Body care — Routine
Body skincare routine: step by step.
Your body needs care too. Here is a simple routine for soft, smooth skin, plus fixes for bumpy arms, ingrown hairs, back spots and rough elbows.
7 minute read
Written and reviewed by Beauty World Editorial · Last reviewed October 2026
Step by step
The basic body skincare routine
1. Gentle body wash
Choose a soap-free, fragrance-light wash. Keep showers warm, not hot, and under 10 minutes.
2. Exfoliate 1–2 times a week
A lactic, glycolic or salicylic acid body lotion works better and more gently than gritty scrubs.
3. Moisturise on damp skin
Apply within three minutes of showering. Look for urea, ceramides, glycerin or shea butter.
4. SPF on exposed skin
Arms, neck, chest and hands need SPF 30+ in daylight, even on cloudy UK days.
Common concerns
Fixes for common body skin problems
Bumpy arms (keratosis pilaris)
Use a 10% urea or lactic acid lotion daily; avoid scrubbing, which makes redness worse.
Ingrown hairs
Exfoliate with salicylic acid, shave with the grain using a sharp blade, and moisturise after.
Back and chest spots
Wash with a salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide wash (leave 1–2 minutes), shower after exercise and wear breathable fabrics.
Rough elbows, knees and heels
A 10–25% urea cream softens thick skin; wear cotton socks over heel cream overnight.
Itchy, dry winter skin
Switch to a thicker cream, use a humidifier and avoid very hot baths.
UK tip
Hard water and your skin
Much of England, especially London and the South East, has hard water. Minerals can leave skin feeling tight and itchy. Moisturise straight after showering, choose cleansers with glycerin, and consider a shower filter if dryness persists.
Help
When to see a GP or pharmacist
Get advice for itchy rashes that don't settle, painful deep spots, patches that bleed or change, or a mole that grows or changes colour.
