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How to Incorporate The Best Body Care Routine

By Kiehl’s Education Team

Finding the right skincare routine for your face is an absolute necessity to make sure your complexion is getting everything it needs to stay healthy, hydrated, and nourished. But so many people often forget that a thorough body care routine is just as important, and that proper care is required for the skin below your neck, too.

If this is your first foray into caring for skin beyond the face, you can learn about how to put together an effective body care routine, plus all the formulas you will need to keep your skin soft, smooth, and looking its best.

STEP 1: START BY EXFOLIATING

Open jar of Kiehl’s Gently Exfoliating Body Scrub “Grapefruit”

Keep your skin soft and smooth by incorporating a body scrub into your weekly body skincare routine. We recommend starting with our Gently Exfoliating Body Scrub, which is formulated with comforting Chamomile Extract and Powdered Apricot Seeds to exfoliate skin without over-drying. The rich formula also contains Cocoa Butter and Shea Butter for an ultra-hydrating, nourishing feel.  

While you’re in the shower, apply the scrub to clean, wet skin and gently massage it in circular motions. Pay special attention to dry, cracked areas, and avoid the face and other spots where skin is more sensitive. Rinse thoroughly to remove all abrasives and any scrub residue.  

Kiehl's Expert Tip: Steaming showers may be relaxing (and feel amazing in the winter), but we recommend showering with warm (not hot) water. Super-hot water can dehydrate the skin and damage the skin barrier. If you must take a steamy shower, try to limit it to 10 minutes or less to minimize damage to your skin.

STEP 2: CLEANSE AWAY THE DAY

Whether you prefer to shower in the morning or before bed, soaping up should always be a crucial step in your body care routine. After
you’ve exfoliated your skin, apply your chosen body wash and use a washcloth or your hands to lather up and wash away dirt, sweat,
and oil. Look for a formula with hydrating ingredients, like one of the below, to help keep your skin soft and smooth.

Bottle of "Made for All" Gentle Body Cleanser

For All Skin Types:

"Made for All" Gentle Body Cleanser

Our top-rated "Made for All" Gentle Body Cleanser is a favorite among Kiehl's customers, thanks to its ultra-mild formula. This biodegradable body wash is made with 95% naturally derived* ingredients, including Aloe Vera and Soap Tree Extract, for a gentle full body clean. It’s also dermatologist and ophthalmologist tested, making it safe for those with sensitive skin.  

*We consider ingredients to be naturally derived if they retain more than 50% of their molecular structure after being processed from a natural source. 

Pump bottle of Kiehl’s Bath and Shower Liquid Body Cleanser

For Normal Skin:

Bath and Shower Liquid Body Cleanser

To address your daily body wash needs, we recommend reaching for our classic Bath and Shower Liquid Body Cleanser. This gentle foaming body wash contains Sodium PCA, a humectant derived from Amino Acids to help skin maintain moisture, and is available in a refreshing Grapefruit scent and a "Pour Homme" aroma for men. Choose your favorite fragrance and lather up for a refreshing (and aromatherapeutic) shower ritual.  

STEP 3: MOISTURIZE YOUR BODY

The most crucial step in your body care routine for soft skin is moisturizing. Regardless of your skin type, keeping the skin barrier
hydrated is crucial for healthy-looking (and supple feeling) skin. You will want to reach for a body lotion formulated for your specific
skincare needs and apply it every day after showering. Instead of toweling off post-shower, moisturize while the skin is still damp to lock
in moisture. Choose from these three of our favorite body moisturizers.

Bottle of Kiehl’s Creme de Corps body lotion

For All Skin Types:
Creme de Corps Body Lotion

Our best-selling Creme de Corps body lotion has remained a Kiehl's body skincare staple since the 1980s. The classic body cream is formulated with softening Cocoa Butter and hydrating Squalane to help moisturize and improve skin texture. Apply after showering, while skin is still damp, and let it soak in as you continue your body care routine.

Open jar of Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter

For Dry Skin:
Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter

For deep hydration, reach for Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter. This decadent yet surprisingly lightweight body butter features rich Jojoba Butter and emollient Honey to provide all-day hydration. It soaks in quickly, leaving dry skin feeling soft and smooth.

STEP 4: CARE FOR YOUR HANDS AND FEET

The last step in your body skincare routine is to moisturize your hands and feet. The formula you choose should be formulated to target
your unique needs. For daily moisture, a lightweight, multi-use formula is ideal, while those with ultra-dry or damaged skin may benefit
from a more intensive treatment.

Tube of Kiehl’s Ultimate Strength Hand Salve

For Hands:

Richly Hydrating Scented Hand Cream or Ultimate Strength Hand Salve

Even if your hands don’t feel dry, they require deeper hydration than the rest of your body since you are frequently using (and washing) them. We recommend using a thick lotion, like our Richly Hydrating Scented Hand Cream, available in refreshing Grapefruit. This moisturizing formula features Shea Butter and Vitamin E to leave skin feeling soft and moisturized all day.  

For ultra-dry, cracked, or irritated skin, reach for a soothing repairing hand treatment, like our Ultimate Strength Hand Salve. This super-rich formula features rich Avocado Oil and Eucalyptus Oil and forms a glove-like barrier to protect skin against moisture loss. It is ideal for repairing and soothing severely dry, cracked hands, particularly those exposed to harsh elements or used for manual labor.  

Additionally, for any rough spots that might need a little extra moisturizing, we recommend our Ultra Facial Barrier Balm, available in a convenient, on-the-go stick format. This invisible barrier balm with Squalane is specifically formulated to help deeply hydrate the skin, and can be applied to elbows, knees, and hands (especially right after you wash them).  

Open jar of Kiehl’s Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter

For Feet:

Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter

Hydrate dry, callused feet with our Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Whipped Body Butter, which soaks in quickly, leaving dry skin feeling soft and smooth. You can massage a small amount of the soothing formula onto clean feet after showering to soften rough soles and indulge this well-worn part of the body with a nourishing body care moment.  

Kiehl's Expert Tip: For extra hydration, apply a thick layer of this nourishing lotion to clean feet before bed. Before it absorbs, pull on a pair of breathable cotton socks. This helps lock in moisture for softer feet by morning.

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