Skin Care For Your Body
Skin care means protecting your full body skin from everyday exposure too.
When it comes to skin care, most of us can admit our main focus is the face. And who can blame us? It’s the first thing we see when we look at the mirror and the first thing we notice about other people. But it’s important to remember to take the time to care for your full body, just as much as you care for your face.
Why is it so important to have a full body skincare routine?
Think about it! Everything below the neck is still skin and just as exposed to the sun, pollution, and toxins as your face; if not more so.
Protecting your skin means preventing premature wrinkles, dark spots, and redness to name a few. Different parts of the body have thicker skin than our faces, however that doesn’t mean they shouldn’t get the same care. We all search for that key addition to our routine that will lead us to softer, smoother, healthier skin.
So, what’s the secret? Exfoliation! Thankfully, there are a few different exfoliation methods that lead to that glow.
1. Sugaring is one awesome method of exfoliation and there’s a lot of perks that come with it. The wax not only removes hair from your skin, it also removes dead skin. What does it leave behind? Refreshed, glowing, smooth skin!
Believe it or not, sugar is great for your skin when used topically. Exfoliating by sugaring allows for the skin to repair itself, while also nourishing it with the glucose (sugar!) and allowing the fresh skin cells to rehydrate quicker. A win-win!
2. Natural scrubs is one of the easiest ways to incorporate exfoliation into your skincare routine and something you could do once a week. You can even create your own scrub from ingredients found within your own kitchen. Some natural ingredients that can be used include oatmeal, sugar, coffee grounds, and salt - NOT plastic microbeads.
According to the American Academy of Dermatology, regularly exfoliating rejuvenates your skin and can increase collagen production. Increased collagen means improving your skin’s elasticity and hydration, which means healthier skin!
3. Dry brushing has gained popularity in recent years as a method of exfoliation and for good reason. Celebrities like Gwyneth Paltrow and Tracie Ellis Ross have sworn by the benefits of dry brushing. Dry brushing not only exfoliates, it also increases circulation, reduces cellulite, and energizes your mood.
So what is dry brushing? According to Joshua Zeichner, M.D., “Dry brushing is the process of using a brush with stiff natural bristles (in circular motion) against the skin to help exfoliate dead cells from the skin surface and enhance blood flow”. For this method of exfoliation, dry brushing can be done once or twice a week.
Whichever method you choose, remember the body’s largest organ is the skin. Let’s do our best to keep it happy and healthy.