You’ve probably perfected your 10-step facial routine by now, but when was the last time you gave some love to the skin below your chin? *cue cricket sounds* Swimsuit or ski suit, your body deserves a skincare routine that’s just as effective as the one for your face—and here’s why.
Why Body Care Matters
- Your skin is your body’s largest organ.
The irony is: majority of skin (the body’s largest organ) exists from your neck down, and is more prone to dryness, roughness, and, eventually, loss of elasticity. Much like your face, the skin on your body needs daily TLC to stay hydrated, smooth, and healthy. Without it, things can get dull and irritated, fast.
- UV damage hits everywhere.
If you’re religiously applying sunscreen to your face but forgetting your arms, chest, and legs, you’re missing a big piece of the puzzle. UV exposure is the leading cause of premature aging, not to mention skin cancer—whether it’s July or January. So, a full-body routine with broad-spectrum SPF is essential if you want to avoid sun spots and maintain youthful-looking skin.
- Exfoliating isn’t just for your face.
Dead skin cells don’t just hang out on your face—they build up all over your body, causing rough patches, clogged pores, and even the dreaded ‘lizard limbs’. Regular body exfoliation can prevent ingrown hairs, smooth out bumps like keratosis pilaris, and polish your skin to perfection.
- It protects your skin’s moisture barrier.
The skin on your body has fewer oil glands than your face, which means it’s more likely to get dry—especially on areas like your arms and legs. Regular hydration keeps your skin soft and helps defend your moisture barrier from external irritants, leaving you glowing from head to toe.
Building Your Body Skincare Routine
Now that we’ve established why you need to care for the skin on your body, let’s explore how to do it. A solid body care routine should contain the three basics: a good cleanse, an occasional exfoliation, and regular hydration—with a little extra focus on the areas that often get neglected.
Step 1: Cleanse
The only hard-and-fast rule here is to avoid body soaps and washes with sulphates (typically noted as sodium lauryl/laureth sulfate on ingredient lists). They can strip away your skin’s natural oils and compromise its protective skin barrier. Epzen Calm Cleanse Hydrating Body Wash, enriched with magnesium, is perfect for a gentle, soothing cleanse that leaves your skin soft and supple.
Skin Tip: Keep your showers lukewarm, not scalding hot, to prevent moisture loss and irritation.
Step 2: Exfoliate
Exfoliating 1-2 times a week with a product like Epzen AHA Exfoliating Body Wash dissolves dulling dead skin cells, smooths rough or bumpy texture, and clears out pores. It also leaves your skin feeling fresh and allows your moisturiser to absorb better.
Skin Tip: Be gentle. Over-exfoliation can lead to irritation and damage. Focus on tougher areas like elbows and knees, but avoid scrubbing too harshly.
Step 3: Moisturise
To seal in hydration, apply your body moisturiser immediately after stepping out of the shower, while your skin is still damp. Epzen's Butter Up Hydrating Body Butter locks in moisture with an indulgent blend of nourishing butters and oils. You can also layer with Thirst Aid Hydrating Body Serum to target the most stubborn of scales.
Skin Tip: Don’t skip those often-neglected spots like your neck, hands, and legs. They’re just as prone to dryness.
Step 4: Protect
Yes, we think you know what's coming: SPF. Without question, you should be applying sunscreen with SPF50+ on any part of your body that sees the sun––especially your chest, arms, and legs. Go for a lightweight moisturising formula that absorbs quickly and makes reapplying throughout the day a breeze.
So whether you’re scrubbing, slathering, or SPF-ing, remember: the skin below your neck deserves the same A-list treatment as your face, all year round.
