My Current Everything Shower Routine for Soft, Glowing Skin

Sometimes you want to hop in the shower and come out feeling like a newborn. A deeply cleansing shower so that when you’re done and you’ve opened the shower door the cool air that hits you stings a bit but in a good way. Like how mint tingles your scalp.

These showers have been given a name, the everything shower. It’s a shower where you slough off layers of dead skin and give yourself a deep clean. These showers are a self-care experience where you use serums, scrubs, and even multiple soaps to show your body some love.

Since an everything shower can take hours (yes, seriously), it’s definitely not something you’d do every day. I like to take everything showers on Sunday afternoons. Typically by that time I’ve gotten through my weekend to-do list and am ready to wind down. Taking an everything shower is a relaxing ritual that can help me go into the workweek feeling fresh, clean, and cared for.

There isn’t a single right way to take an everything shower. Some people’s routines may include hair care, but my hair isn’t low maintenance enough for me to have the energy to deal with that after I’ve shed what feels like layers of skin. Hair day is a whole different ball game for me. Below is my general step-by-step guide, but feel free to customize it to your needs.

Pre-shower

1. Set the mood

This routine is supposed to be relaxing and luxurious. I can’t imagine a luxury spa-like experience without a nice scent in the air. Before I get started I light a candle in my bedroom so when I come out the vibe in the room is right where I want it to be.

2. Facial Cleanser

I wash my face in preparation for the next step. I want all of the sweat and oil cleared from my face so my mask can give me the best results. I’ve used Origins Frothy face wash for almost 10 years now and it hasn’t failed me yet. If I’ve worn makeup or feel particularly oily, I’ll use an oil cleanser before washing my face.

3. Face Mask

One of my favorite self-care activities is doing a face mask. There are tons of options that will target your specific skincare concerns and I’ve tried a lot of them. I keep coming back to ones that clear out my pores and this one from OleHenriksen is one of my favorites. It has a cool, tingling sensation and is blue!

4. Dry Brush

While my mask is setting I dry brush my entire body. I like this one because it has a short handle. The handle makes it easier to get to harder-to-reach places like your shoulder blades and is easier to hold on to than the round or oval ones with the strap across them. I also have a second dry brush with a long handle that I use for my back.

In the Shower

1. Soap #1

Yes, number 1. I use more than one soap. You double cleanse your face to get all of the dirt and grime off of it so why not do the same thing for your body?

2. Body Scrub

What’s an everything shower without a body scrub? Get rid of dull, dead skin by using one of these. I’m partial to ones with skincare actives in them like AHAs and BHAs. I know I’m giving my skin some extra love to help it be its best with those. I have a body scrub from First Aid Beauty that I like, but I’m going to give this one from Naturium a try next. It has BHAs and PHAs in it whereas First Aid Beauty only has AHA. I’ll keep you posted on Instagram.

3. Shave

Shaving your body after scrubbing it helps prevent ingrowns and ensures you get a close shave. I’ve been enamored with shave oils over shaving creams lately and this one not only keeps my skin nice and soft, it also smells divine.

4. Scrub Feet

My feet always tend to need a little extra love to get them to be their softest. I’ve been using this pumice bar for a few years because it works better than any pumice stone I’ve come across. It’s very lightweight so I’m not worried about it taking out a toe if I drop it.

5. Soap #2

I like to give myself a final cleansing scrubbing with a body wash that targets breakouts. I used to battle with bacne and since I incorporated this into my routine I’ve seen the number of bacne breakouts I get go to basically zero. I also give myself a good all-over final scrub by using an exfoliating towel for both washes.

Post-shower

1. Hydrating Toner

After I towel off, I want to jump right into my nighttime skincare routine starting with toner.

2. Serums

Next, I apply serums to my face, neck, and décolletage.

3. Eye Cream

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. I use a firming eye cream at night to keep crow’s feet at bay.

4. Moisturizer

Seal in all of the skincare goodness with a moisturizer. I may add gua sha to this routine and do it at this point right after the moisturizer.

5. Lip Moisturizer

You can’t neglect your lips! I give mine a very hydrating treatment every night, not just on everything shower days.

6. Body Butter

I make my own body butter because I was always dissatisfied with the ones I would find. They either wouldn’t hydrate me like I wanted or were expensive. My body butter is a sought-after Christmas gift. Anyone I’ve given it to always calls and asks if they can have more. I’m glistening after I rub it in.

7. Scalp Treatment

This is the only thing I do for my hair on an everything shower day. I like to give my scalp a little love by applying a serum before I put on my satin bonnet.

8. Robe

Now that I finally feel like a newborn baby, I’m ready to chill for the rest of the evening in my pajamas and robe. I cannot say enough wonderful things about this robe from Quince. It’s my go-to robe in the warmer months.