Did you forget about it? The skin below the chin?

If so, you’re not alone. Every morning we check our face in the mirror, admiring our reflection as we brush our teeth and apply skincare. But many of us overlook our bodies; it doesn’t help that many mirrors are mounted at a height to focus on the face.

Our body is about 92% of our skin’s real estate — this is living property consistently reflecting our health, lifestyle choices, and internal and external experiences. It’s essential to pay attention to and care for the skin above and below the chin all year round. Let’s examine some “skinformation” to help us achieve healthier skin from head to toe.

Tip of the Iceberg Phenomena:
The good and bad news is that 80% of aging is up to you. The tip of the iceberg — our face — is out 365 days a year in all kinds of weather and sun exposure so you’d think it would look older, with lines, wrinkles, discoloration and sagging, than the rest of our body. But why doesn’t it? With care, our faces can be next to flawless: even-toned, smooth, wrinkle-free. We exfoliate, moisturize, mask, peel, protect, support, and we use tools to care for our face but usually not past the jawline. The lower part of the iceberg — our body — is undercover and misses the same treatments so eventually skin can look old, revealing your age.

Exfoliate
Exfoliation from head to toe is key to radiant, glowing skin as we age. Full face and body exfoliation encourages younger, more vibrant cells to the surface. Our cellular renewal slows down 50% over the years, and dead skin cells pile up. You’ll see dry, dull, ashy skin that can be easily released with an exfoliating product. Exfoliation removes dead skin cells and allows topical product application to get to the true surface of the skin.

Tip: Avoid over-scrubbing for a quick result, especially if you’ve been working out, sweating, and want to destroy acne blemishes — you could get a serious acne flare-up. The skin needs to get used to exfoliation, so begin two to three times a week and increase as tolerated to five days a week. How do you know if you’ve overworked your skin? It will look red, and shiny, and feel sensitive or sting.

Micro-Dermabrasion Paste can be used on the face and body to exfoliate away dead skin cells for smoother, vibrant-looking skin after just one use. This sugar and salt-based scrub gently buffs away dull skin cells and dry, flaky skin. If concerned about exfoliation, massage onto damp skin to melt the salt and sugar crystals.

Hydrate
After removing dead skin cells from your face and body, it’s essential to drench your skin with hydration. Active Hydration Body Replenish delivers a luxurious layer of all-over hydration. Get younger-looking, younger-acting skin with our breakthrough body moisturizer that instantly and continuously hydrates. You’ll see less crepey skin and more plump, luminous, bouncy, and radiant-looking skin. You can improve your skin — it is not too late, and your body will thank you.

Protect
To help reduce skin aging and discoloration, apply sunscreen daily before you go outdoors. We often forget about skin under the chin that is exposed to the sun when we’re on a walk or just out and about, but it’s equally as prone to sun damage as the face. The best skin that I’ve ever seen in the dermatologist’s office was from a patient that applied sunscreen every morning on her entire body after a bath or shower. Although she was prone to freckles, they were extremely faint, and her skin was baby smooth even though she was over 50. Remember that there is no fountain of youth, but sun protection products are the next best thing.

Be picky. When it comes to sunscreen, look for one with SPF 30 or more of a broad-spectrum formulation and one that is water-resistant. Essentials Face + Body Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 is a great option for full-body and long-wearing protection for an active lifestyle. Our formula offers up to 80 minutes of water and sweat resistance for activities like sports, outdoor recreation, and keeping up with the kids. The lightweight, non-sticky formula is excellent for the whole family and won’t cause breakouts.

Get even. Clothing straps move, backs are hard to reach, and sunscreen can only blend so far. So, do your best to apply an even amount over the skin. Tip: Apply the initial coat on bare skin. After putting on your clothing items, layer a second coat after 15 minutes. Finally, make sure you do not skimp on the amount of product — a teaspoon for the face and an ounce for the body, layered over time.

Re-apply. A very important sun protection step is re-application. Although we’d like it to be as easy as one and done, it isn’t. The basic rule is to re-apply sunscreen every 2-2.5 hours, and after swimming and sweating.

Dark spots be gone. Using skin brighteners to even your skin tone can deliver even, radiant skin. Don’t expect to go back in the sun and get an even tan now that your spots and patches are history. Unfortunately, skin has a memory of your past skin habits and assaults. Freckles and marks can pop up right back in the same places. This is because our melanocytes, or pigment cells, are stimulated to protect the skin as its main job is to create umbrellas of color to protect the skin below from harmful UV rays. People with more pigment have a coat of protection so they burn less and usually tan evenly. Fair individuals have less pigmented cells, so they have less protection. The few cells bring less protection causing their skin to burn more easily and the pigment is more scattered. Over time, these pigment cells reproduce but look clumped together. The bottom line, avoid the sun and wear sunscreen.

Fake it. Do you want the best of both worlds — sun-kissed skin without the damage? Get summer color 365 days a year using a faux tan product. Re-apply as needed once or twice a week and more frequently to the face as it is usually cleansed twice daily. Remember to use your sunscreen every day as directed because tinted skin is not sun protection. Essentials Foaming Sunless Tan gives even, natural-looking color with RF-Dcell Technology featuring Narcissus Bulb Extract to extend the life of your sunless glow.

I hope you’ve now been inspired to love and care for your skin from head to toe all year long!

*Written by Mary Radford, RNBA
Mary Radford, RNBA, has an extensive background in Dermatology, Plastic Surgery and Aesthetic Spas. She worked side by side with Dr. Katie Rodan as a Registered Nurse in her dermatology office before being recruited to Rodan + Fields in 2004, where she currently focuses on Field Education + Tools.

*All referenced results are based on an 8-week U.S. clinical and consumer study.

Learn more about Rodan + Fields  and how you can get your most radiant skin ever. Trust your skin’s glow to the Doctors and to your consultant who know how to help you get your skin glowing.

Results may vary depending on multiple factors: age, gender, skin type and condition, concomitant products used, health history, location, lifestyle, and diet.

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*information is taken from The R+F Source.