We are all busy, rushing from one thing to the next. Generally, we remember to take care of our faces by washing regularly and using skincare products, but there are four areas which are often overlooked and uncared for.
Your Hands
Next to your face, your hands are the most exposed part of your body. Your hands are also expected to do all the hard work while enduring repeated handwashing and use of hand sanitizer.
Remember to give them some extra love throughout the day. Starting with your shower routine, don’t forget to gently exfoliate the backs of your hands while you are scrubbing up. Follow up with a moisturizer and a cuticle treatment to keep your hands happy and healthy.
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Creating a skincare routine that includes your hands will reduce the incidence of chapped hands, broken skin and the pain of torn cuticles. Pay extra attention in the winter months when cold, dry air can really impact the health of your skin. Don’t forget to apply your daily sunscreen to your hands as well.
Your Neck
The neck is often one of the body parts that can reveal a woman’s age most clearly. While there are the natural effects of aging and gravity that we can not do much about, there are certainly steps to take in our skincare routine.
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The use of products made for the face that are part of your skin care routine set should be extended to the delicate skin of the neck. Moisturizing the neck after getting out of the shower is easy to overlook. Make sure to generously apply moisturizer. Sweeping it up under the chin is also important.
The neck is also subject to a lot of sun exposure, so don’t forget the sunscreen there, either. The sides and back of the neck are some of the most exposed to UV rays and, as a result, suffer from a lot of sun damage.
Your Decolletage
Decolletage refers to the area of the chest encompassing the cleavage and upper chest. This delicate skin is often overlooked. This area of the body typically produces less of its own natural oils and is often subject to a lot of sun exposure. Paying some extra attention to this area can help to create more beautiful and glowing skin.
Applying a creamy moisturizer to this area helps seal in moisture, which creates a healthier environment for skin cells to thrive. Well-moisturized skin shows an increase in collagen and hyaluronic acid, which help to reduce the signs of aging and UV radiation, as well as a variety of other skin conditions.
Elbows and Knees
Dry elbows and knees are very common. Dry air, lack of hydration and chafing from clothing all add up to dry, scaly elbows and knees. Remembering to pay some extra attention to these areas as part of your skincare routine will go a long way toward creating soft and supple skin that is strong and healthy.
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The dry, thickened skin on elbows and knees will be more likely to crack and peel due to lack of flexibility. These breaks in the skin can not only be very uncomfortable but allow the entry of bacteria, which can result in infections.
Taking an extra moment in the shower to exfoliate your knees and elbows helps to remove the build-up of dead skin cells. After you are out of the shower, rubbing these areas with a slightly damp towel is also a great way to remove the dead skin, and it helps reveal the healthy skin beneath.
Moisturizing knees and elbows after exfoliation allows the products to penetrate the skin more easily. A quick application of cream or lotion to elbows and knees can be a soothing part of your bedtime routine. Consider a lotion with lavender or chamomile to help calm your nerves and get you ready for a great night’s sleep.
Remembering to give these four overlooked and uncared-for areas of your skin can help your skin to be its very best. Younger looking and more resilient skin is within reach.