Should You Be Using a Better Body Wash?
It's time to start paying more attention to your body care, says Dr. Pimple Popper — especially if you've got a skin concern.
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2 minute read
We tend to be picky about the products and ingredients we put on our faces. But when it comes to our body wash….well, not so much. In fact, we suspect some of you might even be using shampoo. No judgment, but there are way better options out there, especially if you’ve got a skin concern — like pimples or dry patches.
According to dermatologist Sandra Lee, MD (aka Dr Pimple Popper), there’s a good reason you should stock your shower with specially-formulated products: it’s because the skin on your body is not the same as the skin on your face. What’s more, not all body washes are created equal: many contain harsh chemicals that strip skin’s natural oils. Others might be too occlusive (aka pore-clogging) for your skin type. Here, she shares advice on how to pick the perfect body wash for your particular skin.
The best body wash ingredients for oily/acne-prone skin types
If you’ve got acne on your face, chances are you have pimples popping up on other areas of the body too — like your neck, chest, back, and butt. Just like on your face, body acne starts as clogged pores (blackheads and whiteheads) and progresses to inflammatory pimples if C. acne bacteria invades.
So the best solution, says Dr. Lee, is to use ingredients like salicylic acid (which penetrates and clears out pores) and benzoyl peroxide (which kills acne-causing bacteria). Look for higher concentrations of these key active ingredients, since body skin is tougher to penetrate.
It’s worth noting that body acne can be caused by many factors, from genetics and stress to sports gear and dirty sheets — so it’s important to make lifestyle changes along with choosing the proper skincare.
Try: SLMD BP Body Wash with 5% benzoyl peroxide — part of the Body Acne System.
Top Body Care Picks
The best body wash ingredients for rough, dry skin
Oftentimes, dry body skin is the result of either too little water, or too little natural oil — or both. Using a quality body lotion should do the trick. Sometimes, though, there’s more going on: if you’re experiencing dry, rough patches covered in tiny bumps, you might have what’s called keratosis pilaris (aka strawberry skin or chicken skin.)
For managing KP, Dr. Lee recommends using body wash products that contain alpha hydroxy acids — glycolic and lactic acids are her go-tos. Since we’re dealing with thicker body skin, it’s safe to use a physical scrub, too, in order to slough off some of those dry, dead cells. Follow up in-shower exfoliating with a lightweight body moisturizer.
Try: SLMD Glycolic Acid Body Scrub — part of the Body Smoothing System.
Dr. Lee's Last Word
I think people are starting to realize that taking care of your body skin will pay off in both the short and long term. If you have acne or keratosis pilaris, look for a body wash and moisturizer formulated with active ingredients that specifically treat or target your particular concern.
