The Perfect Self-Care Shower Routine

Let’s talk about how to have the best shower routine with some easy steps

If you’re interested in creating a self-care shower routine that will help you relax and unwind, keep reading!

A shower is often the best way to unwind after a long day or a good workout. But are you doing it correctly? As a normal shower and post-shower routine can actually damage your skin, there is a right and wrong way to shower.

Did you know that there are two kinds of showerers?

The first of them believe that shower cabins exist solely to allow them to quickly jump through them and clean their bodies. Others, on the other hand, plan a relaxing and lengthy shower routine for glowing skin involving body scrubs, fine cleansers, and essential oils.

But, how frequently should everyone shower? The short answer is that it depends on your lifestyle. For an average person, once per day.

A good shower is refreshing and invigorating, providing you with energy for the long day ahead. Now I’m going to walk you through my shower routine to help you come up with your own!

This post may contain affiliate links. That means that if you click on a link and purchase something I recommend, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

Now I’ll show you some shower tips for a better shower experience

1. The first step: have a pre-shower routine

Remove contact lenses

Water should never come into contact with your lenses. Harmful substances will remain on your lenses from the water, so washing your face with lenses on can result in severe eye inflammation. Always remove your lenses before showering.

Take care of cozy lighting

Warm light, particularly in the evening, aids in relaxation and mental calmness. Whether you take a shower before bed or in the middle of the day, make sure you can adjust the brightness of the light in the bathroom. Here’s a beautiful and modern lamp for that.

Choose a beautiful shower curtain

If you’ve always believed in the classic white shower curtain, it’s time to reconsider. Shower curtains in various colors and patterns are available, giving your bathroom a completely new look.

Light a candle

Candles don’t have to be kept solely for bathing. Even while taking a shower, light a candle with a pleasant aroma and enjoy its soothing glow.

Introduce plants into the bathroom

There are several plants that thrive in humid environments and will thrive in the bathroom if it has a small window and natural light. Hedgehog Aloe, Snake Plant, Majesty Palm, and Devil’s Ivy Golden Pothos, for example, are appropriate for the bathroom.

Now let’s move on to my self-care shower routine.

2. Before stepping into the shower, take care of your face

1. Clean your hands

The first step may appear insignificant, but it’s more important than ever. Please wash your hands. Do this for at least 20 seconds to remove any dirt from your hands. You don’t want it to get on your face, do you?

2. Wash your face

After washing your hands, gently but thoroughly clean your face. Cleaning your face is necessary to remove dirt and excess oil that has accumulated during the day. I recommend double cleansing your face if you live in a densely populated area or a big city.

To do so, first, apply some make-up removal oil with vitamin E, then select a cleanser appropriate for your facial skin and massage it for at least 60 seconds.

Apply a small amount of cleanser to your face and neck with your fingertips and gently massage in circular motions from the bottom up and from the center of the face to the ears to encourage lymph fluid movement. Rinse thoroughly with warm water.

3. Exfoliate your skin

The next step is facial exfoliation. Exfoliation aids in the removal of dead skin cells and the unclogging of clogged pores.

Instead of manual peels, try enzymatic peels or chemical peels like this one, which often contain gentle physical exfoliating particles as well as bioactive substances. Start with something gentle that is suitable for your skin type.

Apply the exfoliator to your face and make sure to follow the instructions! Be careful around the eyes! If you use a manual exfoliator, exfoliate the lip outline as well, as this is where blockages frequently occur.

Then, rinse and pat your face dry.

4. Use a face mask

By this point, your skin should feel softer, and the cleanser and exfoliator should have adequately prepared it to absorb the beneficial ingredients in the mask.

Simply select a mask that addresses the specific skin issues that are bothering your face. Is your skin dehydrated, or do you really require a purifying black mask for problematic skin?

Using a mask is necessary because it deep cleans the pores on your skin and nourishes it with vitamins. Allow the mask to work for 15 minutes while you sit or lie down and listen to music. Wash the mask off with warm water and pat your face dry with a soft towel.

5. Use a toner

Toners can be used for a variety of purposes, and the liquid you choose should be based on your skin type. Toners are typically used to balance the skin after cleansing, add moisture, and create a suitable base for the absorption of the products that follow on the face.

Apply some good toner with witch hazel to your face. This toner will soothe, tone, and hydrate your skin while also balancing the pH levels of your skin and maintaining the moisture barrier.

6. Massage your face

It doesn’t have to be difficult. For those who prefer to keep things simple, I recommend buying a good natural facial oil and grabbing a facial roller like this one.

Facial massage improves blood circulation, relaxes muscles, and increases product absorption. Furthermore, it’s very pleasant and should be part of every self-care shower routine!

Put some facial oil on your face and massage your face from the chin to the cheekbones to relieve tension.

Massage the area around the eyes with the fourth fingers (the ones where the rings go) and move lightly over the brow line and under the eyes. Because the fourth finger has the least muscle strength, it’s ideal for eye massage.

To stimulate blood circulation beneath the skin, pat the forehead with your fingertips in an upward direction. Dab lightly with a tissue to remove excess oil from the skin.

Treating yourself plays a huge part in my one-month summer self-care challenge, so make sure to check that out.

7. Apply a moisturizer

If you skipped the massage with facial oil, now it’s time to use a face cream to nourish your skin with vitamins, maintain moisture levels, and reduce the impact of the external environment.

Choose a product that is appropriate for your age, problems, and skin type. Don’t forget a powerful nourishing eye cream as well.

Massage the face cream into the skin in an upward and outward motion. The face cream binds beneficial vitamins and moisture to your skin, leaving it beautifully radiant.

8. Moisturize your lips

Don’t forget your lips, as their skin is delicate and requires hydration and protection from external factors at all times of the year. To accomplish this, apply a good hydrating lip balm, which not only moisturizes but also gives the lips beautiful and natural plumpness.

9. Protect your skin from the Sun

You should avoid the harmful effects of UV light whenever you go outside, even if it’s cloudy. It protects your skin from premature aging and the signs of aging. Your sunscreen should be appropriate for your skin type and the intensity of the sun.

Here’s a good and lightweight sunscreen with SPF 70 to use. Remember to apply it at least 30 minutes before leaving the house!

3. Now it’s time to treat your hair

1. Brush your hair

You’re probably aware that combing wet hair is bad for it. Wet hair is more vulnerable to damage. Brushing also helps to stimulate the blood supply to the scalp.

However, if your hair breaks despite your best efforts, you may need to purchase healthy hair growth vitamins to help your hair from the inside out.

Combing dry hair can be a nightmare to detangle, which is why most people are more cautious when combing their hair. Comb your hair before starting your self-care shower routine, and there is no need to wrestle with your hair right after washing.

2. Begin warming up

Wet your hair thoroughly, preferably with warm water. The hair cuticles open as a result, which helps to ensure that the head-washing process will be effective and that the residues and dirt from the care products are properly washed out.

3. Use a good shampoo

Select high-quality shampoos and conditioners that are appropriate for your hair type and needs. If you are unsure about which shower routine products to select, feel free to seek advice from experts in your field.

Squeeze a coin-sized amount of shampoo into your palm. Apply the shampoo to the scalp and then to the hair, working your way up from the roots. Shampooing the ends of your hair is not necessary. What gets there during the wash is completely sufficient.

4. Massage

After you’ve applied the shampoo to your hair, return to your scalp and begin massaging it with your fingertips. Massage improves the effectiveness of shampoo by increasing the blood supply to the scalp.

When massaging, move vertically and avoid massaging in a circle, as this will result in more tangles. Massage gently and calmly rather than vigorously. Avoid the use of nails. Scratching and scraping can cause dandruff.

5. First rinse

After massaging, rinse your hair with lukewarm water. Squeeze your hair gently while rinsing to get all of the shampoo out. The excess shampoo is difficult to remove, and if you’re not careful, shampoo residues will remain on your hair and scalp, causing a variety of problems in the long run.

6. Then switch to cool water

Cool the water and thoroughly rinse your hair and scalp. Washing your hair with cool water also promotes blood circulation. The more nutrients and vitamins that reach the hair, the better the blood supply to your scalp.

7. Time for a conditioner

Straighten the hair with your fingers, and then apply conditioner from the middle to the ends. Avoid applying conditioner to the roots of your hair. The conditioner would be too heavy and would press the hair against the head, which is probably not what you want.

After applying the conditioner, secure your hair with a clip and proceed with normal washing. The longer the conditioner remains in the hair, the better the outcome. It would be beneficial to use keratin-containing products to deeply nourish and repair damaged and stressed hair.

8. Rinse thoroughly

After you’ve finished the conditioning process, rinse it again with cool water. Rinsing is required now, just as it was after shampooing, to remove any remaining conditioner. And whereas warm water opens the hair cuticles, cool water closes them. This ensures that your hair is shiny and beautiful.

9. It’s time to dry your hair

To dry your hair, use a towel rather than a hair dryer. Also, avoid rubbing your hair when drying it. A towel wrapped around your hair is a much safer option. Allow your hair to air dry if possible. This is the healthiest option in the long run.

If you must use a hair dryer, set it to the lowest temperature possible. When working with warm or hot air, it is critical to use high-quality heat protection!

4. The final step in this perfect shower routine-taking care of your body

Keep track of the temperature of the water and the amount of time you spend in the shower

Many people enjoy taking long, hot showers, but these are not good for their skin. Hot water and long showers can remove your skin’s natural oil layer. Warm water and shorter showers and baths are better for maintaining the skin’s moisture balance.

Everyone has their own opinion of the perfect self-care shower routine, but soaking in hot water for too long can make your skin itchy.

Every time, clean the sponge and towel

While you may believe that soap is contaminated with germs, researchers discovered that soap does not transfer bacteria to the skin.

Simultaneously, it was discovered that washing sponges can trap dead skin cells and that a hot shower creates favorable conditions for bacteria to reproduce on the sponge.

The same is true for towels. Each time you wash it, use a clean, dry towel, or rinse it after each use and hang it to dry.

Use the appropriate soap or shower gel

When taking a shower, use soap, shower gel, or cream to remove as much dirt as possible. The majority of these soaps and gels are too harsh on the skin and cause it to dry out. Only purchase mild and nourishing-moisturizing shower gels, creams, and soaps.

If you want to have a good shower, choose a soap or shower gel that does not produce a lot of foam to wash your skin.

Soothing shower oils soften dry skin, while shower creams and emulsions soothe sensitive skin. The foamier the product, the harsher it is on your skin, stripping it of its natural oil.

Thoroughly wash the soap off your skin

Make sure the water is free of foam after rinsing to avoid skin irritation and dryness. Even a small amount of soap residue can leave red spots on the skin, irritate the skin, and even cause an allergic reaction.

Exfoliate

Don’t forget to exfoliate to get rid of those pesky dead skin cells that you can’t get rid of by scrubbing with shower gel. Sugar scrubs are said to be particularly beneficial in general because they leave the skin silky smooth, like a baby’s.

Massage the scrub all over your body in circular motions, always in the direction of your heart, to aid blood circulation. Pay special attention to the drier areas of the body, such as the elbows, knees, and foot soles.

You can get an especially soft result right away with this brown sugar scrub. It both exfoliates and moisturizes your skin and is suitable for sensitive skin as well.

You can also try dry brushing. Before showering, take a good dry brush and gently rub it all over your body to stimulate the lymphatic system. Dry brushing improves blood circulation, collagen production, metabolism, and cellulite reduction, making the skin glow.

Begin the procedure at the furthest point from the heart, i.e. the soles of the feet, and work your way towards the heart with straight movements until the blood begins to flow comfortably throughout your body.

Epilation and depilation

Do you know the difference between depilation and epilation and how to choose between the two? Depilation only removes the surface of the hair, is painless, and has a short duration. This can be accomplished with either a good razor or a hair removal cream for sensitive skin.

Epilation removes hair from the root and leaves the skin smooth for a longer period of time. You can use a regular epilator, wax, or sugar paste to pluck your hair. Alternatively, invest in an efficient IPL epilator, which will remove your body hair painlessly for several weeks.

Take a cold shower

Finish each self-care shower routine by standing under cold water if you can stand it. However, the time spent in warm water should be twice as long as the time spent in cold water. Why to do that? Well…

1. Cold water increases circulation and provides a pleasant energy boost. Cold water immediately awakens us; it stimulates our senses, blood circulation, and heart rate.

2. Cold water is good for your hair and skin. Hot water dries the skin and hair and opens the pores, whereas cold water closes the pores and prevents dirt from entering.  

3. Cold water strengthens your immune system, making you less susceptible to illness.

4. Cold water improves blood circulation, and dipping yourself in cold water on a regular basis will strengthen your immune system.

When drying with a towel, do not rub

This is one of the greatest shower routine tips because it’s actually helpful. To avoid irritation, it’s best to pat the skin dry after a shower rather than rub it.

Let’s start our after-shower routine with moisturizing

The first procedure that the skin now requests is moisturizing, because dry skin cannot shine without proper hydration.

After showering, when the dead skin cells have been washed away and the skin is ready to absorb all of the vitamins and oils contained in the creams, is the best time to apply creams.

Apply the cream or oil to slightly dry skin right after getting out of the shower or bath to help skin cells lock in moisture.

According to dermatologists, you should cream and oil your skin within three minutes of getting out of the shower because the skin is still moist at this time, allowing for more intense hydration.

Did you know that the manner in which you apply the cream to your skin is also significant? Begin by moisturizing the feet and work your way up to the heart.

Also, when applying the cream to the skin, only move in one direction. Rubbing back and forth can clog hair follicles, resulting in pimples.

Firming and toning body creams should be massaged into the buttocks, thighs, and abdomen, where cellulite is more likely to develop, and moisturizing products like this light body oil should be applied to drier areas such as elbows, knee joints, and foot soles.

Protection from sweating

Do you want to avoid unpleasant odors or reduce general sweating? The deodorant keeps you smelling fresh, while the antiperspirant prevents sweating and keeps your underarms dry.

You can even combine the two or try a 2-in-1 product for long-lasting freshness. After showering, apply antiperspirant or deodorant to clean skin.

Help the skin from the inside out as well

To finish off this self-care shower routine, I’m going to mention something really important. You’ve probably heard the expression “beauty begins from within.” In addition to the previously mentioned body procedure, it is also critical to support your health.

During the winter, our entire immune system, including our largest organ, the skin, requires vitamin support.

Vitamin A is a well-known antioxidant that keeps the skin looking and feeling young and healthy by making it more elastic and soft, improving its structure and appearance, and combating wrinkles and inflammation.

Vitamin D, also known as the sun vitamin, aids in the speeding up of metabolic processes, increases epidermal resistance, normalizes skin water content, and regulates protein synthesis.

Vitamin E is an antioxidant that helps the skin retain its youthful appearance. It strengthens, smooths, and nourishes the skin, as well as strengthens the epidermis’ protective layer, and neutralizes the harmful effects of free radicals.

Of course, choosing multi- or complex preparations that include all of the aforementioned vitamins would be the most convenient and straightforward approach.

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria found in the digestive tract that play an important role in digestion and immune system function, which is especially important during the current cold and viral season.

Probiotics help to strengthen our resistance to diseases and viruses by producing natural antibiotics, or bacteriocins, in our bodies.

5. However, if you’d prefer to take a bath, i’ll guide you through my self-care bath routine that you can use instead of a shower

Preparation

Fill the bathtub with hot water. Create a cozy atmosphere while the bath is filling with water—this is the key to a home spa. Turn off the lights, light the candles, and play soothing music to accomplish this.

If you’re having trouble finding the right music, try searching for “spa playlist” or “spa music.”

You can use a soothing aroma lamp to add a pleasant authentic smell to the home spa. Pour some of your favorite essential oils into the bathtub as well.

Ylang-ylang essential oil, for example, has a particularly pleasant calming effect and is frequently used to relieve stress and strengthen the nervous system. Four to six drops are sufficient and should be added to the bath water while it is running.

Eucalyptus oil, which has a stimulating effect, is a good companion for ylang-ylang, which also helps relieve cold symptoms. It’s a seriously good health booster in today’s virus-filled world, where even the smallest cold can get you out of control.

You can also drop a bath ball in the water. Just watching this bubbly ball melt in the bath water is therapeutic. Here’s a set of 12 handmade bath bombs that are guaranteed to be both therapeutic and moisturizing.

Enjoy and do some massage therapy

Our bodies get tired from the forced positions. Without the proper equipment, it can all lead to sore backs, legs, arms, and necks. While soaking in a warm bath, use your fingers to massage sore muscles. If you believe you require a more serious massage, you can ask the help of someone you live with.

If you need a more thorough guide, here’s my self-care bath routine described in detail.

That was my self-care shower routine that I hope inspired you as well

What did you think of this blog post? What does your shower routine look like? Tell me in the comments below! I’d love to hear your thoughts.