Bodyodyody glow

”Body is the new face” is a line we’ve heard a lot as beauty writers from derms, aestheticians and brands over the years. Honestly, it got kind of annoying. But only lately have we begun to really believe it, or even want to. We’ve long loved a body scrub or dipping into an ultra-rich body butter (The Body Shop ones still thrill!), but we’re finally ready and willing to give our bits below our face some major TLC. Why? Because trying any one of these tips on its own will elevate your body confidence in an instant. Think of that smoky-tasting spritz a hipster bar keep uses to garnish a classic cocktail - it’s an extra, not too complicated step that makes the whole thing (that was already good) way better. These lil’ tweaks are like that, too. And, honestly, the timing coudn’t be better. With dry, cold weather on its way, here are 4 ways we’re upgrading our body care to unleash a head-to-toe glow.

#1: Start with an exfoliator
Exfoliation is the act of removing built-up dirt and grime, plus dead, dulling skin cells from the surface of your skin and it’s the secret to getting a smooth, even, glowing complexion on both the face and the body. Once those dead skin cells are swiped away, the new, brighter skin underneath is really given the spotlight to shine. And thankfully, there’s no right way to exfoliate, as you can get luscious limbs with either a body scrub, a mitt or a lotion or serum formulated with a chemical exfoliant.

• Scrub-a-dub-dub - Textured scrubs—or physical exfoliants as they’re often called—were one of the original ways to buff skin and are still an effective deep cleaning treatment. The key is to find a product that’s not super gritty as some exfoliants can be too rough and cause micro tears, especially on more sensitive skin types. Many formulas use natural micro particles of coffee, salt, sugar or ground nuts to get that buffing texture. Try a scrub in the shower once a week to get seriously soft skin—just remember not to go overboard with your application.

• A mitt is the trick - A mitt is a foolproof way to exfoliate your skin. Originating in parts of the world like Turkey (they play a starring role in Hammam treatments), Northern Africa and Korea, you simply slip it on in the shower and gently massage your damp skin in a circular motion. You’ll quickly notice your dead skin cells beginning to shed (it sounds gross, but we swear it’s oddly satisfying!). Once you’ve completed your massage, rinse off your skin, then go in with your regular body cleansing routine.

• Glycolic goodness - This type of exfoliator works by gently eating away at those dead cells on the surface of your skin. Ingredients like glycolic acid (which is a type of alpha hydroxy acid) are the actives in the formula that work like a little Pac-Man to whisk away dirt, oil and debris. These same ingredients are often used in facial exfoliants, but formulas for the body often differ slightly. The skin on the body is typically a bit more resilient than the face which means there’s often a higher percentage of chemical exfoliants in body care to ensure the active can really do its job.

#2: Add a mask to the mix
A mask for your body? Trust us, and say yes! In a pro body treatment, like a body wrap, a mask typically enters the chat to infuse skin with a concentrated blend of ingredients. Whether the concoction aims to gently exfoliate or deeply hydrate, you can be sure that the step leaves your skin looking and feeling SO much better. It’s everything you love about using a mask on your face, just put to work on a larger scale, i.e. your fine form. Whether you choose to go head-to-toe or customize your treatment with a strategic mask application, like a beauty boost on legs only, adding a mask to your body care routine will not disappoint. Here’s a few choices to consider:

• Sleep on it - A K-beauty staple in face care, a sleeping mask formula pairs the nourishing benefits of an amped up night cream with a lightweight, gel-like texture that cocoons skin while you rest. With an ability to hero skin-friendly actives, such as retinol, niacinamide and Vitamin C, we expect to see this more of these types of formulas in a cross over into body care.

• Clay all the way - Your favourite clay mask you use on your face can pull double duty and be applied anywhere on your body that needs some extra smoothing or decongesting. Try a dab on any bumpy patches on arms and legs, an acne breakout on the chest or back, or even anywhere you might be shaving to remove dead skin and prevent ingrown hairs. Follow the same steps you would when masking your face: be sure to apply it to freshly cleansed skin, gently remove with a damp cloth and follow with moisturizer as needed.

• Go out on a limb - Are your hands and feet feeling extra dry? A hydrating mask can soften and soothe appendages in need. Look for ultra-hydrating ingredients, such as glycerin and squalene, that can moisturize deeper layers of the skin along with occlusive ingredients, such as shea or cocoa butter, or olive and avocado oils, that will help to trap moisture into the upper layer. Ideal as an overnight treatment, slather on a hydrating mask and slip on a pair of cotton gloves or socks to encourage the rich formula to sink into skin.

#3: Layer up your head-to-toe hydration
There’s another tenant of face care that can really elevate your body care game and enhance an overall glow. We’re talking about layering products! Applying skincare in orderly steps based on texture is de rigueur in a face care routine, and you best believe it can work wonders on your bod! As with face care, you’ll want to work from thinnest to thickest in terms of product consistency, and apply water-based hydrators before anything super oily. Layering with fragranced products can help build a lovely long-lasting scent experience, but if your senses are easily overwhelmed choose fragrance-free products for at least two steps. Scented or not, for the ultimate long-lasting glow, start on a fresh-from-the-shower state to lock extra moisture into skin.

• Base layer - Think of your first layer of body care as a treatment step and choose a lightweight serum or lotion. Viscose textures that are free of heavy oils tend to be designed to reach beneath the skin barrier. Look for formulas that incorporate active ingredients, such an exfoliating acids and antioxidants, that can support healthy-looking skin.

• Middle layer - Bring on a rich body cream with skin soothing ingredients. If it contains shea, mango, cocoa, avocado or cupuacu butter you’re in good shape.

• Top layer - As a final glistening step, apply a few drops of body oil. Rub any excess oil into the cuticle beds of your nails, and on the ends of your hair for a glossy boost.

#4: Get Golden
This step is for those of you who love a sun-kissed glow. Self-tanners used to be a messy business, with products often leaving skin streaky-looking and with that distinct orange finish, but the latest and greatest formulas to hit the market are anything but. From mousses, to serums and droppers, now you’re able to choose that just-right self-tanner that will let you customize your glow, whether you want a deeper, just-back-from-the-beach look or something a little more subtle. The one trick we’ve learned over the years? Blend, blend, blend. The more you work the self-tanner into your skin, the more streak-free and natural your results will be. But you don’t have to take our word for it, just take a listen to St. Tropez Tanning and Celebrity Skin Finishing Expert, Sophie Evans, breakdown the 1,2,3’s of nailing the art of self-tanner application.