How to take care of the skin of the body to keep it healthy, hydrated and firm

Raise your hand who cares for the skin of the body the same as the skin of the face. To be honest, in Spain it is frankly difficult for us to put the same care in body care as in facial care. Let's say that we are one of those who take care of our bodies when we see the wolf's ears or, what is the same, when in spring we begin to sense summer and we see that we have not done everything we should in terms of body care. We spoke with the dermatologist José Luis Ramírez, from Clínica Dermatológica Internacional, and with the pharmacist Mar Sieira, creator of the cosmetics firm Sarah Becquer, to draw up the definitive roadmap to take care of the skin of the body (almost) as well as that of the expensive. Because as Sieira points out, in this sense we should learn from the French. "Spaniards tend to pay more attention and care to the body seasonally, that is, now that summer is approaching and it's time to show it off, that's when we pay attention and pampering, but as soon as the cold arrives, very few continue to take care of it . We have to learn from our French neighbours, who, from mothers to daughters, transmit from a very young age the importance of taking constant care, day by day, of both the face and the body to prevent aging. We have to get used to taking care of it 365 days a year, just like we do with our faces”. Well that.

The mantras of a healthy shower

Skin care for the body begins in the shower. And that, according to Dr. Ramírez, implies minimizing long baths or showers -"Dehydrated water", he says-; avoiding that the water is at an extreme temperature -neither too cold nor too hot- and trying not to use a sponge. In fact, The fact that we notice more dry skin depending on where we are has an obvious explanation: humidity in the environment and the hardness of the water.

Less soap (and better)

Vivienne Westwood already said it: her best anti-aging secret is not to abuse the body cleansing. And it is that, as confirmed by the expert from the International Dermatological Clinic, it is preferable to use little soap and avoid lathering the whole body daily. It is preferable to soap only the armpits, genitals and feet "since excess soap can alter the lipid layer and cause dryness and irritation," he points out. It is also important to pay attention to the happiness gels that we use, avoiding those with striking odors and opting for pharmacy products that make little foam and have a pH of 5.5.

Gently dry and apply the cream to damp skin

The International Dermatological Clinic expert recommends patting the skin dry (without rubbing) and applying the moisturizing cream when the skin is slightly damp.

Something you should know about fluid creams

We know that fluid and light creams are not lazy to apply, but José Luis Ramírez reminds us that, although the ideal is to choose a product that works for us nice, “the more fluid a cream is, the less moisturizing capacity and less water-retaining capacity it will have”.

Hydration is the basis for firm skin

As much as the sale of anti-cellulite products rises in the spring months, the reality is that the first step to firm, elastic and smooth skin cellulite goes through hydration. "Without a doubt it is the basic pillar of beauty and youth of the skin of the body. Maintaining the body skin in an optimal degree of hydration, provides elasticity to the skin and prevents its aging. If the skin is not elastic, flaccidity accelerates , wrinkles and in some cases even flaking… The good news is that it is very grateful and in a short time, with good ingredients, it can be easily recovered”, explains Mar Sieira.

Cream or oil?

The choice of the type of product we use to hydrate will vary depending on personal taste, but it is important to close ranks when it comes to a somewhat unknown product: body oils. Although we may think that they can be more greasy than a cream, the trend in cosmetics is going in other directions, since most of these body oils tend to have a dry touch that makes their application much easier. In fact, as Sieira explains, these products are very versatile and can be applied to wet and dry skin.

Cream + oil = (super) moisturizing treatment

In fact, Sarah Becquer's expert does not rule out mixing a few drops of oil with moisturizing cream to enhance its effect. “And if the oil formula contains vegetable and essential oils that, in addition to taking care of your body's skin, awaken other senses through aromatherapy, providing you with an invigorating or relaxing effect, it will allow you to enjoy its use even more, helping you to incorporate it. naturally daily to your care routine”, he adds.

Retinol is also for the body

Much has been said about retinol applied to the face, but its benefits go further as there are also body products with this active ingredient. As confirmed by the creator of Sarah Becquer, retinol at the body level is very effective for treating stretch marks, acne marks, sun spots and wrinkles.

Gentle exfoliation

The skin of the body also needs to be exfoliated, especially, as the doctor from the International Dermatology Clinic points out, if you have acne or keratosis pilaris (this type of rough skin which usually affects arms and thighs).

Divine wooden brush

Dry brushing or dry brushing of the skin that a few celebrities have revered so much (Gwyneth Paltrow included) is also another of the recommendations of the pharmacist Mar Sieira. “We recommend dry brushing before showering for its multiple virtues, among which we highlight the activation of circulation, improvement of skin texture and tone, and even cellulite dimpling. In addition, it favors the penetration of active ingredients and treatment oils that are used later."

Retinol for the body

BUY: Sarah Becquer Firming Oil with retinol (€90).

Aloe vera

BUY: body cream with pure aloe vera from organic farming, from Atlantia (€12.40).

Exfoliate and hydrate

BUY: Rituals The Ritual of Mehr Body Scrub (€14.90).

Detox oil

BUY: Diamond Well-Living Detox Dry Oil, by Natura Bissé (€59).

A best-seller

BUY: Clarins Baume Corps Super Hydratant (€49).

Objective: nutrition

BUY: Gisèle Denis Intense Nutrition Body Lotion (€10.70).

Balm

BUY: Body butter with vanilla and thyme, from Mokosh (€34).