The Ultimate Guide to Body Skin Care for Beginners

I’ve had a solid skincare routine for over a decade–my bathroom shelves are a shrine to serums, moisturizers, and gentle cleansers. But it wasn’t until I hit my 40s that I started taking body care seriously (my wardrobe has also shifted in my 40s). I began noticing more wrinkles, dryness, and sunspots on my arms and legs…the kind of changes that body lotion alone couldn’t address. That’s when I realized that my body needs just as much attention as my face.

So, I’m walking you through how to create simple but effective body skincare routine. Whether you’re starting from scratch or want to upgrade what you’re already doing, here are ideas to help you get started. 

Tip: Don’t try to take it on all at once, but instead, choose 1-2 things to add to your routine. There is never a week that I do all of these, but I try to do at least one “extra” each week, like dry brushing or body cup sculpting.

5 Steps in a Complete Body Skincare Routine

A full body care routine mirrors your facial skincare routine in many ways. These five steps — Cleanse, Exfoliate, Hydrate, Sculpt and Protect – will help you care for your body from head to toe.

1. Cleanse

Start with a gentle body wash that won’t strip your skin. Look for formulas free from sulfates and synthetic fragrance–especially if you have sensitive skin. Ingredients like aloe vera, oat extract, and glycerin help maintain your skin barrier. Cleansing is also a good time to assess how your skin feels. If you’re experiencing dryness or flaking, you may need to exfoliate more often or switch to a more hydrating product. 

My favorite body washes are: 

• Salt & Stone Body Wash
• Necessaire The Body Wash
• Corpus N° Green Natural Body Wash
• Salt Air Oil Infused Body Wash

2. Exfoliate

Exfoliating your body removes dead skin cells and helps your other products absorb better. This step is especially helpful if you’re dealing with keratosis pilaris, dullness, or rough patches. There are multiple ways to exfoliate, so just choose one of the options that feels easiest for you to incorporate.

Dry Brushing (Pre-Shower)

Dry brushing is a form of manual exfoliation that also supports lymphatic drainage. Use a natural-bristle brush in circular motions before your shower. Start at your feet and work your way up toward your heart. I love the feeling of dry brushing — it’s invigorating and makes your skin feel instantly smoother — but it’s hard to remember to do it consistently.

My favorite is The Skinny Confidential dry brush – it’s firm but not scratchy and makes such a difference in how smooth my skin feels.

Body Scrub (In the Shower)

In-shower exfoliation is great for sloughing off dead skin. Use a body scrub 1–3 times per week, depending on your skin type. Look for scrubs with sugar, salt, or coffee grounds combined with nourishing oils. Just be cautious if you’re shaving; you’ll want to exfoliate first and then shave to avoid irritation. I personally love the Primally Pure Body Polish – it’s gentle but makes my skin feel baby-soft after a shower.

Dry Brushing vs Exfoliation

Dry brushing is more about circulation and daily maintenance, while scrubs offer a deeper, more intense exfoliation. You don’t have to do both every day; just alternate based on your skin’s needs.

Here’s more on how to exfoliate your skin and why (with my go-to exfoliators).

3. Hydrate

Once your skin is clean and exfoliated, it’s time to hydrate. This step is crucial for maintaining your moisture barrier so skin looks and feels soft and slows signs of aging.

Body Serum

Serums aren’t just for your face. Body serums tend to be lighter than creams or oils and are packed with active ingredients like hyaluronic acid or niacinamide to help draw moisture into the skin. I like the U Beauty Arm Sculpt Compound since it truly helps with the crepiness that is creeping in on my upper arms. (I love the U Beauty Neck & Décolleté Concentrate too.) Nordstrom sells U Beauty if you prefer to shop there.

My cousin loves the Oliveda body serum so it’s next on my list to try. (You can read my full review of Oliveda’s products in this blog post.)

Body Oil

I’m not the biggest fan of body oils since they (obviously) tend to feel greasy, but I do use them at night from time to time when my skin feels extra dry. Applying body oil to damp skin helps it absorb better and cuts down on the greasy feel. I like the True Botanicals Body Oil and really want to try the Tata Revitalizing Body Oil.

Body Cream

Now we’re talking. I absolutely LOVE Crunchi’s Age-Defying Body Treatment. It’s thick, rich, and I was shocked by how much this helped cellulite on my arms and smoothed the texture on the back of my arms. If you’re looking for something to firm and smooth your skin, this is it. I’ve repurchased it several times. Bonus points: it’s completely non-toxic.

Crunchi also carries a tinted moisturizer I love – read the review here.

Daytime Lotion

For everyday hydration, I rotate between Crunchi’s Body Treatment and Oliveda’s lighter age-defying body lotion. Both are clean, effective, and leave your skin feeling moisturized without any greasy residue. Salt & Stone’s body lotion is great too – all the scents are amazing, they’re hydrating but not heavy.

4. Sculpt

This step is optional, but if you’re dealing with specific concerns like cellulite, stretch marks, or loss of elasticity, a body sculpting tool can be a game-changer.

I’ve tried a few sculpting tools, and my favorite is the body sculpt cup–especially the one from Biotyspa. I love that I can use it in the shower with body wash or oil, and it fits easily into my routine. It helps improve circulation and gives my skin a firmer, smoother look when I’m consistent with it.

See more of my favorite skincare devices and tools for aging skin here.

5. Protect

Sun protection isn’t just for your face. UV exposure causes premature aging, sunspots, and increases your risk of skin cancer. That said, I don’t wear body sunscreen every day — just when I’m going to be outdoors for extended periods (think pool days, hikes, or long walks). When I do apply sunscreen, I reach for one the non-toxic SPFs I’ve reviewed in this blog post.

Bonus Steps

Foot Cream at Night

Don’t forget your feet! I like to apply foot cream once I get in bed. Koba’s Bottom Up Foot Cream is my favorite since it’s thick, ultra-hydrating, but not greasy. For extra softness, I’ll slip on a pair of socks after applying.

Self Tanner

A little glow can go a long way when your skin is hydrated and exfoliated. My favorite self-tanner is from Coco & Eve. It goes on evenly, smells way better than most, and doesn’t leave me looking orange. I shared all my self-tanner tips in this blog post.

Body Care FAQs

Do I Need a Body Skincare Routine?

Yes, especially if you deal with dryness, sensitivity, or want to maintain firm, healthy skin as you age. Your body’s skin is just as prone to issues like dullness, flaking, and sun damage as your face — it just tends to get overlooked.

How Often Should I Do a Body Skincare Routine?

Your daily routine should include cleansing and moisturizing. Exfoliating and using tools like dry brushes or sculpting tools can be done 2–3 times per week. Sunscreen should be applied anytime you’re spending time outdoors.

Key Ingredients to Look For:

• Hyaluronic Acid – draws water into the skin for deep hydration
• Niacinamide – helps improve skin tone and strengthens the skin barrier
• Caffeine – can temporarily tighten and tone
• Shea Butter & Cocoa Butter – deeply nourishing and great for dry skin
• Squalane – non-greasy and hydrates while supporting skin barrier
• Vitamin E – an antioxidant that protects and soothes

Final Thoughts

Think of your body care routine as an extension of your self-care. Even just five minutes a day can make a huge difference in how your skin looks and feels. And like with any routine, consistency is key. You don’t need a 10-step process. Start with a cleanser, exfoliant, and moisturizer, and layer on treatments or tools as you go.

Want more clean beauty tips and product breakdowns? Subscribe to my newsletter or check out my favorite non-toxic body products here.

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