Does Your Body Need Skincare Actives? A Simple 3-Step Body Routine

10 hours ago

3 min read

Most of us spend far more time on the skin of our face than everything below the jaw. Then summer comes round and we notice rough knees, bumpy upper arms, dark marks from old ingrowns and dull, ashy shins.

Your body skin deals with the same things as your face: dryness, congestion, uneven tone and texture. It just gets less attention.

How body skin is different

Skin on the body is generally thicker and has fewer oil glands than the face, especially on the shins and arms. That means it dries out more easily, and it can usually tolerate slightly stronger exfoliation. Friction from clothing, shaving and waxing adds to the mix, which is why bumps and marks are so common.

Which actives help with what

Rough, bumpy texture (including "chicken skin" on the arms): AHAs like glycolic and lactic acid, and BHAs like salicylic acid, help loosen built-up dead skin.
Clogged pores on the back and chest: salicylic acid, because it's oil-soluble and can work inside pores.
Dark marks and uneven tone: azelaic acid, kojic acid, vitamin C, alpha-arbutin and niacinamide.
Dryness and ashiness: humectants like glycerin and hyaluronic acid, plus rich emollients like shea butter and squalane.

The 3-step body routine

Step 1: an active body wash

This is the easiest way to add actives, because you're already in the shower. Choose based on your main concern:

AHA/BHA Smoothing Exfoliating Body Wash for rough texture and bumps. It combines glycolic acid, salicylic acid and alpha-arbutin with niacinamide, panthenol and allantoin.
Brightening Body Wash for dullness and uneven tone, with vitamin C, kojic acid, lactobionic acid and azelaic acid, plus papaya and pineapple enzymes.

Massage it in and let it sit for a minute before rinsing, so the actives have time to work.

Step 2: exfoliate, a couple of times a week

The Exfoliating AHA/BHA Body Scrub combines physical and chemical exfoliation for rough areas like elbows, knees, heels and the backs of arms. Use it once or twice a week, not every day, and skip freshly shaved or broken skin.

Step 3: moisturise straight after

Apply body cream within a few minutes of getting out of the shower, while skin is still slightly damp. The Body Creme combines shea butter, squalane and plant oils with glycerin, sodium hyaluronate, niacinamide and panthenol, so skin feels cushioned rather than greasy.

Don't forget body SPF

If you're working on uneven tone on your arms, chest, legs or back, protect those areas when they're exposed. KEM doesn't make SPF, but La Roche-Posay Anthelios and Beauty of Joseon both offer body formulas that blend in without a heavy cast.

Tips for better results

Be consistent. Body results take a few weeks.
Shave after exfoliating, not before.
Don't use scrubs on sunburn, broken skin or active eczema.
If something stings, use your active body wash every other day.

FAQ

Can I use my face exfoliant on my body? You can, but body products come in larger sizes and are designed for bigger areas.

Will an exfoliating body wash help with ingrown hairs? Regular exfoliation can help prevent them by keeping dead skin from trapping hairs.

Get the full routine

The Body Routine brings all three steps together: your choice of active body wash, the AHA/BHA Body Scrub and The Body Creme, for less than buying them separately. You can also subscribe and save 5%.