Refine your body care regime with these easy (and effective) tips

For some reason, body care is always a few steps behind skincare, and doesn’t always make it to the front of the line. We spend a lot of time, energy and money perfecting our skincare regimes, going for treatments and applying the best products we can afford. So why aren’t we doing the same for the rest of our body?

The answer is simple: time and energy. For many, body care seems like hard work. And we get why. Shaving, exfoliating, tanning, moisturising and masking… it’s a lot, and the body is a much larger area to cover than the face.

But the simple truth is that body care isn’t as much work as you’ve been taught. There are simple solutions to even seemingly complicated concerns, and one or two products a day can keep your skin soft, hydrated, smooth and glowing. And with minimal effort.

Follow these simple tips to enjoy your softest, smoothest, most radiant skin yet.

Moisturise after showering
Ever forget to apply your day or night cream? Remember how parched and tight your skin felt? Now think about your body. It gets exposed to the sun, the wind, hot water, pollution and more every single day. Taking less than five minutes a day to apply a good quality, nourishing body moisturiser after your shower makes the world of difference to the texture and health of your skin. Plus, it’ll also help your skin age better. Tip: Applying moisturiser after a shower when your skin is still a bit damp will help lock in moisture.

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We recommend:
Sothys Hydra-Nourishing Body Lotion (R655.00)
Faithful To Nature Natural Body Lotion (R99.95)
Placecol Hydrating Face and Body Lotion (R450.00)
Avène TriXera Nutri-Fluid Balm (R240.00)
All Good Coconut Body Lotion (R340.00)

Say goodbye to body acne
Yes, there are instances when body acne appears due to hormonal imbalances or medication, and these instances call for a visit to your medical practitioner, but a lot of the time body acne develops due to sweat. When you get sweaty during exercise, your clothing absorbs the sweat. While you’re wearing it, it rubs against your skin, and the bacteria produced by sweat is trapped on your skin, which can lead to the development of acne. It’s important to take a shower as soon as you’ve finished exercising, and to wash your skin with soap (don’t just rinse it with water!). This will remove all traces of sweat and bacteria. Wash the clothes you exercise in on a warm setting and only wear it once before washing.

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We recommend:
Lamelle Clarity Active Body Spray (R420.00). Suitable for use on the back, chest and neck, this powerful spray contains anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that support the healing and prevention of non-facial breakouts. It’s shown to be highly effective, not just for teens, but for adults as well.

Exfoliate once or twice a week

Exfoliation is essential for soft, smooth and radiant skin. We recommend a good all-over body scrub once or twice a week to remove dead and dry skin cells and prevent ingrown hair. Remember to be gentle – scrubbing too hard can lead to irritation.

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We recommend:
Optiphi Body Curve Body Foliant (R880.00)
Healing Earth Coffee, Cinnamon and Orange Body Polish (R516.00)
Nuxe Rêve de Thé Revitalising Granular Scrub (R395.00)

Don’t be fooled by cellulite shortcuts
There is no product on this planet that has the ability to remove cellulite – that’s a fact. And lately, thanks to body positivity advocates, women have been a lot more accepting of their cellulite. After all, it’s estimated that cellulite affects 90% of women, so best we make peace with it! While there is no way to get rid of it completely, there are ways to minimise its appearance. Increasing blood circulation is key, and the best way to do this is via dry brushing. Check out our dry brushing tips and product recommendations here. Drink plenty of water, eat fresh foods and get some exercise. A healthy lifestyle goes a long way. And lastly, try using body products with firming formulations. While they won’t remove cellulite, they may help tighten skin, giving it a firmer appearance.