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How to Build Your Body Skincare Routine

Learn the key benefits and steps to help you create your body skin care routine for smooth and hydrated skin

What's in this article:

Knowing how to take care of your body skin and having a structured body skin care routine that keeps your skin healthy, feeling refreshed and nourished goes far beyond just showering regularly to clean up. It involves taking care of your body's skin from head to toe: cleansing, exfoliating, moisturising, and applying sun protection to help keep your skin smooth and hydrated.

6 Benefits of Maintaining a Regular Body Care Routine

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  1. .Hydrated Skin: Regular moisturisation helps keep your skin hydrated, preventing it from becoming dry and itchy. 
  2. Smooth Texture: Exfoliating removes dead skin cells, leading to a smoother skin texture. 
  3. More Radiant Skin: Dead skin cells and dirt can make skin look dull. Cleansing and exfoliation help maintain the skin's radiance. 
  4. Firmness and Elasticity: with age, skin can appear looser and less elastic. The use of firming products can improve skin elasticity.
  5. Protection from the Sun: Using sunscreen protects your skin from UV rays and potential sun damage. 
  6. Stimulated Circulation: Massaging your skin during the application of products can improve blood circulation. This boost in circulation may promote healthier-looking skin.

Does Body Skincare Differ Between Men and Women?

A body care routine for women may focus on moisturisers and should be adapted to the skin's needs, which may vary according to hormonal changes during the menstrual cycle, pregnancy, or menopause. Women’s hormones can affect how the skin retains moisture or reacts to external factors, which can lead to drier, oilier, or more sensitive skin. Depending on the case, some women may opt for thicker, more nourishing moisturisers or soothing treatments. 

Men’s body skincare often includes stronger cleansers to cater for their thicker skin. 

However, learning how to take care of your body skin, including cleansing, exfoliating, and moisturising your skin regularly, can be beneficial for you as a man or a woman.

5-Step Body Skincare Routine

Although men and women may choose different products to suit their individual needs, this general routine of how to take care of your body skin works for everyone.

1. Cleanse:

Start by using a body wash that suits your skin type. While in the shower, wet your skin with warm water and apply a small amount of body wash to your hands or a washcloth. Gently massage it into your skin in circular motions, focusing on areas that tend to gather more sweat or oil, such as your underarms, chest, and back. Use warm water to rinse thoroughly. 

Use a body wash with hydrating ingredients such as Glycerin or, if your skin is dry, opt for deeply nourishing formulas with ingredients like Vitamin E. 

Body Wash
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2. Exfoliate:

Exfoliating helps to get rid of dead skin cells and make your skin feel smoother. 

For best results, you need to learn how to exfoliate body skin the right way. Apply a body scrub to damp skin, and gently rub it in circular motions for 30 seconds to a minute. Focus on rough spots like your knees, elbows, and heels. Rinse off with lukewarm water and pat dry. 

Aim to use a body scrub 1-2 times a week to avoid overly stripping the skin of moisture or compromise the skin barrier. 

3. Shave:

Hair removal is often part of a body skincare routine, and it helps to know the best way to shave, especially after exfoliating. 

After exfoliating, apply a shaving cream, foam, or gel to the areas of your body that you wish to shave. Warm water from the shower will have softened the body hair to make shaving easier. 

Make sure to shave in the right direction for the desired shave and body part. Going against the grain can give a closer shave, although when shaving more sensitive areas can lead to irritation, ingrown hairs, and shaving rash.

4. Moisturise:

Moisturising right after showering helps seal in the hydration from the water, leaving your skin feeling softer and smoother. 

  • Apply the Right Amount: Use around 2-3 tablespoons of body lotion for full coverage. Avoid using too much as this can lead to a greasy feel. The quantity can be adapted according to the product's formula and your skin's needs.
  • Massage in Sections: Start with a small amount in your palms and apply in sections—begin with your legs, then move to your arms and torso for even coverage. 
  • Focus on Dry Areas: Apply extra lotion to dry spots like elbows, knees, and heels for extra hydration. 
Body Lotion

5. Sun Protection:

Protecting your body from sun damage is a crucial daily step to help prevent premature aging. Before going outside, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to all exposed areas of your body, including your arms, legs, neck, and face. Use enough sunscreen to cover your skin evenly and massage it in until fully absorbed. 
 
Reapply every two hours if you’re spending a lot of time outdoors, especially if you're sweating or swimming. Daily sun protection can help prevent premature aging and damage from UV rays. 

Sunscreen

Common Body Skincare Concerns:

While the steps in the previous section can be a foundation for how to take care of your body skin, there may be specific skin concerns that you wish to address. Here are a few examples, and ways you can mitigate them:
young woman using Nivea Anti Marks and Spots Body Cream

Dry Skin:

If you have dry skin use thick creams with ingredients like Dexpanthenol and Glycerin. Together, with the other ingredients in the formula, they may help to restore moisture, repair the skin barrier, and protect against further dryness. Avoid long, hot showers as they can strip your skin of natural oils, which leads to dryness.

Cellulite:

Cellulite is not, strictly speaking, a skin problem, but is caused by a poor distribution of fat under the skin, most often found on women's thighs. For this reason, it is not possible to get rid of it with cosmetic treatments. By regularly massaging the affected areas and using firming lotions with, for example, Vitamin C or Q10 to improve skin texture, it is nevertheless possible to stimulate circulation and give the skin a firmer, more supple appearance.

As we age, Q10 levels decrease and skin loses its elasticity. Try the NIVEA Q10 Firming Body Lotion which contains Q10 and contributes to restore skin firmness and elasticity. 
Firming Body Cream

Stretch Marks:

If you are looking for a hydrating body cream to help visibly reduce stretch marks, try out the NIVEA Luminous630 Marks & Spots Reduction Body Cream. With regular use, this body lotion reduces the visibility of stretch marks, sun blemishes, and pigment spots within four weeks.

Extra Body Care Tips and Tricks:

  1. Hydrate: Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your skin hydrated from the inside out. 
  2. Dry Brushing: Use a dry brush before showering to boost circulation and exfoliate the skin, which may promote cell renewal, reduce puffiness, and improve skin texture. 
  3. Night Care: Use richer products at night to help your skin repair and regenerate. 
  4. Shaving: Use a moisturising shave cream and follow with an aftershave balm to prevent irritation and ingrown hairs. 
  5. Foot Care: Regularly exfoliate and moisturise feet to prevent dryness, cracking, and calluses. 

How to Make a Homemade Body Scrub

Homemade scrubs can be prepared with natural ingredients that are easy to find at home. Below are just a few examples of frequently used homemade scrubs. Depending on their shape and size, some of the particles used in these scrubs may nevertheless have an abrasive effect on the skin, which could aggravate sensitive skin. If you have sensitive skin, choose products specially formulated and tested for sensitive skin 
  1. Sugar and Olive Oil Scrub: Mix one cup of sugar with half a cup of olive oil. Stir the mixture until combined and apply generously. 
  2. Coffee Scrub: Combine half a cup of coffee grounds with half a cup of coconut oil and a quarter cup of sugar. The small coffee grounds are fairly gentle on the skin, while still effectively removing dead cells from its surface.
  3. Oat Scrub: Blend one cup of oats with half a cup of honey and half a cup of plain yoghurt.

Summary

A regular body skincare routine is essential for maintaining smooth hydrated, and healthy-looking skin. Key steps include cleansing, exfoliating, moisturising, and applying sunscreen daily. Proper care can help to prevent dryness and signs of ageing while promoting a more even skin tone.

FAQs

How often should I exfoliate my body?

Exfoliate your body 2-3 times a week to remove dead skin cells and maintain a smooth skin.

Can I use the same moisturiser for my body and face?

It’s usually better to use products specifically formulated for the body and face as they cater to different skin needs. However, if you don't have any specific skin problems, there are some products that are suitable for both body and face.

What should I do if I have sensitive skin?

Try to avoid over-exfoliating to prevent irritation.

How can I prevent dry skin?

Help to keep your skin hydrated by drinking plenty of water and applying a moisturiser daily, especially after showering.

What are the benefits of using body oil?

Body oils nourish the skin, help retain moisture, improve skin elasticity, and can leave your skin feeling soft and smooth.

What is dry brushing and what are its benefits?

Dry brushing, as the name suggests, involves brushing your skin with a dry brush before showering. It can help exfoliate, promote circulation, and stimulate lymphatic drainage.

Is it important to adjust my skincare routine with the seasons?

Yes, during colder months, you may need richer, more hydrating products, while lighter, oil-control products may be better in the summer.

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