The Ultimate Body Care Routine to Transform Your Skin
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I’m sure you’ve learned exactly what your skin needs and have all the best serums, moisturizers, face masks and more, but wait…did you show love to your entire body or have you just been giving it all to your face? We know that keeping our skin moisturized and using SPF is important and yet, we often ignore our bodies until we realize they don’t exactly match our face.
I was turning 30 and so proud of how I was aging but then I noticed some signs of tech neck, some lines on the chest because I am a hardcore side sleeper — which I will not change. Before I knew it I was doing a full body scan searching for areas that needed attention. Don’t be like me and send yourself into a full spiral; it’s as unpleasant as it sounds!
The skin on our body is thicker than our face and can handle a lot more but it’s still susceptible to pollutants, aging, sun damage, breakouts and dry skin that often comes with itching and irritation. If we don’t take care of our bodies like we do our faces then one day we’ll certainly experience some of these issues.
Our bodies have similar needs as our face and neck. I know what you’re thinking: “I spent a small fortune creating a skincare routine and now I have to double it?! How do I even build a body care routine? Am I supposed to treat my body differently from my face?”
Don’t worry. Getting started with a body care routine isn’t as scary as you think and you can find a lot of great products for a relatively good price. Read on to find products that will give you that gorgeous radiant glow from head to toe.
In this Post
3 Actives
Cleansers and Body Washes
It’s no secret that you need to wash your body to keep it clean, but not all cleansers and body washes are created equal. Many times we try out something new only to find out it was filled with harmful ingredients or it dries your skin out making it even harder for you to get that soft, youthful skin you’re trying to achieve.
This is one of those classic soaps that you can never go wrong with! When I was about 13 and started seeing my lady doctor I told her this was the soap I used. She praised me and told me to never stop using it, especially down there.
While I have branched out to other products, I still make sure to use this for my lady area. When I do use it all over though, my whole body feels so soft & clean.
YUKA 50/100
Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.
YUKA 49/100
If you have sensitive skin but want something luxurious then you’ll love this body wash! Made with clean ingredients and jam packed with amazing skin boosters such as Vitamin C, niacinamide and seaweed extracts. If you’re like me and hate having to deep clean bottles before trying to find the right place to recycle you’ll love the refill size option that lasts for months!
YUKA 72/100Moisturizers and Lotions
Behind all gorgeous skin is a great moisturizer. Even when it comes to your face, all the serums and masks need that final step of a moisturizer to keep everything locked in and your skin hydrated, healthy and protected. You can apply throughout of the day as needed, but nothing locks in moisture like applying directly after a shower while your skin is damp and your pores are still open from the warmth.
This is by far my favorite body lotion! I don’t go a day without it. After the first use my skin felt smoother and instantly looked younger. It’s formulated with five peptides, Vitamin A, C, E, F and Omega 6 so you’re getting top notch skin care to firm, moisturize and strengthen your skin. If you’re not sure about which product to start with today, make it this one and thank me later.
I’ve also got the Hinoki scented option which is divine, however I will tell you this one’s YUKA score is lower due to fragrance and some oils to achieve the scent but it’s still a good score (58/100)
YUKA 100/100
Looking for intense moisture and firmer skin without spending more than $10? This is what you want! I always have this on hand and love to use it at night before bed. There’s minimal scent and it just got an upgrade to add Q10 & Creatine which enhances collagen production, reduces wrinkles and improves skin firmness.
YUKA 45/100
An iconic, fast-absorbing body cream that visibly tightens with body-loving ingredients, including caffeine-rich guaranà to tighten and firm, cupuaçu butter to nourish and hydrate, and açaí and coconut oils . This is perfect for all year round but I especially love it during summertime with its irresistible Brazilian nut and vanilla scent.
YUKA 30/100Actives
Sometimes our skin needs even more attention or assistance to turn back time or get ahead of it. As my mother always said “the best defense is a great offense.”
Retinol is known as the anti-aging powerhouse of skincare actives and can be used on both the face and body. As mentioned before, the skin on our body is thicker and can handle more than our face so you can use retinoid (basically retinol on steroids) on your body to get an extra boost. Remember though, DO NOT use retinols in the morning and ALWAYS use sunscreen. Your skin becomes more susceptible to the sun when using retinols so it should always be used at night, giving your skin time to absorb it and then properly regenerate overnight. I do not care in the slightest if the bottle says “apply morning and night”, apply it ONLY AT NIGHT, end of discussion.
Address more visible signs of aging by adding this to your nighttime body lotion. This version of their retinoid is non-irritating so if you’re new to retinol use you can start with this one. It’s an oil-like serum and will boost the hydration retention due to the squalene — a natural lipid found in skin to hydrate and protect the skin.
The Ordinary also has another retinoid serum that’s more advanced. It’s an emulsion formula and doesn’t offer as much hydration as the one listed above. The YUKA score on it is much lower (39/100) so unless you’re used to retinols and have serious fine lines and aging signs you’re trying to get a handle on, I’d recommend the 5% with Squalene formula. At the very least, switch to the 5% formula for maintenance once you’ve noticed a decrease fine lines & aging.
YUKA 100/100
The perfect combination of Retinol and Hyaluronic Acid in a luxurious, bio holistic body lotion to send you to sleep feeling like you just left the spa. Their new Phyto-Retinol body lotion is formulated with Peptillium, a new breakthrough ingredient clinically proven to work two times faster and better than traditional retinol. It’s gentle so you don’t have to worry about your body reacting negatively.
YUKA 72/100
With pure retinol, nourishing cocoa butter, and moisture-replenishing squalane, this body lotion repairs dryness, helps firm skin, smooth texture, and brightens dullness. This moisturizing lotion is gentle enough for nightly use and sends you to bed radiant and ready to fight aging for only $7!
YUKA 49/100Serums & Oils
Caring for your body can feel daunting but when in doubt, hydrate! I don’t just mean drinking enough water — however that will help you glow all over. When looking at ingredients to enhance your body’s hydration and overall glow the most effective will be hyaluronic acid, niacinamide, ceramides, peptides and Vitamin E.
Hyaluronic Acid will forever be my favorite ingredient for extra hydration and overall skin health. This ingredient boosts whatever follows it, meaning the body lotion you apply afterwards will be enhanced and locked into your body even deeper. If you ever want to see the instant difference it makes, put some hyaluronic acid on the back on one hand then run it under the faucet…now run your other hand under the faucet without applying anything. Once you see the difference in water retention, you’ll never go without it again.
Instantly boost your skin’s hydration and help your body lotion cling to your skin like never before. Powered by 5 molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, vegan peptides, and nutrient-rich seaweed, this full-body serum delivers long-lasting hydration and strengthens your skin’s natural barrier.
YUKA 49/100
This highly concentrated overnight serum is formulated with an antioxidant-rich blend of Argan and Tsubaki oil to firm and nourish the skin, along with Holy Basil Extract and Vitamin C help to smooth texture for a radiant glow.
YUKA 93/100
This luxurious body oil instantly nourishes your skin making it feel silky soft without leaving it greasy. It was given to me as a gift with purchase at Nordstrom and went back the next day to buy a full bottle along with the body butter. I love using them together before bed and especially on my Sunday Reset or Self Care Day. Everything from this brand smells like you’ve stepped into the most high end spa and the ingredients can’t be beat!
YUKA 79/100
Source: Pexels | ROCKETMANN TEAM
Acne Products
Many of us remember the days of hormonal acne and how much fun that was to treat, but for some of us those days are sadly not behind us. And what was worse than pimples? Backne! Don’t feel bad though; it happens to the best of us.
If you work out a lot I’m sure you’ve noticed some clogged pores on your back and chest giving you trouble or maybe small bumps along your arms. Getting rid of body acne can be tough so remember to give the products time to do their job — usually about three months. Here’s some of my favorite products for when I’ve got a flare up but if you’re experiencing severe issues reach out to a dermatologist to discuss what will work best for you.
I’ve been in love with this brand for over 20 years! I love their face wash but when I had some issues with acne on my shoulder and arms I tried out their body wash and saw results FAST!
YUKA 39/100
Made with chemical and physical exfoliators that sweep away dry, rough bumps to reveal healthier looking skin that feels exceptionally smooth. With a 10% AHA additive you can loosen your skin’s top layer and get rid of that annoying “strawberry skin” without agitating the skin.
YUKA 43/100
Accessing the acne on your body is annoying enough, but then you realize you can’t even reach the trouble area. Ugh! More frustration! This treatment doesn’t just help get rid of those pesky spots; it makes them easy to reach and apply so you can simply spray and go.
YUKA 65/100Exfoliators
Incorporating physical and chemical exfoliants to your body care routine is great for removing dead skin, promoting smoother complexion, minimizing breakouts and enhancing the absorption of other products.
Physical exfoliators are ones that use a scrubbing action. Please be kind to your skin and don’t use the heavy sugar scrubs we thought were the greatest thing ever in the early 2000s…they weren’t. The only thing we were more wrong about was St. Ive’s Apricot Scrub.
Chemical exfoliants are going to be your AHA’s and BHA’s that dissolve the dead skin cells. They can be very effective but can also be somewhat irritating and should be done at night.
A weekly physical and chemical exfoliation treatment with AHA/BHA/PHA, Charcoal and Volcanic Pumice to detox and resurface the skin. If it’s not clear by now, Nécessaire is one of my preferred brands and for good reason. It’s got some of the best products, with clean ingredients, well priced and always delivers results!
YUKA 65/100
This creamy, exfoliating body scrub is gentle but strong enough to slough away dead skin, smooth texture and give your skin a brightening refresh using AHA’s, microfine pumice and pomegranate enzymes to renew your skin and all for under $15.
YUKA 100/100
Visibly firm and polish your skin with this all-over body towel packed with Alpha Beta acids, enzymes, bakuchiol, plus glycolic, lactic and salicylic acids — delivering long lasting hydration, fighting ingrown hairs and signs of aging.
YUKA 39/100
Achieve healthy looking skin and enhance cell turnover with this gel-to-milk body polish that combines physical and chemical exfoliants. Supercharged with Undaria seaweed which offers skin and antioxidant protection along with enhancing damage repair, especially for mature skin.
YUKA 93/100Sunscreens
Protecting your skin from the sun is something we’re all aware of but sunscreen products are some of the most damaging of all. We trade the risk of skin cancer for the risk of a different one, hormone imbalances, the list goes on.
Mineral and chemical sunscreens both protect skin from UV radiation, but they do so differently. Mineral sunscreens contain zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which sit on the skin's surface and reflect UV rays. Chemical sunscreens use ingredients like oxybenzone and avobenzone, which absorb UV rays and convert them to heat.
Mineral sunscreens are not only the safer option ingredient wise but are also better for sensitive skin, plus safe for coral reefs.
This all-over 100% mineral sunscreen is perfect for every day use to protect your skin. A high SPF of 50 that keeps you safe, supports your skin’s barrier without making you feel sticky or having to blend the white cast many others leave behind.
YUKA 83/100
A high-defense mineral and physical tinted sunscreen that doubles as a soothing primer designed to blur imperfections, calm irritation and support an outdoor lifestyle. This ultra sheer, weightless and scentless tinted sunscreen is formulated with calming botanicals for a velvety finish and a beautiful blurring effect.
YUKA 93/100
Reapplying sunscreen is the best way to stay protected but who wants to be slathering on coat after coat of sunscreen all day long? This translucent mineral powder allows you to reapply as needed without having to feel sticky and can be applied over makeup. The formula also contains ceramides which we learned earlier is one of our skin’s favorite ingredients. Coverage that protects and gives back to your skin, win win!
YUKA 93/100Hand & Foot Lotions
Last but most certainly not least, hand and foot lotions are a must in your body care routine. My mother always told me that my hands and neck age first and she was right (as mothers usually are). You could have the best skincare routine ever but if you ignore your hands and neck those babies will sell you out for every year you’re worth! Love them well.
I haven’t gone to sleep without applying this hand cream for about 10 years now and it’s made all the difference. I recently went to a new nail salon and the tech thought I was 26 just because of how my hands looked. That right there is enough to make me never skip a night. When a woman that looks at hands all day every day is shocked that you told her you’re in your 30’s you commit to the hand cream.
Sadly, its yuka score isn’t the best but I just can’t break up with it.
YUKA 27/100
I always have one of these in my purse with me and apply randomly throughout the day, especially during winter when the cold is harsh on my skin.
YUKA 50/100
We’re taking care of our bodies from head to toe so make sure you’re not forgetting to show your feet love with this fast absorbing, moisturizing foot cream. Enriched with 100% organic shea butter and free of parabens, phtalates and silicone so you can go to sleep with feet soft as a baby’s bottom and no stress.
YUKA 58/100
Pamper your feet with this coconut foot cream to soothe dry feet with a rich, naturally moisturizing formula. Tough skin won’t stand a chance against this nourishing cream made with coconut oil, soap bark and rosemary leaf extract.
YUKA 56/100Start incorporating some of these products into your body care routine and fall in love with your new and improved skin now!