Don't Frost Over: MECCA's Body Care Routine for Radiant Skin All Year
June 17 | 3 minute read
Words by Danielle Gay
Our bodies feel the chill as bitter weather cuts through, so we turn up the heat indoors… and in the shower too. Drenching yourself in your favourite body lotion will no longer cut it; now you’re up against dryness, dehydration, sensitivity and even – gasp – a compromised skin barrier. And we’re not just talking about the skin on your face – this season hits us from head to toe.
The tell-tale sign of an impaired barrier is that feeling that skin is NQR (beauty editor shorthand for ‘not quite right’). Translation: it’s dry, depleted, uncomfortable, or simply lacks its usual glow. A targeted winter body care regimen can avoid all of this and help the skin weather seasonal changes with super hydrators, nourishing ingredients and a strategy for when and how to apply them.
More is more, but only in the right order. We’ve got you – just follow these rules for softer, smoother skin, from head to heel.
Layer Up
Begin with a lightweight body serum to allow active ingredients to absorb into the skin. We love Frank Body’s Hyaluronic Acid Body Serum, which uses its namesake active to draw hydration into the top layer of the skin, paired with ceramides to strengthen the barrier and keep moisture in. Follow up with a rich moisturiser to support hydration, like Nécessaire’s The Body Lotion, a luxurious blend of oils including marula, cacay and meadowfoam for deeper nourishment. If you’re using a body oil, apply it last to lock in hydration and reduce water loss.
Hit of Hydration
If you’re yet to invest in a body oil, opt for Pure Mama Belly & Body Oil. Since it’s originally formulated for pregnancy, hydrating hero ingredients like avocado, rosehip and jojoba oils will reduce tightness and leave skin feeling ultra smooth and supple.
Full Body Facial
Look to formulas with the same ingredients you'd find in your favourite facial serum; Uni’s 24-Hour Body Serum is full of vitamin C thanks to Australian Kakadu plum, which is rich in antioxidants that protect and restore the skin, while caviar lime delivers an acid exfoliation that combats rough texture and dullness. Next, reach for sans [ceuticals] CELLx 5 Body + Face Lotion for a dose of 5 percent niacinamide to reduce the look of pigmentation and redness.
Keep It Consistent
As the final step in your after-shower routine, warm a generous amount of MALIN+GOETZ All-Purpose Moisture Balm between fingers and massage in. This multipurpose skin saviour melts from a balm into a dry-touch oil and can tackle dry elbows, chapped lips or rough cuticles, bringing instant relief to itchy skin.
Handle With Care
For an easy overnight treatment, apply Margaret Dabbs London Pure Hands Repairing Hand Cream and a generous layer of the matching Miracle Foot Cream before bed, then slip on a pair of socks to lock in moisture while you sleep. Your hands and heels will thank you.
