The order of steps matters more than the price on the bottle. Oil applied to skin that nothing has cleared away just sits on the surface — sticky sheets and a greasy feeling when you wake up. Done in the right order, the same handful of minutes can leave skin supple and pyjamas that glide — and frankly, at the end of the day, that's quite enough.

Exfoliate first, because oil doesn't like obstacles

Take a new sponge, then one that has already wiped the table three times: which one soaks up better? Skin is much the same. A scrub isn't magic; it helps lift dead cells that build up on the surface. The practical result: the grain feels smoother under your hand, and the oil you apply afterwards is less likely to sit on top.

A hand scooping sugar scrub from an open pot beside a wet knee
Scrub first, on wet skin, using gentle circles

The move, in practice: on wet skin, in the shower, a small scoop of product, gentle circles; a few minutes is enough. Pay attention to elbows, knees and heels, the areas that build up without anyone asking them to. Rinse with lukewarm water — very hot water can undo much of the comfort — and pat dry without rubbing.

Do you need to do it every week? I haven't got a clever statistic to sell you: frequency depends on your skin, the season and the texture of the scrub. Once a week is a common marker; if skin feels tight, stings or goes red, leave more time between scrubs. And if your skin is very reactive, irritated or you're having dermatological treatment, it's better to ask a pharmacist or GP before you start scrubbing anything.

Then oil, while skin is still warm

This is where you catch up on the step you rushed. Get out of the shower, pat yourself dry, and don't wait until your skin is completely dry: apply the oil to slightly damp skin, which makes it easier to spread and stops half of it ending up in the palm of your hand.

Hands warming a few drops of golden oil above a pale stone ledge
Oil next, while skin is still warm so it glides more easily

A little oil, warmed between your palms, then sweep upwards, without forgetting the backs of your arms or your upper back — the two places we never look at and which never forget us. In practice, a few minutes is enough for the whole body: any longer and boredom sets in, and you skip areas without noticing.

Afterwards? If skin still feels tight, add a cream over the top to seal it all in. If it feels comfortable, there's no need to pile anything on: oil alone may be enough. Stacking three products on principle is the best way to end up stuck to the sheets feeling as if you've done it badly.

Which texture for which skin

Dry skin: oil then cream, or a rich balm when the temperature drops — that's when layering is genuinely justified. Normal skin: a light oil or a lotion is enough, and cream becomes a duplicate. Combination skin with a back that breaks out: go lighter, use a gel-cream on your back, and keep oil for legs and arms. And if the spots on your back are inflamed or painful, that isn't a scrubbing issue but one for a pharmacist or GP.

Three body-care textures: sugar scrub, rich balm and golden oil
A texture for every skin: fine grains, rich balm or a simple oil

When it comes to what's in the pot, favour what you can read easily on the label: simple plant oils (sweet almond, jojoba, fractionated coconut oil for skin that fears greasiness), fine-grain or sugar scrubs, and formulas without added fragrance when skin reacts. Format matters too: glass, refill, solid — a solid scrub can last a long time and often means less plastic, which isn't a sales pitch but a real shelf convenience.

What can be done the night before

If you're getting ready for a dinner, a party or simply want presentable legs, do the scrub the night before. On the day itself, freshly exfoliated skin can go red or feel tight under the lights — and nobody wants to spend the evening tugging at their dress.

A woman in a dressing gown applies oil to her forearm beside the bed in the evening
Do it the night before and the oil has all night to work

Another option that works well: scrub when you get home, oil a little later, before bed. Your skin has had time to calm down, the oil has time to settle, and the next day you may find the texture feels softer to the touch.

Budget

In the UK, a decent body scrub can be found for around £6–£20 in supermarkets, chemists or beauty retailers; a single plant oil for around £6–£18 (often less in health-food shops or online); a body cream for around £6–£25 depending on size. The top end mostly buys fragrance and packaging, not necessarily a better technique.

If money is tight: mix a simple plant oil with fine sugar at shower time, using one tablespoon (15ml) of oil to two tablespoons (30ml) of sugar. It can work well, costs very little, and needs using quickly — keep it in the fridge for a few days, then bin it without regret.

The order in one line: scrub on wet skin → rinse lukewarm → oil on still-damp skin → cream only if skin feels tight. A few minutes, two products, no decorative layering.

Next time you only have five minutes, save the scrub for another night and simply oil warm skin: that's the step that remains when everything else falls away. And if your skin says thank you with pyjamas that glide, the evening has gone well.