We’re all guilty of it; an extensive skincare routine for the face and a "quick rinse and go" for everything below the neck.

But here’s the truth your aesthetician wants you to know: your skin doesn’t stop at your jawline.

In-clinic, we see the same body care concerns - think breakouts, dehydration, and sun damage - that we treat on the face, yet the body is often an afterthought. It’s high time we bridge the gap and prioritise our body care.

From targeted active ingredients to ritualistic moisture, here is how to build a body care routine that delivers a head-to-toe glow.

Your body wash is important. 

If you’re using something super stripping or overly fragranced, it likely won’t make your skin feel great. Especially if you have eczema or sensitive skin. Find a body wash with gentle surfactants and barrier supporting ingredients that way you can use it all year around. 

Try: La Roche-Posay Lipikar Huile Lavante AP+ Cleansing Oil- great for the whole family and fragrance free or Bioderma Atoderm Ultra-Nourishing Cleansing Shower Oil 1L- a little luxury for your shower and will leave your entire body so soft and smooth

Summer sweat + sunscreen + fake tan = congestion, but exfoliating every day with a scrub isn’t the answer.

Your best approach is to start slowly with a gentle body exfoliant and work your way up. For example, if you're breakout prone, rotating in a salicylic or glycolic acid based wash a few times a week will tend to keep congestion in check.

And if you really love a scrub, they’re not bad. You just have to be mindful they’re not for every skin (rosacea, eczema or sensitive skin avoid) and be strategic with their use or try using an exfoliating moisturiser. Just be careful not to overdo it! 

Try: Medik8 Smooth Body Exfoliating Kit - easy duo for anyone who’s a little lazy with their body. Keep the scrub in the shower and use the lotion post a wash a few times a week. PCA Skin Body Therapy 206.5ml - is also a great moisturiser formulated with lactic acid that will suit many skins. Feels hydrating,  while helps to get rid of bumps and uneven skin texture.

The best part of the modern beauty boom? The "skinification" of body care. If you’re dealing with body acne, chest congestion, or "bacne," the solution is simpler than you think: treat your body like your face.

Reach for targeted, active ingredients post-shower to do the heavy lifting. Salicylic acid is your go-to for clearing pores, while niacinamide and retinol work wonders for calming irritation and smoothing texture.

And a word to the fitness-obsessed: don't linger in your activewear. That "gym-to-brunch" look is a fast track to clogged pores; getting out of damp, tight clothes is the easiest way to keep your skin clear and happy.

Try: Alpha-H Retinol Reboot Exfoliating Body Treatment 120ml- this is a lightweight body moisturiser with retinol, glycolic and lactic acid. A little goes a long way, but it is very effective at smoothing/softening the skin and keeping it healthy!


I know, no one wants  to moisturise in summer. But dehydrated skin actually gets rougher, duller, and more irritated without hydration so you just need to find a moisturising cream to suit your skin. In summer you might prefer a lightweight lotion with ingredients like ceramides, glycerin or urea to help hydrate and moisturise the skin. I always recommend applying on slightly damp skin to help lock in hydration. Try: Cetaphil Moisturising Lotion 237mL- this is such a slept on body cream. Budget friendly, can be used on the whole family and formulated with niacinamide, panthenol and glycerin so it will soothe the skin on your body as it moisturises. 

Don’t forget your sunscreen! In fact, if you hate the moisturising step above, often I just use a sunscreen as a moisturiser in the heat and call it a day.

It’s so important all year around but especially when the UV index is high. Just remember to apply everywhere as there are so many areas that people forget. Wherever your skin is exposed… it needs to go. Think neck, chest, arms, shoulders, backs of hands, you might not have sun damage there, but that’s where sun damage (ie. pigmentation/textural changes/collagen loss) shows first.

Try: Ultra Violette Extreme Screen Hydrating Hand & Body SKINSCREEN SPF50+ 150ml - my 4 kids love this SPF. It sinks in quickly, isn’t greasy and leaves you with a nice glow. Such a great body sunscreen!

Even if you’ve been diligent with your SPF, UV exposure leaves the skin barrier vulnerable. This is the time to bench your AHAs and Retinols and reach for soothing antioxidants instead. Think of it as damage control: intense hydration and reparative balms are your best bet for a fast recovery and a healthy, hydrated finish.