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Quick answer: A body care routine needs three steps: wash gently, exfoliate only occasionally, and moisturize while your skin is still damp. Use lukewarm water, keep showers short, and pat your skin dry. Choose fragrance-free products if your skin is dry or sensitive, and patch test anything new.
Your face gets a routine. Your body gets whatever bottle is left on the shelf.
That’s a pity, because your body skin deals with sweat, heat, air conditioning and a lot of hand washing too. A good body care routine doesn’t need ten steps. It needs the right three, in the right order, done gently. If you want the basics for every skin type first, start with our guide to the best skincare products in Pakistan.
What is a good body care routine?
Here is the rule I’d follow. It’s my own, built on the American Academy of Dermatology’s dry skin advice. I call it wash gently, scrub rarely, seal while damp.
| Step | What to do | How often |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Wash gently | Use a gentle cleanser and lukewarm water | In the shower |
| 2. Scrub rarely | Exfoliate lightly, only if your skin tolerates it | Occasionally, and less is better |
| 3. Seal while damp | Apply moisturizer right after you pat dry | After every shower, and after washing hands |
Step 1: How should you wash your body?
Gently, and only where you need to. The AAD’s dry skin tips say to use enough cleanser to remove dirt and oil, but not so much that you see a thick lather, and to use it only where you need it, such as your armpits. It also warns that some products, such as deodorant soaps, are too harsh for dry, sensitive skin, and recommends products labelled “fragrance-free”.
Keep your showers short too. HonorHealth suggests limiting showers to ten minutes or less, and the AAD notes that baths and showers can worsen dry skin.
On our shelf: the Skin Origins Rose Glow Foaming Body Wash is a 300 ml foaming liquid with a soft rose aroma, listed with rose and niacinamide. Because it’s scented, it’s worth a patch test if your skin is dry or sensitive. Treat the “glow” as a pleasant shower, not a treatment, because a body wash rinses off quickly.
Step 2: Should you exfoliate your body?
Rarely, and gently. Many beauty pages tell you to scrub first and often. But dermatologists quoted by The Province say your skin naturally exfoliates, and that some exfoliating products and tools can be very irritating. One dermatologist adds that loofahs are too abrasive.
So here’s how I’d do it. These are my own suggestions:
- Start with the lowest frequency on the pack, and stop if your skin feels irritated.
- Use light circles with your fingertips, with lukewarm water.
- Skip broken, sunburnt or irritated skin.
- Moisturize straight after.
- Wear sunscreen in the daytime.
On our shelf: the Premium Exfoliating Gel is a 100 ml scrubbing gel listed for face and body. The page says what I’d say too: more scrubbing is not better. If you have sensitive skin, acne or eczema, ask a dermatologist first, as the AAD advises against scrubbing your skin hard.
Step 3: How do you moisturize your body properly?
While your skin is still damp. The AAD says to apply moisturizer when your skin is still damp after a shower or bath, after washing your hands, and whenever your skin feels dry. Pat your skin dry with a clean towel first, because rubbing can irritate very dry skin.
For very dry skin, the AAD also suggests a cream or ointment rather than a thin lotion. Our guide to skincare for dry skin explains the difference.
On our shelf: the Jessica Nourishing Hydrating Hand and Body Lotion is a 150 ml smooth beige cream, made for dry skin and listed for all skin types. It comes in Coco, Rose and Aloevera variants. Use it after your shower and after washing your hands, and reapply on dry spots like elbows and feet.
Do you need sunscreen on your body?
On any skin that clothing doesn’t cover. The AAD advises a broad-spectrum, SPF 30 or higher, water-resistant sunscreen. Our guide on how to choose sunscreen explains the label.
How does Pakistan’s weather change your body care routine?
In sticky months, your body can feel clammy, so a lighter lotion and a shorter shower feel better. Our guide to skincare for humid weather has more tips. In cold, dry months, your skin needs more help, and our winter skincare routine shows what to swap.
Air-conditioned rooms and frequent hand washing also dry your skin. That’s why a hand and body lotion in your bag is useful. Reapply it after every wash.
Which body care mistakes should you avoid?
- Taking long, hot showers.
- Using a thick lather all over your body.
- Rubbing yourself dry with a rough towel.
- Scrubbing hard, or using a loofah on dry skin.
- Skipping moisturizer because your skin “doesn’t feel dry yet”.
- Starting several new products at once. Patch test one at a time.
How do you buy body care products online safely?
Ask for what you can’t see. Request a clear photo of the back label, check the ingredient list and batch code, and inspect the parcel before you pay. On our own product pages, we say when a brand’s authenticity has not been independently verified, so you can decide with the facts. Our guide to identifying original cosmetics in Pakistan has the full checklist, and our skincare ingredient list guide shows how to read the label.
FAQs about the body care routine
What is a good body care routine?
Three steps: wash gently with lukewarm water, exfoliate only occasionally, and moisturize while your skin is still damp. Keep showers short, and choose fragrance-free products if your skin is dry or sensitive.
Should you moisturize after every shower?
Yes. The AAD advises applying moisturizer when your skin is still damp after a bath or shower, and again after washing your hands and whenever your skin feels dry.
Do you need a body wash and a lotion?
They do different jobs. A body wash cleans your skin, and a lotion or cream helps it hold moisture. If your skin is dry, don’t skip the moisturizer.
How often should you exfoliate your body?
Rarely, and always follow the directions on the pack. If you’re new to scrubs, start with the lowest frequency, and stop if your skin feels irritated. If you have sensitive skin or a skin condition, ask a dermatologist first.
Is a hand and body lotion the same as a face moisturizer?
Not always. Body skin is usually thicker, and face moisturizers are made for the face. Use a product for the area you buy it for, and patch test a new one first.
When should you see a dermatologist about dry skin?
See one if your skin stays dry, itchy, cracked or painful after trying gentle care, as the AAD advises. Dry skin can sometimes be a sign of a skin condition.
Want a simple start? Browse our body care collection, or contact us with any question before you order.
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