Person with brown skin applying lotion to leg Credit : Sora Shimazaki / Pexels

The hashtag "bodycare" has over 12.1 billion views and counting on TikTok right now, so it's safe to say it's a pretty popular subject.

It seems every single day, a brand releases some new body care product that goes viral. However, it might leave you a bit lost and overwhelmed by the category as a whole, so we're here to help you figure out how to build a body care routine that addresses all your needs.

Why do I need a body care routine? 

You put a lot of time and energy into making your face look and feel great, but doesn't the rest of your body deserve a little TLC as well? Just like your face, your body also has needs.  A body routine is important because it can help protect your skin from environmental factors such as UV rays and harsh weather. It also helps reduce aging and, of course, keeps you nice and hydrated. 

How do I set up my body care routine? 

Think of creating your body care routine like how you'd set up your skincare routine. You have a few steps to follow every day, and sometimes, you have one or two steps you only need to do a few times a week. Let's break down the basics of building a body care routine. 

Cleansing 

Just like your skincare routine, your body care routine should start with cleaning your skin. Just like a cleanser in your skincare routine, the first product used should be something to help remove excess oil and impurities from your skin, such as dirt and makeup. You can determine what works best for your skin type, and it's up to you to decide if you want a body cleanser, a body gel, or a body wash. 

Exfoliate 

This step is supposed to be done only one to three times a week. Use a body scrub to get rid of all the dead skin cells on your body. It will feel amazing and make your skin look brighter and feel smoother. Just make sure you use scrubs that are designed for the body and not your face. 

Target Concerns

This is where you should be targeting your body's specific concerns. Do you have strawberry skin? Are you in need of extra hydration? These are great questions to ask yourself while trying to figure out your concerns. This is basically the equivalent of picking out and using a serum in your skincare routine. You can also find body serum if that's something you're interested in. 

Moisturize 

Just like your skincare routine, this is the step where you need to add a moisturizer or lotion. During your routine, you're going to need to rehydrate your skin after cleansing and exfoliation, according to L'Oreal Paris.

Use Body Oil 

If you find your skin needing a little something extra, after you apply your moisturizer, you can add some body oil for extra hydration and a glow.