For years I was much better at looking after my face than the rest of my skin. Like a lot of people, I had a full skincare routine for my face but body care was something I rushed through. Moisturiser felt like an optional extra and exfoliating was something I remembered occasionally rather than something I did consistently. Over time I realised that the skin on the rest of our body goes through just as much as our face, sometimes more.
Mountain biking alone exposes my skin to all sorts of things: wind, mud, sweat, cold weather and long hours outdoors. My legs are in shorts most of the time when I’m riding, so they take a lot of the impact from the elements.
My skin also tends to get quite dry, especially after long outdoor days. I don’t normally have sensitive skin, although I did randomly get a rash recently which reminded me how important it is to pay attention to what we put on our skin.
The good news is that body care doesn’t need to be complicated. Over the years I’ve realised that a few simple habits can make a really noticeable difference.
These are the body care habits that have genuinely improved my skin.
Moisturising straight after a shower
This is probably the biggest habit that improved my skin.
I’m very much a shower-after-training person. If I’ve been out riding or exercising, I want to shower straight away. I also often shower in the morning because I hate the feeling of being sweaty. I tend to stick to lukewarm showers rather than very hot ones, which helps prevent my skin from drying out too much.
Applying body moisturiser straight after showering makes a huge difference because the skin is still slightly warm and ready to absorb it.
One of the products I reach for regularly is Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream. It’s one of those products that makes moisturising feel more like a treat than a chore because the scent is incredible and the texture sinks in quickly.
If a product feels nice to use, you’re much more likely to stick with the habit.
Using shower products that actually work for you
Body care starts in the shower, and choosing the right body wash can make a difference. At the moment I tend to use Sanex shower gel or the M&S cherry shower gel depending on what I have in the bathroom.
After workouts I also like using a shower gel with active ingredients for underarms and areas that need a deeper clean. When you train regularly and spend hours outdoors, that little extra freshness really helps.
I also rotate in the Delicia Drench shower Oil from Sol de Janeiro on alternate days because it feels incredibly hydrating and luxurious.
After long rides I’m usually straight into the shower because I hate feeling sweaty. I normally keep showers fairly lukewarm rather than really hot because hot water can dry the skin out even more.
It sounds simple but that small change alone made my skin feel much less tight after showering.
Body care doesn’t have to be complicated, but using products that suit your lifestyle definitely helps.
Gentle exfoliation makes body moisturisers work better
For a long time I skipped exfoliating my body properly because it felt like an extra step I didn’t really need.
But once I started doing it regularly, I noticed a big difference in how my skin looked and felt.
Exfoliating helps remove the layer of dead skin that builds up over time. When that layer is left sitting on the surface, body creams and oils can struggle to absorb properly.
Once I started exfoliating more consistently, moisturisers seemed to sink in better and my skin felt noticeably smoother.
It’s not something you need to do every day. A couple of times a week is usually more than enough.
It’s especially helpful before applying things like fake tan as well, because smoother skin gives a much more even result.
Paying attention to dry areas
Certain parts of the body always need more care.
For me that tends to be my legs, shins, elbows and sometimes knees. My legs are exposed to the elements quite a lot because I ride in shorts most of the time when mountain biking.
Cold wind, mud and constant exposure to the outdoors can dry the skin out very quickly.
Applying a little extra moisturiser to those areas makes a noticeable difference to how smooth the skin looks and feels. Sometimes the simplest habits are the ones that work best.
Making body care feel like a treat
One thing I’ve learned is that routines only stick if you actually enjoy them. If body care feels like another chore on the list, it’s very easy to skip it.
For me it works much better when body care feels more like a small spa moment rather than something I have to do. That’s part of the reason I like products with nice textures or scents. It turns a quick moisturising step into something that feels a little more indulgent. Small things like that make consistency much easier.
Not forgetting about feet
Feet are one of the most overlooked parts of body care. Between cycling shoes, walking and general daily life, they go through a lot. I try to use a foot cream regularly to keep the skin soft and prevent dryness. It’s a tiny step but it makes a big difference, especially if you’re on your feet a lot.
Self tan as part of skin care
In the summer I also incorporate fake tan into my routine. I usually apply it once a week, and I’ve had good results using products like the mousse from Filter by Molly-Mae which gives a natural-looking colour. Self tan isn’t just about colour for me. It can also make the skin look smoother and more even overall.
Top tip: Exfoliating before applying my weekly fake tan has made a noticeable difference to how even the colour looks.
Starting body care earlier
One thing I wish I had done earlier in life is pay more attention to body care.
When I was younger I lost quite a lot of weight and I wish I had used more oils and moisturisers at the time to help support my skin. Stretch marks are completely normal, but I do think looking after your skin early can help improve elasticity and overall skin health.
It’s one of those things you only realise later.
Living outdoors affects your skin more than you realise
Spending a lot of time outdoors definitely changes how you think about body care. Mountain biking means long hours exposed to wind, mud, sweat and changing weather conditions. In winter it can be freezing and drying, and in summer the sun and dust can be just as harsh on your skin.
My legs in particular take the brunt of it because I ride in shorts most of the time. Between wind, mud and constant washing after rides, the skin can get quite dry if I’m not careful.
That’s why body moisturising has become much more important in my routine than it used to be. When I was younger and lost quite a lot of weight, I didn’t really think about body care at all. Looking back, I wish I had paid more attention to moisturising and oils to help support the skin while it was changing.
Final thoughts
Body care doesn’t need to be complicated or time consuming.
For me it has been about building simple habits that fit into everyday life. Between mountain biking, outdoor adventures and regular training, my skin goes through a lot.
Keeping things simple, moisturising regularly and using products that make the routine enjoyable has made the biggest difference.
Sometimes the most effective routines are also the simplest. Body care used to feel like something I rushed through, but now it’s one of the easiest ways to look after my skin after long days outdoors.
A simple routine, products you genuinely enjoy using and a little consistency can make a huge difference over time.
Healthy skin isn’t about perfection, it’s about habits that you can stick with.
Written by Laura Martin – qualified makeup artist, skincare specialist, mountain bike athlete and beauty blogger behind MissLJBeauty with over 15 years of experience testing skincare and beauty products in real outdoor conditions.
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