The Ultimate Body Care Routine for Summer
Between languid beach days, picnics in the park, and the many hours clocked at the public pool, we put our bodies through a lot in summer. That’s why it’s more important than ever to establish a body care routine once the warmer months hit.
If you have a tried-and-tested facial skincare routine but find that body care eludes you, we’ve curated five body skincare routine steps that you can easily incorporate into your hygiene habits this summer. Read on for our expert tips.
Why we need body care in summer
You probably have an arsenal of summer skincare essentials for your face, but the skin on your body is often the first part of your self-care routine to fall by the wayside.
While every season poses its own specific set of challenges, summer can usher in a unique set of skin concerns:
- High temperatures and humidity mean increased sweat and oil production.
- More sun and higher UV put us at greater risk of sunburn.
- Dry heat can deplete moisture levels in the skin: leading to dry patches, cracked heels, and a buildup of dead skin cells.
- Swimming in chlorinated water can remove the skin’s natural oils.
5-step summer body care routine
Staying abreast of body care in summer can be the key to unlocking smooth, glowing skin that’s soft to the touch. Start by arming yourself with a collection of cleansing and nourishing body care products, including:
- An exfoliating body scrub
- A body cleanser or wash scrub
- A nourishing, yet lightweight, body moisturiser
- After-care products like anti-perspirant, lip balm and hand cream
- A broad-spectrum sunscreen with a high protection factor
Read on as we guide you through each step of your body care routine for summer.
1. Exfoliate dead skin cells
There are plenty of body care benefits, and chief among them is exfoliation.
Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and unclogs pores. This can reveal softer, smoother and brighter skin – and is particularly important in the summer, when the dry Australian heat makes rough skin a key concern.
The first step of your summer body care routine, then, is to exfoliate in the shower. You can do this with a shower puff (loofa) and a gentle body scrub of your choice. We recommend only exfoliating a couple of times per week, so you don’t disrupt the skin’s natural moisture barrier. If you are sunburnt, simply skip this step to give your skin time to recover.
2. Cleanse your body
In summer, the skin on our bodies can accumulate extra daily grime: including sweat buildup, oil, sunscreen, salt water, chlorine and other external pollutants. So, daily cleansing is an integral part of a body care routine.
While showering, apply the Crème de Corps Smoothing Oil-to-Foam Body Cleanser onto wet skin. This oil-based cleanser transforms into a light, fine foam when applied, gently cleansing the skin of dirt and impurities while leaving the skin supple and nourished. Enriched with castor oil and grapeseed oil (which is high in essential fatty acids and skin-loving antioxidants), this body cleanser is suitable for all skin types.
3. Use a lightweight, hydrating moisturiser
Even though we sweat more in summer, the skin still experiences bouts of dryness. This is due not only to the heat, but is a result of more sun exposure, swimming in pools and saltwater, and continual exposure to fans and air conditioning. Combined, these factors rob the skin of natural moisture – leaving dry, flaky patches in their wake.
Enter moisturiser – your secret weapon for body care for summer.
Given the heat, you’ll probably be most comfortable reaching for a lightweight moisturiser that still delivers intense hydration. We suggest the Ultra Body Mega Moisture Squalane Cream, our squalane and pro-ceramide-infused body moisturiser. With fast absorption and up to three days of hydration, apply post-shower to damp skin to seal in surface moisture – and make this all-over body lotion the perfect addition to your summer body care routine.
4. Follow up with body after-care
Your post-shower routine is just as important for body care in summer. Start with the Superbly Efficient Antiperspirant & Deodorant Cream, a genderless antiperspirant that provides 24-hour protection against sweat and odour while softening the underarms.
Hands and lips are common dry points on the body, but you can top up moisture levels and soften rough patches with a pair of hero products.
Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve is the key to youthful hands thanks to its trio of nourishing oils: avocado, eucalyptus and sesame. Apply liberally to clean hands after showering, washing, or as needed. To comfort dry, chapped lips in summer, our Lip Balm #1 delivers a supportive blend of ingredients including squalane, aloe vera and vitamin E.
5. Always apply SPF before sun exposure
Although you might adjust your summer body care routine based on your skin’s needs, you should always finish with SPF before any sun exposure. Ensure that you reach for a SPF50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen, as this will give you protection from both UVA and UVB rays.
Wait until your skin is fully dry before applying sunscreen, then wait another 20 minutes before sun exposure. This gives your skin ample time to absorb the sunscreen. Be sure, too, to re-apply every two hours or after swimming, sweating, or towel-drying your body.
You’ve mastered your summer body care routine, but how can you keep your skin supple once the weather turns? Explore our tips on how to care for dry skin in winter to find out.
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Crème de Corps Smoothing Oil-to-Foam Body Cleanser
A body cleansing oil that leaves skin smooth and supple.
Ultra Body Mega Moisture Squalane Cream
An ultra-lightweight, nourishing body lotion infused with Squalane and Pro-Ceramides for deep hydration. Its fast-absorbing formula replenishes the skin, delivering long-lasting moisture for up to 3 days.
Superbly Efficient Antiperspirant & Deodorant Cream
A gentle, yet effective unscented deodorant and antiperspirant.
Ultimate Strength Hand Salve
A rich, moisturising hand salve for active, dry hands.
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