The Best Body Care Routine for Buttery Smooth Summer Skin

We tend to get so focused on our face that sometimes we forget to give ourselves some much needed body care love.

You can treat yourself, smooth out keratosis pilaris, fade body hyperpigmentation, and treat body acne with just a few simple steps and consistency with your shower or bath routine.

I’m breaking it all down with tips on how to make your skin glisten in the summer sun, routines for your body skin issues, and products you will want to add to your body care year-round.

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Body Care 101

What are the basics of body care?

Cleanse, exfoliate, moisturize, and protect.

You don’t need much, but you do want to change it up with the season. Cleansing is essential for keeping your skin healthy. You don’t have to exfoliate daily, but gentle scrubs or chemical exfoliants a couple of times a week can help smooth skin and improve moisturizing when applying lotions and creams. Moisturize to keep dryness at bay, no one needs to be looking ashy…ever! And protect your skin with SPF. Your body skin can wrinkle later in life, keep it right and tight with body sunscreen. 

How do I start a body care routine?

Start with the basics mentioned in the last tip, but consistency is your best friend.

Identify what your skin needs. Does it tend to be dry? Do you have body acne? Do you workout consistently? Are you always outside? Lifestyle choices help to identify the best body care for you. If you are dry, add body creams, butters, and oils to your routine. For body acne, use salicylic acid based body washes and make sure to shower immediately after a good sweat session. If you are outside, your body is taking a beating from the sun. Moisture and SPF will help protect your skin from sun damage and loss of moisture from the heat. 

Do I need a body care routine with a lot of steps?

Absolutely not!

You can create a very enriching and satisfying body care routine with as little as 2-3 steps. It shouldn’t feel like a chore, the goal is for you to feel good about your body and be proud of showing it off. Gentle foaming body washes with hydrating ingredients and moisturizers with ceramides that help strengthen your skin barrier are key. If you are exfoliating, try it during a night shower instead of in the AM to reduce skin sensitivities to the sun and allow for improved healing when layering on moisturizers and body oils. Treat your skin concerns with care and remember to not overdue it. You can still over-exfoliate your body skin and trigger irritation. Do everything in moderation and enjoy the experience. 

Get Bodied - Try These Night Body Care Routines

Body Care Night Routine (Dry Skin)

Step 1: Cleanse (w/ Korean Exfoliating Mitt or African Net Sponge) - 54 Thrones Moisturizing Butter Cream Body Wash

Step 2: Body Serum - Shani Darden Body Reform Treatment Serum with 2% Granactive Retinoid

Step 3: Body Lotion - Glymed+ Hydrating Hand & Body Lotion

Step 4: Body Oil - Glymed+ Body Massage Oil

Body Care Night Routine (Keratosis Pilaris)

Step 1: Cleanse (w/ Korean Exfoliating Mitt or African Net Sponge) - Glymed+ Refining Body Scrub with Alpha Hydroxy Acids

Step 2: Treatment Lotion - Remedy for Body Bumps

Step 3: Body Oil -  Glymed+ Body Massage Oil

Body Care Night Routine (Body Hyperpigmentation)

Step 1: Cleanse (w/ Korean Exfoliating Mitt or African Net Sponge) - Oui The People Lactic Acid Body Wash

Step 2: Body Treatment Lotion - Glymed+ Refining Hand & Body Lotion with Alpha Hydroxy Acids

Step 3: Body Oil - Glymed+ Body Massage Oil

Summer Nights Body Care Tip: Add a couple of drops of your favorite scented essential oil (I personally love the combination of Jasmine and Vanilla) to the Glymed+ Body Massage Oil when applying to your body. This is a great compliment to Viktor & Rolf’s Flowerbomb or Dior’s Miss Dior perfume.

It's never too late to start your body care routine. Remember to stick to the basics, treat your body with plenty of TLC, love every step of the journey, and get ready to show off that beautiful, sexy skin all summer long!

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