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Must-Have Performance-Based Skincare For The Aging Body

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If you’ve crested a certain age, you know firsthand the tell tale signs of aging skin—sun damage, crepey skin, hyperpigmentation, and loss of firmness (to name a few). Most of us take diligent care of the skin on our faces. But, do you have a body care routine that addresses these issues?  

 “Many of the signs of aging can be prevented through good skin care,” explains Board Certified Dermatologist, Dr. Joyce Imahiyerobo-Ip, MD. “Like the face, signs of sun damage on the body include hyperpigmentation, sun spots, and the proliferation of unwanted blood vessels. Additionally, the body shows loss of elasticity and moisture in the skin through the appearance of crepey skin around the arms and knees, stretch marks, and wrinkles.”

“It all starts with prevention,” states Board Certified Dermatologist, Dr. Dendy Engelman. “Everyone should have a proper body care regimen, most importantly to guard against cancer causing UV/UB rays.”

But, when it comes to our body, we often neglect it because it is often concealed. “We see our face every day in the mirror and use it to convey who we are throughout the day. However, our body can also be a sign of aging,” continues Engelman. “The good news is that body care does require maintenance, but not as vigorous. Most body care regimens consist of proper cleansing, moisturizer and occasional treatments. “ 

When it comes to darker skin tones, Board Certified Dermatologist, Dr. Naissan O. Wesley, MD, FACMS tells me, “I would be mindful of staying away from products that can be overly drying, like harsh soaps, as these can lead to dry skin and particularly ‘ashy dermatosis’.” The skin on our bodies also varies from the skin on our face.  So what’s good for our face may not be right for our body and vice versa.

Wesley explains, “Skin cells on the face have a faster turnover rate. Due to the thicker skin and slower skin cell turnover rate on the body, spots on the body, such as dark marks from leftover acne, often take longer to heal or fade than on the face. Because we produce more natural oils on our face, we don't need as heavy creams to moisturize the face, which can sometimes clog pores leading to acne or even tiny cysts called milia especially around the eyes.”

Exfoliation whether it is manual or chemical, is definitely part of the healthy skin equation. Chemical exfoliation can be helpful for those who suffer from acne or the resulting dark spots, while manual exfoliation can be helpful at removing buildup in both summer and winter months. 

“Manual exfoliation is a nice option, however, on a regular basis in those with normal skin,” continues Wesley. “Manual exfoliation is better to avoid with active acne as it can irritate existing acne lesions and make them more inflamed. Chemical exfoliation is beneficial in those with sun spots and pre-skin cancer spots, called actinic keratosis, but should best be avoided before going in the sun, as one could potentially sunburn more easily.” 

If you have come to the realization that you need to up your body care routine and have no idea where to begin. Don’t worry. I’ve rounded up what’s in my current arsenal by category to combat these issues and help prevent them in the first place.


Firming Moisturizers:

ALASTIN TransFORM Body Treatment

TransFORM Body Treatment is a first-of-its-kind treatment lotion to help take hot and cold fat reduction to the next level. It can also be used as a post-procedure topical treatment after body tightening procedures. I use TransFORM Body Treatment after I use my Silkn’ Silhouette Body Contouring Device at home to add even further benefit.

“Patients are looking for ways to enhance the results from non-invasive body sculpting or volume reducing procedures,” says Dr. Amy B. Lewis, Cosmetic Dermatologist in New York City.Lewis continues, “TransFORM has revolutionary enzymes to aid in clearing residual broken-down fat debris in the treated area, and also helps recondition crepey loose skin by supporting new collagen and elastin production. Patients continue to use it long term to maintain improved skin texture.”

This unique formula utilizes a patent pending LipoDRONE TM Delivery System to target the fat layers of the skin to help accelerate the body’s natural removal process of post-procedure fat debris.I love thetightening results I get on the back of my arms and my inner thighs—two places that have gotten harder to get firm as I have gotten older. 

Arbonne RE9 Advanced Firming Body Cream #841

I was unfamiliar with Arbonne as a brand. But, a friend introduced me to their RE9 line and I am thrilled with the results. The RE9 Advanced Firming Body Cream kills two birds with one stone—moisture and firming and is loaded with vitamin C for brightening, peptides for firmness and tone, red algae for moisture and firmness, and caffeine, an antioxidant that keeps the skin looking great while improving circulation. This rich cream deeply nourishes the skin and helps smooth out dimpling giving it a more youthful appearance and will be a staple especially in the upcoming winter months.

Dr. Barbara Sturm Anti-Aging Body Cream

I just started using Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Anti-Aging Body Cream and I am in love with this rich formula, which is non-toxic. “This cream took me a long time to formulate and it is a beautiful product that I use every day,” Sturm tells me.

“The cream contains Grapeseed Oil, a light and easily absorbed oil high in Linoleic Acid, which has anti-oxidative and pore refining attributes. Extracts of White Almond seals moistures, while Elderberry Blossom rich in Anthocyanin has skin soothing properties –all combined to fortify the skin matrix and health. Cuckoo Flower Oil is packed with skin-boosting minerals, while anti-aging powerhouse Purslane is a potent anti–oxidative ingredient that also reduces the visible signs of irritation,” continues Sturm.    

Sturm, who’s skincare philosophy is based on three principals: avoiding inflammation and inflammatory triggers, deeply hydrating and nourishing the skin; and promoting a healthy skin barrier function adds, “Applying performance-based, ingredient science to your skin should begin at birth. But it is also never too late to heal, nourish and hydrate your skin, and help it to function and appear at its best.”

Omorovicza Body Cream

As a brand, Omorovicza’s uniqueness lies in their mission to capture the curative properties of Budapest’s healing waters in skincare. “Our Healing Concentrate™ is a patented ingredient that is a unique feature in all Omorovicza products, enabling the absorption of the potent minerals found in these healing waters, deep into the epidermis. The result is firmer, suppler, more youthful-looking skin,” explains Co-founders Stephen and Margaret de Heinrich de Omorovicza.

Using Omorovicza’s Body Cream totally makes you feel like you are at a spa. The smell is subtle, yet enticing and my skin feels immediately pampered every time I apply it. 


Resurfacing Lotions + Treatments:

Arbonne RE9 Advanced Retexturizing Serum in Lotion

In general, my skin has a tendency to not exfoliate well on its own. So, I love Arbonne’s RE9 Retexturizing Serum in Lotion, which helps speed up my exfoliation process with alpha-hydroxy acids that make my skin look refined and feel velvety smooth. 

With moisturizing ingredients like avocado and olive fruit oil, which are loaded in omega fatty acids, this serum in lotion leaves my skin feeling beyond quenched and looking luminous all day long. As far as at-home chemical exfoliators go, I highly recommend the Arbonne RE9 Retexturizing Serum in Lotion,” adds Board Certified Dermatologist, Dr. Naissan O. Wesley, MD, FACMS.

Juice Beauty Green Apple Brightening Essence

Juice Beauty’s Green Apple Brightening Skincare collection was created to correct uneven skin tone, reduce appearance of dark spots & discoloration with the exfoliating power of malic acid from organic green apples, peptides, alpha lipoic acid, CoQ10 and Vitamin C. The Green Apple Brightening Essence also contains Zanthoxylum fruit and tamarind seed that help to soothe the skin all over the body. 

“The Essence can be used on the face or anywhere on the body where you’re seeing visible signs of aging such as sun spots and hyper-pigmentation on the neck, décolleté, shoulders, hands – anywhere,” explains Karen Behnke, Founder of Juice Beauty. “The key to protecting the skin is truly wearing SPF every day, but our Green Apple Collection’s powerful antioxidant-rich ingredients help combat the damage that has already been done and protect against future environmental aging from head to toe.”

I use this all over my body with great results. But, this clean beauty product has delivered superior results on my forearms and legs without any irritation.

True Botanical Resurfacing Moisture Mask

I love everything about this mask for the body—including the fragrance. All that you have to do is apply this intoxicating smelling mask weekly on your body and let it do it’s magic for twenty minutes or so, then rinse. And just like that, your skin looks amazing. 

“We believe that we need to take as good care of our bodies as we do our faces, which is why we created the Resurfacing Body Mask,” explains Hillary Peterson, Founder + CEO of  True Botanicals. “One of the key ingredients of the mask is lactic acid, which gently exfoliates dead skin to rid skin of dryness and dullness, while stimulating production of collagen and ceramides. As we all know, too much exfoliation can over-sensitize skin but just enough leaves skin revived and radiant. This mask takes the guesswork out of how much is enough.”


Manual Exfoliators: 

Dr. Barbara Sturm Anti-Cellulite Brush

Body Brushing with Dr. Barbara Sturm’s Anti-Cellulite Brush increases blood circulation and lymph flow to help remove toxins from the body. This natural bristle brush can be used wet or dry and can improve the look of dimpled skin. 

“Pairing a dry brush with a nourishing moisturizer are two easy but fundamental steps to keeping your body skin healthy and glowing year round,” shares Sturm. “Before showering I use my Anti-Cellulite Body Brush, which opens your pores and mechanically boosts your circulation, helping to increase localized blood flow and removal of toxins. Dry brushing plus my Anti-Aging Body Cream is part of my own daily routine.” 

Herbivore Amethyst Exfoliating Body Polish

I am picky about my body scrubs. But, I am really enjoying Herbivore’s Amethyst Exfoliating Body Polish.  I think what I like the most is this scrub’s oil to granulate ratio. Unlike many scrubs that may as just well be like dipping your hand in oil, Herbivore’s scrub nails the right consistency.

As you might have guessed by the name, this formula utilizes finely crushed Amethyst to impart the gemstone’s revitalizing energy and restore the skin’s luminous appearance. In addition to the amethyst, this formula blends magnesium-rich salt, organic virgin coconut oil, and night blooming Jasmine Sambac to give its users a sensorial experience that awakens the senses and leaves the skin feeling incredibly hydrated and revived. 

Omorovicza Gold Sugar Scrub

Another scrub I love is Omorovicza’s exfoliating  Gold Sugar Scrub, which in addition to removing dull skin helps to reduce the appearance of sun damage, wrinkles, and fine lines by repairing micro-damage to the skin with colloidal gold. Fair trade sugar helps slough off old skin cells and encourages new skin regeneration while capsicum peptide, which is rich in antioxidant vitamin C promotes an overall healthy glow by stimulating micro-circulation. 

Omorovicza prides their brand on delivering ‘clean luxury’ and firmly believes that that future of skincare and does not include harmful, unnecessary synthetic ingredients, which are occlusive and prevent the skin from breathing. Co-founders Stephen and Margaret de Heinrich de Omorovicza tell me “Omorovicza has a zero-nasties policy and all products exclude the following: Glycols, Silicone, Parabens, Mineral Oil, Phthalates, Sodium Lauryl Sulphate, Synthetic Colors, Synthetic Fragrances & Chemical Sunscreen.”


Body Oils: 

Herbivore Citrine Body Oil

Herbivore’s deeply hydrating Citrine Body Oil, named after the orange-yellow gemstone, is a blend of Orange Blossom, Rosehip, and Neroli that helps to visibly brighten the skin. The brightening capabilities come from the rose hips, which are loaded with essential fatty acids and high in Trans-retinoic Acid, a natural form of Vitamin A that converts to Retinol in addition to Neroli oil, which is extracted from the bitter orange tree and is highly regarded as a skin brightener. Just make sure you use adequate sunscreen if you use this product prior to sun exposure. 

HydroPeptide Nourishing Glow Body Oil

HydroPeptide’s Nourishing Glow Body Oil tackles a couple of concerns at once including moisturizing the skin and adding a subtle shimmery coverage that gives the appearance of firmer looking skin. It’s perfect for getting that sun-kissed look without the actual sun exposure.

Board Certified Dermatologist Dr. Dendy Engleman, who is a fan of multi-tasking products like this one tells me, “This oil deeply hydrates while combating environmental damage with vitamins C and E.”

Ozmorovicza Firming Body Oil

This must-have oil is also a multi-tasker. Omorovicza’s Firming Body Oil moisturizes, tones skin, and helps improve the look of stretch marks. The oil is aromatic with hints of sage, chamomile, rosemary, and rose geranium that help to balance and soothe the skin and help boost the production of collagen.  Calendula oil mixed with plum almond oil, apricot kernel oil and rice germ oil restore the skin’s suppleness, elasticity, and tone. The brand’s Healing Concentrate™ delivers minerals deep into the skin leaving it looking firmer and younger looking. 

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