Body care: make the most of it

It’s not a secret that I’m a skincare junkie. I talk about the products I use to keep my face juicy, dewy and clear all the time. But what about the body? One of my 2019 resolutions was to treat the skin on my body as much as I do on my face - and here’s what I’ve learned, used and loved in body care so far.

Dry brushing

A very interesting and effective thing I’ve added to my body care routine is dry brushing. I use a body brush with soft bristles a couple of times a week to exfoliate and stimulate the skin on my body. I basically gently sweep the brush over the dry skin on my body, avoiding delicate areas like my chest. I pay extra care to areas that need extra blood flow stimulation - like my thighs, to help get rid of cellulite. 

Aromatherapy in the shower or bath

It’s basically good for my mental health to pour a luxurious product into my bath, or to lather my body with a posh shower gel. But the scent of an aromatherapeutic body cleanser is also good to just soothe your senses or rather to lift up your mood, depending on the scent you’re going for. I really like Aesop products in the shower because their zesty scent makes me feel fresh as a tangerine. If you’re looking for a local alternative, then the Likami hand & body washes are much like the Aesop as well. 

In the bath, Susanne Kaufmann is my best mate with her St John’s Wort Bath and Oil Bath For The Senses. Each of them are not only luxurious in the bath, but also leave a hydrating feeling on my skin which no other product can compete with. Sometimes I also like to just go for a cup of Epsom Salt in my bath - it’s good for you both mentally and physically. 

Exfoliation

I shiver whenever I see people with really flakey skin on their arms and legs. Please, exfoliate! It’s such a relaxing thing to do in the bath or shower and it leaves your skin soft as a puppy. As I already get quite a bit of exfoliation from the dry brush, I tend to use a body exfoliator less than I used to - extra points for minimalism and less waste. But I still really love the feeling of a softening exfoliating paste and how smooth my skin feels afterwards. I’ve used the Kiehl’s Coriander Body Exfoliator a ton of times (it doesn't smell like coriander, trust me!) and now I’ve got the Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Scrub on the side of our bath. And I've got my eyes on the Herbivore Coco Rose! But really, there are so many nice body exfoliators on the market for you to try. 

A good amount of hydration

Ah, the feeling of a well-hydrated body! Nothing compares. Whether it’s in the morning before going off to a big event, or in the evening right before jumping under the covers. Body lotion is a step I do almost daily and it not only leaves my skin smooth and hydrated, but it’s also a chance for me to give myself a little massage while I’m at it. If I’m feeling extra fancy, I’ll layer a body oil like the Susanne Kaufmann Lavender De-Stress Oil with a lotion like the Kiehl’s Crème de Corps, to really soak in nourishment. Oh, and don’t forget your feet and hands. They work hard all day long, so give them an extra bit of love.

A little bit of stimulation

As I already said, stimulating the blood flow in your body can help your skin to get more glowy but also reduces cellulite and other skin issues. So what’s the key message here? Massages! Just like massaging your face is really beneficial, getting some stimulation on your body is too. Whether you just take your time to massage in your body cream or use a dedicated roller tool for that. Or you ask your boyfriend/girlfriend for a weekly full-body massage. The ultimate posh vibe? Book yourself in for a massage and body treatment a couple of times a year, like the ones from Caudalie.