It’s time for healthy skin from head to toe.
As we start to think about shorts and summer dresses, and (gladly) pack away our winter coats, our attention inevitably starts to turn to the areas of our body that have been hiding beneath knitwear for the last few months. While we’d never dream of starting the day without a deep cleanse or slapping on our night cream before bed, when it comes to the rest of our body, we don’t tend to show it the same daily diligence – often cutting corners, skipping steps, and using whatever lurks in the back of the cupboard. Sound familiar?
But, as our largest organ, accounting for 15 per cent of our body weight, taking care of our skin is vital for maintaining our health on the inside, as well as the outside. Acting as our first line of defence against bacteria and environmental aggressors, keeping every inch of our skin in good nick can improve healing and stave away infections. Not sure where to start? We’ve outlined the body care fundamentals you need in your routine.
Body Brush
It’s the daily self-care practice that models, celebrities, and skincare experts swear by for healthy, glowing skin – and with its long list of benefits, it’s easy to see why. Not only can it slough away dead skin cells, bringing nutrient-rich oxygenated blood to the skin’s surface, it also spurs on cell turnover and stimulates your lymphatic system, removing pathogens and strengthening your immune system. Pretty impressive, right?
Best performed daily before your bath or shower, sweep a body brush or a Bamboo Face Cloth against your skin in quick, flicking motions, starting at your feet and working your way upwards in the direction of your heart. For your stomach and chest, use long circular motions in a clockwise direction. The bamboo face cloth is super soft, but still be gentle! The aim is to have pink, not red, skin, using light to medium pressure.
Cleanse
Sweat, deodorant, dead skin – our body goes through a lot in 24 hours. So, if you want to prevent impurities from lingering, blocking hair follicles, clogging pores, and disrupting skin health, cleansing is crucial in your beauty routine.
Lots of body washes contain skin-stripping detergents that kill all bacteria (even the good kind) and leave skin feeling dry and tight. Instead, reach for our natural, pH-balanced Body Washes. Harnessing the power of gentle coconut-derived natural cleansers, they sweep away impurities with a creamy lather and protect against free radicals, too. It’s the more caring way to cleanse (for all skin types, and particularly for sensitive skin!)
Tone
Although crunches and lunges may spring to mind when you think about toning your body, there are plenty of topical products, like Body Love, that can firm up your skin and add a youthful bounce.
The powerful combination of pink peppercorn and sea kelp extract – which are full of antioxidants and minerals – give your skin a smoother, more toned appearance. And better still, massaging the buttercream into your skin helps to promote lymphatic drainage. Now that’s a skin-win!
Exfoliate
There’s nothing more satisfying than a good head-to-toe scrub. Not only does it leave your skin silky smooth and glowing, but it can also boost cell turnover, prevent ingrown hairs, bacteria build-up, and reduce dullness.
Moreover, regular exfoliation can help to relieve blemishes and the symptoms of keratosis pilaris – a condition causing skin bumpiness in 40 per cent of adults worldwide. Carefully formulated to relieve lumps, rough texture, and redness, our Super Smooth Resurfacing Body Lotion employs active ingredients like plant AHAs and pomegranate enzymes to dissolve dead skin cells and restore smoother skin.
Moisturise
Arguably the most important step in your body care routine, daily moisturising can be a game-changer in the quest for gorgeous skin. After months of central heating, hot showers and heavy knitwear, it’s no wonder our skin feels parched come springtime. Dehydrated skin can not only give a dull and lifeless appearance, but it can also exacerbate cellulite, stretch marks and eczema, leading to an uneven skin tone.
Luckily, this is easily resolved by including a hydrating moisturiser, like Whipped Body Velvet Intensely Rich Buttermelt into your daily routine.
Designed to replicate cupcake frosting, this rich formula combines shea and rarabe butters with apricot kernel, baobab, and organic rosehip oils for an omega-3-rich feast that strengthens the skin barrier and locks in lost moisture. With a hearty helping of antioxidants mixed in for good measure, it repairs and renews thirsty skin with ease.
So there you have it: the fundamentals of a fabulous body care routine, guaranteed to put a spring in your step. Just don’t forget the feel-good sunscreen (you’ll love the soft, vanilla-scented, vitamin E boost in Great Barrier) and you’re good to go!
