How to Create a Body Skincare Routine for Healthy Skin, According to Dermatologists

When we think about skincare, we tend to concentrate on our faces. But that seems to be changing in recent years with more people taking an interest in caring for the skin below their necks, too. In fact, according to Pinterest Predicts, a forecasting report from the company that shares emerging trends, the term “body skincare routine” is up 1,025 percent since last year, which is also reflected in the increase of body care products we’ve been seeing as well. If you’re ready to invest in your own body skincare routine but aren’t quite sure where to start, we worked with two board-certified dermatologists to put together a streamlined plan for you ahead.

• Anar Mikailov, MD, FAAD, is a board-certified dermatologist and the co-founder of Skintensive, an award-winning and science-backed skincare brand founded by two Harvard-trained dermatologists including Mikailov. He is also the co-author of the world-famous Fitzpatrick’s Color Atlas and Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology, 9th Edition, a best-selling dermatology textbook. Mikailov is dual-board certified in both Internal Medicine and Dermatology, and he practices medical and consultative dermatology full-time in Rochester, New York.
• Dr. Azadeh Shirazi, MD, is a board-certified dermatologist specializing in medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology. She received her undergraduate and medical degrees from the University of Kentucky College of Medicine. She then went on to do a research fellowship at Harvard Medical School at the Wellman Center for Photomedicine.

“The skin is the largest organ protecting our bodies from harmful microorganisms and environmental stressors by providing a protective layer. It’s important to maintain its health and strength by having a good body care routine,” explains Dr. Shirazi, adding, “Routines, in general, give us structure and stability and if you have one for your face, [it makes sense that you’d want to] extend that onto your body as well.”

Dr. Mikailov agrees. “Good routines lead to good habits,” he says. When applied to your skincare, “Having a consistent routine can help address any existing problems (i.e., body acne) and prevent future problems from arising.”

On that note, some other benefits of having a regular body care routine include:

• Preventing breakouts: If you’re active or prone to breaking out, washing with a cleanser that has ingredients like benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid in it can help keep your skin clear.
• Keeping your skin smooth and soft: Our skin needs moisture everywhere and often. In fact, there are certain areas below the neck—like the elbows, knees and the soles of our feet—that need more supplemental moisture (via lotions, creams or oils), as there are fewer sebaceous glands in these areas.
• Providing sun protection: Our skin needs sun protection everywhere it’s exposed to UV rays to prevent skin cancer and premature signs of aging. Apply a broad spectrum of at least 30 daily and wear UPF clothing and accessories whenever possible for additional protection.

“An ideal skincare routine should be simple and minimal,” says Dr. Mikailov. “When showering, concentrate on cleansing the skin folds (i.e., armpits, groin, buttocks, elbows, behind the knees, under the breasts) and using lukewarm water is much better than hot water, which can strip the skin of its natural oils,” he advises.

Not to worry, we’ll walk you through each step in more detail ahead.