The concept of an everything shower is a physical and mental reset. When people think of everything showers, they think of a calming, cleansing, and renewing experience. People often take everything showers when they feel like their skin is unbalanced. "Everything showers" may also help to regain a semblance of calm or control over one's body.
Furthermore, everything showers are a way to center oneself through detailed body cleansing, intentional skincare, and time alone. However, “everything showers” have been overhauled by the “Clean Girl Aesthetic.” The clean girl aesthetic conveys looking your best without looking like you’ve invested time. The aesthetic includes themes of freshness, effortlessness, being visibly fit, and being at your best naturally.
But, is this the reality we must aspire to? Self-care should not be confused with unfair standards around “effortless beauty.” It’s time to reclaim the idea of an “everything shower.”
Of course, no one is physically stopping anyone from taking an “everything shower.” But, it’s important to know that regardless of who you are - self care, pampering, feeling fresh, and beautiful is just as much for you as anyone else. Plus, you don’t need high-end products or even an abundance of time for an everything shower. Here are a few simple steps and products for your everything shower with effortless results!
Deep Exfoliation
For informational purposes, we'll start with the second and most significant step, exfoliation. Exfoliation is an integral part of "everything showers." Among the most popular methods are dry brushing and scrubs. However, in certain situations, these can cause irritation when done too vigorously or improperly. Or at the very least, they can cause uneven exfoliation.
The Ordinary’s AHA BHA Peel - $9.50
This is a great option for a full body exfoliation. This is more accessible than dry brushing. It’s not that all of the brushes are expensive. But, if you do it incorrectly, it can just irritate the skin. Dry brushing is being pushed forth by the clean girl aesthetic and the popularity of lymphatic drainage, but it is actually an effective, traditional Chinese medicine technique. However, people are abrasively using the brushes to exfoliate. Plus, full dry body brushing may be strenuous for some.
The Ordinary’s AHA BHA peel exfoliates evenly in under 10 minutes. You can use a silicone or skincare brush, but unlike dry brushing, applying it does not require continuous or sequential movements. Read here on how to properly use the peel. Before using this, you’ll want to make sure your body wash is removed completely. Furthermore, make sure it’s a gentle body wash with no significant acids or beads. After you shower, dry off, and pat down with a towel.
You’ll also need to apply a sunscreen the morning after this. Some people also shave during everything showers, but deep exfoliation plus shaving could actually irritate the skin. So, it’s best to just choose one!
Thorough and Gentle Cleansing
Dove Beauty Serum Ultra Sensitive Body Wash - Fragrance-Free - 18.5 fl oz - $9.97
This is a hydrating cleanser that includes hyaluronic acid, which is not an AHA or BHA. It keeps moisture in the skin. This does include citric acid near the bottom of the ingredient list, which technically is an AHA. But, in most skin care products, especially when at the bottom of the list, it is used as a pH balancer.
Shampooing and conditioning
The Ordinary 4% sulphate cleanser for hair and body - $9.20
As another option, you could use this from The Ordinary. It simultaneously cleanses the body and hair. It’s a soothing clarifying shampoo, which means it gently but thoroughly pulls dirt and oil from the hair. There is phytic acid in this, but it is very mild, and it mostly serves as an antioxidant.
The Ordinary Behentrimonium Chloride 2% Conditioner - $9.20
This conditioner worked for Cassandra. It is thick but lightweight, and it left Cassandra’s curls feeling bouncy.
Hydration, Masks, and Body Moisturization
After washing your face with a cleanser of your choice and applying a hydrating serum with no acids or vitamin C, you can use any cream mask of your choice. On the other hand, sheet mask work great as a serum too. You can apply one after washing off the AHA BHA peel and before a cream mask. Chilling the sheet mask beforehand adds a cooling effect as well.
Genabelle - PDRN Rejuvenating Mask Set
This sheet mask is deeply hydrating and wonderful for healing and inflammation. Plus, sheet mask tend to be very affordable, and there are many other vegan and cruelty sheet mask options for around $3!
The Seaweed Bath Co. Body Cream (6 FL OZ) -$12.99
Mixsoon - Glacier Water Ice Soothing Gel - $16
If you don’t want a thick cream, you could also use this soothing water gel on your skin.
Get Cozy
After finishing your everything shower, take time to relax, breathe, and embrace comfort and softness — even if it's just a few minutes before bed.
Women’s Floral Kimono Satin robe - $25
This robe is super soft, and Cassandra loves it!
Photocred: Pinterest