Who doesn’t love long showers? Whether you’re starting your morning with an invigorating cold shower or ending a tiring day with a warm, relaxing one, showers will deliver the pick-me-up you need. But, how can you ensure that you (and your skin) get the most out of this everyday ritual? You may hardly ever wonder how to use a shower gel—it’s not much of a science, really—but it helps to know all the nuanced tips and tricks that can elevate your experience. We share our two cents ahead.
Choose your player
The first step is to curate a selection of bath and body products that work for you— for instance, a shower gel that is infused with lactic acid helps with strawberry legs, salicylic acid can effectively reduce body acne and glycerin can help your skin stay hydrated. Exfoliating shower gels come packed with physical exfoliators like fruit seeds, walnut shells, shea sugar or sea salt to keep your skin smooth and soft. Additionally, scented body washes can calm your nerves and help you sleep better (but they may also cause skin irritation and dryness, so opt for unscented or mild-scented shower gels if you have sensitive skin).
Once you have got past this step and have identified the best shower gel for your skin type, the next step is to figure out the correct way to use it.
Equip yourself with the right tools
Shower gels can be used on their own, but this usually leads to wastage—you’ll probably end up using more than you need, only to get very little foam out of it. If you love full-foamed, bubbly showers, use a loofah. A pouf made of netted plastic is lighter and less abrasive on the skin, while a natural sponge will provide more exfoliation. Ensure your loofah is not too abrasive for your skin type and that you replace it often. You can also use body brushes to cover hard-to-reach places. The smart wooden design looks good on your shelf, too.
Then, lather up
Using too little of your body wash won’t get you as clean as you’d like and using too much can cause dryness or irritation. It’s best to start with a coin-sized amount—for best results, pour it on to a wet loofah and apply it on wet skin. Massage it in circular motions, paying extra attention to particularly greasy or sweaty places, like the underarms or feet. If your shower gel is infused with actives to help with skin concerns, leave it on for two to three minutes before rinsing off. Wash away the shower gel completely, as residue will make your skin feel sticky and eventually dried out. Very hot water can also lead to dry skin, so lukewarm is ideal.
All’s well that ends well
After you’ve nailed how to use a body wash, the next step is imperative. No matter what your skin type, you need to moisturise post-shower. Pick a lightweight body lotion if you have very oily skin and richer body cream or body butter for dry skin. Massage it into damp, towel-dried skin until fully absorbed. If you have extremely dry skin, consider finishing off with body oil.
