A step-by-step guide: Perfect shower routine for glowing skin

Showering may seem simple, but there are ways to enhance your bathroom routine to ensure that your skin stays hydrated, healthy, and glowing. Similar to your face care routine, putting effort into your bathing routine is crucial. Regular showers keep your skin clean and free from pollutants while helping you feel fresh and rejuvenated.

Ideally, you should shower 1-2 times a day, especially during hot summer climates in India. Taking a shower once in the morning and once at night helps to cleanse your skin of sweat, dirt, and other impurities accumulated throughout the day.

1. Remove Your Makeup
   Before stepping into the shower, make sure to remove any makeup. This ensures that your facial pores are cleansed more deeply during your shower. Our NIVEA Derma Skin Clear Toner is an excellent choice for purifying your skin, reducing blemishes, and refining pores.
2. Use a Face Mask
   Using a face mask before your shower can help open your pores, allowing the ingredients to penetrate deeply into your skin. This step is particularly beneficial for those with dry skin. Learn more about how to use a face mask sheet here.
3. Set the Right Water Temperature
   While a hot shower can feel relaxing, it’s not great for your skin. Hot water strips your skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness, breakouts, or worsening of conditions like eczema. Instead, opt for lukewarm water to gently open your pores and clean your skin without causing damage. Toward the end of your shower, switch to cold water. Cold water improves circulation, reduces stress, wakes you up, and helps close your pores. Discover the full benefits of cold water here.

1. Use Lukewarm Water
   Always shower with lukewarm water instead of hot water to preserve your skin’s natural moisture barrier.
2. Brush Your Hair
   Before washing, brush your hair to remove tangles. This prevents hair from clogging the drain and reduces hair breakage during shampooing.
3. Wash Your Hair First
   Begin your shower by washing your hair. Since hair oils can drip onto your body, washing your hair first ensures you won’t leave any shampoo or conditioner residue on your skin.
4. Use a Body Wash
   Choose a gentle body wash to cleanse your skin without causing irritation. NIVEA offers a wide range of shower routine products, from soothing, relaxing options for evening showers to refreshing, energizing products for mornings. Explore our full range of body washes.
5. Use a Loofah or Sponge to Scrub
   For an effective cleanse, use a loofah or body sponge to gently exfoliate your skin. Be mindful of how long you use the same loofah—prolonged use can result in the growth of bacteria, mold, and yeast. Replace your loofah regularly to maintain hygiene.
6. Exfoliate and Shave
   Exfoliate your skin using a gentle scrub to remove dead skin cells. This will leave your skin soft and smooth. The best time to shave is toward the end of your shower when your hair follicles are soft, making shaving easier and reducing the risk of irritation.
7. End with Cold Water
   As mentioned earlier, ending your shower with cold water can invigorate your body, tighten your pores, and promote better circulation. This also leaves you feeling more awake and energized, especially after a morning shower.

A good shower routine for glowing skin also means being mindful of common mistakes that can harm your skin. Here are things you should avoid:

1. Using Too Hot Water
   High water temperatures can strip your skin of essential oils, leading to dryness and irritation. Always shower with lukewarm water.
2. Showering Too Long
   The longer your shower, the more moisture your skin loses. Limit your shower to 8-10 minutes to prevent skin from drying out.
3. Washing Your Face in the Shower
   Shower water is often too hot for your face, causing damage and irritation. Instead, wash your face separately with cool water after you finish showering.
4. Leaving Shampoo or Conditioner Too Long
   Leaving shampoo or conditioner on your hair longer than necessary can irritate your scalp and cause buildup on your skin. Rinse thoroughly to avoid any residue.
5. Sharing Bath Tools
   Avoid sharing bath tools like loofahs, brushes, or bar soap, as they can spread bacteria and germs between users.
6. Using Irritating Shower Products
   Avoid shower gels containing harsh ingredients like alcohol, which can dry out or irritate your skin. Choose gentle, hydrating products to cleanse and nourish your skin.
7. Not Using the Exhaust Fan
   Humidity builds up in the bathroom during a shower, creating a breeding ground for mold and bacteria. Turn on the exhaust fan to ventilate your bathroom and reduce moisture buildup.
8. Leaving the Shower Curtain Dirty
   Soap scum and moisture on your shower curtain can also become a breeding ground for bacteria. Regularly clean or replace your shower curtain to maintain hygiene.
9. Unclean Shower Head
   An unclean shower head can harbor bacteria and mold, so clean it regularly to ensure you're not washing in contaminated water.
10. Skipping Moisturizer
    Don’t forget to moisturize your skin right after the shower while your skin is still damp. This locks in moisture and keeps your skin hydrated all day.