Unlock the beauty-boosting power of your shower time

Is your shower routine aging you?

Your shower routine can make a huge difference in how your skin looks and feels.

The good news? With a few simple changes, your showers can start to help you achieve the healthy, glowing, youthful skin you want. 

Read on to learn how to supercharge your shower routine for skin health!

6 Step Shower Routine for Glowing Skin

Unlock the beauty-boosting power of your shower time with this 6 step shower routine for happier, healthier skin:

Step #1: The Pre-Shower

Step one begins before you even turn the water on. That’s right: dry brushing! Dry brushing Dry brushing is a simple but profoundly beneficial technique believed to stimulate the lymphatic system, enhance blood circulation, exfoliate the skin, and promote overall wellbeing. 

The process of dry brushing involves using a natural bristle brush to sweep the skin below the neck in a specific pattern. As the name suggests, dry brushing is done on dry skin, and is a great practice to do before showering. For a simple dry brushing routine and to learn more about the practice, read our blog Dry Brushing 101.

Step #2: The Right Temperature

While a long, steaming hot shower at the end of the day is tempting, it’s doing your skin more harm than good. 

Hot water can compromise your skin’s moisture barrier. Yep, that hot shower you love can cause skin irritation, itching, and dryness, increasing signs of aging like wrinkles and sagging. 

Long showers can further damage skin, stripping it of important natural oils. 

The solution? Shorten your showers and opt for lukewarm water instead.

Step #3: The Mane Event

Once you’ve hopped into the shower, start by shampooing and conditioning your hair first.

Here’s why: the same ingredients in conditioners that give you shiny, soft hair can also clog your pores and leave an oily film on your skin.

By washing your body afterwards, you avoid leaving conditioner residue on your skin. Which leads us to…

Step #4: The Body

Time to wash your body! If you shave, this is also a good time to do it. 

But here’s the real test: are you team washcloth, or team loofah?

If you said loofah, you may want to think twice.

Loofahs have tons of nooks and crannies. Hanging out in the damp environment of your bathroom, they become the ideal breeding ground for bacteria and other pathogens. Gross! Beyond being unsanitary, this bacteria can cause skin infections if it enters an open wound like a cut from shaving. Plus, plastic loofahs shed microplastics and contribute to pollution and waste.

The solution? Ditch the loofah and start using washcloths instead. Keep a few in rotation and wash frequently for an eco-friendly clean that your skin will thank you for!

Step #5: The Face

Once you’ve washed your hair and body, it’s time to wash your face! The key here is choosing the right product.

Avoid products with harsh ingredients that strip your skin’s natural oils. Instead, opt for balancing cleansers like our antioxidant-rich and pH-balanced Purifying Cleanser, formulated with Green Tea Extract, Vitamin C and Vitamin E to purify your skin, leaving it cleansed and soothed.

Your shower might be complete, but there’s still one more step in the routine…

Step #6: The Post-Shower

Your post-shower ritual is a crucial part of this shower routine for glowing skin. 

After stepping out of the shower, try not to dry off completely. This is because body lotion is best applied on damp skin to seal in moisture– a key factor in achieving luminous, youthful-looking skin. Lastly, make the most of your bathroom’s humidity by applying your favourite hydrating skincare products.

Takeaway

Your current shower routine might be aging you, causing skin irritation, itching, and dryness, and increasing signs of aging like wrinkles and sagging. 

Fortunately, there are a few simple changes you can make to supercharge your shower routine for skin health! 

By incorporating a few easy practices, turning down the heat, shortening your shower, and adjusting the order in which you wash, your shower routine can start helping you achieve glowing, youthful skin. 

Lather, rinse and repeat (shower singing optional)!

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Eileen Fauster of Essential Balance is a Registered Acupuncturist and Registered Holistic Nutritionist who specializes in skin care. Eileen helps clients by using the Vienna Mei Ren non-surgical acupuncture facelift, which combines the best acupuncture needles and techniques with a beautifying skin rejuvenation regime.