Most of us are pretty good at taking care of our facial skin – but what about body care?
According to a survey by Venus, 76 percent of women place more importance on their facial care regimen than their body care routine. Almost a third (29 percent) admitted that they did not know how to take care of their skin.
It is reasonable. Our faces are usually the first thing people see when they meet us either online or in person, so we work hard to keep them looking their best.
Ignoring the skin on the rest of the body, however, is not good for our overall health. Nor does it boost our confidence when the weather warms up. When we choose more fashionable clothes, we may suddenly notice the dry, dull, flaky and loose skin on our hands and feet.
Considering that the skin on the face and neck make up only 3.5 percent and 2 percent respectively of the total skin we have, it’s time to start caring more about the rest of the skin. Here are five reasons why.
Five reasons why you should have a body care routine
1. Skin is the largest organ you have.
The skin is an organ 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’s healthy, it also retains moisture so it looks soft, healthy and alive.
Unhealthy body skin can cause many problems. Without regular care, the outer barrier on the body’s skin can be compromised. It can then allow bacteria to enter, causing redness, swelling and infections. It can become more sensitive, easily reacting to fabrics, detergents and skin care products. You may notice itching and irritation.
Taking care of this great organ will help you enjoy a more comfortable, healthy life!
2. The skin of the body is prone to the same problems as the skin of the face.
Usually, when we take care of our face, we hope to delay the signs of premature aging such as fine lines, wrinkles, sagging, dryness, dullness and hyperpigmentation. These same problems can attack the skin of the body. You may notice more sagging under your arms, sagging in the décolleté, hyperpigmentation in sun-exposed areas, and an overall dull appearance.
Regular skin care of your body can help you avoid these problems. Your skin will remain soft and smooth and resist the unhealthy changes that cause premature aging.
3. The skin of the body is different from the skin of the face.
You may be tempted to just use your face products on your body. In some cases, this will work. But it is important to know that the skin on the face has a greater density and more sebaceous glands than the skin on the body. This means that the skin of the body often requires more moisture than the skin of the face because it does not have these sebaceous glands to constantly replenish moisture. It also needs a product that will easily penetrate the layers of the skin to hydrate deeply.
The skin on the body can also be more sensitive to irritation from skin care products that include harsh or drying ingredients. A face product with retinol, for example, may not work well on body skin. Milder products made with ingredients that the skin recognizes and absorbs easily usually work best in helping the body’s skin stay smooth and healthy.
CV Skinlabs Body Repair Lotion is specially formulated for dry or sensitive skin. Absorbs quickly and deeply hydrates, helps replenish and soothe dry, flaky, inflamed skin while restoring radiance. It is also ideal for soothing irritations from waxing and shaving. Be sure to keep this product with you to soothe conditions like psoriasis or eczema and keep your skin looking its best this spring!
4. Certain areas of the body require special care.
Take a look at your cuticles, elbows, heels, knees and knuckles. How do they look? Are they smooth and healthy looking 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. The skin on the feet, for example, has no oil glands, which means it can easily become dry and itchy. If you go barefoot often, you expose that skin to various surfaces. Having strong, healthy skin is important for avoiding infections and other problems.
In your body care routine, it is best to tend to these areas at least once a day. We recommend Restorative Skin Balm for areas like your elbows, cuticles and heels. It is extra moisturizing and helps to treat very dry and chapped skin. Apply to heels, knuckles, cuticles and anywhere else that needs a little extra attention every night.
5. The skin of the body also ages.
Regular body care helps take care of your skin as you age. Aging skin tends to be dry, dull and flaky, making you more vulnerable to dangerous infections. If you have swelling in your legs, regular skin care becomes even more important, as swelling increases your risk of cellulitis—a serious skin infection that can cause hospitalization.
As we age, the sun damage we’ve accumulated over the years can start to show as well. You may notice more dark spots, dry patches and loose skin. Skin cancer is also a concern for everyone and can start to develop as you get older.
Taking care of your body’s skin regularly helps your skin better deal with aging and also allows you to control any dark spots or moles that may signal the development of skin cancer. Treating these areas early gives you the best chance for a successful skin care treatment.
How to create a body care routine
If you don’t have a body care routine yet, it’s very easy to do. Follow these steps:
Start with Dry Brushing
Dry brushing allows you to remove old dead skin cells on your skin, preparing it for moisture. Read more about dry brushing here.
Use a gentle cleanser
Just as you don’t want to be too harsh on the skin on your face, you also want to be kind to the skin on your body. Choose a moisturizing body wash that cleanses your skin without stripping it of moisture.
Moisturize daily
Use Body Repair Lotion to moisturize the skin all over your body at least once a day. The best time is after a shower or bath when your skin is already moist. This allows the skin to hang on to more moisture than when dry.
They tend to dry areas
You may need more moisture in areas such as elbows, heels, knees and hands. Try Restorative Skin Balm on these areas before going to bed.
Protect your skin
Enjoy your spring and summer fashions, but be sure to protect your skin from the sun. Don’t let yourself burn and use sunscreen as needed.
Do you have a body care routine?
Featured image by Sora Shimazaki via Pexels.
