Full Body Skincare Routine For Glowing Skin

If you check through your cupboard now you will realise there are so many jars, tubes and bottles. How many are for your face? and how many are for your body? The body deserves some love too. Achieving glowing, radiant skin isn’t just about the products you use on your face—your body deserves the same level of care and attention. A well-rounded body skincare routine can help you maintain smooth, hydrated, and luminous skin from head to toe.

Luckily beauty companies are not just about the face, they are for body care too. You will find lots of active ingredients meant for the face work for the body. It is high time you treat your body exactly the way you treat your face.

It is important to note that, the serums meant for the face are not meant for your body because your face has a high amount of sebaceous glands which produce oil. As a result, the formulations are different. This is the same for your body products, they are not meant for your face. The products for your body are thick and they contain more occlusive ingredients. If you put your body products on your face, they can clog your pores and may break out your skin.

In this post, I’ll walk you through the essential steps to create a full body skincare routine that will leave your skin looking and feeling its best.

Step 1 – Gentle Cleanse with a Hydrating Body Wash

The foundation of any skincare routine is cleansing, and your body is no exception. If you get cleansing wrong, your whole skin will be affected. You will need to ensure your cleansing step is gentle and effective. That means stay away from body washes or soaps containing fragrances, dyes, foams and products that may clog your skin.

Start with a hydrating body wash that gently removes dirt, sweat, and impurities without stripping your skin of its natural oils. Look for body washes that contain moisturizing ingredients like glycerin, shea butter, ceramides, and plant oils like argan, safflower, olive oil, hyaluronic acid, or aloe vera. Avoid harsh soaps that can leave your skin feeling dry and tight. If you suffer from back acne, look for a cleanser with benzoyl peroxide, salicylic acid or tea tree oil.

If you are using bar soap, I highly recommend Syndet bar soap. These kinds of bar soaps are formulated with a neutral PH range, fatty acids, waxes and esters. Also, the kind of surfactant used is cocoyl isethionate which is very mild and gentle on the skin.

Pro Tip: Use lukewarm water when showering—hot water can strip your skin of moisture, leading to dryness and irritation.

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For body washes, I recommend products that occlusive, emollient oils such as sunflower oil, soya bean oil and glycerin with other humectants

Step 2 – Exfoliate Regularly for Smooth Skin

Exfoliation is key to maintaining smooth, glowing skin. By removing dead skin cells, exfoliation helps to reveal fresh, radiant skin underneath. Depending on your skin type and sensitivity, you can choose between physical exfoliants (like sugar scrubs or exfoliating mitts) and chemical exfoliants (like those containing alpha hydroxy acids (AHAs) or beta hydroxy acids (BHAs)).

If you have acne on your body, you may use exfoliants with azelaic acid, salicylic acid and Bakuchiol. These 3 ingredients will help unclog pores and calm your skin.

For best results, exfoliate your body 2-3 times a week. Be gentle, especially if you’re using a physical exfoliant—harsh scrubbing can lead to irritation and micro-tears in the skin.

Pro Tip: Pay extra attention to rough areas like elbows, knees, and heels where dead skin tends to accumulate.

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Step 3 – Shaving & Deodorise

This step is optional. Shaving can irritate those with sensitive skin. To protect your skin while you shave, allow warm water to soften the hair, prep your skin with alcohol-free shaving cream or lotion, use a sharp blade and shave with (rather than against) the grain.

When choosing a deodorant, opt for ones that are free of fragrance and aluminium. Both of which can cause redness and rashes.

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Step 4 – Moisturize Immediately After Showering

Locking in moisture is essential for glowing skin, and the best time to do this is right after showering. While your skin is still damp, apply a rich, nourishing body lotion or cream to seal in hydration. Ingredients like shea butter, cocoa butter, ceramides, and hyaluronic acid are excellent for keeping your skin soft and supple.

It is important to switch up your moisturizers as the seasons change. Think lightweight fast-absorbing formulas during the summer and ointment or heavy super-hydrating options during the winter.

For an extra boost of hydration, you can layer a body oil over your lotion. This not only locks in moisture but also gives your skin a radiant sheen. Check out my blog post on the best oils for your skin. If you have acne, dry, combination or sensitive skin type, there are oils that you can use.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget to moisturize your hands and feet—these areas often get neglected but are prone to dryness.

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Step 5 – Don’t Forget Your Hands & Feet

Your hands and feet need some love too. They require deeper hydration than the rest of your body as you frequently use them to wash. If your hands are constantly dry, check out my post on dry hands and how to heal them.

For hand creams, you need hand creams rich in vitamins, shea butter and glycerin to help restore your skin moisture. This leaves your hands feeling softer for a longer period.

Your feet also need some love, you run errands, do daily workouts and spend hours on your feet. Your feet need exfoliation and heavy-duty moisturizers to keep them soft, smooth and debris-free.

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Step 6 – Protect Your Skin with Sunscreen

Sunscreen isn’t just for your face. I know you are in the habit of applying sunscreen for your face but I really want you to also get into the habit of applying it for your body specifically on the areas that you often forget about such as your chest, neck, forearms, arms and shoulder’s if those areas are exposed to the sun.

Protecting your body from harmful UV rays is crucial for maintaining healthy, youthful-looking skin. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen with an SPF of at least 30 and apply it to all exposed areas of your body, especially if you’re spending time outdoors.

Reapply sunscreen every two hours, or immediately after swimming or sweating, to ensure continuous protection.

Pro Tip: Don’t forget areas like the back of your neck, ears, and tops of your feet—these spots are often overlooked but are just as susceptible to sun damage.

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Step 7: Treat Yourself to Weekly Body Masks

Just as your face benefits from the occasional mask, so does your body. A weekly body mask can provide deep hydration, detoxification, or soothing benefits, depending on the ingredients used. Look for masks that contain clay for detoxifying, oatmeal for soothing, or honey for deep hydration.

Apply the mask to clean, dry skin, and let it sit for the recommended time before rinsing off. Your skin will feel refreshed and rejuvenated, with a healthy glow.

Pro Tip: You can DIY your body masks with natural ingredients like yogurt, honey, and oats for a spa-like treatment at home.

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Step 8: Stay Hydrated and Eat a Balanced Diet

Glowing skin isn’t just about what you put on your body—it’s also about what you put into it. Staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day helps keep your skin plump and radiant. Eating a balanced diet rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and healthy fats supports skin health from the inside out.

Incorporate foods like leafy greens, berries, nuts, and fish into your diet to give your skin the nutrients it needs to stay healthy and glowing.

Pro Tip: Consider adding a daily supplement like omega-3 fatty acids or collagen to boost your skin’s natural radiance.

Step 9: Get Regular Exercise and Adequate Sleep

Exercise and sleep are often overlooked but are essential components of a glowing skin routine. Regular exercise boosts circulation, delivering more oxygen and nutrients to your skin, which helps to maintain a healthy glow. It also helps to flush out toxins through sweat.

Getting 7-8 hours of quality sleep each night allows your skin to repair and regenerate, reducing the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, and dullness.

Pro Tip: Try to incorporate a mix of cardio, strength training, and yoga into your routine for the best results.

Top Tips For Your Body Skincare Routine

• Avoid hot steamy showers that will dry out your skin.
• Don’t apply ingredients meant for your face on your body and vice versa
• Apply body moisturizers when your skin is still damp as it is easier for moisturizers to get absorbed and lock in moisture
• Apply sunscreens with at least SPF30 and keep them around you to protect your skin against the damaging effects of the sun.
• Always keep your skin looking and feeling its best
• Don’t forget your hands and feet deserve some love too

Conclusion

Achieving radiant, glowing skin is all about consistency and care. Your body deserves all the love you shower on your face. When you care for your body, you feel good and healthy. Remember, glowing skin is a reflection of your overall health and wellness, so take care of your body both inside and out.

Thank you for reading! Feel free to share your favorite body skincare tips in the comments below.