The Ultimate Summer Body-Care Routine

If your facial skin-care routine consists of ten products and your body-care routine consists of one, maybe two, you’re not alone. Many of us spend so much time pampering our faces, but when it comes to the neck down, we sometimes can’t even be bothered to moisturize. With summer approaching, now is the perfect time to overhaul your body-care routine. Luckily, there’s no shortage of great products to do it with. Read on for a six-step routine you’ll want to stick to.

STEP 1: Cleanse 

As you do with your face, start your body-care routine by removing dirt, oil, dead surface skin cells and impurities with a body wash. Choose a formula that’s non-drying and that contains ingredients that can address your skin concerns, be it body acne or flakiness. If you want to splurge on your skin, we recommend the Nécessaire. The formula contains a blend of oils to nourish, plant-derived surfactants to mildly cleanse without stripping the skin and comes in three essential oil scents to make your shower feel like the most luxurious place in the house. Looking for a drugstore option? Try the CeraVe Hydrating Body Wash. 

STEP 2: Exfoliate

Giving your skin a thorough scrub or chemical exfoliation treatment polishes away those dead surface skin cells that your cleanser didn’t catch. This step is important for all skin types because dead surface skin cells can clog pores and lead to breakouts and ingrown hairs, as well as exacerbate dry skin. Plus, exfoliating just makes skin feel smoother and look more even. Exfoliate two to three times per week (exfoliating too frequently can cause irritation and dehydration) with a product like the Herbivore Coco Rose Coconut Oil Body Polish, a natural, hydrating formula that also happens to smell incredible.

Because shaving is another form of exfoliation, you might want to skip this step on hair removal days. 

STEP 3: Shave 

If you choose to shave, use  clean blades and replace them every two weeks or so. We’re fans of the Bille razors because they’re infused with a charcoal shave soap that cleanse and nourish as you go. 

STEP 4: Lotion Up

Apply body lotion while your skin is still damp from the shower to help lock in that moisture. While lotions are generally meant to keep skin hydrated, you can find formulas that will also target common body skin concerns like bumps, breakouts and uneven texture. A favorite is the CeraVe SA Lotion for Rough & Bumpy Skin. It contains salicylic acid and ceramides to exfoliate and reinforce the skin’s moisture barrier. 

STEP 5: Protect

Next don’t forget to apply sunscreen on any and all exposed areas. The La Roche-Posay Anthelios Melt-In Sunscreen Milk SPF 60 is fast-absorbing and non-greasy so you won’t feel slick and sticky to the touch. 

STEP 6: Perfect

For an effortless, sun-kissed glow, a gradual self-tanner is the way to go. Our newest must-have is the L’Oréal Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Water Mousse. It’s lightweight and easy to use (even for self-tanning newbies!) and gives you a natural-looking bronze. 

Read More:

How to Prevent Pimples After Shaving

How to Reduce Back and Chest Acne

Can You Use Body Lotion on Your Face?