How to Establish an Optimal Body Care Regimen

Every part of your skin warrants proper care, not solely your face.

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The face constitutes merely four percent of the total body mass. Although niacinamide, hyaluronic acid, and peptides are prevalent in your facial skincare regimen, when did you contemplate incorporating them into your routine for the remaining 96 percent of your body? We anticipate our skincare products to perform effectively, so it is time for body care to take centre stage. Olivia de Courcy outlines the steps for caring for the skin below the chin.

What is the Importance of Body Care?

The body care sector is flourishing, and the statistics are indicative. From January to June 2024, body care experienced a 32 percent growth surpassing skincare, as reported by insights platform Circana. For the first time, body care brands dominated retail rankings, with Sol de Janeiro emerging as Sephora's bestseller brand across its entire product range in 2024. Pinterest reported a substantial 1,025 percent rise in searches for 'body skincare routine' compared to the prior year.

The transition is partially attributable to customers becoming more discerning regarding their body skincare. Increased access to information (courtesy of TikTok) has led to the 'skinification' of vital categories, indicating that we are approaching our wider cosmetic categories with the same focus as our skincare: utilising focused formulations to address specific issues. In body care, this may refer to Alpha Hydroxy Acids (AHAs) for keratosis pilaris (textured skin on the posterior of the arms) or peptides for collagen depletion.

If you are contemplating the use of your active ingredient-rich facial skincare on your legs, the response is affirmative; nonetheless, it is not only costly but also less effective. Dr. Jérémie Soeur, chief science officer at Cellcosmet, states, "The skin on the body is inherently thinner and possesses fewer sebaceous glands, necessitating a more intricate, multi-faceted approach, utilising formulations that integrate various high-performance complexes."

If it is evident that, from a scientific perspective, we must regard our body skin with the same seriousness as our facial skin, why has it taken us so long to recognise this? Dr. Alexis Granite, dermatologist and founder of Joonbyrd, thinks that longevity culture is a contributing factor. Traditionally, emphasis has been placed on the face, as it is the most conspicuous feature and a significant aspect of our identity is intertwined with its appearance and skin. Dr. Granite elucidates that body care is frequently perceived as either a luxury or merely a matter of hygiene, encompassing cleansing and deodorisation. “However, when considering longevity, body care not only enhances skin health but also contributes to overall bodily well-being.” This is logical, considering that the skin is the body's biggest organ and serves as the primary barrier against external elements.

Optimal Products for Dermatological Body Issues

Joonbyrd offers a body care collection of formulations enriched with active compounds designed to address specific skin issues, while also promoting skin microbiota health, enhancing barrier function, and facilitating DNA repair. If uneven, textured skin is your adversary, the velvety Kaleidoscope Smoothing Body Serum (£78) boasts significant clinical trials for keratosis pilaris, using smoothing shikimic acid and brightening azelaic acid. If skin laxity is the concern, Daydreamer Firming Body Serum (£78) is clinically validated to enhance the appearance of crepey skin and stretch marks due to its biomimetic peptide-sapphire complex.

In its firming and tightening strategy, Alpha H relies on peptides, particularly Acetyl Hexapeptide-8, an oil-soluble peptide that effectively prevents and reduces the visibility of ageing by preventing muscle contractions associated with the development of lines and wrinkles. It is included in the new Firming Peptide Body Oil (£31.99).

Transdermal supplementation is an effective method for promoting skin and bodily health through natural treatment. Magnesium is recognised for its health benefits, including enhancing sleep, alleviating discomfort, and facilitating digestion. Eyeam’s Magnesium Bi-Phase Body Treatment Spray (£49) features a novel transdermal delivery system that administers 45mg of pure magnesium per six sprays, in addition to the super-antioxidant resveratrol (in the form of reservatrox) and anti-inflammatory chlorophyll.

What is the appropriate care for intimate areas?

Although acids can exfoliate dead skin cells and magnesium can invigorate fatigued limbs, it is advisable to avoid applying these active ingredients to your intimate areas. Katy Cottam, founder of Luna Daily, established the brand to eliminate the stigma surrounding women's desire for care of intimate areas (specifically the vulva, not the vagina, which she clarifies is a self-cleaning organ) while promoting the health of the skin's microbiome, known to significantly impact overall wellbeing when disrupted. The line includes washes, sprays (designed to substitute the undesirable single-use wipes), and oils with pH levels appropriate for all skin types, including sensitive areas.

Beyond the ingredients, the positive effects of body care are noteworthy. Dr. Granite adheres to a fundamental principle, employing a routine procedure to disengage and reconnect with herself following a hectic day at the clinic. "A body care ritual serves as an opportunity for reflection and to honour one's skin," she states. Body confidence enhances self-esteem, and self-esteem establishes a basis for a fulfilling life. Who would not desire that?