A good shower routine cleans the skin without drying it out. Water and soap remove sweat, oil and dirt, but they also remove some of the natural oils that keep skin soft. The order of the steps, the temperature of the water and what you do in the first few minutes afterwards make the difference between comfortable skin and skin that feels tight and itchy.
The routine in seven steps
1. Set the temperature
Use warm water, not hot. Hot water strips oils from the skin faster. See Hot vs Warm Showers: What to Consider for Your Skin.
2. Keep it short
Five to ten minutes is enough. Long showers dry the skin, however pleasant they feel.
3. Wash your hair first
Shampoo and condition before you wash your body. Rinsing your hair first means that conditioner and shampoo residue are washed off your back and shoulders afterwards, which helps people who get breakouts there.
4. Cleanse your body
- Use a gentle, fragrance-free cleanser if your skin is dry or sensitive.
- You do not need a thick lather. Use just enough to clean.
- Concentrate on the areas that produce sweat and odor: underarms, groin, buttocks and feet. Arms, legs and the torso usually need only a light wash or a rinse, unless they are visibly dirty.
- Wash with your hands or a soft cloth.
Body Wash vs Bar Soap: Key Differences compares body wash and bar soap.
5. Do the extras, if it is the day for them
- Exfoliate once or twice a week at most. See How to Exfoliate Your Body: Methods and Precautions.
- Shave near the end of the shower, when hair is soft. See Shaving in the Shower: Preparation and Aftercare.
- Wash your face with your facial cleanser at the basin or in the shower, with lukewarm water.
6. Rinse and pat dry
Rinse off all cleanser. Step out and blot your skin with a towel. Do not rub. Leave the skin slightly damp.
7. Moisturize within a few minutes
Apply body lotion or cream while the skin is still a little damp. This holds in the water your skin has just absorbed. See When to Apply Body Lotion for Your Daily Routine.
The order at a glance
| Step | Product | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Shampoo and condition | Hair products | 2 to 3 minutes |
| Body cleanse | Gentle body wash or bar | 1 to 2 minutes |
| Exfoliate or shave | As needed | 2 to 3 minutes |
| Rinse | Warm water | 1 minute |
| Pat dry | Towel | 1 minute |
| Moisturize | Lotion or cream | 1 to 2 minutes |
A five-minute shower
- Wet your skin with warm water.
- Wash underarms, groin, feet and any sweaty areas.
- Rinse.
- Pat dry and moisturize.
Wash your hair on the days it needs it.
Adjusting for your skin
- Dry or eczema-prone skin: shorter, cooler showers, a soap-free cleanser and a thick cream afterwards.
- Oily or acne-prone skin on the back and chest: shower soon after sweating, and consider a body wash with salicylic acid or benzoyl peroxide.
- Sensitive skin: avoid fragrance, scrubs and rough cloths.
Common mistakes
- Very hot water.
- Scrubbing the whole body with soap every day.
- Using a rough sponge that is never cleaned. See How to Clean Loofahs, Washcloths, and Shower Brushes.
- Rubbing hard with a towel.
- Waiting until skin is completely dry before moisturizing, or skipping it.
Small extras that help
- Keep your lotion beside the towel, so that you use it.
- Change towels every few uses and let them dry between showers.
- Ventilate the bathroom.
- In winter, or if the air is dry, moisturize more generously.
How often?
For most people, a shower a day or every other day is plenty, with extra showers after exercise or heavy sweating. How Often Should You Shower? discusses how to decide.
Related on ArniSun
- Hot vs Warm Showers: What to Consider for Your Skin
- How Often Should You Shower?
- When to Apply Body Lotion for Your Daily Routine
- Body Wash vs Bar Soap: Key Differences
- How to Exfoliate Your Body: Methods and Precautions
Sources and further reading
Frequently asked questions
Should I wash my hair or body first in the shower?
Hair first. Washing your body afterwards rinses away shampoo and conditioner residue, which can otherwise contribute to breakouts on the back.
Do I need to use soap on my whole body every day?
No. Daily cleansing matters most for underarms, groin and feet. Other areas can simply be rinsed unless they are dirty or sweaty.
When should I apply body lotion after a shower?
Within a few minutes, while your skin is still slightly damp.