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Happy Spring! We have officially made it through the winter and now it’s time for some sun and good vibes. The weather is only going to get warmer from here so that means a change in wardrobe. And a change in wardrobe means you have the best excuse to take extra care of your body!
Now I’m not talking about diet and exercise; that is certainly body care, but not exactly my area of expertise. I’m talking about body skincare, which is equally as important. The skin is our body’s biggest organ so that means we have got to take special care of it. Unfortunately, we can’t trade out our skin once it gets unmanageable so we’ve got to love the one we’ve got! (I mean that literally and figuratively 
)
With that said, these are my biggest body care tips and products that have treated me well and I hope will do the same for you. Let’s dive in!
Body Care Tips
Dry Brushing
I had to start this off with one of my favorite body care tips! If you’re looking for softer and smoother skin, then dry brushing will be for you. It’s pretty simple to do too!
- Before you shower, take a body brush and start gently brushing your skin in upward strokes. A good rule of thumb is to move the brush toward the direction of your heart.
- Take a shower to rinse off the dead skin you have loosened up with the brush. Avoid using a harsh washcloth or loofah that may damage the skin.
- Be sure to moisturize your skin thoroughly after your shower to lock in that hydration and keep your skin looking radiant!
Be sure to use a brush specifically made for this to avoid damaging your skin. I am currently using the EcoTools Dry Body Brush.
Cleansing
a.k.a. “taking a shower.” I don’t need to go into why it’s important to clean your body, but I can let you in on a few tips for finding the best cleansing product!
- Look for products without sulfates. These are pretty easy to find on an ingredient label because the term will have the word “sulfate” in it somewhere. Sulfates are harsh cleansers that strip the skin and create lots of suds to trick us into thinking we’re clean.
- Look for products without fragrance. Sorry, but that palm tree sorbet scented shower gel is just a glorified perfume. Find something with natural fragrances or none at all. The goal here is to actually clean our bodies, not to only make it smell good!
- Olive oil, tea tree oil, and shea butter are just some ingredients that are great to look for in body washes.
As for what tool you should use for cleansing your body, that depends on how much exfoliating you do. If you dry brush or use body scrubs a lot, then use something gentle like a soft washcloth or your hands even. If not, then go for a loofah or brush. Remember, over-exfoliating will only do damage to your skin!
I just purchased the Jason Purifying Tea Tree Body Wash and I am absolutely loving it!
Moisturizing
It’s best to moisturize right after taking a shower to lock in all that amazing hydration. The right moisturizer is all up to personal preference, but body butters and thicker creams are great if you have very dry skin, while lighter lotions and oils are perfect for normal, everyday use.
It’s wise to find a product that doesn’t contain harmful ingredients since you will be rubbing this all over your body on a daily basis. EWG’s Skin Deep Cosmetics Database is a great resource to check the toxicity levels of products.
The Body Shop Coconut Body Butter is thick and super-moisturizing, while the Kind & Natured Nourishing Shea & Macadamia Body Lotion is a wonderful everyday option.
Underarm Care
The underarm area is quite a different situation than the rest of the body. The skin has a different texture there and you’re dealing with hair and more active sweat glands. I find that regularly exfoliating this area helps with discoloration and reduces sweating and odor.
Utilize a product containing charcoal to brighten, clear out clogged pores, and detox the area. Use this with a washcloth or brush to exfoliate. I guarantee you will see a difference in how your deodorant works and how much you smell and sweat throughout the day!
The Biore Charcoal Acne Scrub is great for improving the underarm area.
Hands & Feet
Everyday Care
Our hands and feet are some of the most beloved parts of our bodies, so we must take care of them! Always keep a lotion nearby to moisturize them and a nail care kit to handle hangnails or ingrown nails. Don’t let these ailments go without care or else you will be dealing with a much bigger issue down the line!
My DIY Mani/Pedi
If you’re like me and not a big fan of nail salons, then it’s up to us to really care for our hands and feet. I give myself a mini manicure once a week and a pedicure every 2-3 weeks. My process is nothing complicated and something you can totally tackle on your own. Here’s what I do for both my hands and feet:
- I start by removing any excess polish with nail polish remover.
- Then, I trim down my nails to the length that I’m feeling.
- I apply Sally Hansen Instant Cuticle Remover and let it sit while I file and shape my nails. I like to use a crystal file which is gentler than a traditional file.
- Once the cuticle remover has sat for a few minutes, I will push my cuticles back gently with an orange stick. I only trim them if I feel they will get in the way of my nail polish.
- After this, I lightly buff the nail surface to smooth out any unevenness.
- I finish off by applying 2 coats of Orly Nail Strengthener.
I will stop there if I’m too busy or just want to give my nails a break. If not, I will start the polishing process after that!
For more on my nail care routine, check out my top nail care products!
Lip Care
My Favorite Lip Balms
I am very picky about my lip balms! They can’t be too greasy, have too much of a smell or taste, and they have to actually do the job. I have tried them all but these have found their way into my lip balm circulation.
Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Swivel Stick
Fresh Sugar Lip Caramel Hydrating Balm
Exfoliation
This is such an integral part of lipstick application! If you have flaky, dry, or peeling lips, your lipstick will not apply smoothly and will only make your lips look worse as the day goes on.
Although I am a total lipstick lover, I am not really a fan of lip scrubs. They are messy and I have yet to find one that really does the job. Instead, I use a washcloth! Here’s how:
- When I’m fresh out of the shower or ready to apply lipstick, I will take a washcloth and wet one of the corners.
- I gently scrub back and forth focusing on areas that typically get dry.
- Then, I flip the washcloth around to the clean but still wet side to wipe off any excess dead skin.
- I finish it off with a light layer of lip balm that I will rub in with my fingers.
Lipstick Removal
With the array of all-day wear and matte lipstick formulas out there, it can be quite the challenge to get lipstick off at the end of the day! Sometimes a simple makeup wipe or face cleanser just doesn’t do the trick. Here are two products that I love:
- Pacifica Cherry Kisses Hydrating Lipstick Wipes are fantastic. I like to use them when I am taking makeup photos and have to change out different lipsticks. They smell great too!
- Palmer’s Face Cleansing Oil takes off lipstick with one quick swipe, no matter what the formula is. I absolutely love it for everyday use.
For more on lipstick and lip care, check my Quick Guide to Lipstick!
Shaving
My Favorite Razor
For years, I didn’t really pay any mind to the razors I was using. As long as it got the job done, I didn’t really care. But I did find myself having to shave more often with the cheaper razors. That’s when I learned about Harry’s razors!
These are heavy duty, high-quality razors that give me a shave I have never gotten from any other razor before. The best part is that they are way less expensive than other quality razors and are available at Target! Super convenient, right?
Shaving Cream Alternatives
There are a bunch of other products that you can use instead of shaving cream that are better for your skin and less expensive. These come in handy when you’re traveling or simply on a budget!
- Conditioner gives you super soft skin and softens up the hair, which makes for an easier shave.
- Coconut oil has anti-bacterial properties in it that help cleanse the skin and prevent ingrown hairs.
- You can also use a creamy body wash if that works for you too. However, some people find this causes irritation if the soap isn’t conditioning enough.
Post-Shave Products
It doesn’t just stop at a great shave! You have to follow it up with quality products that will keep your skin soft and free of irritation or ingrown hairs.
- Tend Skin is great if you have problems with irritation. It’s basically an after-shave for your body.
- Bio-Oil is perfect for damaged or dry skin. It’s a multi-purpose oil that works wonders on practically any skin ailment.
- Always finish a shave with a good moisturizer to maintain that smoothness!
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If you loved these body care tips, then be sure to check out the rest of the articles in my Quick Guide series! Learn to amp up your lashes, rock your favorite lipstick, wear eye makeup, or achieve your best skin.
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Did you enjoy these body care tips? Let me know your favorites in the comments below!
The post Nicole’s Quick Guide – The Best Body Care Tips & Products appeared first on Glamorously You.
