Bodycare Is Verging On Skincare — Here's How To Look After Skin From Top To Toe

Gone are the days of greasy body creams and surfactant-heavy body washes now outshone by the targeted formulas developed by the beauty industry’s most innovative brands.

Propelled forward by a growing awareness of present-day skin concerns like “tech neck”, now more than ever is the intersection between body care and skincare apparent.

The advent of body-specific serums and treatments designed with particular areas in mind has resulted in an onslaught of products that look to the same efficacious ingredients that were once reserved for faces only.

It makes sense, of course, that the skin on our body isn’t immune to the same skin concerns as that on our faces. Cue the rise of body products that promise to address pigmentation, clear congestion, or smooth the appearance of bumpy or uneven skin tone on limbs.

Where ingredients are concerned, expect to see the likes of hydrating hyaluronic acid, nutrient-dense niacinamide (vitamin B3) and skin-smoothing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) crop up in body creams and exfoliants, or purifying salicylic acid and detoxifying charcoal formulated into your next tub of scrub.

BEST FOR PIGMENTATION Medical Cosmetics MELANOout Body Cream, $345, targets hyperpigmentation on the body while improving overall skin tone, and works particularly well to lighten the skin on underarms, knees, elbows and neckline. Apply twice daily using circular movements until the formula has fully absorbed for skin that's brighter, clearer and more hydrated. Houseofcamille.co.nz

BEST FOR ANTIOXIDANT PROTECTION Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Dream Body Cream $48, draws its inspiration from the K-beauty ritual of rubbing chilled watermelon rind over the body for its soothing and cooling effects on heat rash and other skin irritations. This dreamy pink lotion harnesses two different forms of watermelon for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, while hibiscus-derived AHAs and hyaluronic acid soften and quench thirsty skin. From Mecca or online at Meccabeauty.co.nz

BEST FOR HYDRATION Clarins Moisture Rich Body Lotion, $73, is a fresh take on an old favourite, now with a higher concentration of shea butter added to drench limbs in much-needed moisture. Shea butter is naturally rich in fatty acids, which deeply nourishes skin to leave it feeling soft and comfortable. Other key actives include skin-tightening organic oat sugars, smoothing tamarind pulp and bitter orange wax to prevent surface dehydration. From selected department stores and pharmacies or online at Clarinsnewzealand.co.nz

BEST FOR KERATOSIS PILARIS Sunday Riley Charcoal Smoothie Jelly Body Scrub, $64, uses a clarifying concoction of activated charcoal, natural exfoliating powders and salicylic acid to help refine textured, bumpy or flaking skin. It also works wonders at polishing away keratosis pilaris (the overproduction of keratin in the skin which can block hair follicles and cause bumps to form). The addition of coconut water leaves dry skin feeling deeply nourished and smooth. From Mecca or online at Meccabeauty.co.nz

BEST FOR DULLNESS Ultraceuticals Ultra Retexturizing Body Complex, $104, serves double duty as a 2-in-1 exfoliant and moisturiser. Its powerful blend of skincare actives like lactic acid helps slough away dead skin cells and refine skin texture while niacinamide, panthenol and sodium hyaluronate deeply moisturise and improve the appearance of dehydrated and dull skin. From selected day spas and skin clinics including About Face

THREE GOOD THINGS: Treatments And Tools To Try

– Originally published in Viva Magazine – Volume Four