Body skincare is going to be huge in 2022. Here's what you need to know...
When it comes to our skincare, we expect the most sophisticated formulas and active ingredients and spend hours attending to our skin's every need. So, why do many of us pay so little attention to body skincare?
We know to look out for Vitamin C if our skin is looking a little dull, or to opt for salicylic acid if we're experiencing blocked pores and breakouts and to make a beeline for hyaluronic acid for a hydration fix.
Yet, when it comes to skin below the chin, we ignore it entirely. Our calves could be cracked and screaming for some moisture, and we'll just cover them up with a tracksuit. Our underarms could be itching and red, yet we fail to provide relief, instead choosing to continue applying anti-perspirants we know is causing the irritation.
In 2022, however, this is all going to change. Maybe the extra few minutes in the mornings thanks to working from home for the past two years has let us extend our beauty routines. Or maybe it's just that we want to be as healthy as we can, on the inside and out.
For obvious reasons, there has been a big boom in self care and we're all making more of an effort to look after our mental and physical health. Even the nay-sayers have had to switch stiff-upper lips for some sanity-boosting rituals in order to keep a level head. Taking care of our bodies – and our skin – is step one. Deservedly, too, since innovations in skincare have been rapidly improving in time to meet this invigorated demand. Body care has gone and upped its game, and we're not talking about silkier creams.
“More people seem to be taking the extra time in their routines to take care of their bodies,” says Hope Smith, founder and CEO of new beauty brand MUTHA. “Our consumers are smart, they aren’t only treating wrinkles and pigmentation on their faces. They want the same active ingredients that have been reserved for smaller areas of the face for their bodies.”
Reaping the benefits of skincare science previously reserved for faces, we're discovering the all-over moisture boosting benefits of hyaluronic acid on dusty limbs, the exfoliating power of AHA on rough arms, and retinol's potential as a scar and stretch-mark smoother. Even textures are getting an upgrade, with serum, oil and gel body formulas reminding us that all skin has a right to equal treatment.
“Our bodies carry the weight of the world, yet we often don’t give them what they deserve,” says Hope. “It’s important to treat your body with the same nourishing ingredients and attention to detail as you do your face.” With that in mind, let's take a dip into the burgeoning world of bodycare.
Here are the game-changing body skincare formulas that will best care for the skin on your body...
Ameliorate
Ameliorate Transforming Body Lotion, £14.50, Cult Beauty
Wearing a stamp of dermatologist approval, this science-packed product gets to work on super dry skin, and even helps with ingrown hairs.
Save when you shop for bodycare with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
Nécessaire
Nécessaire The Body Serum, £45, Space NK
Featuring five different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid, this body serum is able to replenish moisture deep down into the skin as well as on the surface. The impressive ingredients don't stop there: it also contains ceramides and niacinamide to help strengthen the skin's barrier.
Save when you shop for bodycare with these Space NK discount codes.
Dr Dennis Gross
Dr Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Exfoliating Body Treatment, £15, Cult Beauty
Following the success of the brand's Alpha Beta Treatment for the face, they launched a full body version and we couldn't be happier about it. The combination of five hydroxy acids – glycolic, lactic, malic, citric and salicylic – gently dissolves the bonds that bind dead cells to the skin, which helps to eliminate body acne as well as leaves it feeling soft and looking bright.
Save when you shop for bodycare with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
REN
REN AHA Smart Renewal Body Serum, £35, LookFantastic
For the softest skin of your life, this incredible serum contains Alpha Hydroxy Acids to tackle dry patches while flooding skin with head-to-toe moisture.
Save when you shop for body skincare with these LookFantastic discount codes.
Sanctuary Spa
Sanctuary Spa Vitamin C Glow Boost Body Serum, £10, Boots
A triple threat, this hydrates, softens and leaves skin looking glowy and healthy. Vitamin C, speeds up cell renewal to brighten dull-looking skin, antioxidant turmeric oil prevents damage from external environmental aggressors (like pollution and central heating), caffeine stimulates circulation and niacinamide offers som cell-repairing action. Add to that a silky-soft, serum-like texture and you’re onto a winner.
Save when you shop for body skincare with these Boots discount codes.
U Beauty
U Beauty The Sculpt, £85, Cult Beauty
U Beauty’s range of clean, vegan, hard-working products and less-is-more ethos has simplified skincare regimes the world over. Recently, the brand launched a body product, which aims to reduce the appearance of dark spots, fine lines and open pores thanks to a blend of AHAs, retinol, peptides and hyaluronic acid, as well as antioxidants and vitamins. The results speak for themselves: after 30 days of use, wrinkles are 77% less visible.
Save when you shop for body skincare with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
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Hyaluronic acid body skincare
The Chemistry Brand Hyaluronic Concentrate, £33, Amazon
What could be greater than hyaluronic acid? A 240ml tub of hyaluronic acid! If this super hydrator doesn’t get your body glowing, nothing will.
CeraVe
CeraVe SA Smoothing Cream, £12, Boots
We all know that when it comes to pimples, salicylic acid is your best friend. Not only does it regulate sebum production to help prevent new pimples from forming, it also exfoliates the skin to unblock pores and dry out existing spots. This full body cream not only contains the impressive ingredients, but it also contains ceramides to protect the skin's natural barrier.
Save when you shop for body skincare with these Boots discount codes.
Body oil
The Chemistry Brand Retin-Oil, £20, Escentual
Soften the appearance of scars, stretch marks and cellulite thanks to this retinol-infused solution.
Paula's Choice
Paula’s Choice Skin Revealing Body Lotion 10% AHA, £31, Skincity
Bumpy arms, beware. This leave-on body treatment is infused with exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids to smooth away the rough stuff.
MUTHA
MUTHA Body Contour Serum, £83, FWD
MUTHA Body Contour Serum is packed with actives, botanical oils, fruit acids and plant derived ingredients. “They are not traditionally found in body care because they cost more,” says founder Hope Smith. “This is made with ingredients clinically proven to stimulate microcirculation by 375% in 75 minutes. I think now more than ever, clinical evidence and results are expected in body care."
Malin + Goetz
Malin + Goetz Vitamin B5 Body Moisturiser, £33, Cult Beauty
With a little help from nourishing provitamin b5 and skin-essential fatty acids, this targeted body lotion delivers deep and long-lasting hydration able to soothe dry and irritated skin fast.
Save when you shop for body skincare with these Cult Beauty discount codes.
