Body Skincare: Care for It Like Your Face, Within Reason

Short answer: A good body skincare routine has four parts: a mild wash, gentle exfoliation once or twice a week, a body oil or moisturiser on damp skin every day, and sunscreen on whatever the sun reaches. Borrow the habits of your face routine, not every product. Body skin covers a larger area and usually needs simpler care.

Quick facts

• Daily: a short lukewarm shower, a mild wash where needed, then moisture on damp skin.
• Weekly: gentle exfoliation once or twice, with a body product.
• Every morning: sunscreen on the face, neck, chest, hands and any other exposed skin.
• Neck and chest are thinner and more exposed than most body skin; care for them like the face.
• Keep strong face products on the face. Some are not made for the body at all.

How is body skin different from facial skin?

Most body skin is thicker, has fewer oil glands in some places and more in others, and covers a far larger area. The shins, outer arms and hands make little oil and dry out easily. The chest and upper back have more oil glands and can feel oily or bumpy. The neck and chest have thinner skin that sees plenty of sun, which is why many face products, ours included, are applied to the "face and neck".

Area changes the practical side too. A face serum that lasts two months might cover your legs twice. Textures matter: body products need to spread quickly over large areas and absorb before you get dressed.

What does a basic body routine look like?

The same logic as a face routine, with fewer steps and simpler products.

Step	On the face	On the body	How often
Cleanse	Gentle cleanser, lukewarm water	Mild body wash, mainly where you need it	Daily
Exfoliate	A face exfoliant, as directed	A body scrub, mitt or exfoliating lotion	Once or twice a week
Hydrate	A serum on damp skin	Usually skipped; the moisturiser does both jobs	Daily on the face
Moisturise	A day or night cream	Body oil, lotion or cream on damp skin	Daily
Protect	Sunscreen	Sunscreen on exposed skin	Every morning, reapplied outdoors

Which face habits are worth copying?

The habits that protect the skin's surface work just as well below the jawline.

• Lukewarm water. Hot showers strip the body's skin as surely as hot water strips the face.
• Gentle cleansing. Your arms and legs rarely need a high-foaming gel. Wash the armpits, groin and feet; the rest needs little more than water on most days.
• Moisturising on damp skin. The minute after the shower is the best time to apply oil or cream.
• Sunscreen. Hands, chest and forearms show sun exposure over the years, just like the face.
• Patch testing new products. Try a new body product on a small area first, especially if it is fragranced.
• Consistency. Daily care beats an occasional intensive session.

Which face products should stay on the face?

Strong actives, eye products and anything labelled for face use only. Some ingredients are restricted to particular uses by EU rules. Our Brightening Face Exfoliator with Kojic Acid is a good example: it can be used on the face and on the hands, but it is not intended for body use. Concentrated serums are also simply poor value spread over a whole body.

The exceptions are the neck and chest, which deserve the same gentle care as the face. Many face products, ours included, are directed at the face and neck; beyond that, follow each product's own directions. Hands are another special case: they see sun and frequent washing, so a hand cream and sunscreen deserve a place in the routine.

Where does a body oil fit?

A body oil is the daily moisturising step, applied straight after the shower to damp skin. Oil spreads easily over large areas when skin is still wet, helps hold in the water left from the shower and leaves skin feeling soft and looking smooth.

Our Omega 6-9 Glowing Skin Body Oil combines argan, rosehip, jojoba, sweet almond, sunflower and raspberry seed oils, rich in omega 6 and omega 9 fatty acids. It absorbs quickly without a greasy residue, so you can dress soon after. Use two or three pumps after showering, massaged into slightly damp skin with upward strokes, and add a second thin layer on elbows, knees and shins. It is vegan and COSMOS Organic certified, with aromatic notes of green cardamom, rosemary and galbanum.

Sweet almond oil is a nut oil, so anyone with a nut allergy should not use it. Check the full ingredient list of any body oil if allergies are a concern.

Should you do your body routine in the morning or evening?

Do it whenever you shower; the timing of the shower matters more than the clock. If you shower in the morning, apply your oil or cream straight after and finish with sunscreen on exposed skin. If you shower in the evening, moisturise straight after and wear sunscreen on exposed areas the next morning. On very dry days, a second application in the evening on shins and elbows helps.

Common mistakes

• Long, hot showers. They are one of the most common causes of dry body skin.
• Scrubbing every day. Body skin needs exfoliation once or twice a week, not daily.
• Moisturising fully dry skin hours later. The damp-skin window is short.
• Stopping at the jawline. Neck and chest benefit from the same care as the face.
• Forgetting the hands and feet. Both dry out quickly and are easy to skip.
• Applying fragranced products to freshly shaved skin. It is more likely to sting.

What a body routine won't do

A good body routine makes skin feel softer, look smoother and have a more even, radiant finish. It will not fade stretch marks, remove cellulite or change the firmness of skin in any lasting way, whatever a label suggests. Hydration is immediate; a smoother look builds over weeks of daily care. If a body area is itchy, scaly, sore or changes for no clear reason, see a doctor rather than adding more products.

For the face side of the routine, our skincare layering guide sets out the order of each step.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a separate body cleanser?

Not necessarily, but a mild one helps if your skin feels dry. Most of the body only needs water on most days. Use a gentle wash for the armpits, groin and feet.

Can I use my face moisturiser on my body?

You can, but it is rarely worth it. Face creams are made for small areas and can be costly to use widely. A body oil or lotion spreads further and suits larger areas better.

Is body oil or body lotion better?

Both moisturise. Oil on damp skin gives a soft, smooth finish and absorbs quickly if the formula is light; lotion adds water and feels cooler. Choose the texture you will actually use every day.

How often should I exfoliate my body?

Once or twice a week suits most people. Use gentle pressure and a product made for the body. Skip freshly shaved or sunburnt skin.

Do I need sunscreen on my body every day?

On skin the sun reaches, yes: face, neck, chest, hands and forearms in summer. None of our products contain SPF, so use your sunscreen as the final morning step.

Explore the full body care collection for the next step in your routine.

Last reviewed: October 2026.