I think almost everyone can relate to the feeling of looking forward to hopping into a nice, warm shower after a long day. Whether you’re someone who showers in the morning, or in the evening, creating your own personalized body care shower regimen may be one of the best forms of self-care. Here is a little routine I have formulated for myself over the years.
First and foremost, if I wear makeup during the day, I will use the Garnier Skinactive Micellar Cleansing Water for Oily Skin and a cotton pad to wipe away any residue. I particularly love this product for removing any stubborn eye makeup.
Once my face is clean, I shift my focus to my hair care routine. Before stepping into the shower, I take a moment to brush and detangle my hair while it’s still dry. Since wet hair is more prone to damage, this step helps protect my strands and makes post-shower brushing much easier. I start by brushing the ends and work my way up to the roots, using a Wet Brush with flexible bristles to minimize breakage.
Since I frequently get my highlights retouched, I was recommended by my hairdresser to use a purple shampoo for maintaining the blonde. I love the REDKEN Color Extend Blondage Shampoo and Conditioner because of how pigmented the shampoo is. Nothing keeps my blonde free of brassiness quite like this. The only downside, however, is the shampoo is SO pigmented that it can stain under your nails as you scrub your scalp. This is when I decided to invest in a handheld Scalp Brush Hair Scrubber by EUHOME. I will squeeze a little bit of shampoo onto the scrubber and then massage it into my damp hair before rinsing with warm water. It cleans my scalp just as well as I would with my fingers, and I don’t have purple-stained nails anymore! These scrubs contain rows of silicone bristles that gently massage the scalp and help distribute shampoo evenly. I also find that I use less product while still achieving a good lather.
If you’re interested in seeing more of my go-to hair care picks, feel free to check out my favorite essentials. When using tools like these, it is important to be aware of any skin sensitivities that you might have, such as eczema or scalp psoriasis. Exfoliators as abrasive as scalp scrubs can often be too harsh for sensitive skin. Next, when applying conditioner, I will only apply product to the ends of my hair in order to keep my roots free of oil. Washing my hair is usually my first step in my shower routine, before body wash.
Organic Cotton Exfoliating Gloves by Earth Therapeutics
The amount of ads I saw for these Olay body washes are what finally made me cave in and give them a try. I have tried both the Olay Cleansing & Renewing Nighttime Body Wash (pictured) and Olay Cleansing & Firming Body Wash. I cannot say that I notice any real difference in my skin’s quality, though. I like how this body wash doesn’t strip my skin of its natural oils, and gives the benefits of retinol or collagen as I use it, without having to use additional retinoids in my body care routine. I do realize that Olay is not a cruelty-free brand, so I am going to remain on the hunt for a body wash that meets my standards in that capacity. If anyone has suggestions of a cruelty-free body wash you love that contains retinoids, I would love to hear about them!
In conjunction with the body wash, I like to use my Organic Cotton Exfoliating Gloves by Earth Therapeutics. They are quite abrasive, so I would maybe not recommend these for someone with more sensitive skin, but I love using them to exfoliate my legs or underarms before shaving. It also works wonders for my ingrown hairs – I have absolutely noticed a significant change in any body acne, ingrowns, and the very common ‘strawberry legs’ that I am often prone to. In my body care routine, it is important to keep in mind, however, that you don’t over-exfoliate, especially if you know you have sensitive skin. Over-exfoliation removes the surface layer of skin, leaving it rough, dehydrated, and damaged, which can also become easily inflamed.
A long while back, I was introduced to the brand Dollar Shave Club through some ads online, so I decided to give them a try! I can certainly say that the quality of their razor is unmatched in comparison to anything I can pick up at the grocery store. It feels heavy and durable, which I love. Their Buttery Starter Kit and Club Series Replacement Blades are reasonably priced, and the blades last a very long time while staying quite sharp, so it isn’t often that I need to repurchase replacements. As part of my body care routine, I will sometimes use their Shave Butter (pictured) to shave my legs in particular. The butter is super hydrating and slippery-feeling in the shower, which makes the razor glide effortlessly over the skin.
My wax specialist at my local European Wax Center recommended that, in addition to regular exfoliation, I should also be using an Ingrown Hair Serum. After purchasing both the bottled serum (pictured) and their Ingrown Hair Wipes, I can say confidently that I love them both. I have absolutely noticed a huge difference in the amount of ingrown hairs I get, particularly on my bikini line area, which is where I struggle with ingrowns the most. This serum has never irritated my skin, even if I apply it immediately post-wax or post-exfoliation. This is a product I will always repurchase—it is essential to my shower body care routine.
This Salicylic Acid Cleanser by CeraVe is one that I have been using for some time now, specifically in the shower. I love how easy it is to mix with other products in your routine, too. For example, I will sometimes scrub a couple of pumps into my scalp along with my shampoo, or use the cleanser as a body wash. I also often mix it with my AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser from Murad, which I have previously discussed in my blog Evening Skincare Routine (Physical Exfoliator). I find that this cleanser does make my face feel almost “squeaky-clean” if I don’t apply moisturizer immediately after getting out of the shower. I can’t say that I have specifically seen any positive nor negative changes in my skin while using this cleanser. I like how versatile the product is, and also how convenient the packaging is, but I am not sure that the formula is anything special. Unfortunately, CeraVe is not cruelty-free. Once this bottle is used up, I think I will stick to my Inkey List Salicylic Acid Acne + Pore Cleanser and my CosRX Low pH Good Morning Gel Cleanser, as they achieve a similar effect. I have also published about these two cleansers in my Evening Skincare Routine (Chemical Exfoliator) and Morning Skincare Routine blogs; be sure to check those out if you are interested!
The Honey Pot’s Natural Feminine Wash is the BEST feminine hygiene wash I’ve ever tried. This wash is plant-based and formulated for sensitive skin. The company is also woman and Black-owned! For a long time, I was on the hunt for the perfect feminine hygiene wash that wouldn’t irritate my skin and also make me feel clean. As part of my body care routine, after seeing rave reviews of this company online, I decided to give it a try, and I am so glad I did. It is the best for regulating my pH balance, and it has never caused any irritation. It is absolutely perfect.
My skin gets significantly drier in the colder months, so I like to use the First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream. It is formulated for sensitive skin, particularly if you struggle with conditions like eczema, so I knew this cream wouldn’t compromise my sensitive skin. When you are trying to find a moisturizer that works well for you, so much of it is not about the ingredients themselves but the formulation; how it plays with your skin, and how it plays with the other products in your body care routine. The First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream moisturizer is rich, yet absorbs quickly. Not only do I use it on my body, but I will even use it on my face during the winter! I recently learned that it is important to moisturize your skin while it is still relatively damp in order to ensure that the moisture is locked in, so I try to apply moisturizer no more than a few minutes after getting out of the shower.
Shower time is a time to reset and refresh, and it is also the core of our grooming body care routine. The majority of the products mentioned can be purchased at Ulta, which is where I usually gravitate towards for my beauty needs. What is your shower routine? I want to hear all about your product recommendations and shower essentials!
As always, thank you for reading!
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