The Whole-Body Skincare Routine You Need This Spring
All winter long, our arms and legs hide beneath the hems of our jeans and our sweater sleeves…are they ready to make their warm-weather debut?
You’re probably aware that bikini season is quickly defrosting—maybe you’re back at the gym to get those arms toned and sundress-ready or you’ve been planning when to snag that first tan of the season. But have you been thinking about your skin?
Societally, we’ve been influenced to spend hours keeping our faces smooth, soft, and free of offending spots and lines…but this special treatment typically ends at the neck. This year, as the sun begins to shine and we shake off winter’s dust, let’s give our entire body the hydration it deserves to help it glow all through the summer and beyond.
Bye-Bye, Dry!
We often associate summertime with dry skin—long days at the pool or beach expose our bodies to drying agents like saltwater and chlorine, and the sun’s aggressive rays can cause us to crisp up, too. But did you know scientists consider winter to be the most dermatologically destructive season?
From cold, dry air outside to excessive heating habits within, winter weather is harsh and damaging for not only our complexion but also the skin on our arms and legs. If you’re prone to eczema, keratosis pilaris, or other conditions triggered by dry skin, you might not be feeling your silky smoothest. But, even though there isn’t a long-term cure for these conditions, there are plenty of skin-saving serums and lotions which can help you find relief.
Colloquially known as “chicken skin”, keratosis pilaris got its name for good reason—an excess of keratin in the skin can cause buildup in hair follicles, leading to a bumpy texture reminiscent of ingrown hairs in key areas such as arms, thighs, and…um…derrière. Not a beachy-keen look! For help smoothing your skin and coaxing out those ingrown hairs, we recommend Peach & Lily’s two-step scrub and lotion regime or this 10% lactic acid body serum from Farmhouse Fresh.
Alternatively, eczema manifests primarily as a chronic itch—one which, if scratched, can lead to inflammation, flakiness, and even oozing or scaliness…skin styles which are decidedly out this season. If you’re looking for targeted Eczema relief, this list of Good Housekeeping’s top ten faves can’t be missed.
Farewell, Flakes!
Even if you don’t suffer from a specific skin condition caused by dryness, your skin could likely still use a hydrating boost to help slough off that extra layer of dead skin. Start your everything showers with a liberal dry-brushing, and consider buying exfoliating shower gloves to use while washing your body.
If you’re after a few new products, French company Panier des Sens offers a three-step, honey-scented hydration ritual including luxe “shower nectar” as well as rich body scrubs and lotions to wake up tired skin. It’s perfect for a splurge!
Want a whole-body skincare routine tailored specifically for your needs? Farmhouse Fresh has everything you need to create your own body-moisturizing bundle.
We suggest starting with one of their creamy shea butter bar soaps (try their vanilla-and-cream Whoopie! Cream flavor or their more herbaceous Fluffy Bunny for a springtime scent) before exfoliating with one of their richly scented body scrubs—we’re especially big fans of their whipped shea butter polishes, and their caramel-and-coffee blend will help your skin wake up right in time for spring!
Fresh out of the shower, first slather your skin in one of their healing body mousses (our favorite is cake-scented Swooned Moon Dip®) and let it soak in before applying a sheer layer of body oil. While it may seem counterintuitive to apply first lotion then oil, using body oil at the end of your body treatment helps lock in moisture and keep your skin hydrated all day long.
Lotion then oil is the secret to softer, silkier skin this spring and summer!
Close Shave
If you’ve ever suffered a post-shave itch, then you know how the friction of metal blades against your skin can aggravate dry skin or cause razor burn—but it doesn’t have to be this way. Your skin can stay silky smooth before, during, and after your shave with the help of just a few key products.
First, lather up with Tree Hut’s vanilla-scented shave oil to prime your legs with ready-to-glide smoothness that lasts through both shower and shave. Then, use a pre-moisturized razor like this one from Venus to keep blade burns at bay. Once you’ve dried off, liberally apply an after-shave oil from Truly (we’re still drooling over their Glazed Donut scent) to keep ingrown hairs at bay.
If you use a facial dermaplaner to remove peach fuzz and dry skin but struggle with nicks, scuffs, or ingrown hairs, try the baby powder hack before you shave—cover your face in a fine layer of powder before breaking out your blade. Not only does it help your razor better grip baby hairs and dead skin, but it also provides a visual reference for which areas you’ve shaved and those which still need attention. (It’s also in-house proven to dramatically reduce cuts and nicks.) Our editors swear by it!
Head…
Struggling with a dry scalp or dull hair? There are plenty of things you can do to rejuvenate your haircare regime besides switching shampoo and conditioner. For starters, get an inexpensive scalp massager to use in the shower—activating the nerves in your scalp and keeping the blood flowing is instrumental in helping you grow healthy hair…and your skin will appreciate the exfoliation, too! As the weather warms up, try to cool down the water temperature in your shower—for the final minute, turn the faucet as cold as it will go and rinse your hair with icy-cold water for extra shine!
If dullness or lankness is bringing you down, don’t underestimate the power of a quick spring trim—even a quarter inch off your tips can be enough to vanquish split ends and give your hair a fresh bounce. For an extra boost to your next blowout, try this leave-in conditioner from Sutra. A little daub goes a long way toward adding extra moisture, bounce, and shine to even the driest locks, and it also protects against high levels of heat, leaving you no excuse for not breaking out your favorite hot tools!
…To Toes!
If your feet are feeling cranky and crackly after a winter spent shoved into booties and boots, let Farmhouse Fresh come to your rescue once again with their Pedi Delight footcare sampler. Complete with a foot scrub, hydrating honey-infused heel glaze, and milky lotion, it’s the perfect way to bring a bit of polish to your toes in time for sandal season!
Also, don’t underestimate the power of your go-to lotion and a pair of old socks—slather your feet before bed, slip on the socks, and awaken with the silky-smooth feet of your dreams. It’s a classic trick for a reason…because it really works!
Cream of the Crop
Super-smooth and magnificently moisturized skin isn’t complete without a yummy hand cream or lip product. To keep some of your most sensitive skin areas feeling fine this spring and summer, adopt a new nighttime routine. Keep a luxe-scented tube of hand cream and a lip mask by your bedside and apply both products just before bed. Not only will you drift off into some of the sweetest dreams ever, but you’ll also awake feeling hydrated for the day ahead!
Looking to try something new? With notes of powder, fresh cream, and licorice, Farmhouse Fresh’s “Pink Moon” shea butter hand cream doesn’t just sound pink—it smells pink! It’s a dreamy scent that will have you counting sheep in no time, and your purchase goes to save a few lambs, too, thanks to the company’s animal rehabilitation initiative.
If your lips need a bit of extra love, look no further than Laneige. This Korean skincare brand’s lip masks are ultra-rich and hydrating, and they come in a variety of tantalizing flavors, from iced tea to gummy bear!
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