Interest in skincare has been skyrocketing in recent years, especially during the peak pandemic years. But with the proliferation of so many skincare brands, celebrity-driven or otherwise, the market does feel over-saturated with too many brands and similar products at the moment. That may be a reason why brands are increasingly turning their focus towards a less crowded hinterland: products aimed at the neck and southwards.
One could be cynical and wave it off as brands finding new ways to market products but with growing interest comes growing awareness of how to improve one’s skin health – not just for the face but all over.
Exhibit A: Take how one Twitter post by Dr Avi Bitterman, a dermatologist in New York, showcasing an elderly woman with drastic differences in the state of her facial skin and neck (where she’d neglected to apply sunscreen for 40 years) went viral last Sep. Users on the platform have since reshared the post more than 30,000 times, mostly as a grim reminder that all exposed parts of the body need protection from the sun too (and not just the face).
Suffice to say, that while body care has traditionally felt like an afterthought, the products below showcase the increasingly sophisticated formulas of newer entrants that go beyond basic moisturisation.
The unberable heat and high humidity in Singapore can easily cause your skin to flare up. That being said, Cetaphil's Pro AD Derma Repair Cream makes for the perfect remedy for instant itch relief. Suitable for sensitive skin, newborns and even for those who have frequent skin flare ups, this cream instantly soothes inflammation and itching. It's formulated with Ad-Resyl, which helps to not only reduce inflammation, but also enhance skin hydration and restore balance in the skin microbiome. Oh, and did we mention, it also absorbs quickly into the skin so it won't feel greasy after application.
This luxurious hand cream is a cult favourite at Chanel, so much so that it’s racked up 3.7 million views on TikTok and counting. We completely get it; who wouldn’t go gaga over its cute egg shape? But beyond the packaging, the hand cream contains two unique ingredients: floral wax of May rose, which is grown exclusively by Chanel in Grasse, which reportedly smoothens and softens the skin, forming a protective layer that locks in moisture, as well as Iris pallida extract, which is said to have brightening properties.
She’s best-known for her hyaluronic acid serums and now, the German aesthetic doctor’s namesake line has expanded to include a body serum too. It’s packed with a complex of Lima bean, peptides and bioflavonoids to counter stretch marks, while hyaluronic acid and brown algae extract help in immediate hydration and skin elasticity. There are also antioxidants such as glutathione and purslane to help protect skin from external aggressors.
Everyone’s been getting on the retinoid train over the past couple of years but so far, body products incorporating this excellent anti-ageing ingredient have not yet hit critical mass, though we predict it’s only a matter of time before it does. One of the most reliable body creams with retinol is Paula’s Choice version, which contains 0.1% retinol (a pretty substantial concentration), as well as potent antioxidants (vitamins C and E) and moisturising butters and plant oils to help nourish your skin.
For those who see their showers as a time to unwind, you may want to consider Japanese-influenced skincare label Tatcha’s new Forest Awakening body wash. It’s inspired by the Japanese practice known as shinrin-yoku (which translates to forest bathing) and comes packed with hinoki wood essential oils, which supposedly has the ability to uplift one’s mood and relieve stress.
As we’ve learnt from the example of this elderly lady, you need to be applying sunscreen to not only the face but any exposed parts of the body as well, and to do so adequately, you’ll need a lot of sunscreen. This gigantic tub of sunscreen by the American specialist Supergoop! will practically last you and the entire family – but if you need something portable, it comes in various sizes (30ml, 71ml and 162ml).
At SPF 50 and a rating of PA++++, this face and body sunscreen looks to give high protection against UVA and UVB rays. It’s also been formulated to be water- and sweat-resistant for an impressive 80 minutes; perfect for days where you have to be outdoors for an extended period of time.
KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub With 10% AHA, $50, First Aid Beauty from Sephora
If you suffer from keratosis pilaris (a common condition where there are tiny, rough-feeling bumps on the skin) or simply want smoother skin, this gentle scrub is a great option. The key ingredient is a potent 10 per cent blend of two AHA (alpha-hydroxy acid) powerhouses: glycolic and lactic acids, which are both fantastic at exfoliating the skin, temporarily brightening and significantly increasing the skin’s hydration. This scrub also contains pumice beads to further up its exfoliating game, though do note that it’s not designed to be used on the face.
For all the folks with ultra-dry, itchy or sensitive skin out there, look no further. This heavy-duty moisturiser by French pharmacy label La Roche-Posay focuses on balancing the skin’s microbiome (the ecosystem of microbes living on your skin), using an exclusive technology consisting of probiotics Aqua Posae and Microresyl to limit the multiplication and persistence of the bacteria associated with skin conditions like eczema. This fragrance-free formula is also fortified with nourishing shea butter and skin-strengthening niacinamide to help restore the skin barrier, and is reportedly so effective that it can be used even on babies.
Bacne (back acne) is a common enough problem but it’s also a notoriously difficult spot to address. This nifty design by Naturium, the label by OG skincare influencer Susan Yara, nips that hard-to-reach problem with its spray format. The formula comes with encapsulated, time-released salicylic acid (aka probably the best ingredient to address clogged pores and acne) that provides gentle topical exfoliation to help clear clogged pores and smooth skin without the usual dryness or irritation that sometimes comes with overuse of salicylic acid.
This article was originally published in Female.