The Body Care Routine You're Missing (And Why It Matters)

The Body Care Routine You're Missing (And Why It Matters)

We spend so much time perfecting our facial skincare routines — double cleansing, layering serums, applying SPF — but what about the other 90% of our skin? Your body deserves just as much love, and a consistent body care routine can transform your skin from dull and dry to soft, smooth, and genuinely glowing.

Here's everything you need to know.

Why Body Care Is Worth the Effort

The skin on your body is thicker than facial skin but still prone to dryness, uneven texture, ingrown hairs, and loss of elasticity over time. Regular body care helps:

  • Maintain a strong, healthy skin barrier
  • Prevent and treat dry, rough patches (especially elbows, knees, and heels)
  • Improve skin texture and tone
  • Slow the visible signs of aging on the body
  • Boost circulation and lymphatic drainage

And honestly? A good body care routine is one of the most luxurious forms of self-care you can give yourself.

Step 1: Exfoliate (2–3x Per Week)

Exfoliation is the foundation of smooth, glowing body skin. It removes dead skin cells that accumulate on the surface, allowing your moisturizer to penetrate more effectively and your skin to reflect light better.

Two types of body exfoliation:

  • Physical scrubs: Sugar or salt-based scrubs that manually buff away dead skin. Great for most skin types. Use gentle, circular motions and avoid scrubbing too hard.
  • Chemical exfoliants: Body lotions or washes containing AHA (glycolic or lactic acid) or BHA (salicylic acid). Ideal for keratosis pilaris (those tiny bumps on the back of arms) and ingrown hairs.

Pro tip: Exfoliate in the shower before shaving for a closer, smoother result and fewer ingrown hairs.

Step 2: Cleanse with Intention

Your body wash matters more than you think. Harsh, stripping formulas can disrupt your skin barrier and leave skin feeling tight and dry. Look for:

  • Hydrating body washes with glycerin, aloe vera, or ceramides
  • Fragrance-free options for sensitive skin
  • pH-balanced formulas that respect your skin's natural microbiome

Use lukewarm water rather than hot — hot showers feel amazing but strip your skin's natural oils.

Step 3: Moisturize Immediately After Showering

This is the most important step — and the one most people skip or do wrong. Apply your body moisturizer within 3 minutes of stepping out of the shower, while your skin is still slightly damp. This locks in moisture and dramatically improves absorption.

Choose your formula based on your skin type:

  • Dry skin: Rich body butters with shea butter, cocoa butter, or mango butter
  • Normal skin: Lightweight body lotions with hyaluronic acid or ceramides
  • Oily skin: Gel-based moisturizers or lightweight body oils like jojoba or squalane
  • Rough, bumpy skin: Lotions with lactic acid or urea to smooth texture over time

Step 4: Body Oil for Extra Glow

Body oils are the secret weapon of anyone with luminous, touchably soft skin. Apply a few drops of body oil over your moisturizer (or mix it in) for an extra layer of nourishment and a beautiful, healthy sheen.

The best body oils for glowing skin: rosehip, marula, argan, and squalane. They absorb quickly and won't leave you feeling greasy.

Step 5: Don't Forget SPF on Exposed Areas

Your hands, arms, décolletage, and neck are constantly exposed to UV rays — and they show age just as fast as your face. Apply SPF 30+ to all exposed areas every morning as the final step of your body care routine.

Weekly Extras Worth Adding

  • Dry brushing: Before your shower, use a natural bristle brush in long strokes toward your heart. Boosts circulation, supports lymphatic drainage, and leaves skin incredibly smooth.
  • Body mask: Once a week, apply a hydrating or detoxifying body mask to particularly dry areas like elbows, knees, and heels.
  • Hand and foot treatment: Apply a thick cream to hands and feet before bed, then wear cotton gloves or socks overnight for intense repair.

Your Simple Body Care Routine at a Glance

  1. Dry brush (optional, pre-shower)
  2. Exfoliate 2–3x per week
  3. Cleanse with a hydrating body wash
  4. Moisturize immediately after showering
  5. Body oil for extra glow (optional)
  6. SPF on exposed areas every morning

Shop Body Care at La Glow

Treat your body to the care it deserves with our Body Care Collection — from indulgent body scrubs to lightweight body oils that leave your skin glowing from head to toe.

Your body is your longest relationship. Treat it well. 🌿

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