Your Expert Guide To Demystifying Body Care
Our skin is our largest - and most visible - organ. Therefore, keeping it happy, hydrated and cleansed is of vital importance to both our physical and mental health.
There is no end of advice on how we should do this. TikTok and television, family and friends are all quick to offer their take - but in a time of information overload, how do we know who to trust and what body care counsel we should follow?
Our founder, Dr Alexis, has applied her 20 years of dermatologic expertise to the most common body care myths, and breaks down fact from fiction below.
Myth: Your Body Doesn’t Need Serious Skincare
With over 90% of our skin below the chin, caring for the skin beyond the face is vitally important. Our precious skin barrier needs the same care all over to stay healthy and happy, as our body's first line of defence against environmental aggressors and water loss.
There are also many common dermatologic challenges that aren’t unique to the face: roughness, dryness, pigmentation, blemishes and loss of elasticity regularly manifest below the chin.
Your body care should incorporate the same levels of hardworking actives, microbiome support, and stress shielders typically associated with the most efficacious facial skincare to truly deliver smooth, soft, supple skin. As we often say at Joonbyrd - why should the face have all the fun?
Finally, I feel self-care doesn’t cease at your collarbone. While our faces are generally more visible day-to-day, how we feel about the skin on our bodies also impacts our confidence. Body confidence builds self-esteem, which creates a foundation for JOYful living.
Myth: Showering Dries Out Your Skin
Whilst there is a kernel of truth in this (daily hot showers and use of non-hydrating soaps can strip the skin), taking a mindful approach to your morning shower will leave your skin soft all day (and is the perfect first step in your daily self-care ritual).
First, it's important that the water is a similar heat to your body temperature. Second, select a body wash with a hydrating formula that won’t strip your skin, and will instead cleanse whilst protecting the skin barrier - leaving your skin ready to absorb the active ingredients from the remainder of your body care routine.
I would suggest seeking out a sulfate-free formula with hydration hits such as vitamin E and hyaluronic acid. Our MOON SWIM Body Wash contains both, along with prebiotic inulin and ashwagandha alongside a signature superfruit blend to gently lift away dirt and impurities and leave skin delightfully balanced and hydrated.
Myth: Hygiene Is All You Need When It Comes To Your Hands
Whilst washing our hands is imperative to protect ourselves and those around us, the harsh cleaning agents in many soaps can strip our skin, leading to drier hands and even cracks and splits, making us even more susceptible to dermatitis and infection.
Make sure you choose a gentle hand wash and follow with a hand treatment or moisturizer that will hydrate, nourish your hands and strengthen your skin barrier. Try to apply the treatment directly after cleansing, ideally every time you wash your hands. Healthy hands are happy hands.
Myth: Exfoliation Negatively Affects Your Skin
Whilst over-exfoliation and using a harsh physical scrub can damage our delicate skin barrier - the right exfoliant at the right intervals keeps our skin looking and feeling healthy.
We need our skin cells to constantly renew to reveal the radiant, new skin cells beneath - but as we age, this process tends to slow. Considered exfoliation once or twice weekly can be key in ensuring swift cell turnover - look out for formulations containing niacinamide, a key component of cell metabolism. Our skin-smoothing, niacinamide-rich chia seed and sugar VIOLET HAZE Body Scrub is a good place to start.
Myth: Skincare Alone Can Save Your Skin
There is no doubt that taking the time to treat your skin with high-grade ingredients - and doing it regularly - supports in healthy, smooth and soft skin. But It is also vital to protect from external aggressors: avoiding too much sun exposure and wearing high-factor SPF, eating healthily (healthy, omega-rich fats and antioxidants are key) and drinking plenty of water will help maintain healthy, happy, JOYful skin.
