Happy Summer! I hope you’re all enjoying the heat.. I’m not so sure I am – sorry I’m one of those who doesn’t get on in too much sun!
Whether you enjoy it or not, the last few weeks have meant more skin on show for sure. The high temperatures have meant higher hemlines, plunging necklines, shorter sleeves – any which way to keep cool! This exposure of skin means a whole lot more body moisturiser being used.. well hopefully..
I’m often in a rush and frequently forget to moisturise anything lower than my neck. My body care definitely lacks the devotion of my facial skincare routine. Unfortunately this becomes evident when my pasty limbs are called out of hiding, and they are not as smooth as I would like! Luckily a few days of a good moisturiser can make a difference but surely our skins deserve a bit of tlc all of the time. Our ‘protective coats’ do so much for us; our skin is our largest organ with so many essential functions – it protects us from so many things, synthesises Vit D, regulates our temperature, excretes toxins, the list goes on. We’d be stuffed without it, so it pays to look after it.
Our skin can also absorb stuff – now there is debate as to how much and how deep. Statistics fly around about what percentage of product we put on us, ends up in our bloodstream, however there is no definitive answer. Penetration of a product will depend on the health of an individual’s skin, environmental factors – is it hot or cold for example, as well as of course the ingredients of a product. Some ingredients can make it right down to the bloodstream such as essential oils, while others will get no further than the top layer.
Choosing a body moisturiser
Taking all this into account, to me it makes way more sense to choose a moisturiser that is packed full of skin friendly ingredients as opposed to harsh preservatives, synthetic fragrances and other possible irritants.
NB plant ingredients can of course still irritate – essential oils as an example are very potent.
Plant oils such as jojoba for example, are amazingly skin friendly – the components of these ingredients are similar to that of our skins, therefore our skin knows what to do with them and how to harness the goodness from within them. Many products on the market are mineral oil based which may feel like they’re doing good; they may soothe and feel hydrating to begin with, however that relief does not last long. They are actually not doing much for your skin – mineral oil contains no nutritional value at all. It’s also from a non-renewable source so not good for Mother Earth either. Many lotions will also contain dimethicone and other micro-plastics.
Your body moisturiser is the absolute perfect place to start switching your beauty kit to a ‘cleaner’, greener one. By choosing brands that focus on natural and organic plant based ingredients, you’re going to be kinder to your skin; think about that surface area, and how much you’re applying… You’re also going to be doing your bit for the environment too, which is always a good thing!
my current body care routine
For the last month I’ve been amping up my body care and trying to get into a proper routine..
I’ve had Keratosis pilaris ever since I was at secondary school – probably earlier but it’s then that I remember it. It’s bothered me on and off since then and I’ve tried various things to help it – some things have worked some things haven’t. General body skin care helps a lot – moisturising and gentle exfoliation. This year it has been particularly bad on my legs – probably due to not moisturising them enough.. So a month ago I started body brushing again; I used to do this all the time when I was younger and it helped, the last few years it has been sporadic. However I do see a difference, at the moment I’m using one from Urban Veda.
A hydrating scrub can help too, although anything too abrasive can actually tear the skin and make the bumps worse or sore. This year I’ve opted for an acid exfoliant in the form of Ren’s Smart Renewal Body Serum. I saw a few good reviews for it so decided to give it a go.
I’ve been using it maybe every other day or every third day for the last few weeks and I can see a difference in my legs – the keratosis pilaris hasn’t gone but it’s definitely better. It uses lactic acid for the exfoliation, and I think I probably could tolerate it more but I don’t think it gives me enough hydration. I guess I could layer another lotion over it.. not sure that would happen though!!
Ingredients: Aqua (Water), Butyrospermum Parkii (Shea) Butter, Lactic Acid, Sodium Lactate, Lactococcus Ferment Lysate, Lysolecithin, Sclerotium Gum, Xylitylglucoside, Xanthan Gum, Anhydroxylitol, Pullulan, Parfum* (Fragrance), Mannitol, Xylitol, Sodium Benzoate, Citrus Aurantium Dulcis (Orange) Flower Oil, Citrus Grandis (Grapefruit) Peel Oil, Citrus Nobilis (Mandarin) Peel Oil, Citrus Tangerina (Tangerine) Peel Oil, Tocopheryl Acetate, Potassium Sorbate, Faex (Yeast) Extract, Glucose, Silica, Sodium Chloride, Glycogen, Magnesium Ascorbyl Phosphate, Citric Acid, Citral, Limonene, Linalool * 100% Natural Fragrance – Parfum 100% Naturel
I found this from an old post too – I’d forgotten about it.. think may need to try again! “Evolve’s Skin Saviour Body Oil has been the best thing on my Keratosis (those little bumps on the backs of arms and legs AKA chicken skin), my skin was smoother after just a few days of using it.”
On the days in-between I’ve been using Twelve’s Reverent Antioxidant Dry Body Oil which has been a real treat for my skin (I was kindly gifted it) This I keep to my thighs and bum; it feels a bit decadent using it everywhere!! It massages into the skin so nicely, without feeling any residue – it contains squalene which makes it feel so smooth and goes a long way too. My skin always feels softer and in better condition afterwards. It contains tumeric and cinnamon too for circulation and fat-burning properties. I think I would need to use it every day for a longer period to really benefit from that, however the colour tone of my legs looks more even after using this – less blotchy!!
Ingredients – Dycaprylyl Ether, Squalane, Simmondsia Chinesis (Jojoba) Seed oil*, Caprylic Triglyceride, Cinnamomum Zeylanicum Leaf Oil, Curcuma Longa (Tumeric) Root Oil, Zingiber Officinale (Ginger) Root Oil, Limonene, Eugenol, Cinnamal. *Organic Ingredients
I’ve also been using my own concoction which is a blend of oils, certainly not anything sophisticated but it shows that just general moisturising helps skin!! If you do use an oil, apply to a damp skin to ensure for get great hydration as well as nutrition.
At night I use Weleda’s Skin Food Body Butter, I have it by my bed and I put that on last thing. I use it over my magnesium spray – I’m not sure if that’s been drying me out a bit but couldn’t give that up!!
Other favourites and in the kit
Other favourites from Weleda include the the Birch and Pomegranate body oils, and I also love the Evening Primrose body lotion.
Prtty Peaushun has been a staple in my kit for a while – it hydrates beautifully but is also available with colour and a soft sheen, so it acts like a gentle make-up as well – perfect for summer days and legs out! The Weleda Calendula Lotion is also staple in my kit along with the Calendula Baby Oil, definitely not just for babies!
My skin might not quite be beach ready yet – (although there isn’t much chance of me getting on a beach anytime soon!) however it definitely feels in better shape after some targeted care. Need to continue through the winter months!!
How is your bodycare routine? What is your favourite body moisturiser?
