Hard-Hitting Body Care Is Trending Big—Here’s What to Know

Treating patients from around the world at his iconic Harley St. clinic, London plastic surgeon Yannis Alexandrides, MD keeps a solid pulse on aesthetic trends. The latest buzz coming from all corners of the globe? A spotlight on body care, which is precisely why his celebrity-adored skincare line, 111SKIN, chose now to launch its first-ever commercial body product.

Topicals for below the neck isn’t the only trend experts are spotting. Fort Lauderdale, FL dermatologist Dr. Matthew Elias says body treatments are currently more popular than ever in his practice, and predicts the wave to continue to rise. This shift, he says, is an expected one: “Body treatments like Coolsculpting, CoolTone, Emsculpt NEO, and radiofrequency microneedling have been trending over the past few years, so now there is a focus by skin-care manufacturers on pairing safe and effective skin-care topicals with these treatments to yield synergistic effects.”

Ahead, a guide to the potent, active-infused topicals filling our beauty aisles.

BODY BASICS

Skin is the body’s largest organ, and Dr. Alexandrides reminds us that its main function is to act as a barrier to the environment and pollutants. But, certain areas of the skin (read: the face, scalp and body) have different sets of requirements needed to thrive.

For example, Dr. Alexandrides says the skin on the body not only requires rehydration, but also its own antioxidants, especially if it’s exposed to the sun. “The skin of the body is thicker than on the face, although there are exceptions to that rule, and it is usually less sensitive than skin on the face and neck. However, it still needs hydration, vitamin A and all of the ingredients to stay healthy.”

Time Table

For maximum efficacy and absorption, Dr. Alexandrides says the best time to apply body-care products is right after taking a bath or shower. “This is when your pores are open, which will allow for better absorption into the skin,” he explains.

01: A 360 Approach

We’ve learned not to neglect the skin on our chest, hands or neck in our daily routines, so why would we abandon our body? This new wave of skin-care launches points back to a bottom line of having a more holistic approach to skin care, says Dr. Alexandrides. “We don’t want to be in a situation where we have kept our face and neck in pristine condition, but our body looks older and dehydrated.”

02: Ingredient Intel

Similar to your facial skin-care routine, the ingredients to look for in your body care will vary depending on your skin’s needs. Generally speaking, “the best products for the body will contain a blend of peptides, antioxidants and caffeine,” says Dr. Elias. While some products will spotlight these ingredients alone, you might catch a name of a proprietary complex instead—NAC Y² in the case of 111SKIN, or SkinMedica’s Firm & Tone Technology—which often bundles hard-hitting ingredients in a balanced, clinically proven manner, explains Dr. Elias.

Took Kit 1 / 5

Multitasking Maven

“Most people don’t have the same amount of time to care for their body as they do their face,” says Dr. Alexandrides of the inspiration behind his debut Celestial Black Diamond Body Cream, which acts as a moisturizing, anti-aging and firming product in one velvety smooth step. ($190)

2 / 5

Polish + Glow

Inspired by Kate Somerville’s number-one facial-care product, ExfoliKate Resurfacing Body Scrub delivers straight-from-the-spa smoothness via a mix of physical, chemical and enzymatic exfoliation. The result: silky-soft, glowing skin from head to toe. ($56)

3 / 5

All-in-One Oil

Packed with glycolic acid, papaya fruit extract and avocado oil, Glytone’s first glycolic-in-oil formula, Resurfacing Body Oil, tackles rough, bumpy texture and follows it up with some serious skin-soothing nourishment. ($56)

4 / 5

Serum Step

Taking cues from the brand’s award-winning Daily Active Toner, Josh Rosebrook Body Acid Serum is infused with aloe vera, hyaluronic acid, glycolic acid and enzymatic papaya. Think of this sinks right-in formula as your ultimate step-one for brighter, smoother skin. ($50)

5 / 5

Cellulite Smoother

Highly active peptides and botanicals combine in SkinMedica’s potent Firm & Tone Lotion, a supercharged formula that Dr. Elias considers a favorite. Designed to tackle cellulite and skin laxity, this expert approved cream offers a smoother, more toned appearance with consistent use. ($165)

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