When it comes to skincare routines, many people stop right around the neck and forget about everything else below. The truth is that your body needs the same TLC in order to look and feel its best. When your neck, chest, arms, and legs feel soft and hydrated, you can start to feel more comfortable in your own skin (quite literally), and it can even be a confidence booster.
Cleansers that prep skin for moisture
The same way your facial skincare routine starts with a great cleanse, it's important to wash your body from neck to toes to refresh your skin. That means using a gentle, moisturizing body wash formulated with nourishing ingredients and working it in either a loofah or hand towel.
Don't miss a spot. Targeting areas that are hard to miss—like between your toes or your back—and spending some extra time on rough spots like elbows and heels can help you feel extra clean and hydrated emerging from the shower. A thorough cleanse with a high quality body wash sets the foundation for everything else that comes next.
Body lotions and creams that lock it in
While both body lotions and creams may look interchangeable—and both are excellent moisturizers for the body—the formulas are slightly different from each other.
Creams for rich hydration. A body cream is typically made with more oils and butters, so it often has a heavier feel to it compared to a body lotion. This makes it a perfect choice for people with dry skin, or during the winter when it's cold and dry outside. You can even use it on targeted areas that tend to feel more dry, like your elbows or feet.
Lotions for lightweight moisturizing. Body lotion has a more lightweight consistency compared to a cream. Some are still formulated with oils and butters (but at a lower concentration), and there are also oil-free body lotions if you want to skip the oil altogether. The best body lotions glide on easily and absorb quickly, making them perfect for neck to toe application. They're great for people with normal or oily skin and during hot or humid seasons.
Body oils and butters for deep, lasting hydration
When skin is ultra dry and in need of some extra hydration, body oils and butters sweep in for the thirsty rescue. These are considered “occlusive ingredients," which means that they create a layer on top of the skin's surface to lock in moisture.
Formulations for all skin types. Body oil and body butter formulations come in all varieties, with some more lightweight or heavy compared to others. You can target super dry areas with a heavier option and use a lighter formula elsewhere. The most sophisticated body oils and butters glide on smoothly to provide a rich, moisture-sealing layer and won't leave a greasy or sticky mess behind, either.
Targeted care for extra-dry areas
Take a good look at the skin on your body and you'll probably notice some areas are notably drier than others. They might feel rough or look flaky, and sometimes these areas can feel tight, itchy, or even sensitive to the touch. All the above signs mean some targeted body care is in order.
Knees and heels. Knees and heels don't have oil-producing glands that help keep skin moisturized, and these areas also deal with consistent friction and pressure from kneeling and walking. Extra thick balms and creams are perfect options for targeting these super dry spots.
Hands, feet, and elbows. Your hands are real workhorses, used all day long for all sorts of tasks and consistently exposed to the elements and frequent washing. Your feet work overtime, too, hitting the pavement all day long. The thicker skin on your elbows—combined with constant bending and movement—makes them especially prone to dryness and cracking. Applying a moisturizer more consistently on these areas—and using a heavier formula—can help counter the dryness.
Cuticles and nails. Dealing with hangnails and flaky cuticles is the worst. Like the areas mentioned above, cuticles and nails don't produce their own oil so they can get dry over the course of the day. A cuticle oil applied right at the cuticle line can make a big difference in the way your nails look and feel and can even help prevent issues like nail breakage and flaking. A hand cream is another way to keep this area hydrated; one in a scent you love can help you feel excited to apply it more often.
Layering body care for maximum moisture
You may have heard of the beauty trend known as skin flooding—a buzzy term for the simple but effective practice of layering your skincare onto damp skin to lock in hydration. Another fun one is skin slugging, which is a layering technique where you finish with a heavy body moisturizer, oil, or even petroleum jelly to lock in all that moisture.
Shower-to-skin routines. The 60 seconds following your shower routine is precious. This is when your skin is still slightly damp, giving you a chance to seal water moisture in with a body serum, lotion, or cream. This routine starts with a hydrating cleanser, followed by a quick towel dry, then application of a lightweight lotion. It's optional, but some also swear by applying another layer of moisture via a thicker cream or oil.
Mixing lotions, oils, and creams. Since not every part of your body is the same level of dryness, mixing and matching your lotions, oils, and creams makes for a customized hydration experience. That may mean using a heavier cream on rough, dry spots like elbows and heels, and a lighter formula on your neck, chest, and arms. It could also mean layering one product on top of another; in that case, the rule of thumb is to apply in order from lightest to thickest consistently.
When to apply for best results. Some find that the same products work morning and night, while others prefer to mix and match. It all comes down to personal preferences. Generally speaking, though, morning body care routines focus on lightweight hydration and sun protection while heavier creams and oils can help nourish and moisturize skin while you sleep. You can also swap products in or out depending on the season, where you're at in your cycle, or how dry your skin feels on any given day.
Moisturized skin by skin type
The approach you take to moisturizing depends on your skin type. Whether you tend to feel dry and sensitive, have a more oily type, or fall somewhere in between, there are products tailored directly to your needs.
Dry and sensitive skin. Gentle, deeply moisturizing products are ideal for this skin type. Options range from lightweight body lotion for dry skin (usually made with a lower or lighter amount of oil or butter), heavier body creams, and body oils. Since fragrances are known to cause irritation, many with sensitive skin prefer a fragrance-free option.
Normal to combination skin. Normal to combination skin types toe the line between dry and oily, so a customized routine often works best. Using heavier moisturizers to target especially dry areas and lighter body lotions elsewhere can help strike a comfortable balance.
Oily skin. Even oily skin needs moisture; it just doesn't need as much. That means a moisturizing body care routine that leverages fast-absorbing lotions and non-greasy oils (referred to as “dry oils"). This skin type is often more prone to blemishes, and using lighter products can help moisturize without flaring breakouts.
Body scrubs for gentle exfoliation
There's another step you can take to reveal skin that looks glowy and feels soft-to-the-touch: exfoliation. Achieved through either physical or chemical exfoliation, this once or twice-weekly step is an easy way to level-up your skincare game.
Sugar & salt scrubs. Sugar and salt scrubs use physical exfoliation with oil to slough away dead cells on the skin's surface. They're especially helpful for those notoriously rough spots mentioned above—like elbows, knees, and heels—though you can use finer blends from neck to foot.
Creamy, hydrating scrubs. For those who want a slightly less abrasive exfoliation, creamy scrubs with fine particles and hydrating formulas work well. They gently slough off dead skin cells while simultaneously moisturizing.
Exfoliation tips & rituals. Exfoliation is more of a twice or thrice a week ritual versus a daily skincare need. Always apply exfoliators to damp skin, using light, gentle pressure instead of aggressive scrubbing—your goal is to sweep away dullness, not strip the skin.
Consistent body care via hydrating cleansers and a personalized moisturizing routine—via lotion, creams, oils, and scrubs—is the best path toward soft skin. No two routines need to be identical, and it may take some time to figure everything out. With the right tweaks, you'll find exactly what works for you.
