You may have a skincare routine for your face that you’re happy with, but what about your body? If you’re a shower-and-go kind of guy or hopping in the shower is only something you think about after a particularly heavy gym session then it might be time to up your bath and body routine with our shower tips.
Common Shower Mistakes
So you’ve been showering for your whole life and you’re pretty sure you’re up to speed, right? It might seem simple but there are some pretty common shower mistakes that people make in their daily routine. Let’s take a look at where you might be going wrong in your bath and body routine.
Overly Hot Shower
A shower that’s too hot can strip the natural moisture and oils from your skin, leaving you with broken veins and upsetting the delicate balance of your skin’s natural ecosystem.
Tip: If your skin feels dry and tight after you shower, turn down the heat to see the difference. This goes for baths and central heating too. It might also be worth trying out a shot of cold water at the end of your shower, it can actually be refreshing and great for your hair and skin.
Showering Too Long
If you love a long shower, you might want to rethink. 5-10 minutes is enough time to cleanse your body and hydrate the skin without overdoing it. Like showering in high temperatures, showering for too long can strip away your natural oils, leaving the skin unbalanced and prone to feeling dry and tight.
Tip: A shorter shower can be better for your skin and wastes less water - it’s estimated that the average power shower uses as much as 13 litres of water per minute. So you do the math and help save water.
Harsh Products
Using harsh products can leave your skin dried out, uncomfortable, and compromised. It can lead to a dry scalp, dandruff, and brittle hair. Harsh ingredients lead to allergic reactions causing damage and discomfort to your skin and hair.
Tip: Avoid toxic ingredients like formaldehyde, propylene glycol and triclosan in favour of natural cleansing ingredients which are much gentler and kinder in treating your skin.
Scrubbing Your Skin Too Much
Scrubbing your skin or using harsh physical exfoliators like scrubs often leads to damage and disruption of your skin barrier. Plus, scrubbing too often leads to skin feeling dry, damaged, and susceptible to infections.
Tip: Try using a loofah or a gentle scrub 1-2 times per week, using gentle movements, to slough away dead skin without damage.
Exposing Yourself To Bacteria
Damp environments and surfaces can be a breeding ground for bacteria. If this grows on your sponge, razors, or loofah then you run the risk of spreading this all over your body.
Tip: Try storing your shower accessories away from the showering cubicle to allow them to fully dry and make sure that you’re keeping them clean between uses, replacing them regularly to make sure they stay fresh.
Not Using Conditioner
If you use shampoo — and you should be using shampoo on your hair, not just using the usual shower gel that you’d use on your body — then you need to be using conditioner to keep your hair moisturised and healthy. Conditioners replenish lost moisture and add shine to your hair.
Tip: Add a conditioner into your shower routine to feel the benefits when it comes to taking care of your hair. Find one suitable to your hair type here.
Not Rinsing Properly
If you don’t rinse your hair and skin properly after a shower then you might find that this leads to flakes, residue, and skin irritation. Shampoos, conditioners, and shower gels are designed to cleanse the dirt from the body and hair. By not rinsing thoroughly you’re not letting these products do their job properly.
Tip: Not rinsing can also leave you with clogged pores and acne on your body, so rinse thoroughly at the end of your shower.
Bath & Body Routine Essentials
While helping you to discover where you might be making mistakes in your bath and body routine, we’ve also developed a Routine Essentials filter that makes it easy to find the right products alongside enabling you to build your bath & body routine.
Step 1: Soap & Wash
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1. James + Jake Out Of The Blue | Energy Elevating Body WashProduct Type: Body Wash Price: £19.00 |
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2. Namsû 002 Body Wash Starter Kit | Labdanum & CedarProduct Type: Body Wash Price: £35.00 |
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3. Object® Cleansing Bar SoapProduct Type: Bar Soap Price: £14.00 |
Step 2: Exfoliant
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4. Aesop Geranium Leaf Body ScrubProduct Type: Body Scrub Price: £27.00 |
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5. Jack Black Turbo Body ScrubProduct Type: Body Scrub Price: £32.00 |
Step 3: Moisturiser
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6. D'ALCHÉMY Essential Body BalmProduct Type: Body Moisturiser Price: £58.60 |
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7. MESSIAH and EVE BODY CREAM .01Product Type: Body Cream Price: £25.00 |
Step 4: Deodorant & Antiperspirants
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8. JASON Men's Forest Fresh Deodorant SprayProduct Type: Deodorant Spray Price: £8.99 |
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9. (MALIN+GOETZ) bergamot deodorantProduct Type: Deodorant Stick Price: £19.00 |
Step 5: Sun Protection
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10. SALTEE SPF30 Sea & Sun LotionProduct Type: Sunblock Price: £35.00 |
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11. LifeJacket SPF30 Sun GelProduct Type: Sunblock Price: £14.00 |
Indulge In A Bath
If you require relaxation and some downtime, then a bath can provide the perfect boost of self-care. Check out BAVE and its range of bath products. They harness nature’s best vegan and cruelty-free products in recycled packaging and delicious, aromatic formulations.
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12. BAVE Ultimate Bath SetProduct Type: Bath Salt & Bath Soak |
Hand Care
Your hands are always on show and exposed to the sun. Keep your hands hydrated and protected from premature ageing and sun damage by cleaning and hydrating them. This is even more essential if you hit the gym or work with your hands.
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13. Pelegrims Hand CleanserProduct Type: Hand Wash Price: £19.00 |
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14. HEATH Hand SalveProduct Type: Hand Salve Price: £10.00 |
