Many of us would buy a deodorant set by AKT London, Nivea, or some other popular brand and call it a day for body care. But, keeping the unpleasant odor away doesn’t mean you’re practicing a real skincare routine for the body. That’s just basic hygiene!
Our body deserves to be cared for like our face. It may have less exposure to direct pollution and dirt, but it’s not prone to everything. Neglect can lead to rough, dry patches, hyperpigmentation, and even acne.
(Trust us, you don’t want to deal with painful pimples a.k.a acne on your body!)
Surprisingly, the perfect body skincare routine isn’t extensive or time-taking at all. There are just three basic steps. Let’s explore them below!
Cleanse Your Body
The first step is to clean the body from all signs of dirt. No, this doesn’t mean picking up that bar soap and vigorously rubbing it on your skin. That thing can actually be worse!
Instead, look for something gentler than bar soap and stronger than the facewash – a good body wash.
Body wash helps remove dirt from all creases and folds without irritating your skin. You can further improve its performance by using a loofah or washcloth. Then, rinse it thoroughly before moving on to the next step.
Pro Tip: Use a body wash with sodium lauroyl isethionate, shea butter, and plant oils for a more gentle effect on your skin. But, avoid alcoholic products because of their drying nature.
Rub Those Dead Skin Cells Away
When left untreated, dead cells build up to form a layer of dry, flaky, and lifeless skin. You start to lose that glow and shine. Since nobody wants that, let’s discuss our next body skincare step – exfoliation!
Exfoliation refers to the dead cell removal by using a chemical-based product. The process is simple; just apply a small amount of exfoliator or dampen a konjac sponge and rub in a circular motion. You can do that by hand or with a tool.
However, what really matters is the type of exfoliator you choose for your skin. Most people opt for a sugar scrub as it’s gentle on the skin. There are also stronger products containing AHAs and BHAs (deep-cleaning acids).
Pro Tip: It’s best to exfoliate the body 2 to 3-times a week. Too much exfoliation may reduce the natural oils and cause breakouts.
Lock In the Moisture
After cleansing and exfoliation, the skin of your body is likely to get dry and dehydrated. So, to prevent this, we’ll wind up the body care routine with a moisturizer.
Take a good dollop of lotion or cream and rub it all over your body. You can also use almond or coconut oil. This will ensure all the moisture remains locked in.
Pro Tip: The best time to moisturize is right after showering or skincare activities. It’s when the skin is still wet and fresh.
BONUS: Invest in Only the Best!
One thing that can make or break your body care routine is the quality of products used. If you want to have the perfect soft skin, opt for only the best brands. These include L’Oreal, Neutrogena, Olay, etc.
Besides, you can always save when you purchase from big supermarket chains. A great example would be Fred Meyer senior discount. If you’re an American citizen aged 55+, you can easily get a discount of up to 10%.
Similarly, active military members, veterans, and their family members can also get amazing discounts. So, why compromise on the product quality? Just be a little wise in how you shop and invest!
Yes, we know that this means paying good sums. But, you won’t regret it at all after you see the results. It’s an investment worth the money.
