Body care involves many different steps and products, from body serums and depilatory creams, to dry brushing and foot masks, but these five steps should be the core of any body care routine.
Cleaning
If you already have a solid skincare routine for your face, you could probably guess this first step.
No matter what part of your body you’re dealing with, the best way to start things off is with a thorough cleanse. For your body, this means using a cleanser specifically designed for washing your body – don’t expect your face wash to do the trick.
Look for a gentle body wash that won’t irritate or dry out your skin, or if you suffer from body acne look for a body wash with ingredients like salicylic acid. Lather up with a loofah or towel, then make sure to rinse before proceeding.
Remove rough skin
Exfoliating with a facial scrub can be tricky. You don’t want to scrub your skin too much and cause irritation, but you need to do it regularly enough so that dead skin cells don’t leave your skin looking dull. Everyone’s skin can handle different frequencies of exfoliation, but the skin on your body is better suited for exfoliation because it’s thicker and tougher than the skin on your face.
Two or three times a week, exfoliate your body by adding a scrub to your shower routine. Gently massage the scrub into your skin and be sure to focus on your elbows, knees and heels, which are more likely to have rough patches that need extra exfoliation.
Shave the right way
Body waxing is completely optional, but if you decide to shave, it’s important to do it in a way that won’t damage or irritate your skin — because even if you shave for a while, it’s not completely foolproof. In fact, there are many mistakes you can make in this part of your body care routine.
To shave the right way, start by spending some time in the shower. The water will help soften your skin and prepare it for your razor. Once it’s time to start shaving, do it slowly. Apply shaving cream or conditioner to your skin and carefully move the razor with the grain instead of against it to avoid irritation.
Hydration from head to toe
Cleansing, exfoliating and shaving all have one thing in common – they all require you to moisturize afterwards. While your skin is still damp from your showering activities, it’s the perfect time to moisturize your skin. Apply a moisturizer or lotion over your body from your neck to your toes, allowing it to absorb before putting on your clothes. If you have dry skin or need extra hydration, also use a body oil to further lock in moisture from your moisturizer.
Fake tanned leather
No body care routine should include hours in the sun or a tanning bed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get a tan if you want to. For this optional step, turn to a self-tanner such as a daily moisturizer and gradual self-tanner to help give your skin a gorgeous glow.
Make sure your skin is completely dry before applying the self-tanner and start applying the self-tanner on your legs before moving on to your torso and arms. Avoid showering for about six to eight hours after applying the self-tanner, and reapply every two to three days for a longer-lasting tan.
