How to Build
Your Body Skincare Routine
7 Benefits of Maintaining a
Regular Body Care Routine
- Hydrated Skin:Regular moisturising helps keep your skin hydrated and can stop it from becoming dry and itchy.
- Smooth Texture:Exfoliating removes dead skin cells, which helps give you a smoother skin texture.
- Clearer Skin:Cleansing properly helps prevent body pimples by washing away dirt and oil.
- Even Skin Tone:Using targeted treatments like serums and moisturisers with brightening ingredients regularly can help reduce the look of dark spots and an uneven skin tone.
- Anti-Aging:Looking after your skin consistently with the right products can minimise the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Protection from the Sun:
Using sunscreen helps protect your skin from UV rays and potential sun damage.
- Improved Circulation:Massaging your skin while you apply products can help improve blood circulation. This little boost may encourage healthier-looking skin.
Does Body Skincare
Differ Between Men and Women?
A body care routine for women might focus more on moisturisers and dealing with hormonal changes, like those during your menstrual cycle, pregnancy or menopause, which can cause dryness or oiliness. Women's hormones can change how the skin holds on to moisture and how it reacts to inflammation, so some women prefer thicker, more nourishing moisturisers or soothing treatments.
Men's body skincare often includes stronger cleansers to suit their thicker skin. But both men and women can benefit from cleansing, exfoliating and moisturising their skin regularly.
5-Step Body
Skincare Routine
Choose a body wash with hydrating ingredients such as Glycerin or, if your skin is dry, go for deeply nourishing formulas with ingredients like Vitamin E to help lock in moisture.
Exfoliating helps get rid of dead skin cells and makes your skin feel smoother.
For best results, apply a body scrub to damp skin and gently rub it in circular motions for 30 seconds to a minute. Focus on rough spots like your knees, elbows and heels. Rinse off with lukewarm water and pat your skin dry.
Aim to use a body scrub 1–2 times a week so you don't strip too much moisture from your skin or weaken your skin barrier.
Hair removal is often part of a body skincare routine, and it really helps to know the best skin-friendly way to shave, especially after exfoliating.
After you exfoliate, apply shaving cream, foam or gel to the areas you want to shave. Warm water from the shower will have softened the body hair to make shaving easier.
Make sure you shave in the right direction for the result you want and for the body area. Going against the grain can give a closer shave, but on more sensitive areas it can cause irritation, ingrown hairs and shaving rash.
Moisturising right after your shower helps seal in hydration from the water, leaving your skin feeling softer and smoother.
- Apply the Right Amount: Use around 2–3 tablespoons of body lotion for full coverage. Try not to use too much, as this can leave your skin feeling greasy.
- Massage in Sections: Start with a small amount in your palms and apply in sections – begin with your legs, then move to your arms and torso so you get even coverage.
- Focus on Dry Areas: Add a bit of extra lotion to dry spots such as elbows, knees and heels for more hydration.
Protecting your body from sun damage is a key daily step to help prevent premature ageing. Before you head outside, apply a broad-spectrum sunscreen with at least SPF 30 to all exposed areas of your body, including your arms, legs, neck and face. Use enough sunscreen to cover your skin evenly and massage it in until it's fully absorbed.
Reapply every two hours if you're spending a lot of time outdoors, especially if you're sweating or swimming. Using sun protection every day can help prevent premature ageing and damage from UV rays.
Extra Body Care Tips
and Tricks:
- Hydrate:
Drink plenty of water throughout the day to help keep your skin hydrated from the inside out.
- Dry Brushing:Use a dry brush before showering to boost circulation and exfoliate the skin. This may support cell renewal, reduce puffiness and improve skin texture.
- Night Care:Use richer products at night to help your skin repair and regenerate while you sleep.
- Shaving:
Use a moisturising shave cream and follow with an aftershave balm to help prevent irritation and ingrown hairs.
- Foot Care:Regularly exfoliate and moisturise your feet to help prevent dryness, cracking and calluses.
How to Make a Homemade
Body Scrub
- Sugar and Olive Oil Scrub:Mix one cup of sugar with half a cup of olive oil. Stir the mixture until it's combined and then apply generously to your skin.
- Coffee Scrub:Combine half a cup of coffee grounds with half a cup of coconut oil and a quarter cup of sugar. The small coffee grounds are gentle on the skin but still work well to remove dead cells from the skin's surface.
- Oat Scrub:Blend one cup of oats with half a cup of honey and half a cup of plain yoghurt. Oats contain plenty of antioxidants and have anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe irritated or sensitive skin.
