Body Care Routine Steps: The Complete Guide to Glowing Skin from Head to Toe
Last updated 29 June 2026 · 13 min read
Body care routine steps are often treated like an afterthought, but the skin on your body deserves the same steady care as the skin on your face. If you want smoother legs, softer arms, a healthy-looking glow and skin that feels comfortable year-round, your body routine matters.
A good body care routine for glowing skin does not need to be complicated. The essentials are simple: cleanse gently, exfoliate when needed, moisturise consistently, seal dry skin with body oil, protect exposed skin with SPF and add self tan only when you want that extra sunless glow.
This guide shows you how to build a full body care routine at home, including daily and weekly body care steps, body care shower routine steps and the best types of body care routine products to use for dry, dull or sensitive skin.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- A complete body care routine includes cleansing, exfoliating, moisturising, body oil, SPF and optional self tan.
- The best body care routine for glowing skin is consistent, not aggressive.
- Most skin types only need body exfoliation 1–2 times per week.
- Apply body lotion or body oil to slightly damp skin after showering to help lock in moisture.
- SPF is essential on exposed body areas such as shoulders, chest, arms, hands, legs and neck.
QUICK ANSWER
The ideal body care routine steps are: cleanse in the shower, exfoliate 1–2 times per week, moisturise after showering, apply body oil to seal hydration if skin is dry, protect exposed skin with SPF each morning and use self tan only as an optional glow step. For dry skin, focus on gentle cleansing, rich lotion and nourishing oils.
In this article
What Is a Body Care Routine?
A body care routine is a simple skincare routine for the skin below your face. It includes cleansing, exfoliating, moisturising and protecting the skin on your arms, legs, chest, back, hands, feet, shoulders and neck.
Body skincare matters because your body can experience many of the same concerns as your face: dryness, rough texture, dullness, congestion, sensitivity, sun damage, pigmentation, irritation from shaving and loss of firmness over time.
The difference is that body skin is often thicker, exposed to more friction from clothing and frequently forgotten until it becomes visibly dry or uncomfortable. A consistent body routine helps keep the skin barrier supported before it reaches that flaky, itchy or irritated stage.
Daily Body Care Routine Steps
These are the core body skin care routine steps to follow most days. You can keep them simple in the morning and more nourishing at night.
Step 1: Cleanse gently in the shower
Your body care shower routine starts with a cleanser that removes sweat, sunscreen, body oil, deodorant and daily buildup without leaving skin feeling squeaky or tight.
Choose a body wash that respects the skin barrier. If your skin feels dry after every shower, your water may be too hot or your cleanser may be too stripping.
Step 2: Exfoliate 1–2 times per week
Body exfoliation helps remove dead skin buildup so skin feels smoother and body lotion applies more evenly. It can also help prep the skin before fake tan.
Most people do not need to exfoliate every day. For dry or sensitive skin, 1–2 times weekly is enough. Over-exfoliating can make the body feel rougher, itchier and more reactive.
Step 3: Moisturise after showering
Moisturising after showering is one of the most important body care routine steps for dry skin. Apply body lotion while skin is still slightly damp. This helps trap some of that water before it evaporates.
If you only moisturise when your skin already feels dry, you are playing catch-up. A daily body lotion keeps skin feeling softer, smoother and more comfortable over time.
Step 4: Seal with body oil when skin needs extra nourishment
Body oils do not replace water-based hydration, but they are beautiful for sealing moisture in and adding glow. Apply after body lotion, or directly over slightly damp skin if you prefer a more minimal routine.
This step is especially helpful on shins, elbows, knees, hands and any areas that become dry in winter.
Step 5: Protect exposed skin with SPF
Body care is not complete without sun protection. SPF should be applied to exposed skin such as the arms, hands, chest, shoulders, legs, neck and feet when UV levels are high enough to cause damage.
In Australia, Cancer Council recommends broad-spectrum SPF30 or higher sunscreen, and SPF50 or SPF50+ offers the highest available protection when applied properly. Reapply every two hours when outdoors, and after swimming, sweating or towel drying.
Step 6: Optional glow step: self tan
Fake tan is not a sun protection product, but it can be part of a body care routine for glowing skin if you want colour without UV exposure. The key is to exfoliate first, moisturise dry areas and apply tan evenly with a mitt.
Weekly Body Care Routine
A weekly body care routine helps you stay consistent without overdoing it.
AI QUICK SUMMARY
A weekly body care routine should include daily cleansing, moisturising and SPF, plus exfoliation 1–2 times per week. Body oil can be used after showering to add nourishment and glow, while self tan is optional for a sunless bronzed look.
Body Care Routine Steps for Dry Skin
If your body skin is dry, flaky or itchy, keep your routine gentle and consistent. Dry body skin usually needs less heat, less exfoliation and more moisturising.
Dry skin routine
- Shower in lukewarm water, not hot water.
- Use a gentle body wash.
- Exfoliate only 1 time weekly if skin is flaky or sensitive.
- Apply body lotion while skin is slightly damp.
- Layer body oil over lotion on dry areas.
- Use SPF on exposed skin every morning.
Body Care Routine for Glowing Skin
A body care routine for glowing skin is not about scrubbing your body raw. It is about removing dull buildup, keeping skin hydrated and adding soft, light-reflecting nourishment.
For glow, focus on three steps:
- Polish: exfoliate 1–2 times per week.
- Hydrate: use lotion after every shower.
- Glow: layer body oil or gradual tan when you want extra radiance.
MYTH VS FACT
Myth: You need to exfoliate every day to get glowing body skin.
Fact: Glowing skin comes from a healthy barrier, consistent hydration, gentle exfoliation and sun protection. Daily aggressive exfoliation can make skin drier and more irritated.
The VAMS Beauty Body Care Edit
These are the body care routine products we would naturally place in a head-to-toe routine using products stocked at VAMS Beauty.
Shop the body care routine
Body Lotion vs Body Oil: Which Comes First?
If you use both, apply body lotion first, then body oil. Lotion gives the skin water-based hydration and softness. Body oil helps seal that comfort in and adds glow.
How Fake Tan Fits Into a Body Care Routine
Fake tan is an optional finishing step. It can give skin a bronzed glow without sunbaking, but it does not protect your skin from UV exposure.
For best results, exfoliate 24 hours before tanning, moisturise dry areas such as elbows, knees and ankles, then apply tan evenly with a mitt.
Common Body Care Mistakes
Only moisturising when skin is already dry
Body lotion works best as prevention, not emergency repair. Apply it daily after showering.
Using very hot showers
Hot water can make dry skin worse. Lukewarm water is kinder to the skin barrier.
Over-exfoliating
Scrubbing every day can leave the skin feeling rougher, not smoother. Exfoliate 1–2 times weekly unless your skin tolerates more.
Forgetting the chest, neck and hands
These areas are often exposed to UV and can show dryness, pigmentation and signs of ageing. Extend body care and SPF beyond arms and legs.
Thinking fake tan replaces sunscreen
It does not. Self tan gives colour, not UV protection.
When to See a Professional
If your body skin is persistently itchy, cracked, bleeding, inflamed, painful, suddenly rashy or not improving with basic care, speak with a GP, pharmacist or dermatologist. Body care products can support the skin, but they are not a substitute for medical care when a skin condition needs assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the correct body care routine steps?
The core body care routine steps are cleanse, exfoliate 1–2 times weekly, moisturise after showering, apply body oil if skin is dry, protect exposed skin with SPF and use fake tan only as an optional glow step.
What is the best body care routine for glowing skin?
The best body care routine for glowing skin combines gentle cleansing, weekly exfoliation, daily moisturising, body oil for glow and daily SPF on exposed areas. Fake tan can be used for extra colour without sun exposure.
How do I take care of body skin daily?
Cleanse with a gentle body wash, moisturise after showering and apply sunscreen to exposed areas during the day. Keep exfoliation for 1–2 times weekly rather than daily.
What should be in a full body care routine at home?
A full body care routine at home should include body wash, exfoliating mitt or dry brush, body lotion, body oil, SPF and optional self tanning products.
What are body care shower routine steps?
In the shower, cleanse first. Exfoliate only on selected days. After showering, apply body lotion to slightly damp skin, then body oil if needed.
How often should I exfoliate my body?
Most people should exfoliate the body 1–2 times weekly. Sensitive or very dry skin may prefer once weekly.
Should body oil go before or after lotion?
Body oil usually goes after lotion to help seal in moisture and add glow. You can also apply it directly to damp skin if you prefer a simpler routine.
Is body care different from face skincare?
The principles are similar, but body skin often deals with more friction, shaving, clothing and larger surface areas. Body products are usually richer and designed for broader application.
Can body care help dry skin?
Yes. A routine with gentle cleansing, consistent moisturising and body oil can help dry skin feel softer and more comfortable.
Do I need SPF on my body every day?
Use SPF on exposed body areas when UV levels are high enough to cause damage, especially in Australia. Focus on hands, arms, neck, chest, shoulders and legs when exposed.
Can I use fake tan as part of body care?
Yes, fake tan can be an optional part of a body care routine for glowing skin. It does not replace SPF.
What is the best routine before fake tan?
Exfoliate 24 hours before tanning, moisturise dry areas such as elbows and knees, then apply tan with an application mitt for an even finish.
Research and References
- Cancer Council Australia: Sunscreen basics
- Better Health Channel: Dry skin
- DermNet NZ: Dry skin
- DermNet NZ: Moisturisers
- DermNet NZ: Keratosis pilaris
Explore more: body care, body oils and fake tan at VAMS Beauty.
Read more on The VAMS Edit: Best Hydrating Products for Face, Difference Between AHA and BHA Exfoliants and Common Skin Problems and Skincare Mistakes.
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