Whether it’s how you start your day, end your day, or somewhere in between, I believe taking a shower is a great time to practice some self-care – and I just might have perfected it. Here’s a little advice for taking your shower experience to the next level in 2024.How To Enhance Your Shower ExperienceAbove and beyond the normal steps you do in the shower (shampoo your hair, wash your face and body, shave, etc.), you can elevate your wellness and beauty experience by doing the following:Set The MoodAromatherapy can go a long way when it comes to a nice shower. Investing in some soothing fragrances or a eucalyptus essential oil shower mist can feel as though you’ve transported yourself to a steam room at a luxurious spa. You can also hang a bundle of eucalyptus in your shower for a refreshing and invigorating experience or put a few drops of eucalyptus oil into your hands and smell them by doing deep inhalations. Aromatherapy supports relaxation or giving energy, as well as mental clarity.P.S. I love to use skincare products that tap into an awakening scent, like Mint Renewal Cleanser.Queue Up Some Relaxing Music Or SoundsNothing says relaxation like the sound of rainfall or ocean waves. Nature sounds have been linked to healing the body, including improved health, decreased stress, improved mood, and enhanced cognitive performance. Or maybe you prefer some calming tunes? Whatever it is, setting up a playlist beforehand can be great for both the mind and body.Upgrade Your ShowerheadConsider a showerhead with different settings, such as rainfall or massaging jets, for a more spa-like experience. I also recommend using a filtered showerhead. These remove any potentially harmful minerals and chemicals to ensure that your skin is safe and protected from irritation. A filtered showerhead is also beneficial for your hair! They help hair retain natural oils and moisture, resulting in shinier, softer, and cleaner hair. Turn Up The TempDo you ever find yourself short on sleep and searching for a way to reduce under-eye puffiness? Taking a hot shower can be a great solution to this problem for two reasons: lymphatic drainage and circulation. The heat from the water dilates (relaxes and opens) lymphatic vessels to help assist with fluid drainage (wastes and toxins). When you wash your face in the shower and water hits your skin directly, this encourages excess fluids to move out of the eye area. Heat also helps with circulation, while your vertical position standing in the shower helps drain fluids out of the face.Incorporate ExfoliationUse a gentle exfoliating scrub for the face, like Triple Berry Smoothing Scrub, to remove dead skin cells, leaving your skin soft and refreshed. For the body, I like making this scrub that focuses on areas like dry elbows, knees, feet, and anywhere else you’d like to lift away unwanted discoloration.Extend The ExperienceContinue having some “me time” post-shower with your full skincare routine. Throw in a lymphatic drainage massage for some extra self-care!All in all, taking a shower doesn’t have to be a brainless task. Take some time for yourself for a bit of self-care and mindfulness. I hope you found these tips helpful, and as always, #obeyrenee!Celebrity Esthetician & Skincare ExpertAs an esthetician trained in cosmetic chemistry, Renée Rouleau has spent 30 years researching skin, educating her audience, and building an award-winning line of products. Her hands-on experience as an esthetician and trusted skin care expert has created a real-world solution — products that are formulated for nine different types of skin so your face will get exactly what it needs to look and feel its best. Trusted by celebrities, editors, bloggers, and skincare obsessives around the globe, her vast real-world knowledge and constant research are why Marie Claire calls her “the most passionate skin practitioner we know.”
