Below, how to apply the best body care products for an everything shower that’ll have you feeling and smelling great.
1. Dry brushing, hair oiling and scalp massage
The “everything shower” routine starts well before you get under the shower head. A few hours before, apply a hair mask with a spot of rosemary oil for hair growth on the scalp, and as it marinates, use that window to perform a dry body brush. Firm bristles like those on ESPA’s skin-stimulating brush will boost lymphatic drainage, buff dead skin cells and smooth cellulite over time. Start on dry skin and brush upwards from the feet for an energising massage.
Mielle
Rosemary Mint Oil, Shampoo and Hair Masque
Why we love it:
Containing its hit oil, a rosemary-infused shampoo and a strand-reviving mask, Mielle’s set has every essential necessary for a hair growth boost.
Vegamour
GRO Revitalising Silicone Scalp Massager
Why we love it:
“Allowing rosemary oil to remain on the scalp for at least 30 minutes enables it to better penetrate,” says Dr. Majeed of Harley Street Hair Clinic, who also tells us that massage amplifies its effect by increasing blood flow to hair follicles. With gentle silicone bristles and an ergonomic handle, this scalp massager is very good tool for the job.
ESPA Skin Stimulating Body Brush
Why we love it:
Aiding lymphatic drainage, increasing circulation and sloughing off dead skin cells, ESPA’s brush is made for full body rejuvenation. It’s on the firmer side, so a few gentle strokes are all you need for impossibly soft skin.
The Body Shop Cactus Long Handle Brush
Why we love it:
Perfect for a good scrub on areas of the body that aren’t easily reached, The Body Shop’s brush offers dual use as a dry brush and a handy shower sponge.
2. Wash your hair, then your body
While we love a long hot shower as much as anybody, we’ve consulted enough experts in our time to learn that these can wreak havoc on the moisture barrier. For healthy skin on your face, body and scalp, warm water is the way to go. Shampoo, condition and rinse your hair treatment before going in with a good body wash to remove residue run off from your hair. It’s important to wash your hair before your body, or you risk grime and buildup from your conditioners clogging pores and causing body acne.
Rituals The Ritual of Mehr Energising Foaming Shower Gel
Why we love it:
With an effortless lather and the uplifting aroma of sliced citrus and cedarwood, Ritual’s rich foam is simply superior to your standard shower gel. A delight for all the senses, it’s also infused with vitamin C to leave skin with a healthy glow.
Face Halo Exfoliate and Polish Body Mitt
Why we love it:
Made with Face Halo’s signature smart fibre (the microscopic hairs of which actually pull debris from your skin’s pores) this gloved body mitt is one to add to your arsenal for the ultimate deep clean. It’s a godsend for the fake tan users among us: just add water and watch the fibres work their magic on any residue.
Eucalyptus Bouquet
Why we love it:
If you’re not already hanging eucalyptus above your showerhead, winter is the perfect time to start. Not only is it brilliant for stress relief, but the plant’s compounds ease congestion with a vapor that soothes the sinuses. Great for flu season, flatten the leaves with a rolling pin to release their essential oils and trust us – you’ll have your most invigorating showers yet.
Molton Brown Jasmine & Sun Rose Shower Gel
Why we love it:
Of the many stellar scents in Molton Brown’s luxurious shower gel offering, Jasmine and Sun Rose is our favourite. A refined chypre composition means it acts like a parfum as it cleans the skin, with floral musk lingering on the body long after you’ve left the bathroom.
3. Exfoliate, then shave
Once your body is cleansed of oils and grime, your exfoliators can get to work much more efficiently – especially if they’re the chemical kind. Naturium’s wash is like skincare for the body, containing salicylic acid to dissolve dead skin and unclog pores, KP and ingrown hairs. If you prefer physical exfoliants, Aesop’s tops our list of the best body scrubs, while textured textiles and gloves get you good results with a bit of elbow grease.
Should you exfoliate before shaving? It’s a yes from us. Not only does exfoliating before you shave give you a smooth glide, but it also raises hairs from the skin, reducing tugging and the chance of cuts. What’s more, it prolongs the lifespan of your razor blades, preventing them from being dulled or blocked by dead skin.
Naturium The Perfector Salicylic Acid Body Wash
Why we love it:
Naturium’s gel wash has become a viral sensation for banishing blemishes, bumps and acne, and when we tried it, we understood the hype. “I’ve had a dark scar above my knee from a playground fall for as long as I can remember. About a quarter way through using The Perfector body wash I noticed it was fading, which bodes very well for the results I’ll see with remainder of the huge 500ml bottle. The salicylic acid is so effective at exfoliating skin – I’ve let it sit a while on breakouts in the shower and seen them disappear within days.” - Tracy Achonwa, contributing beauty writer
Aesop Geranium Leaf Body Scrub
Why we love it:
Merging the lather of a shower gel with fine pumice particles to create a supremely pleasant consistency, there’s much to love about Aesop’s body scrub. For starters, the practical squeeze tube packaging eliminates any mess. Then there’s the blend of aromatic oils – geranium, bergamot and mandarin – which make it a truly sensorial treat. On the exfoliating front, prepare to shed. When we tried it, we were impressed by how quickly it smoothed rough patches, in addition to lifting underarm pigmentation over time.
African Skin Smoothing Net Sponge
Why we love it:
One of African beauty’s best-kept secrets is the shower net: an unassuming sponge that grants a seriously powerful body polish. Long enough to loop under your feet, thighs and around the back, it’s a game-changer for rough feet, strawberry legs and bacne.
Dove Pomegranate Seeds & Shea Butter Body Scrub
Why we love it:
Deliciously creamy, the fine grain of Dove’s body scrub has a gentle exfoliating effect. Thanks to shea butter, your limbs are cocooned in moisture that lasts after you rinse, making it a good port of call for those with sensitive dry skin.
SoEco Exfoliating Gloves
Why we love it:
These gloves are woven from recycled plastics that have been repurposed to breathe new life into dull skin. Rub your palms together with them on and you’ll discover they’re a great remedy for chapped winter hands, as well as an easy way to manually exfoliate rough elbows and knees.
Estrid Razor Kit
Why we love it:
If you prefer to get rid of your body hair, Estrid’s razor kits are well worth considering. They boast a weighted handle for a controlled shave, a suction wall holder primed for tidy drip-dry storage, and if you subscribe, you get refills on repeat so you’re never without a sharp blade.
5. Moisturise on damp skin
The best body lotion for you ultimately boils down to your personal preference, but in 2023, there’s no shortage of great options to choose from. Lightweight and fast-absorbing, lotions from Fresh and Garnier leave your skin sumptuously soft, while Versed’s retinol-laced lotion works hard to resurface rough and crepey skin. Opt for Sanctuary Spa’s mousse for a sensorial treat following your shower routine – it’s soothing with a lasting sandalwood scent that relieves stress, and the foam-to-oil formula takes all the hard labour out of lotioning your limbs. Whichever you choose, be sure to apply it on damp skin to lock in moisture and garner glowy results.
Fresh Rose Body Lotion
Why we love it:
Full of antioxidants, this lotion from Fresh calls on vitamins C, E, shea butter and glycerin to revitalise weathered skin and shield it from the elements. For such a rich formula, it’s impossibly weightless and leaves no sticky residue, making it just as good for luxuriating in as it is for speedy moisture on mornings when you’re headed out into the cold.
Sanctuary Spa Golden Sandalwood Mousse-to-Oil Moisturiser
Why we love it:
Sanctuary Spa’s whipped mousse absorbs quickly and leaves your limbs with a luminous shine. Scented with sandalwood – an ingredient which science says relaxes us by stimulating the pituitary gland – it’s as soothing on the skin as it is on the mind.
Garnier Superfood Repairing Body Cream
Why we love it:
Any one of Garnier’s superfood-infused body butters will keep your skin well-hydrated for hours. Our favourite has to be cocoa for its richer formula and almost edible aroma, but you can take your pick from Avocado. Oats, Watermelon, Aloe Vera and Magnesium, or Mango and vitamin C. There really is a flavour for everyone.
Versed Retinol Body Lotion
Why we love it:
With vitamin D, squalane and cocoa butter, Versed’s retinol lotion is rejuvenating, but gentle enough to be used from the neck down. Not to be overlooked if you use retinol in your facial skincare but don’t yet apply it elsewhere, this is one to buy for youthful skin all over.
6. Lock in moisture and give your perfumes a boost with the best body oils
Showertok acolytes will know that no “everything shower” is complete without body oil. Naturally occlusive, it’s ideal for sealing in moisture during winter, and used before your best perfume, helps the notes stick for a scent that lasts longer on the skin.
Tom Ford Soleil Blanc Shimmering Body Oil
Why we love it:
Look to the lustre of Tom Ford’s shimmering body oil for your special occasions. The perfect companion for party season, it leaves skin gilded and gleaming, and is perfumed with Ford’s Soleil Blanc private blend to cloak you in a creamy, summery scent.
Sol de Janeiro Bum Bum Firmeza Body Oil
Why we love it:
Much like the brand’s iconic Brazilian Bum Bum cream, this dry body oil boasts Amazonian guarana extract to firm and tighten skin. Also in the mix are microcirculation-stimulating muira puama and algae, which support drainage to give your body a good depuff. We’re obsessed with its nutty scent that lasts for hours on the skin and wins compliments every time we have it on.
More everything shower essentials…
Soho Home Hooded Robe
Why we love it:
Embroidered with the brand’s signature squares, nestling into this cosy robe is not unlike a stay at Soho House itself.
Ceremonia Microfibre Hair Towel
Why we love it:
Spun from soft microfibre, this towel lessens friction, breakage and frizz as it dries your hair.
Anti Drip Absorbent Wristbands
Why we love it:
Washing your face sink side? These wristbands are worth adding to your routine, not least because they stop water splashes from spilling onto the bathroom floor.
Sienna X Q10 Self Tan Tinted Mist
Why we love it:
You might not have any winter sun booked, but this tanning mist gets you a holiday glow that’s a good stand-in for the real thing. With antioxidant Q10, aloe vera and vitamin E, it protects skin from damage and dehydration as a golden hue develops.