Taking Care of the Skin Not on Your Face

There is this intense obsession with skincare going on, but this care is mostly directed at the skin on our faces. We know our skin type, which oils to avoid, and why we should pull down when applying products. The skin is the largest organ of the human body and while the face, of course, is probably the most visible and noticed part of our skin, it’s important to remember to take good care of your skin all over.

Here are a few areas of skin often ignored:

Hands

Our hands are probably the most used body parts, which means that the skin on them sees a lot of wear and tear. Furthermore, the skin on the palms is thicker and more resistant compared to the skin on top and each one needs unique care. You should be cleaning your hands with moisturizing soap and for rough palms, they should be regularly exfoliated with a gentle scrub. And just like the skin on your face, collagen and elastin in the skin begin to naturally decrease over time, so you should use products, especially on the top, to maintain the firmness and tightness of the skin. Of course, you should never forget the sunscreen. While we’re talking hands, you should also remember to hydrate your nails!

Neck & Chest

For women in particular, the neck and chest, also called décolleté, are areas that are notorious for showing aging and just like the face, it is usually due to sun damage. The key way to keep this area of your body looking young is to extend your facial skincare routine down to your neck and chest. Also, be aware of the fabrics you wear because wools and various synthetic fabrics can irritate sensitive neck and chest areas. Finally, the skin on your neck and chest is thin, so sun damage is more obvious and harder to reverse. Make sure you wear every day (even if you only plan on being indoors) on your neck and chest to avoid future damage.

Buttocks

It’s rarely discussed, but the skin of your behind needs special care too. Bring the saying “soft as a baby’s bottom” to your own backside by exfoliating the skin on your derrière 2-3 times per week with your favorite body scrub or dry brush. Minimize the appearance of cellulite by using topical products that help restore skin elasticity and firmness. Or get a deep tissue massage (butt included) to help break up that connective tissue and improve circulation for healthy skin everywhere!

Elbows

Even people who take very good care of most of their skin often forget the elbow area in their daily care routines. This is understandable as you rarely notice your own elbows unless you go out of your way to do so. It’s worth noting, though, that smooth and soft elbows can quickly become rough and scaly. The skin over your elbows is there to protect the joint underneath. If you are constantly creating friction on the elbow area (such as leaning on a desk typing), your body responds by thickening the skin in that area to protect the joint. You can help reduce the elbow buildup by exfoliating and moisturizing your elbows regularly. And become more conscious of how you use them. When you catch yourself leaning on a table at lunch, consider sitting back. The less friction on the elbows, the less maintenance will be needed!

Even if you don’t have time for intensive skincare you can still pamper yourself by acing the basics. Good skincare and healthy lifestyle choices can help slow down natural aging and prevent several skin problems.