A Dermatologists’ Guide to Body Skin Care

When it comes to skin care for the body, the possibilities seem endless, with countless products and concerns to consider. To simplify things, I’ve decided to focus on the most common skin issues my patients bring up in my clinic and share my favorite over-the-counter (OTC) product recommendations to help you effectively address each concern.

Rough and Bumpy Skin

If your skin still feels rough despite moisturizing, then it might be time to switch products. Moisturizers containing ammonium lactate, alpha hydroxy acids, salicylic acid, or urea can be very helpful to hydrate while also gently exfoliating the skin. There are numerous products on the market. I often recommend AmLactin, CeraVe SA cream, and SkinCeuticals Body Retexturizing Treatment.

Bruising

We can’t undo the damage that ultraviolet light and time due to our skin. This damage results in thinning of the skin and loss of collagen, thus a loss of cushion around the blood vessels in the skin. This means the skin and the blood vessels break more easily. Often people do not even remember any trauma to the skin, but notice “bruises coming out of nowhere.” There is no miracle cream, but Arnica is an ingredient that can help prevent a bruise. There are several OTC products that contain arnica (DerMend Bruise Formula and Arnicare cream).

Dryness

If you suffer from dry, scaly skin, I recommend following a gentle skin care regimen. Shower only once daily, keep it short, and use lukewarm water. In addition, use a mild soap, such as Dove for Sensitive skin. Within three minutes of the shower, apply a thick, hypoallergenic fragrance-free cream. I really like CeraVe cream, Aveeno Eczema Therapy, and Vanicream Moisturizing Cream, but there are many other great products.

Photoprotection

I strongly recommend treating your non-facial skin with the same care you take for your face; it deserves the same attention! Apply sun protection to all sun exposed areas. In addition, I recommend an antioxidant serum in conjunction with SPF, just as I recommend for the face. It makes sense to use it on all sun exposed areas, especially the neck, chest, and tops of the hands. My favorite antioxidants are SkinCeuticals CE Ferulic and Phloretin CF.

Antiaging/Tightening

Everyone wants a body anti-aging cream to improve loose, sagging skin. Again, there is not a miracle cream out there, but retinols and retinoids are potent anti-aging creams and are the best place to start. There are several OTC products containing retinol; I like DerMend Fragile Skin. Retinoids are a prescription strength version and would require an office visit to discuss. SkinCeuticals has two body products that contain peptides to help improve the skin: Body Tightening Concentrate and Tripeptide- R Neck Repair. This neck product contains both retinol and peptides to pack a powerful punch.

Taking care of your body’s skin is just as important as caring for your face, and with the right products, you can effectively address common concerns. If you have persistent issues or need personalized advice, don’t hesitate to consult with your dermatologist. Call us at 239.732.0044. Your skin will thank you!