Your Complete Guide to Body Care: From Basics to Spa-Level Luxury

Can we take a moment to be honest with ourselves and say that bath and shower time is more than just soap and water? For many of us, it is our little escape. A moment of peace and relaxation after a long hectic day. Sometimes it can be 20 minutes to wrap up the day before you put on your favorite show, or a full Sunday night spa moment to prepare for the week ahead. No emails, no texts, no outside noise. Just you, hot water and your all-star lineup of products that make you feel amazing inside and out.

Before I go any further, SHOWERING EVERYDAY IS A NON-NEGOTIABLE IN THIS HOUSEHOLD. Period. Now, back to the lecture at hand.

  Body care doesn't have to be overwhelming, but with so many choices now on the market, it is hard to narrow down which ones you actually need vs the ones you can skip. Now, I am not here to police your wallet or your buying choices because body care is personal. My job as your beauty bestie is to let you know what the product does so you can decide if you want to add it to your routine or not. Now of course I will be giving out my recommendations of products I have tried and loved with various price points, so feel free to click and shop around so you can build a routine that fits your skin type, your budget and your vibe.

The Golden Rules of Body Care

*Timing is Everything: The best time to apply moisturizer is within 3 minutes of stepping out of the shower while your skin is still damp. This locks in that moisture like nothing else.

*Layer Smart:Think of your routine like building a cake - you want to go from thinnest to thickest consistency. Serums first, then lotions, then oils or butters.

*Know Your Skin Type: Just like your face, your body has different needs. Dry skin loves rich butters and oils, oily or acne-prone skin prefers lightweight lotions, and sensitive skin needs fragrance-free, gentle formulas.

Your Body Care Arsenal: What Does What

Body Wash: The Foundation

Starting with the obvious is a great soap or body wash. It cleanses away sweat, oil, dirt and most importantly, the drama of the day. They cleanse, hydrate and in some cases, address skin concerns. This is the foundation of every routine. If bath time is the reset button, body wash is how you hit start.

How often: Daily (obviously!)

Pro tip: Use lukewarm water instead of scalding hot to prevent drying out your skin.

Some of my favorites are Being Frenshe Cashmere Vanilla, Naturium Glow Getter Multi-Oil Body wash and Necessaire The Body Wash.

[Shop all my favorite body washes here →]

Body Scrubs: The Weekly Reset

Scrubs buff away dead skin and can make your skin feel instantly softer. When it comes to scrubs, I am a little picky when it comes to texture because some scrubs can feel harsh on my skin. I am here to pamper myself, not brace myself! 

 How often: 1-3 times per week max - over-exfoliating can damage your skin barrier

Best time: Use before shaving for the smoothest results

While Dove's Exfoliating Body scrub and Tree Hut's Shea Sugar scrub have permanent real estate in my bathroom, depending on the time of year I can have up to 6 in rotation. I am not here to be judged, I am here to put you up on game!

[See all my scrub favorites here →]

Exfoliating Washes & Treatments: The Problem Solvers

When you need a little more than just a scrub, or need to address certain skin concerns, this is where chemical exfoliation steps in. From KP (keratosis pilaris - those little bumps on your arms) to body acne and uneven skin tone, there is something on the market for everyone, at every price point.

How often: Start 2-3 times per week and build up tolerance

Key ingredients to look for: Salicylic acid for acne, glycolic acid for texture, lactic acid for gentle exfoliation

[Shop my exfoliation favs here →]

Lotions: Your Daily Dose of Hydration

The moment you step out of the shower is the golden window of hydration. Moisturizers keep your skin soft, smooth and hydrated. This is my non-negotiable daily step.

How often: Daily, immediately after showering

Application tip: Use upward circular motions and don't forget often-missed spots like elbows, knees, and heels

Vaseline Cocoa Radiant and EOS Vanilla Cashmere are some staples in my rotation and are great budget conscious options and smell amazing.

Body Serums: The Overachievers

These lightweight treatments usually target tone, texture and hydration. Think of face serums, except for your entire body! They absorb quickly into the skin and I honestly got into them on accident, not paying attention and grabbed the wrong thing on the shelf, and I am so glad I did. I haven't been without one since!

How often: Daily, applied before moisturizer

Best for: Targeting specific concerns like dark spots, texture, or extra hydration

A lot of brands are jumping on the body serum train, here are some that I have tried and loved.

[Shop lotions and body serums I love here →]

Body Butters: The Heavy Hitters

Lotion's richer, thicker cousin. Body butter is great for dry skin, nighttime, or scent layering. We love a multipurpose queen! They are usually loaded with multiple types of butters and oils to give long lasting hydration, some claim for up to 72 hours! They tend to help repair the moisture barrier while delivering a heavenly scent if you so choose.

How often: As needed, perfect for nighttime or extra dry days

Best for: Very dry skin, winter months, or when you want that extra luxe feeling.

Body Oils: The Glow-Getters

This is what I call the glow step. Oil locks in all that good hydration, and if you are into scent layering, makes your perfumes last longer throughout the day. I love a quick-absorbing lightly scented oil as of late, but there are a few non-scented ones I love as well!

How often: Daily as your final step, or as needed for extra glow

Application tip: Best applied to slightly damp skin for maximum absorption

[Shop my body butters and oil picks here →]

The Shaving Section: Level Up Your Hair Removal Game

 Pre-Shave Polish: The Game Changer

Is this step a bit dramatic? Yes. Did I notice a difference the moment I tried it? Also yes. I am sure one of the scrubs mentioned above can be used in this step if you don't want to buy extra products, however, there are some differences I have noticed. Pre-shave scrubs tend to be gentler in texture and in some cases have lactic acid and other properties that loosen hair follicles, making it easier to shave AND are approved for your bikini area.

How to use: Apply in circular motions, focus on areas you're about to shave, rinse before shaving.

Shaving Cream/Oil: The Protector

Skip this, and you'll regret it. Shave creams cushion, shave oils give slip, both protect your skin from irritation and razor burn while delivering a smooth protective shave. The choice is really about preference. I actually like both, it just depends on the type of mood I am in!

Pro tip: Let the product sit on your skin for 30 seconds before shaving to soften the hair

After-Shave Serums: The Peacekeeper

These can help calm any irritation, fight back against bumps and keep your skin happy. Because nothing ruins the vibe faster than itchy, angry skin.

Key ingredients: Look for aloe, witch hazel, or niacinamide for soothing properties

[Shop all of my shave faves here →]

The Finishing Touches

Body Mists: The Final Flourish

The finishing touch. Not nearly as heavy as perfume, but perfect for that "fresh out of the shower" vibe. Whether you are going to work, heading out or going to bed, a little scent can elevate any mood!

Scent layering tip: Use the same fragrance family across your body wash, lotion, and mist for a signature scent that lasts all day.

[Shop my favorite body mists here →]

Building Your Routine: Three Levels to Choose From

 The Minimalist (10 minutes):

1. Body wash

2. Moisturizer (while skin is damp)

3. Body oil (optional, for glow)

 The Enthusiast (20 minutes):

1. Body wash

2. Exfoliation (2-3x per week)

3. Body serum

4. Moisturizer

5. Body oil

6. Body mist

The Full Spa Experience (30+ minutes):

1. Pre-shave polish (if shaving)

2. Shaving cream/oil (if shaving)

3. Body wash

4. Body scrub (1-3x per week)

5. After-shave serum (if shaving)

6. Body serum

7. Moisturizer or body butter

8. Body oil

9. Body mist

Final Thoughts

You don't need every single product on this list but if you want them all (hi, fellow body care hoarder), that's perfectly fine too. The point is knowing what each one does so you can build your perfect body care ritual.

Whether you're a lotion-and-go girl or the type who turns the shower into a full-on spa escape, body care should feel like time you're giving back to yourself. Even 20 minutes can be enough to reset, recharge, and glow.

Remember: consistency beats perfection every time. It's better to do a simple routine daily, than a complex one sporadically.

Disclaimer: I’m not a licensed professional, just your beauty bestie sharing what I genuinely love and use. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make a purchase. These links help keep the blog going and support future content. Please consult a licensed expert for any skincare or health concerns.