Full-body skincare regime to help to get ready for summer with smooth skin
Don't just focus on your face, give the rest of your body some TLC too
WHEN it comes to facial skincare, most of us know our stuff. In fact, British women spend a £1.15billion a year on it.
But from breakouts to dryness, the skin on our bodies can suffer very similar issues to the skin on our faces – so why are we only willing to treat ourselves to a budget shower gel and a smattering of scented moisturiser? It’s time for a rethink and to send itchy, scaly skin packing!
Breakout act
IF you’re familiar with bacne (yep, back acne), listen up.
“Breakouts on the body are usually caused by excess oil production and the back has a large number of sebaceous glands,” explains Lesley Reynolds, co-founder of The Harley Street Skin Clinic.
In order to keep pesky breakouts in check, steer clear of aggravating scrubs. Instead, consider a clay-based body mask to deep cleanse pores.
We love Mio Skincare Clay Away Purifying Body Cleanser which, when left on dry skin for two minutes, acts as a clarifying clay mask.
For a more intensive exfoliation, consider an acid treatment. Paula’s Choice Clear Exfoliating Body Spray contains salicylic acid to penetrate pores and prevent breakouts.
To keep your skin’s protective barrier in check, finish with a non-comedogenic (that’s non pore-blocking, FYI) moisturiser like Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion.
We also love lightweight Sanctuary Spa Wet Skin Moisture Miracle which is designed to be applied straight out of the shower for maximum hydration.
- Sanctuary Spa Wet Skin Moisture Miracle, £8 from Feel Unique —
- Aveeno Daily Moisturising Lotion, £5.13 from Boots —
- Mio Skincare Clay Away Purifying Body Cleanser, £21 from Look Fantastic —
- Paula’s Choice Clear Exfoliating Body Spray, £24 from Paula's Choice —
Smooth criminal
UNSIGHTLY bumps on your arms and thighs getting you down? You’re not alone.
Affecting approximately 40 per cent of adults worldwide, keratosis pilaris is the name for the harmless condition dubbed “chicken skin”, which is caused by a build-up of keratin in hair follicles.
“Alpha-hydroxy acids (AHAs) work to dissolve bonds between dead skin cells to reveal smooth, bump-free skin,” says David Delport, head of education at REN.
“Using products that contain natural ingredients helps the skin trigger its natural exfoliation process without irritation.”
AHAs can be found in a plethora of products, from moisturisers to shower gels. For a gentle exfoliation, try an in-shower cleanser such as Mario Badescu AHA Botanical Body Soap which has fruit extracts to exfoliate and oat protein to soothe.
Want instant changes? Delivering a cocktail of the most potent ingredients, facial serums deliver noticeable results, so treat your body to one!
REN AHA Smart Renewal Body Serum contains lactic acid to slough away dead skin cells. Then restore moisture and prevent irritation with Bio-Oil Dry Skin Gel.
- Mario Badescu AHA Botanical Body Soap, £8 from Beauty Bay —
- REN AHA Smart Renewal Body Serum, £35 from Net A Porter —
- Bio-Oil Dry Skin Gel, £8.99 from Superdrug —
High and dry
The secret to healthy summer skin? Hydration, hydration, hydration.
“The most common cause of dry skin is environmental factors,” reveals Lesley. “The summer brings challenges, as perspiration will lead to a lack of water in the epidermis, causing your skin to dry out.”
In order to remove unsightly dryness, try an in-shower body scrub, but don’t overdo it.
Lesley warns: “Over-washing or scrubbing will remove the skin’s natural oily layer that prevents dryness.”
Look for scrubs that contain moisturising ingredients, such as the fatty acids found in Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bod Buff that work to restore elasticity.
Once you’ve showered and exfoliated, it’s time to feed your skin. The good news is that nourishing body creams don’t have to come with a luxury price tag.
Our faves are Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter Body Lotion which contains healing antioxidant vitamin E, and Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Body Lotion which can turn even the driest of skin baby soft.
Or if you prefer something with a lighter scent, slather on Dove Nourishing Secrets Glowing Ritual Body Lotion with its hydrating rice milk and lotus flower extract.
- Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter Body Lotion, £10 from Boots —
- Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula Body Lotion, £3.99 from Superdrug —
- Dove Nourishing Secrets Glowing Ritual Body Lotion, £6.29 from Dove —
- Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bod Buff, £21 from Cult Beauty —
Ditch the itch
SENSITIVE skin can be a real pain – literally. If you’re among the 62 per cent of women that suffer from reactive, irritable skin, you’ll know the perils of red, itchy flare-ups all too well.
And the bad news is that, come summer, it can get a lot worse.
“Summer skin can become particularly scaly and itchy, especially after a day in the sun.
"Health professionals often recommend products containing colloidal oatmeal to help relieve dryness and soothe itchiness,” explains Johnson & Johnson skincare expert Rebecca Bennett.
Ameliorate Softening Bath Milk Oil combines the softening properties of colloidal oatmeal with a unique skin hydration complex to moisturise and soothe.
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When it comes to shower products, stay away from highly scented foaming washes that strip the skin of its natural oils and cause irritation.
Instead, opt for a nourishing milky oil such as L’Occitane Almond Shower Shake which will calm any sore spots and still leave you smelling heavenly.
If shaving has made your pins red raw, always use a fresh razor and one that contains a skin-moisturising ribbon, such as Gillette Venus Extra Smooth Snap to prevent aggravation.
- Ameliorate Softening Bath Milk Oil, £19 from Look Fantastic —
- Gillette Venus Extra Smooth Snap, £9.99 from Feel Unique —
- L’Occitane Almond Shower Shake, £19.50 from L’Occitane —
- Vote now for your fave body product at Fabulousmag.co.uk/beautyawards and you could win a trip to Jamaica!