Usually, the skin of the body receives less care than the face. Taking care of it is not as comprehensive, and we devote much less time to it. However, the body also needs care. We talked with Natalya Bolshenko, Ph.D., dermatovenerologist at Central Medical Clinic CMD, about how to properly care for the skin of the body and the mistakes we all make.
Natalia Bolchenko
The skin is the largest organ in humans, its total area is about two square meters, and its weight, together with subcutaneous fat, accounts for 15-20% of the total body weight.
The skin protects the person from physical, chemical, mechanical, thermal and other negative factors (viruses, bacteria, fungi, etc.). Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin and nitrogen metabolism products, salts and lactic acid are released through the skin with sweat.
The condition of the skin is related to hygiene, living conditions, nutrition and the general condition of the human body.
Frequent washing
The habit of taking a shower frequently can lead to dryness, flaking, irritation and cracking of the skin. Therefore, according to Natalya Bolshenko, it is better to wash the whole body no more than 2-3 times a week or once every 2-3 days. In intimate places, things are different – they need to be washed 1-2 times a day.
However, this advice does not apply to everyone. Athletes, those who work in dusty, dirty environments or those who live in hot climates need a daily shower. In that case, it is better to choose products that do not contain aggressive ingredients.
Constantly changing skin care products
It is better to change body skin care products once a season, for example, choose lighter ones in the summer and thicker and softening ones in the winter.
If you change cosmetics every day, an allergic reaction may occur. To understand whether a product is suitable, it should be used for at least 2-4 weeks, excluding products that immediately cause adverse reactions (discomfort, itching, burning, the appearance of allergic rashes) – they are immediately discontinued if irritation occurs.
Washing with very hot water
The most comfortable and healthy water temperature for washing the body is 36-38 degrees. It is possible to raise the temperature to 39 degrees for a while to warm up, but you should not abuse it – in hot water above 40 degrees, the pores expand, more moisture is released from the skin, and the skin begins to dry.
In hot weather, you can take a cool shower by lowering the water temperature to 20 degrees. More sudden changes in temperature (more than 40 degrees and less than 20 degrees) can harm not only the skin, but also the general condition of the body due to sharp expansion or narrowing of blood vessels and pressure changes.
Squeezing blackheads
Squeezing acne on the body is no better than on the face. This leads to injury to the skin and can lead to infection, prolonged healing, the appearance of subcutaneous infiltrates, scars and post-acne.
Frequent use of scrubs or peelings
It is enough to use peeling products 1-2 times a week for normal or oily skin, and once a week or less often for dry and sensitive skin. After such procedures, it is recommended to apply a nourishing or moisturizing cream to the skin to avoid irritation. And in the summer, it is better to exfoliate less than in the cold season, to avoid increased sensitivity to sunlight.
Using alcohol lotion
Alcohol products not only disinfect the skin, but also destroy the normal microflora, so it is best to use them only if indicated and under the supervision of a dermatologist. Remember, the more you dry your skin with alcohol, the more active the sebaceous glands become and the more oily it becomes.
Choosing cosmetics without taking into account skin type
Using skin care products without considering your skin type can cause or worsen existing problems. For dry skinprone to peeling, with a neutral pH of 5.5 (close to the physiological norm), we can recommend moisturizing products with urea, hyaluronic acid and natural oils. For oily skin – Contains sebum-regulating and mattifying ingredients (lactic, oleanolic, salicylic, glycolic acid, allantoin) that help reduce sebum production. For sensitive skin – with panthenol and natural oils. For skin with age-related changes – with peptides that stimulate the synthesis of collagen and elastin, retinol.
Using laundry soap
Using alkaline soap when caring for body skin damages the lipid (protein-fat) barrier, creating suitable conditions for the growth of bacteria that cause acne.
Avoiding showering after exercise
This can lead to the accumulation of dirt and dust particles, clogging of pores, accumulation of sweat products, increased secretion of sebaceous glands, which can become a breeding ground for pathogenic bacteria and the formation of acne, folliculitis and pityriasis versicolor.
Shaving against hair growth
This habit causes injury to the skin and can lead to damage to hair follicles and ingrown hairs.
Source: People Talk
I’m Roger Gritton, and I’ve been writing for the The Fashion Vibes for over 5 years now. My specialty is beauty news; I’m passionate about covering the latest trends, products, and innovations in the industry. In my time there, I’ve become known as an authority on all things beauty-related.
I love discovering new experts to interview, researching up-and-coming ingredients and techniques that are making their way onto our beauty shelves and highlighting people who are making a difference in the world of cosmetics. My work has appeared not only on The Fashion Vibes, but also several other publications including the New York Times Magazine, Allure Magazine and Refinery29.
