If all you do in the shower is soap up and rinse off, you are missing out on a world of opportunities.
Most of us tend to take shower-time for granted, going through the motions without even thinking about it. But a steamy, hot shower isn't just for getting clean, it's the ideal time to up your skin and hair care game — and maybe even take the time to pamper yourself while you're at it.
By incorporating a few of these additional steps into your shower routine won't just maximize your efforts, they will transform your scared shower-time into a self-care ritual.
1. Give Your Feet A Massage With This Foot Scrubber
My Solemate Shower Foot Massager Scrubber, $14, Amazon
Chances are, the bottoms of your feet are getting overlooked when you're lathering up. But let's face it, bending down in the shower and balancing on one foot to soap up your soles is just downright dangerous.
Enter: This foot scrubber and massager combo. The brush bristles clean the bottom of your feet and in between your toes while also promoting blood circulation to soothe sore muscles.
2. Soften Your Skin With A Body Oil
Viva Naturals Sweet Almond Oil, $13, Amazon
If you avoid body oils because you find them greasy or heavy, you're probably applying them wrong. The key to using an oil is to massage it into wet skin, and this will help the oil absorb faster and lock in moisture.
So add this pure almond oil to your shower routine as total body moisturizer that's packed with vitamin E.
3. Exfoliate With A Natural Bristle Brush
Esarora Bamboo Bath Brush, $14, Amazon
Loofas are great for lathering up, but they're also a breeding ground for bacteria. If you're looking for a more hygienic alternative, try a mildew-resistant natural bristle brush.
This particular bath brush has a long bamboo handle and a double-sided head — one side with tough but pliable bristles for exfoliating and other side featuring 36 wooden nodes to massage your muscles.
4. Remove Product Buildup With This Clarifying Bar
Tasmanian Apple Cider Vinegar Hair Tonic Bar, $13, Amazon
Between all of the leave-in conditioners, heat protectant products, hair pomades, and styling products many of us use on a daily basis, we sure do put a lot of gunk in our hair. And unfortunately, while our shampoos can help remove every day oils and excess product, most still leave build-up behind. Enter: This apple cider vinegar (ACV) clarifying shampoo bar.
This bar features the ingredient-du-jour ACV, which gently strips your hair of product build-up while helping it to retain moisture and preventing split ends. Plus, its natural antibacterial and anti-fungal properties can put a stop to incessant scalp itchiness, too. Incorporate this clarifying bar into your routine once or twice a week for best results.
5. Rid Skin Of Bacteria With A Tea Tree Body Wash
Natural Riches Tea Tree Oil Body Wash, $14, Amazon
A basic body wash is essential, but when you have a bout of athlete's foot or a nail fungus outbreak, a standard soap might not be enough.
This shower gel, however, is specially formulated to kill fungus and bacteria and aid in the relief of athlete's foot, nail fungus, jock itch, body acne, and ringworms. It's made with naturally antibacterial and anti-fungal ingredients like tea tree, jojoba, coconut, rosemary, olive, oregano, peppermint, aloe, and eucalyptus oil and contains a plethora of vitamins that soothe and heal itchy, inflamed skin.
6. Occasionally Replace Conditioner With A Hair Mask
SheaMoisture Manuka Honey And Mafura Oil Masque, $12, Amazon
Let's be honest: sometimes run-of-the-mill hair conditioner just isn't enough. For dry, brittle hair, you need a real heavyweight to get the job done from time to time.
This hair mask is sulfate-free and packed only with natural goodness such as Manuka honey to repair your hair and protect it from the harsh world beyond your shower curtain.
7. Scrub Your Skin With Some Coffee
Frank Body Original Coffee Scrub, $20, Amazon
If you're looking for a serious pick-me-up in the shower, opt for ole faithful: coffee.
Yes, that's right, you can do more than orally ingest copious amounts of coffee each morning — you can also scrub it right into your skin. And although the science is still out on whether coffee will actually help wake you up, this classic coffee scrub does hydrate and exfoliate your skin using a delicious combination of roasted ground coffee beans, sea salt, and almond oil.
8. Massage Your Head With A Shampoo Brush
Vitagoods Scalp Massaging Shampoo Brush, $20, Amazon
You know that blissful feeling of someone else washing your hair or massaging your scalp? You can now replicate that feeling in the comfort and privacy of your own home with this vibrating, water-resistant shampoo brush.
Not only does this shower brush feel amazing, the flexible rubber tips gently exfoliate the scalp to remove dead skin and increase blood circulation to the follicles to aid in hair growth. It's even available in four different colors to match your shower aesthetic.
9. Remove Chlorine And Minerals With A Filtered Shower Gead
Culligan Wall-Mounted Filtered Shower Head, $30, Amazon
Upgrading to a filtered shower head is one of the easiest ways to get softer, healthier-looking skin and hair.
Plus, not only does this easy to install, shower head rids your water of chlorine, sulfur odor, scale, and other unwanted minerals, it also offers five spray settings.
10. Use A Serum To Prevent Ingrown Hairs
Fur All Natural Ingrown Hair Concentrate, $32, Amazon
If you, like me, find ingrown hairs to be a frequent source of distress, then this serum should be on your radar.
Unlike the many products that only treat ingrown hairs once they become painful, this product is designed for regular use to prevent them from happening in the first place.
11. Get A Safer Shave With A Shower Perch
Changing Lifestyles Safe-er-Grip Foot Rest, $10, Amazon
Even if you choose to shave, chances are, it's not your favorite shower ritual. Not only is it a tedious activity, but contorting your body to reach down, under, and around your legs in a slippery bathtub can be dangerous.
Luckily, this foot rest easily installs in your shower to prop up your foot so that you can stand comfortably while shaving your legs.
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