Most of us have a daily skincare routine of sorts, addressing very specific requirements with eye cream, serum, moisturiser, primer, and so on, but how much attention do you pay to the specific needs of the much larger area of skin on your body? Body lotion, hand cream, maybe a drop of cuticle oil if you’re feeling virtuous? It’s something we’re all guilty of neglecting, meaning that most of us greet Summer limbs with a sense of doom. (dramatic, much?)
An increasing number of skincare companies are creating products designed to give bodies as much tlc as our faces - and the good news is, some of them work! I’ve picked four favourites to share with you today…
HealGel Body £39.50 here
The latest launch from a skincare brand I trust implicitly, this is not one for slathering over your body on a daily basis (unless you’re minted), but is brilliant for treating areas of agitated skin in need of soothing. Its cooling, gel-like texture sinks in quickly to calm and nourish, without stickiness. I’m a fan of the entire range and have been using the original HealGel Intensive formula to minimise the scarring effects of my little boy’s recent bout of chicken pox - and do think it’s reducing the redness.
Mio Skin Tight, £35 here (free delivery)
Mio isn’t a new brand, but is new to me, and I’ve been using Skin Tight tightening body serum on specific areas I’d like to be, err… tighter for just over a month. I recently noticed that the sun damaged skin on my décolleté was looking smoother than usual - and was perplexed as to why, until I realised it must be this. I’m as cynical as the next person when it comes to this kind of thing, so positive results tend to take me unawares, but I haven’t used any other new products in this area and the difference was marked. Mio uses facial peel technology and intense moisturisation to plump and tone skin on the body, from tummies to knees! Just like a facial serum, this can be used as a base treatment under body lotion and I do find that I still needed a moisturising body product on top… Rituals Honey Touch is my current go to as it’s so rich and moisturising.
Sanctuary Spa 7 Day Moisture Miracle Oil Balm, £7.50 here
This little tube of intense moisture is great for on the go… I tend to keep it in my handbag as it’s pretty dinky and I much prefer balms in tubes than pots. It’s great for everything from dry elbows and ankles to an intensely moisturising hand treatment and smells similar to the rest of the Sanctuary Spa range - warm and comforting.
Aromatherapy Associates Final Finish Body Serum, £48 here (free delivery)
This body serum from Aromatherapy Associates is part of a collaboration with fashion designer, Roland Mouret. Definitely an indulgent body treatment, it’s perfect for adding an extra glow to skin on special occasions or accentuating tan on sunny holiday evenings. The opaque glass bottle contains a moisturising body serum shot with light reflecting gold particles, which add a sophisticated sheen to skin. Like all Aromatherapy Associates products, this smells divine, thanks to jasmine, neroli, soothing vetivert, balancing geranium and ylang ylang, with hints of rose, vanilla and tuberose. Lovely swept across the décolleté and shoulders or along shins to catch the light.
Do you pay the skin on your body as much attention as you do your face?
ps you can find 3 of these products (all except Sanctuary) at Space NK, which is currently offering free UK delivery here.
