When we think about body care, we wonder: who on this Earth has time for all of this? Dry brushing is barely scratching the surface when you consider all of the other body care methods on the market: scrubs, moisturizers, masks, tools, acne solutions and even lux oils to use post-shower. After decades of the beauty industry focusing on the skin on our faces, it seems like this is year of body care.
If you want to expand your routine, we’ve rounded up our favorite practices and products to add in below.
Full-Body Gua Sha Went Viral
YouTuber Sarah Cheung founded her eponymous brand SACHEU Beauty in 2020, after amassing a significant following on her YouTube channel of the same name. Earlier this year, she gained recognition for making full-body gua sha go viral. This practice, which has existed for over a thousand years, remains a cornerstone of traditional Chinese medicine. It involves using a tool, often shaped like a flat blob with a smooth curved edge and sometimes a serrated edge, to rub against the skin to bring out what is known as the “sha,” or reddish spots, in traditional Chinese medicine. While Western beauty and wellness brands adopted facial gua sha a few years ago, full-body gua sha made a significant splash thanks to SACHEU’s viral tool and Cheung’s efforts to educate her audience about the practice.
The Benefits
For instance, in a Zoom interview with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) expert Helen Chai, Chai explains that gua sha has two essential qualities that make it prevail in modern times: it’s effective and easy to use.
Chai provides Cheung’s viewers with some risk factors to keep in mind before using a full-body gua sha: (1) avoid using on broken skin, like over scabs, sunburns, or rashes, and (2) be careful if you have a bleeding disorder or if you take anticoagulant medication since the gua sha process exacerbates blood vessel breakage.
If none of these issues apply to you, the benefits of gua sha seem to be endless. You can use the practice to massage tight muscles and relieve tension from the scalp to the feet. It also targets different acupuncture pressure points to address specific ailments of the mind and body. Chai recommends looking up different pressure points and experimenting according to each person’s individual needs.
“Seeing the redness is actually a sign that you’re healthy,” says Cheung on the call with Chai. That’s the “sha” coming out.
President of Biophora Madeline Wolkove explains why she believes traditional Asian practices have taken off in Western cultures: “Brands and consumers are starting to recognize that Asian cultures tend to have healthier lifestyles. [People] have [started] to try alternative practices to help them look and feel more youthful and have more energy.”
In traditional Chinese medicine, there are some pretty impressive claims of what gua sha can do, including bringing fevers down. This, however, we should leave to the professionals; keep at-home gua sha use to what feels good and adds to your R&R routine. Experts recommend using a full-body gua sha two or three times a week.
Sacheu Stainless Steel Body Gua Sha
Dry Brushing and Retinol
In broad terms, practices like body retinol and dry brushing are methods of skin exfoliation. “Dry Brushing has been used for centuries for removing dead skin cells, promoting smoother and softer skin, [stimulating] circulation to help reduce the appearance of cellulite, and [promoting] overall skin health,” says Dr. Azza Halim, a certified multi-specialist MD who focuses on anti-aging treatments and beauty solutions.
She also explains that retinol “stimulates collagen production and promotes cell turnover, leading to smoother, more even-toned skin. It also can help unclog pores and reduce acne breakouts by preventing dead skin cells from clogging pores.” The skin naturally sheds layers of dead cells, and what these tools and methods do is aid the epidermis in getting rid of those cells faster. Dr. Halim warns that as long as you use them properly and consistently – and you consult with your physician if you have any questions – these methods can definitely help you see an improvement in the overall brightness and smoothness of the skin.
Other exfoliating alternatives include Biophora’s Enzyme Exfoliator, which “uses fruit extracts such as Bromelain (which comes from pineapple) and Pipain (which comes from papaya) along with a gentle beauty seed powder,” as explained by Madeline Wolkove. The Enzyme Exfoliator also contains powerful ingredients like glycerine, to retain moisture, and allantoin, to reduce inflammation.
goop Beauty Ultimate Dry Brush
Lymphatic Drainage Is Top-Tier Body Care
Both dry brushing and full-body gua sha aid in lymphatic drainage, as explained by Dr. Halim and Helen Chai, respectively. It has become one of those ubiquitous phrases in the wellness space, especially when describing the marvelous benefits of a tool, product, or technique. But what is it exactly – and why should we be doing it if it sounds disgusting?
Let’s start with the basics: the lymphatic system is part of the immune system and its job is to keep the fluids in the body balanced. It does so by draining lymph fluids through specific organs, tissues, lymphatic vessels, and collecting ducts. Sometimes, the lymphatic system can become blocked, so a drainage massage can help move trapped fluid and support the lymphatic system in protecting you from infection. While professionals typically perform most lymphatic massages, at-home practices like dry brushing can also be beneficial. In the West, people primarily use lymphatic drainage massage to treat lymphedema, a specific disease of the lymphatic system.
Nonetheless, the at-home versions like gua sha and dry brushing can help detoxify the body and help the lymphatic system do its thing – not gross at all.
De La Heart Lymphatic Drainage Tool
Keeping In Mind
Before jumping on any body care wellness trend, tool, or product, Dr. Halim offers some wise reminders: “Always pay attention to the ingredients used in trendy skincare products or treatments [and] avoid harsh chemicals or allergens that may irritate your skin or cause adverse reactions. Patch testing new products is a good way to assess sensitivity before full application. By prioritizing safety and informed decision-making, you can enjoy the benefits of trendy treatments while minimizing the risk of adverse effects or complications.”
What Does The Future of Body Care Hold?
While 2024 has already brought us the virality of a thousand-year-old tool, other brands are catching up – including launching products with a heavier focus on ingredients and targeting concerns all over the body. Madeline Wolkove, for instance, expects Vitamin C to be a key ingredient during the summer: “Biophora has a one-of-a-kind Vitamin C product called [Pure C, [a] 100% pure topical Vitamin C that dissolves into any Biophora cream or gel. [It] improves the look of dull, flaky, sun-damaged skin with lightening, brightening, antioxidant, and anti-aging properties.”
It’s safe to say that 2024 will prove to be the biggest year yet in body care – and gone are the days when skincare used to mean only the skin on your face.
Our Other Go-To Body Care Products
Naturium The Booster Hyaluronic Acid Body Wash
Frank Body Express-O Coffee Scrub
Soft Services BUFFING BAR Microcrystal Exfoliant
Josie Maran Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter
