I’ll be honest — for the longest time, my “body care routine” was basically just soap, a towel, and vibes. I’d spend 20 minutes on my face, then rush through the shower and call it a day. But the moment I noticed my hands and legs looking dry next to my glowy face, I realized something had to change. That’s when I finally started treating the skin on my body with the same love I give my face.
A body care routine includes cleansing, exfoliating, shaving properly, moisturizing, and using self-tanner for glow. Following these steps helps keep skin smooth, hydrated, and healthy from head to toe.
If you’re anything like me, you don’t need a complicated, 20-step routine — you just need a simple system that actually works. That’s exactly what I’m breaking down below: an easy, realistic body care routine you can stick to without feeling overwhelmed.
Why Your Body Deserves a Routine Too
We put so much effort into facial skincare — cleanser, exfoliator, moisturizer, serums — but somehow forget the skin below our neck. And I get it. Your face is what everyone sees. But body skin needs just as much care if you want soft hands, smooth legs, and healthy-looking skin all over. Washing with a bar soap once in a while and randomly applying lotion isn’t really cutting it. Trust me, I’ve been there.
Now let’s get into the actual routine — step by step.
Step 1: Get Clean
Just like with your face, everything starts with cleansing. For your body, that means using a cleanser specifically made for body skin — your facial cleanser won’t do the job here. I always reach for a gentle body wash that won’t strip or dry out my skin.
You can lather up using a loofah, wash cloth, or just your hands, whatever feels best for you. The key is to take a minute to actually cleanse, then rinse thoroughly before moving on.
Step 2: Slough Away Rough Skin
Exfoliating your face can be tricky, but your body is a lot more forgiving. Because body skin is typically tougher, you don’t have to stress quite as much about overdoing it.
Two to three times a week, I like to exfoliate in the shower using a sugar scrub. Gently massage it into your skin, paying extra attention to areas like elbows, knees, and heels, where rough patches love to hang out. This step makes such a difference — your skin feels instantly smoother.
Step 3: Shave—The Right Way
Even if you’ve been shaving forever, it’s surprisingly easy to get this step wrong (I definitely have). The biggest game-changer is giving your skin time to soften first — spend a few minutes in the shower before you shave.
When you’re ready, apply a shaving cream, then slowly glide your razor in the direction of hair growth instead of against it. Going slow and being gentle helps reduce irritation, bumps, and nicks.
Step 4: Hydrate From Head To Toe
This step is non-negotiable. Cleansing, exfoliating, and shaving all strip moisture from your skin, so moisturizing afterward is essential.
While your skin is still slightly damp, smooth a hydrating cream or lotion all over your body — from your neck all the way down to your toes. Yes, even your feet. Let it absorb before getting dressed, and you’ll notice your skin feels softer and more comfortable all day long.
Step 5: Fake Sun-Kissed Skin
Real tanning is a hard no for me, but that doesn’t mean you have to skip the glow. If you want bronzed skin without sun damage, a self-tanner is the way to go.
One of my favorites is the L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Water Mousse (available on Amazon). It’s a clear self-tanner that gradually gives your skin a gorgeous, natural-looking glow. I apply it evenly three times a week, using less product around joints like knees and elbows to avoid streaks. The result? Smooth, even, sun-kissed skin — minus the sun.
Final Thoughts
Creating a body care routine doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. At its core, it’s about doing the basics consistently: cleansing your skin with a gentle body wash, exfoliating a few times a week with a sugar scrub, shaving the right way with shaving cream and a razor, locking in moisture with a hydrating lotion or cream, and reaching for a self-tanner like the L’Oréal Paris Sublime Bronze Self-Tanning Water Mousse (available on Amazon) when you want that sun-kissed glow.
If there’s one thing I want you to take away from this, it’s that your body deserves the same care and attention you already give your face. You don’t need to be perfect or do everything at once — just start with one step and build from there. Trust me, once you feel how soft, smooth, and healthy your skin can be, you’ll never go back to a “soap and hope for the best” routine again.
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When it comes to my choices for makeup and beauty products, I only use L’Oréal Paris (Available on Amazon). I have really sensitive skin and never once have I had any negative reaction to any L’Oréal product.