Beauty director Sonia Haria explains why your body needs just as much attention as your face (& the products to help you along the way)
When was the last time you paid attention to the skin on your elbows, or the backs of your arms? For many of us, skincare stops neatly at the neckline. Facial care is something we pay attention to, with an overwhelming majority of women saying they moisturise and tend to their face on a regular basis.
But did you know the head and neck only make up 9% of our skin surface area? Our post-pandemic limbs deserve more than just a quick exfoliation in the shower and a slap of body cream. Of course we want the skin on our bodies to look its best in the summer, whether we’re heading off on a holiday or hosting a barbecue in our back garden, which is why we usually only pay it special attention during the summer.
But this year is different. The brilliant formulas on offer are in products you’ll be keen to use year-round, for top-to-toe beautiful skin. One step at a time. ‘As a nation, we’re constantly wondering why the skin on our bodies is so dry, and yet the main cause of it is neglect,’ says dermatologist Dr Alexis Granite.
The way to take it more seriously is with a step-by-step approach, using facial skincare ingredients in your body care. It’s a no-brainer, really.
But before we get on to the products you need to stock in your bathroom cabinet, let’s start with the best foundation for good body care. Not the most exciting topic but important nonetheless: the lymph system. This network of vessels moves fluids – such as excess water and toxins – through the body. For physiotherapist Flavia Morellato, who uses a method of water drainage in her treatments, beauty begins in the gut. By gently massaging the abdomen, arms and legs, you can shift water retention and help improve the appearance of cellulite. (In Flavia’s native Brazil, lymph massage is as common as manicures.)
At home, I find there is no handier tool than a dry body brush, particularly during the menopause as hormonal changes can impact how the body holds fluid. Try Botanics Exfoliating Body Brush, £6.50, and brush in small strokes clockwise around the abdomen, up the thighs and across the upper arms towards the heart. A few minutes a day is a great habit to help sluggish systems along, and the improvement in skin tone is a welcome effect, too.
Body buffing
Product-wise, let’s start with exfoliation. This falls into two camps: mechanical (that’s the fancy word for scrubby) and chemical (which uses acid chemicals to gently remove rough skin). As for the former, there are some brilliant products that go beyond a salt scrub that crumbles away from the skin and makes your shower tray mucky.
Drunk Elephant Sugared Koffie Almond Milk Scrub, £24 (270ml), is a favourite. Made from freshly roasted and powdered coffee beans, it’s the closest thing to a shot of espresso first thing in the morning without the caffeine. As for chemical exfoliants, the Wishful Yo Detox Face & Body Enzyme Scrub, £34 (100ml), is a real winner. With a blend of pineapple and papaya enzymes, it can help soften and smooth the skin. Plus, if you’re prone to clogged pores or ingrown hairs, it helps give the skin a deep clean. Let’s move on to moisturising.
If you are part of the 40% of people in the UK affected by keratosis pilaris – the tiny bumps that appear around a hair follicle with a chicken skin-like appearance – there are targeted skincare products that can help. Keratosis pilaris is one of the most common body skincare conditions Dr Granite sees in her clinic and can crop up anywhere on the body, although the most common areas are on the backs of arms and occasionally on the thighs.
‘One of the best ways to manage it is by striking the right balance between moisturising and exfoliating,’ she says. A body scrub with a strong grain can irritate the condition and possibly lead to eczema. Instead, use a moisturising cream that is suitable for skin prone to this condition.
CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream, £19 (340g), contains salicylic acid, which can help exfoliate the skin, and lactic acid, which can help smooth and get skin glowing. This is an effective all-rounder for all skin types, so even if your skin is generally smooth but just a little dry, this can help.
Body suncare
While the limbs are often the first port of call when it comes to body care, make sure you don’t forget about your often sun-exposed chest. ‘Even if you have a healthy complexion, it’s essential to look after this area,’ says Debbie Thomas, a leading aesthetician.
While you might be diligent with your facial suncare, you should apply the same discipline to your body suncare. Quality sun protection, such as La Roche-Posay Anthelios Hydrating Body Lotion SPF30, £20/2,000 points (250ml), can help future-proof against wrinkly or crêpey skin.
Debbie also recommends using a body cream on the chest that contains a light acid to help exfoliate while hydrating. Revolution Body Skincare AHA Smoothing Body Intense Moisture Lotion, £8 (200ml), is a great option. And I’ll certainly be packing Frank Body Glide ‘N’ Go Body Oil Stick, £12.95 (75g), on my summer holiday. Simple and easy to use, it nourishes the skin like an oil, but without the mess. Bingo.
So, rather than stopping your skincare at the neckline this summer, take the time to focus on your body care, too. Your limbs will thank you.
