How to adapt your body care routine to your lifestyle and skin imperfections
You get so much from your workouts: you’re not only caring for your body, but your mind too. Improved self-esteem, confidence, motivation, and better sleep – the benefits are well known. But let’s face it, the same sweaty workouts which keep you fit and healthy can play havoc with your body’s skin. Let’s take a closer look at some of the skin conditions of the body that can be made worse by an active lifestyle. And how Biotherm’s new Biocorps body care routines help.
Can my active lifestyle affect the quality of the skin on my body?
The short answer? Afraid so. High intensity workouts can often increase skin imperfections and blemishes. Sweat, oil and pollution block the pores, while a higher body temperature may lead to inflammation and redness, making skin imperfections more likely, or worsening existing concerns.
What are the most common skin imperfections of the body?
Strawberry skin
Sometimes known as “strawberry legs”, strawberry skin displays itself with tiny dark spots, most often on the legs, that resemble the seeds on a strawberry. These are just visible hair follicles, most often caused by dead skin cells, hairs, or trapped oil and bacteria. However harmless, they do give the skin a speckled appearance. A gentle daily exfoliant like a body serum for sensitive skin (suitable for all skin types) with 5% AHA + BHA + PHA acids can be highly effective at improving the appearance of strawberry skin. Follow up with a body moisturizer for sensitive skin, or a good moisturizer for acne.
Chicken skin
With the scientific name of keratosis pilaris, chicken skin is the common term for bumpy areas of the skin that look like the skin of a plucked chicken. Often appearing on the upper arms and thighs, chicken skin happens when a build-up of keratin – the protein that forms the outermost layer of skin – clogs hair follicles. This causes the formation of small red or flesh-coloured bumps – the dreaded chicken skin! New Biocorps Anti-Bump Body Serum can help here: its gentle exfoliant formula contains AHA, BHA and PHA, making it ideal for strawberry skin or chicken skin. Follow up with an effective body moisturizer for dry skin, or a cream for sensitive skin. Lait Corporel L’Original repairs the skin barrier after the first use1, providing 48-hour lasting hydration1 and reducing dryness by 77% in 10 minutes.2 And when the two products are used together, they work in synergy for even healthier skin. The 8 visible signs of skin health are improved: skin is firmer, more elastic, renewed, softer, hydrated, clearer, more comfortable and with a refined skin texture.3
Acne-prone skin
When dead skin cells accumulate on the skin’s surface, sweat, tight workout clothes and excess oil create conditions that clog pores, and ultimately lead to acne, or ‘bacne’ if it’s on your back. The Biocorps Anti-Bump Body Serum uses 5% AHA + BHA + PHA to treat acne-prone skin on your body, by resurfacing the skin. For more info on active ingredients used in face care that you can use on your body, take a look here.
Rough and dull skin
The causes of rough and dull skin? Generally, just a simple lack of exfoliation and hydration. To improve the skin’s texture, try a two-step routine that removes dead skin from your body then moisturizes it to keep your skin smooth, firm and hydrated. Start with a body scrub followed by a skin-firming moisturizer, a moisturizing cream for dry skin, or a lighter moisturizing lotion. Biocorps Anti-Roughness Peeling Scrub’s targeted formula of the 35 nutrients of Life PlanktonTM, salicylic acid, peptides, natural micro-grains and precious oils deliver the gentle yet thorough exfoliation. Follow with a skin-firming lotion like Biocorps Multi-Corrective Body Milk for skin that is regenerated, smoother and firmer.
How can I get healthier body skin?
Biotherm’s new Biocorps body care range can help. In fact, the new products in the Biocorps line were specifically created to improve, regenerate and energize skin after physical activity. They work hard to reduce inflammation, blocked pores and blemishes. And they don’t come out of nowhere. Biotherm was founded on a body care product called Biomains, and has more than 70 years of expertise in body care, so is well placed to meet the body care needs of all ages and skin conditions.
BIOCORPS new Anti-Bump Body Serum
This body serum is clinically proven to reduce 67% of blemishes and 34%4 dullness on the chest area. It also improves arm smoothness by 34%. How does it work? Star ingredient Life PlanktonTM with its 35 nutrients, hyaluronic acid, and a mixture of 5% AHA, BHA & PHA combine in a fast-absorbing gel to deliver healthy, moisturized, reinvigorated skin. It’s gentle enough to use daily, for best results.
BIOCORPS new Anti-Roughness Peeling Scrub
Discover a new body peeling scrub ideal for people experiencing blocked pores from excessive sweat and sebum due to high-intensity workouts. Its vegan formula for clearer skin contains zero microplastics and involves a combination of Life PlanktonTM, salicylic acid, peptide, natural micro-grains and a complex of precious oils. Its gentle yet thorough exfoliation – to be used 2-3 times a week – triggers skin regeneration, replenishes nutrients, improves glow and contributes to smoother, firmer skin.
Life Plankton Body Milk
This is a hydrating and firming body milk designed for all skin types, even sensitive. This skin firming body cream is light and easy to apply. Powered by 1% regenerating Life PlanktonTM, Omega 6, and Omega 9, it enhances skin elasticity, firmness, and texture. Use daily to keep skin hydrated and strengthen its protective barrier, and leave your body smoother and more toned.
As well as targeted body care products to exfoliate and hydrate, wearing looser workout clothes in breathable fabrics can help skin breathe better. Also, avoid harsh skincare products, over-cleansing or treating the skin roughly – which can be highly irritating for the skin, making acne or other skin imperfections worse.
Full Body Peeling Routine
Anti-Roughness Peeling Scrub 1-3 times weekly
Anti-Bump Body Serum daily
This routine is designed to fully resurface, restore and revive the skin of your body, helping reduce the signs of imperfections and bumps.
1. Take a small amount of the Anti-Roughness Peeling scrub; wet your skin and warm the scrub between your palms to ease the application.
2. Gently smooth the body scrub all over your body, targeting areas that feel rough or appear dull.
3. Gently scrub to enhance circulation. Start at your feet, gently massaging the scrub in circular motions up the legs and torso. Continue from your fingertips, massaging up the arm. Pay special attention to areas in need of exfoliation such as knees and elbows.
4. Rinse off, repeating the massaging motions to brush off any excess exfoliating particles, leaving your skin refreshed and clean.
5. For best results, combine this body scrub daily with BIOCORPS Anti-Bump Body Serum for regenerated, smooth skin that visibly glows. Post-exfoliation, use a nourishing moisturizer like our Lait Corporel Moisturizing Body Lotion to hydrate and soothe your skin. Avoid sun exposure and use a minimum SPF 30 product like the Waterlover Sunmilk SPF 30 to protect your skin from harmful UV rays.
Peel and Replenish Routine
Anti-Bump Body Serum daily
Lait Corporel L’Original daily
This routine is designed to gently resurface, rehydrate and replenish the skin of your body, and is ideal if your skin is dry or sensitive too.
1. Warm a small amount of Anti-Bump Body Serum between your palms.
2. Smooth over rough or bumpy areas needing peeling action in a circular motion.
3. Follow up with Lait Corporel Moisturizing Body Lotion. The two products are even more effective together, improving the 8 visible signs of skin health: skin is firmer, more elastic, renewed, softer, hydrated, clearer, more comfortable and with a refined skin texture.3
Peel and Firm Routine
Anti-Bump Body Serum daily
Multi-Corrective Body Milk daily
1. Warm a small amount of the Anti-Bump Body Serum between your palms.
2. Smooth over rough or bumpy areas needing peeling action, using circular motions.
3. Follow up with a moisturizer like BIOCORPS Multi–Corrective Body Milk. Protect your skin daily with a minimum SPF 30 product such as Waterlover Sunmilk SPF50 & avoid direct sun exposure. Do not apply on face.
A holistic approach to body care
What’s at the heart of Biotherm’s approach to healthier body skin? A holistic approach to body care. Using body care products regularly isn’t just about improving your body’s skin, it’s about increasing your overall sense of well-being too. One way to boost both is to take time with the application of these products, for example, really massaging in your skin-firming body cream. You’ll feel all the better for it, body and mind.
1 Instrumental test on 24 women, 48 hour after application
2 Instrumental test on 44 women, 10 min after application
3 Self-Assessment on 59 Caucasian women, using Biocorps Anti-Bump Body Serum & Lait Corporel L'Original, after 4 weeks
4 Clinical study on 60 women and men after 4 weeks
