame the game, because some people tend to give more concern to their face, while neglecting their body, and since this is the order of the day, you get to see more facial skincare products and skincare-tips than that of the body counterpart. And also considering the fact that the skin on the face is more senstive, makes it easily susceptible to breakouts and irritations. Maybe that’s why skincare brands produces more of facial skincare products.
The skin on our body tends to also suffer same skin issues as the face. Just the way the face tends to suffer from acne breakouts and hyperpigmentation, the body does same too. You should be familiar with body-acne and body-hyperpigmentation. Therefore, the body should not be neglected.
Having said that, this content is created to fix the total negligence of proper body skincare, by providing a detailed-guide on body skincare routine.
Therefore, if you’re bemused or discombobulated on how to create a standard body skincare routine for yourself, then you’re covered. Keep reading to learn more.
Body Skincare Routine – Your Body Needs Some Pampering Too.
Step 1: Cleanse.
Dove Instant Foaming Body Wash Deep Moisture.
Most people tend to pay less attention to body wash and goes with any body wash that comes their way, as far as it lathers, no problem. What if it shouldn’t be that way?.
Fact is, not all body wash are created equally, but while shopping for them, there are some certain factors you need to consider. Although it’s tempting to go for any body wash product that comes your way, but while shopping for a body wash, look for one that contains ingredients that will moisturize your skin, such as coconut oil, shea butter, aloe vera and glycerin.
Dove Instant Foaming Body Wash Deep Moisture is lightweight and filled with deep skin hydrating ingredients, as it effectively washes away dirt and germs, while simultaneously hydrates and nourishes the skin, thanks to its NutriumMoisture™ technology.
How To Cleanse.
While in the shower, apply your body wash on your sponge, gently scrub your body, while concentrating more on more-sweaty areas.
Step 2: Exfoliate.
Dove Exfoliating Body Polish Crushed Macadamia & Rice Milk.
Just as we exfoliate our face, to get rid of dead skin cells, same should also apply to the body. Dead skin cells accumulate on skin surface, to slough them off, you need to use a mild body scrub. Not only does exfoliation helps takeaway dead skin cells for a brighter and healthy-looking skin to reveal, but it also improves skin texture to feel and look smoother.
Body scrubs contains granules for micro skin exfoliation, alongside with skin hydrating and nourishing ingredients.
Dove Exfoliating Body Polish contains exfoliating silica and moisturizing macadamia seed and rice milk to gently buff away dry, dull skin and simultaneously hydrate and soften the skin.
How To Scrub Your Body.
Using your fingers, scoop a reasonable amount of the scrub, and gently massage in a circular motion all over your body, while concentrating more on under your arm pits, knuckles, knee and elbow areas.
Step 3: Shave.
Yes….. shave. You need to keep these hair grown area clean, by shaving your under arms and bikini area to prevent unpleasant odour.
To make this sweet-easy and prevent irritation, you have to prep your skin prior to shaving. And a good way to hit the start is by exfoliating first (with a body scrub). Exfoliating first before shaving exposes hidden hair in skin follicle, that’s to say, if you first exfoliate (before shaving), you’ll bring the hairs completely out of the follicles, to be properly shaved off. This lessens the risk of ingrown hairs and irritation. You can shop for safety shaving razors here.
How To Shave.
- Step 1: Hydrate and soften the hair by first soaking in a tub or taking a shower.
- Step 2: Proceed ahead to applying a shaving gel on the hair area.
- Step 3: Using a sharp new shaving safety razor, stroke in your hair direction to gently take off hairs. Repeat process till all hairs are gotten rid off.
- Step 4: Moisturize your skin immediately after shaving.
Or,….Use A Hair Removal Cream.
Not a fan of shaving?, then you can employ the service of an hair removal cream, and because you’re using it on sensitive areas (bikini and under arms), you need hair removal creams suitable for those areas. I recommend; Nad’s Sensitive Hair Removal Cream, this hair removal cream is gentle enough to be used on even the most sensitive skin areas, including your bikini line. Not only does it painlessly remove hair in only four minutes, but it is also formulated with the brand’s signature odor-elimination technology, so you don’t have to breathe in overpowering chemical smells. It is even infused with natural ingredients like melon, aloe vera, avocado oil, and honey to nourish and hydrate your skin.
How To Use A Hair Removal Cream.
First of all, perform a patch test on a small area of the skin where you plan to remove the hair. Follow the directions, leaving the cream on for the advised amount of time and removing properly. If no bad reaction occured, then go ahead with full usage. If irritation occurred, kindly discontinue use. Although it’s normal if your skin becomes a little red or itchy after using a hair removal cream.
Also do well to examine your skin, to ensure you don’t have cuts, bruises or minor wound on the skin area where you want to use the hair removal cream on, to avoid painful experience while using the hair removal cream.
- Step 1: Take a shower, and dry your skin thoroughly afterwards.
- Step 2: Read the directions that came with the cream and follow them exactly.
- Step 3: Apply a thick, even layer over the hair you want to remove.
- Step 4: Leave the cream on for the amount of time recommended in the directions.
- Step 5: Remove the cream with a damp washcloth or spatula if provided. Wipe gently – don’t rub the cream. Rinse the area with warm water to make sure the cream has been removed entirely. Ensure the cream residue is properly rinsed-off the skin, else the chemicals in the cream could keep negatively reacting on your skin, thereby causing rash or chemical burn.
Don’t worry if your skin is a little red or itchy after use – that’s normal, ensure to wear loose clothing right after using the cream and don’t scratch the area. If the redness and discomfort continues after a few hours or gets worse, see a board-certified dermatologist.
Step 4: Moisturize.
CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion.
You can use a body moisturizer that contains skin hydrating ingredients to keep your skin insanely hydrated supple and healthy-looking.
CeraVe daily moisturizer is made with the combination of 3 essential ceramides along side hyaluronic acid to deliver intense moisture and hydration to the skin, keeping it hydrated, soft and supple all day. Read a comparison review between CeraVe and Cetaphil Moisturizers
However, if you want something that will hydrate the skin and also offer skin brightening and antioxidant benefits, you can go for body moisturizers/lotions that contains antioxidants and natural skin brighteners like vitamin C, licorice extract etc. I recommend; Medix 5.5 vitamin C + Tumeric Firming Brightening Lotion. This brightening and anti-aging body lotion pairs vitamin C, tumeric extract, vitamin E in conjunction with other goodies to improve skin complexion, texture and fend-off free radicals. With diligent application leaves your skin well moisturized with luminous glow.
How To Apply.
After showering, pat your body with a clean towel (don’t towel off completely), while your skin is slightly damp (not too damp), apply your moisturizer generously all over your body, gently massage till fully absorbed.
Step 5: Hand & Foot Cream.
A lot of people neglect their hands and foot. This skin areas need to be pampered too. Especially your heels, as the skin around there is often thick.
Therefore in other to avert possible occurrence of dehydration which can trigger cracked heels you have to apply intense hydrating emollient to soften your heels and palm.
For palm, I recommend; A moisturizer, you can simply moisturize your palms with your moisturizer to keep them hydrated. CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion is recommended.
For Foot, because the feet is more vulnerable to dehydration and cracks, I recommend; CeraVe Renewing SA Foot Cream, which contains salicylic acid and ammonium lactate to gently exfoliates to eliminate dead skin cells, It also contains skin hydrating, skin barrier restoring and repairing ingredients such as ceramides, niacinamide and hyaluronic acid.
How To Apply.
Apply your foot and hand cream on your heels and palm, massage till fully absorbed.
You can as well do the following:
- Keep your hand and feet in lukewarm, soapy water for up to 20 minutes.
- Use a loofah, foot scrubber, or pumice stone to remove any hard, thick skin.
- Gently pat your hand and feet dry.
- Apply a palm and heel balm or thick moisturizer to your hand and feet.
- You can as well apply petroleum jelly over your hand and feet to lock in moisture. Put on socks to avoid spreading any grease around.
Step 6: Sunscreen.
The sun doesn’t only attack the skin on your face, it attacks other exposed skin area too. While you take your sunscreen diligent by applying it on your face before exploring your outdoor activities, endeavor to extend the kind gesture to your body exposed area such as your neck, chest, hands and legs to keep them protected from UV rays exposure.
In Conclusion.
Your face isn’t the only area to be pampered, your whole body needs love too, by diligently and consistently practising a simple body skincare routine (as aforementioned) to keep your overall skin, healthy, happy and glowing.
Possible Questions & Answers.
Q: I have body acne, how can I treat it?
A: Body acne can erupt due to many factors, suchlike, hormonal imbalance, family history, stress and unhealthy diet.
Our body is highly prone to have comedones on the back, chest, shoulders, and buttocks region, the reason these regions are particularly prone to inflammatory acne is because they contain more sebaceous glands than other parts of the body.
Therefore to treat body acne, you have to employ the service of over-the-counter alpha or beta hydroxy acids contained products (AHAs or BHA).
For dry skin, I recommend using glycolic acid because it’s water-soluble, which penetrates deeply into the skin pores due to its small molecular size, to decongest the skin of congestion and by exfoliating both outer and inner layer of the skin, thereby getting rid of acne.
I recommend; The Ordinary 7% Glycolic Acid Toning Solution, it’s a leave-on exfoliant that contains 7% glycolic acid alongside with skin soothing ingredients like tasmanian pepperberry derivative and aloe vera to curtail inflammatory-irritation associated with acid use – simply saturate a cotton pad with this solution and apply on the affected area, leave-it-on, don’t rinse off.
You might as well use glycolic acid serums on the affected area. You can take a look at the best glycolic acid serums on the market.
For oily skin, salicylic acid is best recommended, reason being that, it tends to penetrate the skin better because it’s oil-soluble, which penetrates deep into the skin to unclog skin pores of pore-clogging impurities and also kill acne causing bacteria which in turn treat acne breakouts.
I recommend; Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid, a leave-on exfoliant, containing 2% salicylic acid for a gentle but thorough exfoliation, to quickly unclogs pores and ensures a refined and rejuvenated skin texture. Saturate a cotton pad or wool with this solution and swipe across the affected area. Leave-it-on, don’t rinse off.
Q: How can I get rid of dark spots on my body?
A: Hyperpigmentation such as dark or brown spots and melasma can metamorphose due to some factors like sun damage, change in hormones (especially during pregnancy), cosmetic-irritation (harsh skincare products), Inflammation or medication-side effects.
There are many ways to get rid of dark spots on the body, you can embrace laser treatment, which is performed professionally by using intense pulse light laser. The light targets melanin and breaks up the dark spots.
Other options are microdermabrasion or chemical peels. These treatment options involves removing the outer layer of the skin (which contains the dark spots), thereby revealing brighter-looking skin underneath.
Considering how pocket-heavy these options can be, there is another cosmetic ways to get rid of dark spots on the body without breaking the bank, and that’s by using over-the-counter skin de-pigmenting and cell turnover products such as alpha arbutin, kojic acid, tranexamic acid, retinol and alpha hydroxy acids like glycolic, lactic and mandelic acid.
I recommend; Paula’s Choice Discoloration Repair Serum, which contains 3% traxenamic acid, to visibly fade discolorations (dark spots) and prevent future occurrences, 5% niacinamide to calm irritation, enhance skin barrier function, purifies pores and helps fade discoloration, and 0.5% bakuchiol (a retinol alternative) to soothe and calm the skin and also help reduce skin-aging process for a younger-looking skin.
Q: I have psoriasis, can I use this body skincare routine?
A: Psoriasis is a skin condition that involves the buildup of skin cells, forming itchy and dry patches.
Your major skincare routine should dwell on exfoliation and moisturization or hydration. And this body skincare routine guide entails all of them.
exfoliating using a body scrub can do the trick in alleviating the symptoms and helping to bring back a healthy look to your skin. While hydrating helps calms the skin, keeps it moisturized and decrease flare-ups.
Also don’t forget to always check up on your dermatologist for proper guidance.
Q: Can I use the recommended hair removal cream on my legs too?
A: Yes, you can use it to remove unwanted hairs from any part of your body (including your legs) as it’s suitable for sensitive skin (including senstive skin areas such as bikini and underarm). Thanks to the gentle and skin friendly-ingredients used in the formulation.
UP NEXT: Got Dry Skin? – Here’s The Best Skincare Routine For Dry Skin.
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