Body Care . . . Why Care for the Skin Below the Chin?

Consumers pride themselves on their facial skin care routines that result in beautiful, healthy complexions but tend to ignore everything below the chin. Many are entirely averse to using body creams and lotions because they’re overly scented, greasy, transfer stains to clothes and linens, and sometimes cause irritation, especially after shaving.

In addition, consumers live in a world stricken by time poverty.  It simply takes too much time to apply and allow products to dry especially for men who often have a considerable amount of body hair.

According to Natalie DiLallo, Vice President of Marketing & Strategic Planning at Integrity Ingredients Corporation, “Our research indicates that another, more personal reason consumers do not practice body self-care is that they are embarrassed by the condition of their bodies and their skin.”  Cellulite, excess fat, crepey skin, varicose veins, pale skin and adverse cultural body image messaging are reasons why so many consumers are too embarrassed to show off their bodies, not to mention revealing serious skin diseases such as psoriasis, eczema and atopic dermatitis.  https://psychcentral.com/blog/why-do-women-hate-their-bodies/

The Body Care versus Facial Skin Care Markets

Thus far in 2019, the revenue generated from the Body Care category earned $3,635.6m.  When compared to the revenue generated in the same period by the US skin care market $12,592.6m, the statistics show that skin care revenue is almost four times that of body care with the latter being 28% of the total.

However, given the forecasts for growth of 2.8% CAGR over the next four years, there is strong indication that the body care market is gaining momentum.

There has been a lift in body-care sales and consumer interest in the category being felt industrywide which is due to a cultural shift that is focused on clean beauty, mindful living and full body wellness. https://wwd.com/beauty-industry-news/body-care/beautys-next-big-thing-body-care-abridged-11042759/.

“This shift is being driven by the “Beauty with a Conscience Movement”, according to Natalie DiLallo.  “Fueling it are both the millennial generation, as well as the mature baby boomers who are demanding anti-aging treatments for the body that have long become customary for the face.”

Why is it important to take care of your skin below the chin?

According to Joy Roederer, PhD Chemistry, and Vice President of Research & Development at Integrity Ingredients, “The skin is the largest organ of the body, with a total area that amasses approximately 20 square feet. The skin is comprised of two main layers, the dermis and the epidermis and acts as a barrier to the outside world. It helps to regulate body temperature, protects us from germs, microbes and irritants and helps the skin retain moisture and prevent moisture loss.  It also allows us to feel touch, heat, and cold.”

Lack of Skin Moisturization and its Effects 

What happens when your daily skin care routine does not include care for the skin below the chin?

There are definitive consequences on the skin, especially in today’s hostile environmental climate due to heat, cold, frequent showering, harsh cleansers, urban pollution and excessive sun exposure.

Soothing hot water is one of the best ways to warm the body when it’s cold. But hot water evaporates quickly from the skin especially in cold temperatures, and is most cases, the immediate result is irritated, dry skin immediately after showering.  In extreme cases this can result in skin conditions that range from red and blotchy to irritated and inflamed.  But when the skin is damp and sealed in with moisturizer, a hydrating environment is created that helps to bind moisture to the skin. 

If you neglect to apply moisturizer after a hot shower, dry skin will most likely immediately result or after a few days. And according to Dr. Joy, “Moisturizing your skin right after showering is very important to relieve and reverse dry, parched skin.”

 Ideal Body Care and the Skin Microbiome 

When property hydrated, the skin develops a living environment of beneficial bacteria to resist the microbial aggressors that cause disease and infections.  This is the skin’s natural defense shield and is known as the skin microbiome.  It is comprised of millions of healthy organisms referred to as skin flora that continuously communicate with the skin to keep it calm, comfortable and in balance. The microbiome cannot exist without the proper moisture required to maintain it and its presence is vital to protect the skin barrier and equilibrate its pH. It also generates skin nutrients and indispensable skin lipids that are necessary to keep skin in its healthiest, most beautiful state.

According to Dr. Joy, “Dry skin is a strong indicator that the skin’s protective barrier has been compromised which causes an imbalance in the skin microbiome.  There are essentially three steps to equilibrate the microbiome balance and moisturization is just one to treat skin effectively.  It is also very important to use a gentle body cleanser, preferably sulfate-free, to prevent harsh chemicals from stripping the skin of its natural lipids.”

“In addition, gentle exfoliation is an excellent pre-cleansing step to help your moisturizer penetrate the skin; to lock in hydration and natural lipids and to also facilitate skin repair,” she explains. “And, depending on the ingredients in the products you use, applying them over cracked, dry skin can further exacerbate a skin condition and cause burning and inflammation.  Therefore, I recommend that consumers consider clean, natural, but highly efficacious ingredients in the body products that they choose.”

Here at Integrity Ingredients we’ve created the perfect three step body care regimen to maintain a healthy skin microbiome.  Our regimen renders the skin silky-smooth, imparts a healthy glow and delivers surface protection to improve the skin barrier.  We focused on natural and naturally derived ingredients to gently exfoliate, cleanse and hydrate the delicate skin on the body.  Also included in our regimen are prebiotic ingredients to serve as nutrients and an energy source for the live bacteria known as probiotics that constitute the skin microbiome.

Body Exfoliant – Flora’Biotics Natural Body Exfoliant

A gentle, but thorough physical exfoliating scrub featuring Integrity’s Natural Scrub Base that provides long lasting moisture to help reduce the appearance of cracked and chafed skin.  Shea Butter, and a plethora of nourishing, natural plant oils act as a protective barrier to replenish skin’s natural lipids dynamically reinforcing the skin microbiome.  This formula features a non-invasive Coconut Shell Powder that gently exfoliates dead skin cells preparing it for subsequent treatment and moisturizing products.

Featured Ingredients

  • IntegriEXFOLIANT Natural Scrub Base: A proprietary emollient and hydrating complex that features Safflower Seed Oil, Tamanu Oil, Coconut Oil and Babasu Oil combined with Shea Butter, Cupuacu Butter, Murumuru Butter as well as Gardenia Flower Extract, Panthenol and Vitamin E.  The complex imparts perceivable emollient and skin-conditioning benefits that deliver a soft, smooth after-feel.
  • IntegriLIPID Hemp Seed Oil:  A key nutritive oil that has excellent penetration properties to help alleviate dry skin, reduce inflammation and ultimately support a balanced skin microbiome.
  • IntegriEXFOLIANT Coconut Shell Powder:  A natural exfoliant that absorbs the precise amount of water to work into the skin without dissolving.  It delivers a gentle exfoliation without creating micro-cuts on the skin.
  • Jakabix NP 5.2:  A 100% natural, broad-spectrum preservative, that is odorless, light in color and can be used at pH 4-10.  Will not degrade foaming action in surfactant systems nor cause offensive formula odors.

Body Shampoo – Flora’Biotics Organic Coconut Oil Body Shampoo

A sulfate-free, 100% Organic Coconut Oil, Extra Virgin body wash that deeply hydrates and gently purifies the skin by whisking away dead skin cells, dirt, and sebum.  It’s mild cleansing action respects the skin’s natural pH without irritating or stripping away essential moisture.  Designed to soothe and nourish the skin microbiome, this sumptuous body wash creates a frothy, creamy lather that leaves your skin lavishly soft, smooth and hydrated. The naturally derived amino acid surfactant system thoroughly cleanses while maintaining the skin’s microbiome balance and is gentle enough for daily use.  

Featured Ingredients

  • Organic Coconut Oil, Extra Virgin:  A 100% Virgin Coconut Oil that is excellent to moisturize dry, itchy, sensitive skin. Helps to reduce inflammation and heal damaged skin. Its antimicrobial properties help to protect skin and reduce harmful bacteria that may cause visible skin imperfections.
  • IntegriBOTANICAL Coconut Milk Powder:  Delivers creamy moisture onto the skin without clogging pores.
  • IntegriACTIVE Anti-Irritancy Complex: A proprietary blend that hydrates and exfoliates the skin while reducing irritation.  It combines Phytic Acid, Panthenol, Licorice Extract, Sodium Hyaluronate, Allantoin, Aloe Vera Leaf Extract and Snow Mushroom Extract – a rich source of polysaccharides that helps to hydrate skin by binding moisture to its surface.
  • IntegriFACTANT Amino SCG: A mild, sulfate-free surfactant designed to cleanse skin while it creates a creamy, softening skin feel.  Derived from amino acid proteins that are very similar and friendly to human skin.
  • IntegriFACTANT SDO 30:  An exceptional foam booster and viscosity builder for cleansing and body wash formulations.  Enables the development of non-SLES and non-DEA formulations that are mild on the skin with low irritancy. 
  • Jakabix NP 5.2:  A 100% natural, broad-spectrum preservative, that is odorless, light in color and can be used at pH 4-10.  Will not degrade foaming action in surfactant systems nor cause offensive formula odors.

Body Moisturizer – Flora’Biotics Organic Coconut Oil Body Moisture

This elegant moisturizer is a body treatment that was specially formulated with 100% Organic Coconut Oil, Extra Virgin to moisturize dry, dehydrated skin while it soothes irritation and inflammation leaving even sensitive skin with a beautiful, healthy glow.  A luxurious blend of Sodium Hyaluronate, 100% Virgin Coconut Oil, Coconut Water, Coconut Milk Powder and Shea Butter the formula deeply nourishes, hydrates and protects the skin leaving it silky smooth without clogging pores.

Organic Seaberry Fruit Oil from the Tibetan Plateau contains over 190 bioactive nutrients that include essential fatty acids, Omega 3, 6, 7 and 9, as well as strong antioxidant power to help to protect, heal and repair damaged skin and promote a healthy skin microbiome. The formula provides a heavy dose of Vitamin E, a powerful antioxidant that effectively helps to reduce UV and free radical damage. The synergistic effect of all of these actives results in a powerfully hydrating and detoxifying formula with intense protection and reinforcement of the skin microbiome.

Featured Ingredients

  • IntegriMOIST HA Powder (Sodium Hyaluronate):  A naturally derived humectant that hold up to 1000 times its molecular weight to bind intense moisture to the skin.
  • Organic Coconut Oil, Extra Virgin:  A 100% Virgin Coconut Oil that is excellent to moisturize dry, itchy, sensitive skin. Helps to reduce inflammation and heal damaged skin. Its antimicrobial properties help to protect skin and reduce harmful bacteria that may cause visible skin imperfections.
  • IntegriBOTANICAL Coconut Water:  A 100% Organic Coconut Water that cleanses, hydrates and naturally moisturizes without adding excess oil.  Potassium content helps to equilibrate hydration balance.
  • IntegriBOTANICAL Coconut Milk Powder:  Delivers creamy moisture onto the skin without clogging pores.
  •  Liquid Shea Butter Ester:  Helps to increase moisture and protect the skin barrier. Delivers a silky smooth, powdery-soft skin feel and a unique light texture.  A non-greasy emollient that enables cold processing and produces superior spread without tackiness. ECOCERT, COSMOS Approved, China Compliant.
  • SeaBerry Fruit Oil:  Nature’s miracle berry sourced from the pristine Tibetan plateau that contains over 190 nutrients that include fatty acids, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. It is also an excellent source of Omega 7, a healing fatty acid.
  • Vitamin E:  A powerful antioxidant that helps to reduce skin damage caused by UV damage and free radicals.
  • Amphiphilic Polymer:  Formula thickener for “Clean Beauty”, “Energy Efficient”, and “Emulsifier Free” formulas that are easy to process and can be loaded with up to 70% oils for a rich, elegant feel.  
  • Jakabix NP 5.2:  A 100% natural, broad-spectrum preservative, that is odorless, light in color and can be used at pH 4-10.  Will not degrade foaming action in surfactant systems nor cause offensive formula odors.

Dr. Joy has a few other tips to help to synergistically maintain skin moisture and equilibrate the skin microbiome, “Look for products containing Linoleic and Linolenic fatty acids, which help repair and support the lipid layer of the skin. These essential fatty acids are not synthesized by the body and must be supplemented, so your diet should also include foods rich in Omega-3 and Omega-6 oils to help to boost the skin’s hydrating and protective functions.”

“Also, reduce the temperature when showering and use gentle skin conditioning body cleansers that are sulfate-free and ideally emulsifier-free.  The combination of hot water and harsh surfactants strip essential lipids from the skin causing dryness, irritation and moisture loss.”

In conclusion, Natalie DiLallo states, “As a company, Integrity Ingredients Corporation has innovated numerous sustainable, ethically sourced, clean beauty ingredients and formulations.  Many have been designed to maximize skin hydration and to optimize the balance of the skin’s microbiome and beyond.  

At Integrity, we have whole heartedly made a serious commitment to, and an investment in the Beauty with a Conscience Movement and believe that it is more than a trend.  We have embraced this movement as one of our primary overarching corporate values with our mission being to elevate skin beauty for all consumers.”  

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Natalie DiLallo

Vice President of Marketing & Strategic Planning

Integrity Ingredients Corporation

[email protected]

310.344.3706