How to Elevate Your Everyday Body Care Routine with PATTERN

How to Elevate Your Everyday Body Care Routine with PATTERN

There’s something beautiful about an everyday routine. The way the sunlight filters through your window in the morning, the warmth of water on your skin & the quiet moment you take to check in with yourself while reaching for your favorite moisturizer. 

That’s what a body care routine is all about. It’s not just skin deep; it’s nourishment & ritual. It’s one of the simplest, most meaningful ways to honor yourself. While many of us treat body care like an afterthought (a quick scrub here, a dash of lotion there), your skin really deserves as much love & attention as your face. 

Ready to build the best body routine for glowing skin? Let’s walk through each step of a layered, luxurious experience, including how to find the right body care products that help keep your skin moisturized, radiant & grounded every single day. 


Why Your Daily Body Care Routine Deserves a Glow Up

Here’s the truth: Your skin is your largest organ. From protecting you to regulating your temperature, it does a lot. Isn’t it time it deserves a little gratitude in the form of care?

A thoughtful body care routine isn’t about achieving perfect skin, but reconnecting with yourself & giving your body what it craves: hydration, touch & attention. 

It’s also about layering, with each project adding something unique while building toward long-lasting softness & glow. 


Step 1: Start Fresh with a Moisturizing Body Wash

Every glowing skin moment starts with a clean canvas, but not all cleansers are created equal. If you’re still using body washes that leave your skin squeaky (read: stripped), it’s time to switch it up. 

The key is to cleanse without removing your skin’s natural oils. That’s where the PATTERN Moisturizing Body Wash comes in. This gentle cleanser is formulated to gently remove sweat, dirt & buildup while leaving skin feeling soft, not tight. 

This isn’t just about getting clean, it’s about setting the tone. Body wash is the first breath in your daily ritual, where you rinse off yesterday & step into now. Pro tip: Let the warm water soften your skin for a few minutes before lathering up with a shower gel. Enjoy every inch of the experience & see how a gentle body wash can support your skin health from the outside in.


Step 2: Exfoliate Gently to Reset & Reveal Radiant Skin

Before we go layering on hydration, it’s time to sweep away anything that’s standing in the way. Exfoliating helps get rid of dead skin cells, smooth out texture & make way for your glow to shine through. It also preps your skin to absorb moisture more effectively, which is a crucial part of any hydration-first routine. So, how do you exfoliate skin exactly? 

Enter the PATTERN Dry Exfoliating Body Scrub. What makes this step different is that you’ll apply it before hopping into the shower (yes, while your skin is still dry). Why? Because dry exfoliation allows the scrub to grip your skin better, offering a gentle yet thorough buff that’s effective without being harsh. 

Massage it anywhere you want to soften & reset, like your arms, legs, elbows & knees. Dry exfoliating two to three times a week should be enough to keep your skin smooth & ready to receive all the goodness that comes next. 


Step 3: Lock In Hydration with Body Oil on Damp Skin

Now that your skin is clean & glowing, it’s time to seal in that moisture & create the best body care routine with a body serum or oil. This is one of the most underrated steps in a full-body care routine. Oils help seal in hydration from the shower while adding a next-level glow.

Here’s the trick: Apply a product like PATTERN’s Nourishing Body Oil while your skin is still damp, not completely dry. That dampness acts like a hydration magnet, helping the oil cling to your skin & do its best work. Just a few drops go a long way, especially on the arms, legs & décolleté. 

When the right oil is formulated with skin in mind, it absorbs beautifully. No greasy residue, just silky softness. Bonus: Add a few drops of oil or body serum into your lotion or cream in the next step for a custom-blended, ultra-rich finish. 


Step 4: Layer on Lotion or Cream (Here’s How to Choose)

Now that we’re getting into the final (& most luxurious) layer: sealing in hydration with either a body cream or lotion. Whether your skin’s feeling quenched but not quite sealed, or you’re in need of a deep hydration hug, this step is where you get to personalize the vibe.

But how do you know which one your skin needs today? Let’s break it down:


Body Lotion

Think of body lotion as your lightweight, easy-breezy go-to. It’s perfect for those moments when you want moisture, without a heavy feel. Here are some of its perks:

  • Lightweight – Lotion glides on smoothly & sinks in quickly, leaving behind soft skin without a greasy residue. Reach for it on mornings when you’re getting dressed ASAP or need something to layer quickly under your clothes.

  • A good fit for warmer weather or oily/combination skin – When the temps rise or your skin just needs a breathable layer, body lotion delivers hydration without feeling heavy. It’s perfect for post-shower moments when you want to lock in moisture quickly & get on with your day.

  • Your everyday, all-over bestie – This is your “don’t-think-too-hard-about-it” option. Use lotion head to toe for quick hydration that keeps your skin feeling supple & refreshed throughout the day. 

Lotion is like that lightweight silk robe you throw on first thing in the morning. It’s elegant, easy & made to move with you. 


Body Cream

When your skin is feeling parched & in need of a little oomph, a cream like the PATTERN Moisture Rich Body Cream steps up to deliver the moisture therapy it’s craving. This is your indulgent, cocooning layer. Here’s why it’s so luxurious:

  • Thicker & more concentrated – Body cream is packed with emollients that create a moisture-sealing barrier on your skin. It stays on the surface a bit longer, helping deeply hydrate & protect your skin throughout the day or night.

  • Ideal for dry or mature skin, cold climates & nighttime – If you’ve been exposed to dry air, long showers or just a change in season, body cream can help restore balance to dry skin. Pro tip: Include it in your wind-down routine before bed.

  • Targets areas that need extra support – If you’re not sure where to start, check on your elbows, knees & heels. Body cream’s richer texture smooths & nourishes without needing to reapply constantly.

Cream is like slipping into a cashmere sweater. It’s plush & ultra soothing, perfect for dry & cold winter months. 


Mix & Match Them Both

Still not sure which to use? Here’s the best part: You don’t have to choose just one. You can totally mix & match, depending on how your skin is showing up that day. Maybe your legs feel fine with lotion, but your hands & feet need the rich, buttery love of cream. Or maybe it’s a lotion day (until you notice your arms asking for more). 

Try these essential body care routine steps to get the best of both worlds:

  1. First, try using a lightweight but nourishing lotion like the PATTERN Hydrating Body Lotion on your arms, shoulders & torso for quick softness.

  2. Then, layer cream on your elbows, knees & feet, or any areas that feel especially dry & textured.

  3. Finally, for extra radiance, mix a drop or two of body oil into your cream or lotion before applying to supercharge your hydration game. 

Remember, you get to be the curator of your own body care moment. Take your time rubbing it in, especially in areas where you carry tension or fatigue. Breathe in the scent. This is where your skin receives all the nourishment you’ve layered underneath & where you get to fully lean into the ritual. 


Turn Your Body Care Routine Into a Joyful Daily Ritual

With our busy schedules, routines can start to feel like boxes to check or something we do on autopilot, but your body skin care routine can be so much more. From body serums to gentle exfoliators, there are many skin care products that work to support your skin barrier on a deep, rejuvenating level.

When you exfoliate with intention, apply oil with reverence & layer lotion with love, something shifts. You stop treating your skin like a project & start treating it like the sacred, living thing it is. We believe body care should be a celebration of self. 

It’s a daily practice of saying: I am worth caring for. I am worth softness. I am worth the time. A body care routine for glowing skin is lovely. But feeling connected to your body? That’s the real glow. 


Glow Up Your Body Routine with PATTERN

At the end of the day, your body care routine isn’t just about silky skin; it’s about tuning in & caring for yourself with intention. Every drop of oil & every swirl of lotion is a reminder: You deserve this moment. Fortunately, PATTERN’s got your back (& body). 

Our hydration-focused lineup has what you need to craft a full body care routine at home, from our Dry Exfoliating Scrub & Nourishing Body Oil to the Hydrating Body Lotion & Moisture Rich Body Cream. You can craft a routine that doesn’t just soften skin, but centers & celebrates you.

So go ahead & turn your daily hydration routine into a sacred practice. Exfoliate like you’re polishing your crown & moisturize like you’re painting on joy. Soak up a few minutes of care & a whole lot of self-love. 


 

Sources: 

Healthline. Body Cream vs. Lotion: What’s the Difference? https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/body-cream-vs-body-lotion 

Healthline. What Does It Mean to Exfoliate? Plus Why You Should and How to Start. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/meaning-of-exfoliating 

Healthline. Your Skin Is a Superhero: How to Support Your Body’s Biggest Organ. https://www.healthline.com/health/beauty-skin-care/your-skin-is-a-superhero-how-to-support-your-bodys-biggest-organ

My Cleveland Clinic. Emollients. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/23305-emollients

Reviewed by Ashley Ludgood

With over 12 years of experience in the beauty and fashion industry, Ashley Ludgood brings a wealth of expertise to her current role at PATTERN. Her insights have been featured in reputable publications like American Salon Magazine, American Spa Magazine, and Skin, Inc. Ashley has also shared her knowledge at conferences, including Face & Body, demonstrating her ongoing commitment to contributing to the industry. Having been an integral part of the team at PATTERN for nearly 4 years, Ashley continues to make significant contributions. Holding a degree in Journalism from Northwestern University, she remains passionate about her field. Among her favorite products, Ashley turns to the PATTERN Styling Cream, Moisture Milk, and the Cleansing Shampoo as her go-to essentials.

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