Does my body need a skincare routine?

I have perfected a skincare routine for my face. Should I have something similar for the rest of my body?

Dermatologists see it all the time. Patients come in with flawless complexions, but below the neck, it is a different story.

Often, the skin on their bodies is so dry, it “looks like alligator skin”, while their faces are well moisturised, says Dr Ariel Ostad, a cosmetic dermatologist in New York City.

Others have dry patches on their backs or dark spots on their hands and arms, says Dr Lauren Ploch, a dermatologist in Aiken, South Carolina.

Many people neglect body care because the face is what is usually on display, she adds. But the skin on the rest of your body needs as much attention as that on your face. Here is how to give it what it needs.

Less is more

Your skin, the body’s largest organ, has many important functions. It regulates your body temperature and guards against issues such as dehydration, damage from ultraviolet light and infection with potentially harmful microbes.

Any skin problem that can occur on your face – dryness, acne, sun damage and skin cancer – can crop up on the rest of your body too, Dr Ploch says.

In fact, for people with lighter skin tones, melanoma commonly starts on the chest and the back for men, and on the legs for women, Dr Ostad says.

When it comes to establishing a skincare routine for your body, less is more, says Dr Lindsey Bordone, a dermatologist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia hospital in New York City.

Dermatologists suggest this three-step routine.

Step 1: Cleanse properly

How often you shower is up to you. But scrubbing every bit of your body with soap every day could be overkill, especially if you are prone to dry skin or eczema, Dr Bordone says.

Most soaps contain surfactants, which help to wash away dirt and oil but can degrade the skin’s protective barrier, resulting in dryness or irritation, Dr Ostad says.

You generally need to lather up the entire body only two to three times a week, he says. “My patients do a double take when I say this,” he adds.

You do, however, need to cleanse the areas that get dirty or sweaty, such as the hands, feet, armpits, groin and buttocks, every day. And Dr Ploch suggests washing your entire body with soap daily if your job requires frequent contact with people or germs, such as in healthcare or education.

You can use body wash or bar soap, but make sure it is a gentle cleanser, she says.

Dr Ostad recommends products with glycerin, niacinamide, urea, hyaluronic acid or ceramides, which are humectants, or substances that trap and replenish moisture in the skin.

Avoid antibacterial soaps, which can destroy healthy bacteria living on the skin and “set you up for an infection”, Dr Bordone says. And stay away from rough body scrubs and items with fragrance, which might irritate the skin.

Step 2: Moisturise

Slathering lotion or cream all over your body, especially on your arms, legs, torso and hard-to-reach areas like your back, is essential for healthy skin, dermatologists say.

“Multiple times a day, patients come in and complain of itching on their back,” Dr Ploch says. “We call this winter itch in dermatology.”

Moisturising daily protects and repairs your skin’s barrier and keeps it hydrated, minimising the likelihood of dryness and irritation, Dr Ostad says.

You might need to moisturise more frequently if you are prone to dry skin, Dr Bordone says, or less frequently if you have oily or acne-prone skin.

Look for moisturisers with humectant ingredients similar to those in cleansers: ceramides, hyaluronic acid, urea, glycerin and shea butter, all of which lock in moisture, Dr Ostad says. And use oil-free products if you have acne.

The best time to moisturise is just after stepping out of the shower and patting yourself dry, Dr Bordone says. Apply a thick moisturiser to slightly damp skin to help it retain moisture throughout the day.

Step 3: Apply sunscreen

Always apply sunscreen to any areas of your body that will be exposed to the sun, such as your face, chest, arms, legs and hands, Dr Ploch says.

Often, older patients will have clear skin on their back and upper arms, she says, but “from their sleeve down, they’re mottled and spotted”, which is a sign of sun damage.

Most experts recommend using a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher and reapplying it at least every two hours.

Daily sunscreen use protects your skin from harmful UV rays, lowers your risk for skin cancer and minimises the signs of ageing, like sunspots, pigmentation changes and wrinkles, Dr Ploch says.

When to see a dermatologist

See a specialist if your skin feels tight, dry or irritated even after using a gentle cleanser and moisturising daily, Dr Ploch says. You could have a skin condition, such as acne, eczema or contact dermatitis, that needs treatment.

If you are bothered by any wrinkles or sunspots, dermatologists may also recommend cosmetic procedures such as Botox or laser treatments, she adds. NYTIMES