Let’s get real—we can fall down a rabbit hole watching 10-step facial skincare routines on TikTok without flinching. But we neglect the rest of the skin on our body and expect a soapy shower and moisturizer to suffice.
Well, according to Melanie Palm, M.D., board-certified dermatologist and cosmetic surgeon at Art of Skin MD, we’ve been wrong. “Skincare doesn’t stop at our neckline,” she says. “This is the body you’ll have for the rest of your life, and how you care for it will make a difference in how you look and feel long term.”
While some aspects of body care need to be tailored to an individual’s needs, Dr. Palm suggests steps that everyone should follow to keep the body’s skin soft, smooth, and supple.
Exfoliation is the foundation of a body care routine. But according to Dr. Palm, two to three times per week is sufficient. “It’s important not to overdo it, as you can strip your skin barrier, the outermost layer of your skin, which protects your body from environmental damage,” she says.
For normal to oily skin, Dr. Palm prefers chemical exfoliants, such as body lotions or body serums containing glycolic acid and/or retinol, over physical exfoliation methods like scrubs. Those with dry or flaky skin should follow up each exfoliation treatment with moisture to avoid drying out the skin.
People who have sensitive skin or conditions like eczema, contact dermatitis, or rosacea should “employ gentler exfoliation methods that don’t further irritate the skin and consider exfoliating less frequently in general,” she advises.
Dr. Palm recommends applying a body serum as the next “impactful” step in your routine. “Serums are formulated with a higher concentration of active ingredients and are more effectively absorbed through the skin,” she explains.
“Those who have dull skin should look for formulations with exfoliating properties, like retinol, glycolic acid, or lactic acid,” Dr. Palm advises.
When using an exfoliating serum, skip the initial step. For brightening benefits, try a serum with vitamin C. If you have body acne or irritation, look for one with salicylic acid. For additional hydration, Dr. Palm suggests trying a serum that contains hyaluronic acid, ceramides, or peptides.
Regardless of your skin type, it’s imperative to moisturize to lock in hydration. You can use your personal preference when choosing a lotion, body butter, or oil. Dr. Palm also says that you can use products seasonally or according to how they dry on the skin.
The final step is to protect your skin with SPF, “especially if you’re regularly exfoliating with active ingredients like AHAs, BHAs, or retinol, which make your skin more photosensitive to light,” Dr. Palm says. “I recommend a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF 30 or higher, making sure to reapply every one and a half hours when outdoors.”
Below are some of our favorite products to slay each step of your body care routine.
Bright & Smooth Body Serum
Price: $34
iNNBeauty Project
Dying for an acid trip—for your skin? The combination of 7% AHA, BHA acids + kojic, tranexamic acid, papain, and vitamin C will give you a flashback to the skin of your youth. This potent blend smooths skin texture and reduces dark spots, minus any sticky feel or residue.
Supermatcha Body Lotion+
Price: $35
Iota
Your skin will drink up this retinol-alternative body lotion. It contains a powerhouse blend of superfoods, including matcha, snow mushroom, ginseng, rambutan, and turmeric.
Exfoliating Shower Towel
Price: $17
Goshi
This washcloth is a skin-smoothing miracle straight from Japan. Gentle enough for daily use, it helps prevent clogged pores and body breakouts.
Prebiotic Body Lotion
Price: $40
Oui The People
We’re in for anything that bills itself as health food for the skin. The skin-balancing prebiotics help strengthen the skin’s moisture barrier, providing nourishment and replenishment for whatever conditions life throws at it.
Malibu Made Body Scrub
Price: $65
C & the Moon
This sugar scrub smells absolutely heavenly, and melts in your hand as you rub it on. Made with brown sugar, organic botanical oils, and food-grade vanilla, it nourishes skin as it gently exfoliates.
Volcanic Glow Body Oil
Price: $54
Angan
You’ll want to rush through every other step of your body care routine to drench your gorgeous gams (and the rest of your body) with this revitalizing oil. It’s packed with sea buckthorn oils, which are chock full of vitamins, fatty acids, and antioxidants that leave you moisturized and luminous. Talk about a happy ending.
Hydra In-Shower Body Scrub
Price: $35
The Winsome Apothecary
This gentle but exfoliating scrub is made for in-shower use, making it the perfect time-saver. Even better? The scent of orange and lavender brings spa vibes to your bathroom for a dose of zen as you say goodbye to dead skin. That’s what we call a 2-for-1!
Moon Dip Back to Youth Ageless Body Mousse
Price: $36
Farmhouse Fresh
Prepare to fall in love with the whipped texture of this body mousse. It melts into skin without being greasy, and is made with a blend of age-fighting ingredients like peptides and retinol.
Hydrating Body Serum
Price: $31
Bali Body
Call us thirsty, but sometimes, we need a double dose of hydration. This lightweight, luxurious serum is the perfect way to boost body moisture any time of year. It boasts ingredients like hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, and ceramide and dries quickly, allowing you to use it alone or layer under moisturizer.
Software Update
Price: $44
Soft Services
This performance retinol serum makes Apple Care look like a joke. It contains 0.25% pure retinol that exfoliates without being harsh on the skin. It also promotes collagen production and skin cell turnover to fight fine lines, wrinkles, and dullness.
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