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Veer.comWhile your skin covers your entire body, its thickness varies—thicker skin shields areas prone to wear, while thinner skin protects areas that face less stress. The skin on your face is thinner than the rest of your body, except for the chest, and requires extra care, as noted by Valerie Goldburt, MD, PhD, a dermatologist at Advanced Dermatology and the Center for Laser and Cosmetic Surgery. Here's how to treat the skin on different parts of your body:
Cleansing
Just as skin thickness differs, the number and size of hair follicles, sweat glands, and oil glands vary across your body. These skin appendages are key for storing skin cells and oil, which help protect and heal your skin, says Deirdre Hooper, MD, a dermatologist at Audubon Dermatology in New Orleans.
Areas with a higher concentration of skin appendages, like the face, heal more rapidly and are more resilient to injury compared to areas with fewer appendages, such as the neck and chest. When using potentially irritating products like retinoids and hydroxy acids, Dr. Hooper suggests using a lower concentration on the body than on the face. A mild cleanser works well for body skin, but you might want something stronger for the more visible skin on your face.
After dampening your face with lukewarm water, apply your cleanser evenly across your face using your fingers. Avoid using a washcloth, as it can harbor bacteria after a few uses. Rubbing a germ-filled cloth across your face won’t benefit your skin, says YouBeauty.com.
To ensure you're cleansing thoroughly, spend about a minute on your face, then gently pat your skin dry with a clean towel, recommends Dr. Wechsler. Limit your cleansing to once a day, preferably before bedtime. Excessive cleansing, whether on your face or body, can dry out the skin and cause it to produce more oil to compensate, says Dr. Wechsler. [source: YouBeauty.com]
Moisturizing
The key to moisturizing is finding a product that suits your facial skin type, advises Dr. Goldburt. Feel free to use that same moisturizer on the rest of your body, as facial skin is typically the most sensitive. She also points out that there often isn’t a significant difference between face and body moisturizers from the same brand. "It's mostly just marketing," she adds.
Some moisturizers are thicker and harder to blend into the face, designed for people with very dry skin. These dense, pasty white creams are better suited for areas with especially dry skin, like elbows, knees, and hands. It’s unlikely that you would use these thick creams on your face, says Dr. Goldburt. [source: Dr. Goldburt]
Dr. Goldburt recommends using Vaseline, Aquaphor, or extra virgin olive oil on her face but also suggests trying pricier argan oil. For body moisturizing, it depends on how dry your skin is. 'I prefer Eucerin Anti-Itch Cream for my body. But really, it doesn't matter much if you use your face lotion on your body,' she says.
"Fragrance lotions are fine for the body, but I wouldn't recommend applying them to your face, especially the sensitive eyelids," advises Dr. Goldburt. Using scented lotions on the face could trigger breakouts, even if they don’t cause problems elsewhere on the body. [source: Dr. Goldburt]
Treating Acne
Body breakouts can be more difficult to manage than facial acne, especially when they occur in hard-to-reach spots like the back, often referred to as 'bacne.' This could be due to wearing sweaty clothes after exercise, not choosing breathable fabrics, or carrying a bag that rubs against your shoulders or back. These habits can trap bacteria in hair follicles, leading to breakouts. [source: MensFitness.com]
If you only experience occasional back or body acne, an over-the-counter body wash with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid might be the best solution. Use it daily and cleanse gently, as harsh scrubbing could make acne worse. If the breakouts persist after a few weeks, consult your dermatologist. They may recommend stronger washes or topical treatments. [source: VeryWellHealth.com]
It's crucial to apply a daily moisturizer and use sun protection throughout the year for any exposed skin to maintain healthy, glowing skin and prevent sun damage. Proper hydration and a broad-spectrum sunscreen help protect your skin from free radicals and harmful UV radiation, which can lead to skin damage, discoloration, premature wrinkles, and even skin cancer. [source: American Academy of Dermatology]
