Whether you’re starting your day, ending your day, or somewhere in between, I think taking a shower is a great time to practice some self-care — and I might have perfected it. Here’s a little tip to take your shower experience to the next level in 2024.
How to improve your shower experience
Above and beyond the normal steps you take in the shower (shampoo your hair, wash your face and body, shaving, etc.), you can enhance your wellness and beauty experience by doing the following:
Set the mood
Aromatherapy can go a long way when it comes to a nice shower. Investing in some soothing fragrances or a shower mist of eucalyptus essential oil can be like being transported to a steam room at a luxury spa. You can also hang a bunch of eucalyptus in your shower for a refreshing and invigorating experience, or put a few drops of eucalyptus on your hands and smell them by taking deep breaths. Aromatherapy supports relaxation or energization, as well as mental clarity.
PS I like to use skincare products that inspire a wake-up scent, like Mint Renewal Cleanser.
Queue for relaxing music or sounds
Nothing says relaxation like the sound of rainfall or ocean waves. The sounds of nature have been associated with healing the body, including improved health, reduced stress, improved mood and improved cognitive performance. Or maybe you prefer some relaxing tunes? Whatever it is, pre-setting a playlist can be great for both mind and body.
Upgrade your shower
Consider a shower head with different settings, such as rainfall or massage jets, for a more spa-like experience. I also recommend using a filtered shower head. These remove any harmful metals and chemicals to ensure your skin is safe and protected from irritation. A filtered shower head is also good for your hair! They help hair retain natural oils and moisture, resulting in shinier, softer and cleaner hair.
Raise the temperature
Have you ever found yourself with a lack of sleep and looking for a way out? reduce puffiness under the eyes? Taking a hot shower can be a great solution to this problem for two reasons: lymphatic drainage and circulation. The heat from the water dilates (relaxes and opens) the lymph vessels to help drain fluids (waste and toxins). When you wash your face in the shower and the water hits your skin directly, it encourages excess fluids to move out of the eye area. The heat also helps with circulation, while your upright position in the shower helps drain fluids from the face.
Incorporate exfoliation
Use a gentle exfoliating facial scrub such as Triple Berry Smoothing Scrub, to remove dead skin cells, leaving your skin soft and refreshed. For the body I like to make this rub which focuses on areas such as dry elbows, knees, feet and anywhere else you want to remove unwanted discoloration.
Extend the experience
Continue to have some post-shower time with your full skincare routine. Throw one in lymphatic drainage massage for a little extra self-care!
All in all, showering doesn’t have to be a mindless task. Take some time to yourself for some self-care and attention. I hope you find these tips helpful, and as always, #obeyrenee!
Celebrity Esthetician & Skin Care Specialist
As an esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating her audience and building an award-winning line of products. Her hands-on experience as an esthetician and trusted skin care expert has created a real solution — products designed to nine different skin types so your face will have exactly what it needs to look and feel its best. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare enthusiasts around the world, her vast real-world knowledge and constant research is why Marie Claire calls her “the most passionate skin professional we know.”
