How To Shower Properly

Everything you need to know about how to take a shower & how to wash your body, to nail your shower routine.

How To Shower Properly

Showering. Most of us do it so often we may never think about how to take a shower. But showering is more than just adding soap or shampoo to water, there’s a knack to how to shower properly. The right shower leaves you not only squeaky clean but with soft, glowing, moisturised skin and shiny hair. Nailing your shower routine can also help save litres of water as well as time, and lower your energy costs.

Here’s our step by step guide on how to shower:

Step 1: Get the water temperature right

Dermatologists recommended you shower under warm, or even lukewarm, water. Very hot showers can strip the skin of its natural oils that will dry out the skin (not to mention that scolding showers can leave the fair skinned in particular a little beetroot). Check the temperature with your wrist before you get in as this will give you a better gauge than testing with your fingers. If you can bear it, jumping in the shower before the water hits your ideal temperature will also help to save water (and you a little time).

How To Shower Properly

Step 2: How to wash your body

Rinse your body to wet your skin before applying any soap or shower gel. What you choose to wash your body with will depend on whether you prefer soap or shower gel, the time of day you’re taking a shower and your preferred fragrances.

Perhaps you like classic scents, such as NIVEA Pure Care Shower Creme Soft (also available as a bar soap) or maybe you prefer the invigorating burst of fruity freshness that you get from NIVEA Fresh Blend Shower Cream - a lively morning wake up call. For a night time shower, you might opt for a soothing and relaxing shower gel. NIVEA Clay Fresh Body Wash Blue Agave & Lavender Shower Cream deeply cleanses the skin while leaving it velvety soft. The lavender will calm the body and mind which can aid a good night’s sleep.

Whatever your choice, squeeze or rub soap or shower gel on to a loofah, washcloth, or, if you prefer, just your hands, and lather over your body. Start at your neck and shoulders before working your way down. Don’t neglect your legs and be sure to get right between your toes with soap and water.

How To Shower Properly

Step 3: Rinse properly

A key step in how to shower properly is rinsing. Ensure you rinse off every bit of soap or shower gel as residual soap can dry out the skin. Turn around under the showerhead, rubbing soapy areas with your hands to ensure any remaining suds are rinsed off along with stubborn bits of grime. Or, if you have a removable showerhead, take that off to target soapy areas. If you find it difficult to reach your back, consider a long-handled brush to ensure every bit of you is scrubbed clean.

How To Shower Properly

Step 4: Shampoo thoroughly

Squeeze the required amount of shampoo into your hands and work it all over your head, including the nape of your neck. How much shampoo you use will depend on how long or thick your hair is; you’re looking at roughly 20p-sized dollop for short hair; for medium-length it’ll be about the size of a 10p; for long hair opt for two 10p-sized squirts.

Really massage the shampoo into your scalp for at least 30-60 seconds before rinsing. If your hair is particularly dirty you may have to double wash (top tip: dirty hair doesn’t lather as well which can be a useful guide). Massaging your scalp will not only ensure you get to the roots, often the oiliest part of the hair, but will also help boost blood flow which can stimulate hair growth (and it feels nice too).

How To Shower Properly

Step 5: Rinse your hair with cool or cold water

Hot water dries out hair and skin, so rinse your hair and body with the coldest blast of water you can handle just before you step out of the shower. Cool water helps seal conditioner into the hair follicles and encourages blood flow throughout your body, giving you the ultimate wake up call.

How To Shower Properly

Step 6: Apply moisturiser (almost) immediately

Towel dry a little before applying body lotion. You don’t want to be sopping wet, but damp skin helps to lock the water into the skin and ensures you get the maximum benefits from your chosen moisturiser.

If you're tight on time, use a shower gel that gives you a moisturising hit along with a deep cleanse, such as NIVEA Soft Care Shower Coconut & Jojoba Oil.

How To Shower Properly

The Dos and Don'ts

Do consider taking a shorter shower. The average Brit spends between seven to eight minutes in the shower. Cutting your shower time down by even a minute goes some way to helping the environment as well as helping save on your bills. Reducing your time under the shower could also save your skin; spending hours under the shower can leave you with dry, itchy skin.

Do think about shower hygiene. How to wash your body, whether it’s your hand, a flannel or a loofah, is a personal choice. But remember, wet loofahs, face cloths and flannels can harbour a host of bacteria and mould so make sure you let it dry completely every day and replace it often. (Top tip: that ‘wet dog’ smell towels and flannels can give off indicates a buildup of bacteria yeast and bacteria).

Do brush your hair before you wash it. Don’t rely on the conditioner to detangle messy hair. A vent brush is best for this - these are brushes that are literally vented or have spaces between the bristles to allow air to flow through them.

Don’t have the water too hot as this will dry out the skin. If your skin does feel dry and itchy after a shower, use a moisture-rich shower gel like Naturally Good Oil Infused Shower Gel which leaves skin velvety soft and smooth without leaving a greasy residue. Sensitive skins are best off choosing a fragrance-free lotion such as soothing NIVEA Pure Care Shower Creme Sensitive.

Don’t over scrub: Exfoliating can help remove dead skin cells and promote new cell growth, but there can be too much of a good thing. Exfoliate once or twice a week to avoid irritating the skin and be particularly mindful after shaving (which is also exfoliating).