How to Achieve Baby-Soft Skin with Body Moisturisers

Beauty / Body Care
MD Alexandra Dorobantu
Dermatologist
On Jun 28th, 2021
Body Glow-Up
Episode 3

Ingredients to look for in your moisturisers and tips on applying them for best results. The third episode of the Body Glow-Up mini-series shares beauty secrets for smooth and hydrated skin.

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If you have read our Skinimalism mini-series and familiarised yourself with how to take care of your face, it is time to learn how to care for your body in the Body Glow-Up mini-series. The perfect self-care ritual doesn't end at your neck. Our body needs as much love and attention as our face. So if you want healthy, glowing skin on your body too, start learning how to exfoliate, what tools to use, and which body treatments can be done at home.

Body Moisturisers

A body routine is not complete without body moisturiser. You will find many types of products, from thick creams to oils, lotions, balms and body butter. So how to choose between all these options, you may ask? Well, keep reading; we've figured it all out for you!

In popular belief, body moisturisers are primarily used to treat dry skin. False! As a dermatologist, I advise everyone to use a body moisturiser to keep a healthy skin barrier and avoid eczema. As seasons change, a good body cream is essential to prevent dryness and sun damage.

Types of Body Moisturisers 

Body Lotions

Body lotions are a lighter version of usual body creams with a non-greasy texture and are absorbed much faster by the skin. It's a mixture that combines water and oils, making it ideal for people with normal or dry skin. In addition, lotions have a higher water content, spreading out quickly and carrying less fatty substance.

You can use a body lotion at any time during the day or night. In addition, they're non-comedogenic, which means they won't clog your pores. Also, adding salicylic acid into the equation will help you a lot if you struggle with body acne. Finally, you can use Green Angel seaweed body lotion with neroli and chamomile because of its luxurious feel and soothing properties. It works great as an after-sun lotion too!

Body Balms

Balms are made with natural ingredients rich in antioxidants and vitamins that moisturise and restore skin smoothness. You can apply the balm to your entire body or to dry areas sparingly. Balms are excellent for dry skin on your feet, elbows, and other hard-to-reach areas.

Body balms are designed to heal and prevent dry, cracked skin while also keeping it supple and hydrated. Use a body balm if you have dry and extremely dry skin, prone to eczema, especially during cold winter months. The body balm will create a protecting barrier for your skin.

Body Butter

When you need intense hydration, use a body butter. Body butter products are excellent for rough skin with scales. Body butters are pretty similar to body balms but are raw, unprocessed, whereas balms or lotions are more refined. In comparison to a cream, a body butter holds less water and spreads harder. I recommend using a body butter at night after taking a shower and apply the product to damp skin to lock in the moisture.

Body Oils

Body oils are suitable for every skin type. They give you a luxurious, spa-like feel and smell amazing. In addition, oils are fantastic for minimising the appearance of stretch marks since they penetrate deeper into the skin. Gently massage every part of your body to soften your skin, relax your muscles, and ease tension.

Green Angel seaweed and argan body oil combines seaweed extract, pure organic essential oils – lavender, geranium and neroli to tone and hydrate your skin. It makes an excellent body-massage oil too! 

What to Look for in a Body Moisturiser?

Ceramides

Ceramides are fatty acids found in the skin that aid in the maintenance of the skin barrier and the retention of moisture and hydration. Ceramides work best as a moisturiser when used just after a shower to seal in additional moisture. Thus, it helps repair the skin's natural defence barrier and keep it healthy. Ceramides go by various names on product labels, including ceramide AP, ceramide EOP, and ceramide NP.

Algae

Algae are my go-to natural ingredient. They are full of nutrients that keep your skin hydrated and nourished. Since ancient times in Asian beauty rituals, algae have been used to boost collagen production, improve blood circulation, fade stretch marks and deeply hydrate the skin. In addition, due to its capacity to prevent enzymes that break down collagen in the skin, algae have excellent anti-ageing properties.

I am in love with the Green Angel Seaweed Body Cream with vitamin E, Jasmine and Ylang Ylang from as it's rich in antioxidants, plant oils and natural extracts that hydrate, restore and repair even the driest skin.  

Natural Extracts

Natural extracts like lavender, chamomile, argan, coconut, shea or neroli are excellent moisturising ingredients that you should be looking for in a body cream. They offer deep hydration to the skin keeping it soft, smooth and supple.

How to Correctly Apply Your Body Moisturiser 

Moisturisers serve a variety of functions in addition to treating and preventing dry skin. There are many dermatological conditions whose treatment depends on the correct use of a body moisturiser. Eczema, atopic dermatitis or xerosis (very dry skin) needs oil or petrolatum-based products, while psoriasis or keratosis pillars (strawberry skin) needs exfoliant agents like urea or salicylic acids. Keep in mind these are severe dermatological conditions that should be diagnosed by a dermatologist.

The best way to apply any body moisturiser is after a shower or bath, directly on damp skin. Gently pat dry with a towel and massage your moisturiser with circular motions. Damp skin will help hydrating compounds penetrate deeper into the epidermis (the outer layer of the skin) while locking in extra hydration. Hello, baby-soft skin!

Body moisturisers are essential in maintaining your skin's hydration and overall health. Moisturising daily prevents excessive dryness or oiliness. Both dryness and oiliness damage the skin and can lead to body acne and other skin conditions. Using a moisturiser will help you conceal any imperfections while protecting the skin barrier. 

See you on our next episode, where we will talk about some at-home treatments for your body. If you would like to know more about how to exfoliate like a pro or which tools to use in your shower routine, check the entire Body Glow-Up mini-series. Check out #DHBodyGlowUp for recommendations and featured products!

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