The short answer: Good body care is mostly small habits: wash towels often, choose gentle, fragrance-conscious products, use hair removal creams only as directed on healthy skin, and moisturize consistently. Skin below the neck ages and reacts too, so it deserves the same thoughtful care as your face.
We spend a lot of time on our faces and very little on the rest of our skin. Yet some of the most common questions I get are about everyday body care. Here are the answers I have shared with editors this year.
How often should you wash your towels?
More often than most people do. Our bodies are covered with a robust microbiome of bacteria, yeast, and fungi, and it transfers to your towel every time you dry off. As I told House Beautiful, dirty towels can worsen, or even cause, skin issues like acne and folliculitis.
- Body and face towels: wash after about three to four uses, more often if you have acne or eczema.
- Hand towels: wash every two days.
- Hang towels to dry outside the bathroom when you can. Warmth and humidity help bacteria, yeast, and fungi grow much faster.
Deodorant or antiperspirant: what is the difference?
Deodorants control odor by reducing bacteria on the skin, but they do not stop sweat. Antiperspirants use aluminum-based compounds to reduce wetness.
I am a fan of roll-ons, as I told NBC News Select. They apply evenly, waste less product than sprays, and create no airborne particles, which can help people with asthma or fragrance sensitivities.
When should kids start using deodorant?
Many kids are entering puberty earlier than past generations, and body odor is often one of the first signs that the apocrine sweat glands are becoming active. A gentle deodorant is reasonable once odor affects a child's comfort or confidence.
As I shared with NBC News Select, avoid heavy fragrances and alcohol-heavy formulas, which can irritate or dry young skin. Even "natural" ingredients can cause reactions in kids with sensitive skin.
Is hair removal cream safe?
It can be safe and effective for many people when used exactly as directed. These creams contain ingredients such as calcium thioglycolate or potassium thioglycolate that break down keratin, the protein that gives hair its strength. The weakened hair then wipes away.
Because those ingredients are strong, they can irritate skin, especially if you have sensitive skin, eczema, rosacea, or a compromised barrier. My advice from NBC News Select:
- Choose a formula made for the area you are treating.
- Patch test first and follow the timing on the label.
- Never use it on broken, sunburned, inflamed, or infected skin.
Do cellulite creams work?
Cellulite does not go away on its own, but the right formula can change how skin looks over time. Retinol is one of the few ingredients that can improve the appearance of cellulite, because it stimulates collagen production. As I explained to Allure, by thickening the dermis it can make the dimpling from underlying fat less visible. Consistency matters more than any single product.
What helps aging skin on the body?
Body skin gets drier and thinner with age, just like facial skin. A rich, daily body lotion applied to slightly damp skin after showering helps lock in moisture. I shared my favorites for Vogue's guide to body lotions for aging skin.
Does brushing your hair help it grow?
Gentle daily habits support healthier hair. For Marie Claire France, I explained that daily brushing stimulates blood flow to the scalp. I also recommended detangling gently with a wide-tooth comb, rinsing with lukewarm to cool water, patting hair dry instead of rubbing, and sleeping on a silk or satin pillowcase to limit breakage.
What actually helps a hickey fade?
A hickey forms when tiny blood vessels called capillaries break from suction or pressure. It leaves a bruise-like mark that can look red, purple, or dark brown depending on skin tone. As I told Cosmopolitan, ice it in the first 24 hours to limit swelling. After that, switch to warm compresses, which may help your body reabsorb the trapped blood more quickly.
As featured in
- House Beautiful: This Is How Often You Should Wash Your Towels
- NBC News Select: Why You Might Want to Give Roll-On Deodorant a Second Look
- NBC News Select: When Should Kids Start Using Deodorant?
- NBC News Select: Is Hair Removal Cream Doing Harm to Your Skin?
- Allure: 7 Best Cellulite Creams for Smoother, Firmer-Looking Skin
- Vogue: The Best Body Lotions for Aging Skin
- Marie Claire France: 8 Simple Habits for Healthier Hair (in French)
- Cosmopolitan: Hickey Tips Experts Say Actually Help
Frequently asked questions
Is aluminum in antiperspirant safe?
Antiperspirants are widely used and regulated. If you have sensitive skin or simply prefer to avoid them, a gentle deodorant controls odor without blocking sweat.
How long does a hickey last?
Usually one to two weeks, like other small bruises. Ice early and warm compresses later can help it fade.
Can I use facial products on my body?
Yes, and many work well on the neck, chest, and hands. Body products are usually richer and come in larger sizes, which makes daily use easier.
Dr. Kristina Collins, MD, FAAD, is a Harvard-trained, double board-certified dermatologist and dermatologic surgeon, and the founder of foy. This article is for education and is not a substitute for advice from your own doctor.