ExclusiveA Dermatologist Weighs In on Kim Kardashian’s Body Foundation — How to Wear, Take Off and Is It Safe?
Rejoice! Kim Kardashian‘s new body foundation from KKW Beauty is about to make us all look airbrushed 24/7. Before you start slathering on body makeup every day, celebrity dermatologist Dr. Ilyse Lefkowicz of NY Skin RX gave advice exclusively to Life & Style about how to safely wear and remove the product. Incorrect use of body foundation could lead to clogged pores or acne flare-ups, so follow these guidelines to keep your skin smooth.
How to Prep
First things first, cleanliness matters. “As with your face, it’s extremely important to clean and prep skin properly so that the product being applied can set evenly on the surface of the skin,” Dr. Lefkowicz advised. The most effective way to do this is by jumping in a lukewarm shower for about five minutes. “It’s extremely important to cleanse with a gentle, moisturizing body wash rather than a harsh soap, which can strip the skin of its natural oils. My go-to brands for cleansers are Olay and Dove.” The skin guru added, “Immediately after showering, pat your skin with a towel and moisturize with a light body lotion.” Just a few steps can assure that the body makeup will go on smoothly.
How to Take It Off
To remove is basically the same process — make it a priority before dozing off. “With most makeup products, bronzers and body shimmer oils, you’ll want to remove it before going to bed as it has the potential to clog pores and stain your sheets,” Dr. Lefkowicz acknowledged. Hop back in the lukewarm shower and use a mild, moisturizing body soap to take off the product. The board-certified dermatologist loves Olay Moisture Ribbons in Lavender.
“After cleansing, pat your skin with a soft towel and moisturize immediately with a lotion. I like Cerave SA Lotion which exfoliates and moisturizes your skin while maintaining the skin barrier,” she said. Look for products with salicylic acid because it “restores skin smoothness by gently exfoliating and it also contains hyaluronic acid which is hydrating.” If you aren’t able to shower before bed, use a gentle makeup remover wipe.
How Often Can I Wear It?
Is body makeup reserved for weekends and special events? Although Dr. Lefkowicz noted that it’s a “new trend” where longterm effects have yet to be measured, it shouldn’t be a problem if you’re taking care of your skin. “As long as you are properly removing makeup, exfoliating, cleaning and restoring moisture to your skin daily and you’re not sensitive to the ingredient formulation, you shouldn’t have a problem,” the skin expert explained about daily body makeup wear.
However, she instructed to spot test the foundation before going all in. “Swipe a bit of the product onto the innermost delicate portion of your wrist and forearm for the day. See how your skin fairs and then proceed with using the product based on your skin’s reaction.” Better safe than sorry, right?
Is It Really Bad for My Skin?
“Generally speaking, as with many products, there can be risks with using it,” Dr. Lefkowciz warned. “You may find that you’re allergic to or have a reaction to a certain ingredient.” Now it makes sense why you test it, right? “Also, if one is prone to acne on their chest and back, using a body makeup that is thick and occlusive can actually induce a flare-up.”
One thing to keep in mind is that what’s in the product definitely matters. “Similar to foundation for your face, if there are quality ingredients used within the formulation, then the product can actually enhance the health of the skin,” she said. “Conversely, if the product is made of low-quality ingredients, then it has the potential to damage the skin.”
Dr. Lefkowciz noted that “the formula hasn’t been released widely” for KKW’s body foundation yet. However, if it ever does or if you’re shopping around for the right brand, the skin doc has a few pieces of advice. “I would certainly choose products that have been tested to be non-comedogenic (won’t clog pores),” she divulged. “Also, if one is planning on wearing body makeup during the day I would recommend finding one with an SPF in it since you’ll want to protect your skin from sun exposure.”
Take care of your skin so you can slay all year long!
