A reminder: Body care is just as important as skincare

Hands up if your skincare stash is full of powerful creams, clever actives and the latest hi-tech serums. Thought so. Now, can you tell me what’s in your bodycare routine? Let me guess… a budget shower gel and a no-frills lotion? Well, consider this an intervention, because your body deserves more. Sure, we get it, your face is on show a heck of a lot more than your bod, but using the correct products, ingredients, and formulas can help treat—and, in some cases, even prevent—a whole host of skin issues, from body acne (aka bacne) to keratosis pilaris. Not sure where to start? We got you. Consider this your five-step guide to caring for your body (the correct way), plus a 101 on how to manage if sh*t hits the fan. 

BRUSH UP ON THE FACTS

Allow us to introduce you to dry body brushing. Before hopping in the shower or bath, sweep a natural fibre brush over your limbs in long, upwards motions. Not only is it great for exfoliating dead skin, but it also aids blood circulation, which can improve the tone and texture of your skin.

GOOGLE TRANSLATE (FOR YOUR SKIN)

Here’s where you need to listen to what your body is saying: if your skin is feeling dry and looking ashy, add an oil-based gentle scrub to your shower routine twice a week. Prone to blemishes? Use a smoothing lotion with AHAs to declog pores.

COCKTAILING YOUR BODY CARE

Just like with your face, skincare cocktailing for your body is absolutely a thing. Layering a hydrating body serum, formulated with hyaluronic acid and ceramides, under a rich cream or oil will ensure moisture is locked in and help strengthen the skin’s barrier

PROTECT, DON’T NEGLECT

You need to protect your skin against UVA or UVB rays. Easily forgotten spots like the neck, decolletage and the backs of hands are some of the first places to show signs of ageing due to sun damage, so do yourself a favour, load up on SPF.

THE CORRECT WAY TO CLEANSE

No, we’re not talking about the moisture-zapping shower gel that’ll leave your skin feeling dry and tight. You need to opt for a low-foam formula that’s packed with hydrating ingredients that will remove sweat and cleanse, without stripping the skin.

Decode the flare-ups.

Something not quite right? Don’t panic, here’s what you need to know.

BUTT BUMPS

Folliculitis—a fancy name for inflamed hair follicles. These pimple-like bumps are fuelled by sweat, friction and tight clothes that seal in bacteria or cause irritation. Make ’em mad enough and they can even turn into cysts. Fun! Cool, now what? Once a day, hop in the shower and give your bum a rub-down with a cleanser spiked with probiotics and a little tea tree to neutralise bump-causing bacteria. Let it sit for a couple of minutes before washing it off, then spot-treat painful areas with a targeted benzoyl peroxide gel. 

KERATOSIS PILARIS

Sometimes referred to as ‘chicken skin’, a condition caused by keratin (one of the main proteins in your skin) building up in your hair follicles. These rough little bumps are very common. Cool, now what? KP is genetic and there’s no cure (ugh), but you can help dissolve bumps by massaging your arms with a lactic- or glycolic-acid-based lotion three times a week, then slathering on a rich moisturiser, whenever you get out of the shower. Oh, and please stop picking–it’ll only make things worse.

BACNE

Basically, classic blemishes, often from hormones or hair products. Or if you live in moisture-trapping athleisure wear, it could be fungal acne–itchy, red or pus-filled bumps caused by an overgrowth of yeast in your hair follicles (don’t freak, everyone’s skin has yeast–sweaty environments just cause more of it to grow). Cool, now what? Because hormonal and fungal acne can look similar, you’ve got to treat both. So (1) get some dandruff shampoo, such as Nizoral Anti-Dandruff Shampoo, which uses ketoconazole to kill/prevent yeast growth (also the cause of dandruff). 

Rub the shampoo on your back in the shower, wait three minutes, then rinse. And (2), after drying off, wipe the bumps with a salicylic acid pad to keep pores clear.

FLAKY PATCHES

Scaly, ashy skin? Leg dandruff when you peel off those skinny jeans? Yep, we’ve been there. It can be triggered by anything from weather changes to hair removal—and usually means the skin barrier has been compromised and you’re now losing moisture by the minute. 

Repairing the barrier is key, so avoid any harsh cleansers, acids, exfoliators or overly tight clothing that may irritate the skin further. Look for a repairing body cream with shea butter to nourish and add moisture back in. Persistent dryness, cracked skin or sore patches may be an indication of a more serious skin condition, such as eczema or psoriasis. If in doubt, go see your GP or book an appointment with a dermatologist.

This piece originally appeared in the June/July 2022 edition of Cosmopolitan UK