What is Body Care, and What are the Benefits of a Body Care Routine?

What is body care?

Just like the skin on your face, your body can accumulate sweat, dirt, oil, and grime – all of which can clog your pores, impair your hydration balance, and affect skin sensitivity.

Since the skin on your the body is thick and varies in texture, one key benefit of body care is the ability to support various skin issues – such as hydration, firmness, texture and acne – with multiple products. A well-rounded body care routine includes:

·      A cleanser

·      An exfoliator

·      A body moisturiser

·      Hand cream

·      Body oils

·      Sunscreen

5 body care benefits

Adding body care into your shower and after-shower routine can improve your skin in various ways, especially if you have concerns specific to your skin type: such as oil buildup, blocked pores, a damaged skin moisture barrier, or rough patches. 

For body care that best suits you, it’s recommended to identify your skin’s specific needs and create a routine that addresses those concerns. Below, you can diver deeper into five body care benefits. Body care:

·      Cleanses the skin by removing sweat, dirt, and bacteria

·      Softens rough areas and boosts your skin's natural radiance

·      Revitalises the skin's surface and reinforces the moisture barrier

·      Assists with anti-ageing, reducing the visibility of fine lines and wrinkles

·      Shields the skin from environmental elements, including UV exposure.

Keep reading to discover how Kiehl’s beloved formulas can help you experience a range of body care benefits.

1. Eliminates impurities 

It’s normal for your body’s skin to collect sweat, oil, and dirt as the day goes on. Even if you shower at night, sweating while you sleep is common. A body cleanser is the best way to renew your skin and wash away impurities.

For women, a gentle body cleanser that hydrates while cleansing is a great choice. For men, we recommend our Body Fuel Wash – an energising cleanser that imparts menthol, zinc, and caffeine to revitalise and refresh the skin.

2. Softens skin and enhances glow

Exfoliation is a key body care benefit, as it helps remove dead skin cells that contribute to dullness and rough patches, while unblocking pores 

The outcome? Softer, smoother, and more radiant skin.

For full-body exfoliation, we suggest using a gentle body scrub a few times every week. Shaving before exfoliating will result in a closer shave and keep your razor from getting clogged with dead skin cells.

For a smoother hair-removal process, our Ingrown Hair & Tone-Correcting Intimate Drops are specially made to use areas susceptible to ingrown hairs, bumps, and uneven skin tone. Using the gentle power of AHAs, this treatment can visibly reduce the formation of ingrown hairs in as little as 90 minutes*.

*Cosmeto-clinical study, 77 subjects, 90 mins after application​

3. Revitalises and strengthens the skin moisture barrier

While we prioritise our facial moisture barrier, the rest of our bodies can sometimes be overlooked. Still, what is body care without moisturiser?

From summer beach trips to winter heater air, your skin can often face dryness. That’s why keeping your skin hydrated all year round is so key. For more body care benefits, we recommend adding the Ultra Body Mega Moisture Squalane Cream to your skincare routine. Rich in squalane and ceramides, this ultra-lightweight formula nourishes all skin types, softening rough patches and locking in moisture.

For anyone dealing with dry, rough hands, we recommend the Ultimate Strength Hand Salve. It provides a 'glove-like' protective barrier, helping to prevent moisture loss. Apply it as needed, throughout the day.

4. Reduces visible signs of ageing

Dry, dull skin can make fine lines and wrinkles more noticeable. Body care benefits aging skin by hydrating and smoothing, which helps diminish the visible effects of aging.

To further hydrate your skin, layer the Crème de Corps Nourishing Dry Body Oil over your body moisturiser. Formulated with squalane and grape seed oil, this luxurious, lightweight body oil helps keep your skin feeling residue-free and nourished throughout the day. Simply smooth onto clean, dry skin in the morning and at night.

5. Shields from environmental aggressors

New Zealand weather is unique – and, because of the direct sunlight, you likely know that SPF is an all-important element of your Kiwi summer body care routine. However, UVA and UVB rays are active throughout the year – even on cloudy days. That's why we recommend applying sunscreen daily to protect your skin from UV harm.

For optimal protection, massage a broad-spectrum SPF50 sunscreen onto clean, dry skin at least 20 minutes before heading outdoors – this gives the formula time to absorb. Remember to reapply regularly throughout the day, especially after swimming or other exercise.

With body care benefits empowering your skincare regime, next discover the best ingredients in anti-ageing skincare.