The Skin-Care Ingredients You Should Be Using All Over Your Body

When it comes to skin care, there are certain ingredients that have stood the test of time and are, more or less, the foundations of any good skin-care routine—regardless of what other trendy, of-the-moment additions may come and go. Brightening ingredients like vitamin C, anti-aging heroes like retinol, and exfoliating must-haves like AHAs and BHAs, have become bonafide top-shelf staples, because they work.

That’s why we’re recommending that you incorporate your tried-and-true favourites into your body care routine, too. Because why shouldn’t we treat the skin on our body as kindly as the skin on our face?

Ingredient: AHAs and BHAs

A blend of AHAs and BHAs, this multi-acid peel is great for anyone will keratosis pilaris (tiny red bumps on the backs of arms and legs), eczema, body acne, and hyperpigmentation.

Stacked Skincare TCA Multi-Acid Body Peel, $163, stackedskincare.com

Ingredient: Vitamin C

The skin on your arms, legs, and chest will benefit from vitamin C’s powerful antioxidant properties. It can help with brightening and evening skin tone, which is why the ingredient is found in many products for the face. (Also, keep yourself feeling healthy by incorporating foods high in vitamin C into your diet.)

Nivea Q10 + Vitamin C Firming Body Lotion, $11, well.ca

Ingredient: Lactic Acid

Formulated with both physical and chemical exfoliants (in this case, lactic acid), this body polish gently buffs away dead skin cells, revealing softer, smoother skin underneath. Toronto-based cosmetic dermatologist Dr. Martie Gidon explains that alpha hydroxy acids such as lactic acid, “can be used all over,” though she recommends patients “avoid sensitive areas, such as skin folds.”

Crepe Erase Exfoliating Body Polish, $51, amazon.ca

Ingredient: Glycolic Acid

Don’t let the fact that this product only stays on your skin for a few moments fool you: this hard-working scrub, made with glycolic and lactic acid, was specifically developed to treat bumpy skin conditions like keratosis pilaris. It works its magic as you shower, and you’ll see results—fast.

Skinfix Resurface+ Glycolic Renewing Scrub, $40, sephora.ca

Ingredient: Salicylic Acid

You know you can rely on Neutrogena, the OG of acne-clearing treatments (teenage bacne, anyone?) to treat any unwanted spots on your back, neck, arms and shoulders. The salicylic acid-packed, foaming formula is able to get deep down into pores to lather away excess oil and impurities. (See more treatments for adult acne.)

Neutrogena Body Clear Body Wash, $8, walmart.ca

Ingredient: Retinol

Yes, you can use retinol on your body, too. The anti-aging hero ingredient works to repair skin’s texture and promote healthier, younger-looking skin all over. “These ingredients behave the same way, regardless of where [on the body] they are used,” explains Dr. Gidon. And just like your favourite retinol serum, retinol on the body “should be used at night, not during the day,” as it can cause skin to become more sensitive to sun exposure.

Chantecaille Retinol Body Treatment, $137, saksfifthavenue.com

Ingredient: Hyaluronic Acid

This hand cream from The Chemistry Brand (under the Deciem umbrella) features different sizes of hyaluronic acid molecules—the humectant responsible for the hydrating qualities of many face moisturizers on the market—for long-lasting hydration on an oft-neglected body part. (Check out tips for younger-looking hands.)

The Chemistry Brand HA3 Hand Hydrator, $9, chemistrybrand.com

Next, learn about beauty products with weird but effective ingredients.