How To Switch-Up Your Bodycare Routine For Spring
The days are getting longer, temperatures are rising, and it will soon be time to uncover parts of our body that have been cocooned in layers of clothes since September. But, is your skin Spring-prepped and ready to be seen? Or should the change in season herald an overhaul of your body care routine?
While most of us have a tried and trusted regime for the skin on our face, fewer of us bestow the same care and attention to the skin beneath our chin. Indeed, research shows that only 39% of women use body care products every day, meaning that the majority of us are very far from having a complete body care routine.
The skin is our largest organ and only a very small part of it is on the face, so we really shouldn’t let body care take a backseat. A quarter of the body’s immune system is found in our skin cells and the skin provides the first-line of the body’s defence again infection and injury. The skin on your body has the same needs as the skin on your face and the best body care routine will leave the skin looking and feeling healthy, hydrated, and nourished.
Not sure where to start? Keep reading for a step-by-step body care routine so that you can cleanse, exfoliate and smooth your way to Spring ready skin.
Best body care routine for spring
1. Step 1: Cleanse
Your daily body care routine starts in the shower. Just as you would your face, you need to clean the skin on your body to remove dirt, sweat, and impurities. A word of caution though; exposure to water that is too hot or products that contain harsh chemicals can weaken the skin’s barrier function.
Pick a body cleansing product that will soothe and hydrate the skin, such as Venn Skincare Synbiotic Polyamine Body Wash, which is non-irritating, non-sensitising, and has been tested by dermatologists. Enriched with probiotics and prebiotics to help balance the skin’s microbiome, the low pH restorative cleanser is also formulated with polyamine from Soybeans to deeply nourish, Eucalyptus Globulus Leaf Oil to condition the skin, Hydrolysed Jojoba Esters to soften and moisturise, and six Herbal Extracts that are rich in antioxidants to help repair and protect the skin.
2. Step 2: Exfoliate
The best body care routine for glowing skin includes an exfoliation step, to slough off dead skin cells, clear blocked hair follicles, stimulate circulation, and prevent dull, dry skin. Pay special attention to the skin on your elbows, knees, and heels which are more likely to have rough patches. This step not only smooths and brightens the skin, it also makes it more able to absorb subsequent hydrating and moisturising products.
The ideal body scrub will contain both exfoliating acids and nourishing ingredients, and you’ll achieve optimal results if you pair it up with a smoothing body mitt. We’re big fans of the trio of products in Medik8 Smooth Body Exfoliating Kit, which includes Medik8 Smooth Body Scrub, Medik8 Smooth Body Mitt, and Medik8 Smooth Body lotion. Formulated with a powerful complex of both AHAs and BHAs, the scrub is also enriched with nourishing Moringa Butter and, when used in tandem with the mitt and body lotion, leaves skin looking visibly renewed and feeling soft.
3. Step 3: Treat
For a full body care routine at home, step three is a special one. The first two steps have prepped the skin for maximum absorption of product, so choose wisely! Use an oil or serum that really gets to work hydrating the skin and treating any concerns you may have, such as keratosis pilaris, skin ageing, or hyperpigmentation.
A hero product for this stage is Environ Vitamin A, C & E Body Oil, which contains a high concentration of antioxidants and vitamins, and treats a whole host of concerns. Leaving skin feeling wonderfully soft, the lightweight oil helps to condition, reduce uneven tone, treats sun-damage, and reduce the appearance of skin ageing. The body oil nourishes and conditions, protects the skin from environmental aggressors, and visibly improves the appearance of problematic skin.
4. Step 4: Moisturise
If you’re going to be conscientious with just one step of your body care routine, be diligent with a daily body moisturiser. Essential for maintaining the skin’s protective barrier, moisturising is fundamental to healthy skin, making it well-equipped able to deal with environmental aggressors, and prevent dryness and dehydration.
Opt for a body moisturiser that replenishes Ceramides as they are crucial to the health of your skin barrier and they help to hydrate the skin. We recommend CeraVe Moisturising Lotion, which is formulated with three Ceramides, plus Hyaluronic Acid to really lock in moisture. Suitable for use on sensitive and eczema-prone skin, the lightweight lotion utilises patented MVE technology to deliver essential Ceramides and to provide controlled long-lasting hydration.
5. Step 5: Tan
No Spring full body care routine would be complete without a self-tan stage to give a healthy-glow to skin that has been starved of sun throughout the Winter months. Go for a light tan that can be layered, and protect your clothes and soft-furnishings by picking a product that stays put.
At up to 99% transfer free, Rose & Caramel Nudity Clear Golden Tanning Mousse is a favourite for flawless, sunkissed skin. The transparent tan has a self-adjusting formula that transforms all skin tones, ensures a streak-free finish, and doesn’t block pores. Providing a natural-looking tan, the vegan-friendly mousse can be layered for a deeper colour, is fragrance-free, and can be used on both the body and face. Formulated with revolutionary hydrating technology, the clear tan contains intense moisturising ingredient Elfamoist, which helps the product penetrate properly and fade out naturally.
6. Step 6: Sunscreen
Essential to even the most basic body care routine, sunscreen should always be applied to any exposed areas of skin. Spring is a time when UV rays start to strengthen and we have more skin on show, so vigilant sunscreen application is vital to protect against premature ageing and the harmful effects of ultraviolet radiation.
Go for a high-level of broad-spectrum protection, such as La Roche-Posay Anthelios Ultra-Light Body Mist SPF50+. The invisible spray is easy to apply, doesn’t leave any marks, and is ultra-light. Formulated with powerful active ingredients, including complex UV filter and antioxidants, and enriched with thermal water, the mist protects skin from reactions and cellular damage related to UV, infrared, and pollution.
Written By Sarah Blake
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