Move over skin cycling and skin flooding, the latest self-care trend taking TikTok by storm is the ‘everything shower’. With over 95 million views, this head to toe grooming ritual aims to level up your daily shower from the mundane to a spa-worthy experience through an extended ritual that includes exfoliating, deep conditioning, shaving, and moisturizing.
While this routine can definitely be classed in the self care category, the intention behind the everything shower is actually efficiency as the multi-step process checks off every skincare (and haircare) box allowing you to complete all your grooming in one go.
So what exactly does an everything shower involve? Unlike your usual, slept-in, late for work, shampoo and conditioner-in-one shower routine, the everything shower includes a lengthy list of indulgent steps, including pre-shower, in-shower, and post-shower protocols (think dry brushing, hair masks and a superfood chaser).
It’s important to keep in mind that the everything shower is not a replacement for your daily routine. Not only is it time-consuming and involve treatments such as hair masks and exfoliators that should not be performed daily, it also uses a lot more water (although devotees argue it will ultimately save both time and water in the long run as your showers the rest of the week will be shorter than usual). Therefore, it's best to schedule your everything shower for a specific day every week, perhaps on a Sunday night when you're winding down from the weekend and preparing for the week ahead.
The Pre Shower Protocol
As mentioned earlier, the everything shower routine starts before you even get wet. Before stepping into the shower, apply a pre shower scalp treatment, this can be applied before dry brushing so it has the chance to sink in and really get to work on the scalp removing stubborn scalp buildup, stimulating blood flow, and boosting hydration to the scalp.
In the meantime, reach for your dry brush, gua sha or massage tool and work from the feet up to gently exfoliate the skin, promote lymphatic drainage and stimulate blood circulation.
It is also essential to pay attention to the temperature of the water when you shower. Using water that is too hot can cause dryness and irritation on your scalp and skin so dermatologists suggest setting your shower temperature to lukewarm to avoid stripping your skin and hair of their natural oils.
The Hair Protocol
Start your shower routine by washing your hair with a shampoo that works well for your hair type or do a double cleanse with an exfoliating shampoo. After shampooing, apply a conditioner or hair treatment to your hair, depending on your needs. If you didn't apply a hair treatment before your shower, this is a good time to use a hydrating mask. But don’t rinse your treatment out just yet. Give your hair extra time to soak in the treatment by exfoliating and shaving while it works.
Pro tip: It's crucial to delay washing your face or the skin on your body until completing your hair-wash routine as runoff from your conditioner can end up clinging to your face and body, possibly leading to clogged pores and breakouts.
The Body Protocol
When it comes to exfoliating and shaving, dermatologists suggest exfoliating then shaving. This order is particularly beneficial as it helps to remove dead skin cells and unclog hair follicles allowing for a better shave. Use a shaving cream or gel to protect your skin, and shave in the direction of hair growth to prevent ingrown hairs.
Always remember that less is more when exfoliating as over-exfoliation can damage the skin barrier and lead to dryness and irritation. Use exfoliators that incorporate ingredients like glycolic, salicylic, or lactic acid, which gently dissolve away dead skin cells, rather than physical scrubs that rely on abrasion alone. Make sure your skin is damp before applying your body exfoliator, and gently rub in a circular motion for up to 30 seconds before thoroughly rinsing it off.
After shaving (if you are), rinse out your hair mask and wash your body with a gentle body wash to remove any remaining hair treatment residue from your skin.
The Face Protocol
Once you have finished washing your hair and body it is time to move on to the face. Because this is an everything shower you can take the time to double cleanse. Double cleansing involves using two types of cleansers, in separate steps and consecutively, for a thorough cleanse that also allows your skin protocol to work more effectively. The first step in a double cleanse should be done with an oil-based cleanser to gently break down waterproof makeup and sunscreen. The second step uses a water-based cleanser to remove any remaining dirt or residue.
The Post-Shower Protocol
Because an everything shower is longer than your regular shower, there is a risk that it can leave your skin feeling dry and stripped of its natural oils so it’s important to moisturize. Apply your moisturizer to damp skin, allowing it to penetrate and seal in hydration effectively. Try applying a Hyaluronic Acid based serum first as this humectant pulls moisture into the skin, followed by a rich emollient cream or oil to lock hydration in.
Once you have moisturized both your face and body –and wrapped yourself up in your coziest robe or a fresh set of pajamas, depending on your plans– indulge in a superfood latte to energize or calming magnesium elixir to promote a restful night’s sleep.
While the everything shower may seem like a lot (even beautytokkers joke that this extensive routine is exhausting, posting videos of themselves faux-fainting at the end of their everything shower), remember that ultimately this is all about indulging in self-care, taking time for yourself, and feeling like you're having a luxurious moment in your day so, by all means, make it your own.