Most of us are pretty good at taking care of the skin on our faces, but what about body care?
According to a research by Venus76 percent of women place more importance on their facial care routine than their body care routine. Nearly a third (29 percent) admit they don’t know how to care for their body skin.
It is logical. Our faces are usually the first thing people see when they meet us online or in person, so we work hard to make them look their best.
However, ignoring the skin of the rest of the body is not good for our overall health. It also doesn’t increase our confidence when the weather gets warmer. When we choose clothing that exposes the skin, we may suddenly become aware of dry, dull, flaky and saggy-looking skin on our arms and legs.
Considering that the skin on the face and neck makes up only 3.5 percent and 2 percent of all the skin we have, respectively, it’s time we started caring more about the rest of that skin. Here are five reasons why.
Five reasons why you should have a body care routine
1. The skin is the largest organ you have.
The skin is an organ, just like the heart, kidneys and lungs, and it is the largest organ we have. It is also our main line of defense against the outside world. It protects us from germs and other microorganisms that can harm us. When it is healthy, it also retains moisture, so it looks smooth, healthy and vibrant.
Unhealthy body skin can cause various problems. Without regular care, the outer barrier of the body’s skin can be damaged. It can then let bacteria in, causing redness, swelling and infections. It may become more sensitive and react easily to fabrics, detergents and skin care products. You may notice itching and irritation.
By taking care of this large organ, you can enjoy a more comfortable and healthy life!
2. Body skin is prone to the same problems as facial skin.
When we care for our face, we generally hope to slow the signs of premature aging, such as fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, dryness, dullness and hyperpigmentation. These same problems can affect the body skin. You may notice increased sagging under your arms, wrinkled décolleté, hyperpigmentation in sun-exposed areas, and an overall dull appearance.
By regularly caring for the skin on your body, you can prevent these problems. Your skin remains soft and supple and resists unhealthy changes that cause premature aging.
3. The body skin is different from the facial skin.
You may be tempted to simply use your facial products on your body. In some cases that will work. But it is important to know that facial skin has more density and more sebaceous glands than body skin. This means that body skin often needs more moisture than facial skin because it lacks the sebaceous glands that constantly renew moisture. It also needs a product that easily penetrates the skin layers to deeply hydrate.
The body’s skin may also be more susceptible to irritation from skin care products that contain harsh or drying ingredients. For example, a facial product containing retinol may not work well on body skin. Gentler products made with ingredients that the skin recognizes and absorbs easily tend to work better at keeping the body’s skin smooth and healthy.
Our CV Skinlabs Body Repair Lotion has been specially developed for body skin that is dry or sensitive. It absorbs quickly and deeply hydrates, helping to repair and soothe dry, flaky, inflamed skin and restore radiance. It is also ideal for soothing irritation from waxing and shaving. Make sure you have this product on hand to soothe conditions like psoriasis or eczema and keep your skin looking its best in this year’s spring fashion!
4. Certain parts of the body require special care.
Take a look at your cuticles, elbows, heels, knees and the knuckles of your hands. How do they look like? Do they look smooth and healthy, or are they dry, dull, cracked and flaky?
These areas of the body’s skin often need extra care to look and feel their best. For example, the skin of the feet has no oil glands, so it can easily become dry and itchy. If you often walk barefoot, you expose that skin to different surfaces. Strong, healthy skin is important to prevent infections and other problems.
In your body care routine, it is best to care for these areas at least once a day. We recommend our Restorative Skin Balm for areas such as your elbows, cuticles and heels. It is extra moisturizing and helps treat severely dry and chapped skin. Apply it to your heels, knuckles, cuticles and anywhere you need a little extra attention every night.
5. The body skin also ages.
Regular body care helps care for your skin as you age. Older skin is often dry, dull and flaky, making you more vulnerable to dangerous infections. If you have edema in your legs, regular skin care becomes even more important, as edema increases the risk of cellulitis – a serious skin infection that can cause hospital admission.
As we get older, the sun damage we’ve accumulated over the years can also become visible. You may notice more dark spots, dry patches and sagging skin. Skin cancer is also a concern for everyone and can develop as you get older.
Regular care of your body skin helps your skin cope better with aging and also allows you to spot any dark spots or moles that could indicate the development of skin cancer. Addressing these areas early will give you the best chance of a successful skin care treatment.
How to create a body care routine
If you don’t already have a body care routine, this is very easy to do. Follow these steps:
Start dry brushing
Dry brushing can remove old dead skin cells from your body skin and prepare it for moisture. Read more about dry brushing here.
Use a mild cleanser
Just as you don’t want to be too harsh on your facial skin, you also want to be gentle on your body skin. Choose a moisturizing body wash that cleanses your skin without stripping it of moisture.
Hydrate daily
Use our Body Repair Lotion to moisturize the skin of your entire body at least once a day. The best time is after showering or bathing, when your skin is already damp. This allows the skin to retain more moisture than when it is dry.
Tend to dry areas
You may need more fluid in areas such as the elbows, heels, knees and hands. Try our Restorative Skin Balm on these areas before going to bed.
Protect your skin
Enjoy your spring and summer fashion, but make sure you protect your skin from the sun. Be careful not to burn and use sunscreen if necessary.
Do you have a body care routine?
Featured image by Sora Shimazaki via Pexels.
