Full body care is finally becoming a topic of conversation and for a good reason. With TikTok trends and Korean skin care routines, a lot of people are becoming interested in how they can best take care of their skin with a full body skin care routine.
As a dermatology physician assistant (PA), I spend my workdays counseling patients on how to improve their skin care routines to help them reach their skin care goals. The majority of my patients also are being treated for dermatologic conditions such as acne, eczema, dandruff, etc.
After reading this article you will have a clear understanding of the 6 steps I recommend for almost all of my patients, and the explanations of why they are necessary for an optimal full body skin care routine.
Here are a few related articles you should read, too:
Step #1: Cleanse
Water temperature
I always recommend lukewarm water when showering. The reason why is that hot showers (even if they feel good) can actually dry your skin out more. If you are prone to dry itchy skin after hot showers this is why. Super cold showers may be good for waking you up but for some people, it may induce something called urticaria (hives) so I don’t always recommend that either. Of course, there are benefits to cold plunges if you do not have a history of urticaria.
Scalp
Don’t forget about your scalp with your cleansing routine. If you are in the shower I recommend applying your shampoo first so you can let it sit for a few minutes while you cleanse the rest of your body. Make sure to gently massage the shampoo into your scalp. If you are prone to seborrheic dermatitis (dandruff) then be sure to use an anti-dandruff shampoo.
Recommended: How to Combat a Dry Flaky Itchy Scalp
Choose your cleanser
When choosing what to cleanse your body with I always recommend a hypoallergenic non-scented cleanser. When in doubt Dove bar soap is a safe option. Other brands I trust are Cetaphil and CeraVe. Again, make sure you purchase the ones that say gentle cleanser for the body. If you have acne on your chest or back then you may want to invest in a medicated cleanser such as one that contains benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid.
Don’t scrub at your skin
A lot of people believe it is important to scrub their skin or exfoliate. This is not something I recommend as it can actually cause trauma to your epidermis, which is the top layer of the skin. There are other ways to turn skin cells over quicker such as with a retinoid, salicylic acid, or glycolic acid.
Step #2: Apply any medications
If you are not treating a specific dermatologic condition you can skip this step. Or if you would like to include this step in your routine but aren’t dealing with anything major then I recommend adding a vitamin C serum in the morning and retinol at night. Vitamin C will help brighten your complexion. Retinol or retinoids will help turn skin cells over quicker, and over time give you the glowing skin everyone craves.
Acne
There are many acne products out there either over-the-counter or prescription. When in doubt see your dermatology medical provider to find out what treatment is right for your type of acne. Some of my favorite over-the-counter acne products include the following ingredients: in the morning something with Vitamin C, Hyaluronic acid, Niacinamide, and/or Azelaic Acid. These ingredients are great for acne and for the most part, shouldn’t cause major irritation. At night, I always recommend retinol or retinoid for those with acne-prone skin.
Keratosis pilaris (KP)
If you have rough bumpy skin (more commonly found on upper arms or thighs) then now is the time to apply a KP cream. A good example of this is Amlactin cream to help smooth out bumpy skin.
Eczema
If you have eczema and have a topical medication from a dermatology medical provider such as a topical steroid then you would apply it while your skin is still damp before the next step.
Recommended: What You Should Be Doing and Not Doing If You Have Eczema
Dry heels
A lot of people suffer from dry heels. I love 40% urea cream, which you should be able to find relatively easily over the counter to help soften your heels. When in doubt check Amazon.
Step #3: Moisturize
Lotion vs. Cream vs. Ointment
Everyone always wonders what moisturizer they should apply. I tend to lean towards ointments or creams as they work better than lotions. Honestly, I love plain Vaseline but most people don’t like applying something as greasy as Vaseline all over their bodies. As mentioned above with my choice of cleansers, the brands Cetaphil and CeraVe have great moisturizing options. Another product I really enjoy using is Neutrogena Hydroboost. Go ahead and apply from the neck down and use a moisturizer specifically for the face.
Recommended: What is Slugging, and Is it Right for Your Skin?
Body oil
This step is not absolutely necessary but if you have a favorite body oil to apply then I would recommend doing so AFTER you use your moisturizer.
Step #4: Sunscreen
Apply to entire body, year around
I recommend sunscreen to all exposed skin every day of the year (yes, even in the winter!). The best sunscreen is the one you are willing to reapply. I always recommend at least 30 SPF and to reapply every 2 hours if you are going to be outside. Look for physical blockers with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide as the main ingredients.
Sunscreen Examples
There are a lot of great sunscreens out there. My personal favorite is Elta MD UV Clear, especially for anyone that has acne or rosacea-prone skin. Other great brands include La Roche-Posay and Blue Lizard.
Step #5: Hydrate
Water intake
You need to hydrate your skin from the outside in but also from the inside out. Make sure you are maintaining a healthy hydration level. 8 glasses of water a day is a good place to start. I personally aim for a gallon of water a day. Since drinking more water I have absolutely noticed an improvement in my skin and my hormonal acne has lessened.
Eat Your Fruits and Veggies
Along with drinking plenty of water be sure to eat fruits and vegetables daily as they also add to your total water intake. Not to mention they are rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that will positively impact your skin and protect it from cellular damage caused by free radicals.
Step #6: Regular office-based treatments
Some of my favorite cosmetic treatments to partake in include Morpheus, which is radiofrequency micro needling, and laser treatments such as laser hair removal or intense pulsed light laser for photoaging and dark spots can also be beneficial. If you want to go all in then CO2 laser is one of the best investments you can make for your skin care. Other popular cosmetic options are chemical peels and/or regular facials.
Recommended: The 4 Steps to an Effective Chemical Peel
As promised, these are the 6 steps I recommend for almost everyone’s skin care routines. To recap you want to 1. cleanse your skin, 2. apply any necessary medications or active ingredients, 3. moisturize, 4. apply sunscreen, 5. hydrate your body and 6. invest in regular office-based treatments.
If you follow these steps I promise your full body skin care routine will be transformed and you should start to notice improvements pretty quickly. If you have something else you do in your daily skin care routine that is not listed but you truly believe is worth mentioning then please comment below!
*Disclaimer: Opinions expressed are solely my own and do not express the views or opinions of my employer. Information on this website is for education and entertainment purposes only. Content is my opinion. It is not substituted for your own doctor’s medical care or advice. One should not make any health or medical-related decisions based in whole or in part on any content on this site. Content is not intended to replace the services of a licensed, trained health professional. Content may not apply to you as an individual. Although I will update my website with current information, this website is not a definitive guide to dermatology.
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