#1: Neck

body care

Let’s start with the skin right below our face – the neck. We probably pile on the products for our face, but our neck can sometimes get neglected. This is compounded by the fact that the skin here is very delicate, as it contains fewer oil glands, thus making it more susceptible to dryness, itching and redness.

When applying sunscreen on your face, remember to put some of it on your neck as well. The same goes for your moisturiser – you can use your facial moisturiser, or go for creams made specifically for the neck.

Ensure that your products don’t contain alcohol-based propylene glycol or fragrance, which can cause irritation. If you want to take it to the next level, consider laser procedures that can give you a soft, wrinkle-free neck.

#2: Chest

body care

Let’s move on down to the chest area. This might have never even crossed your mind before, but certain common actions such as sleeping on your side or stomach, wearing sports or push-up bras and collagen breakdown from excessive sun exposure can all lead to lines on your chest.

To tackle this problem, soften the skin on your chest by smoothing on a cream with Vitamin A, which can help reduce wrinkles. To prevent the formation of more lines and wrinkles, apply a moisturiser with SPF every morning, and try to sleep on your back as much as possible.

#3: Elbows and knees

body care

Oftentimes, the skin on our elbows and knees require the most TLC. The main cause of the problem is friction, as the frequent rubbing of clothes on elbows and knees can make the skin around the area dry and leathery.

To solve this, gently use a loofah to exfoliate the dead skin in the shower. After which, use a moisturiser containing softening urea and apply on your elbows and knees.

If the skin around your elbows and knee appear dark (an effect of dead skin), try this DIY solution: take some fresh lime juice or fresh lime wedges, and rub these over the dark or discoloured areas you wish to treat. Leave on for around 20 minutes, then use a towel soaked in hot water to scrub over the area.

#4: Hands

body care

Ah, hands. Apart from our face, our hands probably bear the brunt of the daily toll on our skin. If you think about it, our hands actually get exposed to the sun as much as our face, so it only makes sense to also remember to coat them with SPF before stepping out of the house.

When washing dishes, try to avoid exposing your bare hands to the harsh dishwashing liquid, and don some rubber gloves. Daily moisturising is highly recommended too – after all, don’t you moisturise your face every day?

While you’re at it, also pay attention to your nails. As we get older, our nails can get dry and brittle, leading to peeling and splitting. So, remember to coat them generously with a heavy salve.

#5: Body bumps

body care

Our butt and back are prone to acne – even more so in Singapore, where the hot and humid weather allows sweat and oil to get trapped easily against our skin. A bacteria-killing benzoyl peroxide wash, as well as noncomedogenic creams and lotions are your lifesavers, as the latter don’t clog pores. Also try to wear moisture-wicking natural fabrics as much as possible.

Rough little bumps called keratosis pilaris is another common condition on the tops and backs of our thigs. KP develops when the skin produces too much of a protein called keratin, which can block hair follicles, hence causing bumps. It can make the skin on the legs look rough, uneven and dull.

Luckily, the key to minimizing the appearance of KP is quite simple – exfoliate. Instead of manually exfoliating – which might be too intense for this delicate skin – use a product with BHA or AHA to chemically exfoliate areas with KP for instant smoothness.

#6: Treat yo-self

body care

We frequently go for facials or use masks at home, so why not treat the skin on our body just as luxuriously?

Some DIY ideas include a hot green tea bath, which you can whip up with just hot water and about five tea bags. Green tea is believed to tone and detox, and if you want, add some Epsom salts to fight inflammation and some vitamin E oil if you want to soften skin.

For glowing and healthy-looking skin, tumeric is the star ingredient. It is known for its inflammation-fighting and bacteria-killing properties, making it ideal for managing breakouts. To make a turmeric mask for your whole body, combine equal parts turmeric, honey and full-fat yogurt or coconut oil. Just a warning: this stuff stains, so be careful.

Images: Showbit.com

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