Why your beauty routine should start in the shower

The benefits of warm water extend well beyond being soothing, warming and cleansing. Research by the European Society of Medicine* suggests that moist heat stimulates blood circulation faster and more efficiently than dry heat, helping the skin to retain its elasticity and give an overall glow. It helps quench parched hair more effectively, too. Read on to discover the best expert-approved, in-shower practices for greater skin and hair rewards…

“Showering in hot water can make even healthy skin become dry or dehydrated as it strips its natural oils, impairing the skin’s barrier,” says cosmetic doctor Dr. Sophie Shotter. It also depletes necessary oils from the scalp and hair. “Lukewarm water is ideal, but if you absolutely can’t live without a hot shower, then limit it to less than five minutes.”

The humidity and steam from a warm shower allow your skin to better absorb active ingredients in a face mask. If there’s one key ingredient to look for, it’s vitamin C, says Colette Hayden, cosmetic scientist and founder of Lixirskin. It does “everything” from brightening to fighting free-radicals and boosting collagen production. “I apply my Lixirskin Vitamin C Paste mask to cleansed, still-damp skin and leave it on until I’m done my shower.” Chinese medicine practitioner and Hayo’u founder Katie Brindle swears by gua sha massage in the shower to aid lymphatic drainage and reduce puffiness: “The water gives skin slip so my Hayo’u Beauty Restorer tool won’t drag skin down. Press and stroke the tool gently all over your face and neck, moving outwards and downwards for one minute to eradicate all signs of sleep.”

“Wet body brushing is better than dry if you have sensitive or mature skin as the water acts like a lubricant, preventing irritation or inflammation,” says Legology founder Kate Shapland. “It’s like the body version of a double complexion cleanse.” Add a few drops of a hydrating oil for even more slip and sweep the body brush in small circular patterns over skin, rather than using quick flicks as you would with dry brushing. “This shifts dirt, oil and dead skin cells more easily.” Shapland pairs this daily step with a few minutes of alternating blasts of warm and cold water on legs to encourage blood flow. “The cold water sends your blood to your internal organs and the warm brings freshly oxygenated, nutrient-rich blood to the surface of the skin for a superbly glowing, tightening effect.”

Beauty entrepreneur Lauren Napier uses a body oil in the shower for next-level hydration. “My skin is really dry, but I’ve seen a huge difference in how plumped up it looks since doing this nearly every day,” she explains. After cleansing and exfoliating, “I apply Liha Idan Oil from my neck to my ankles while under running water.” The trick, says Napier, is to pat – not rub – your skin dry with your towel. “When we dry off, we tend to wrap the towel around us and bring it downwards, which is counterproductive to gravity and the elastin in our skin.”

“Steaming helps your hair mask or conditioner penetrate deeper inside the hair shaft, adding a moisture boost for curly, thick and coarse hair,” says celebrity hair colorist Rita Hazan. For fine hair, she suggests applying conditioner to the ends only. Start with a gentle scalp exfoliator to lift oil, dirt and product build-up while pores are more pliable from the heat. When steaming, your water needs to be on the hottest setting for best results. “Soak your hair in the steam – do not stand directly under the hot water,” warns Hazan. “Next, section your hair while layering in your favorite mask or conditioner.” Choose an oil-based treatment for the most shine and leave it on for a least five minutes before rinsing. “Since the steam opens up your hair cuticle, your styling products will also penetrate deeper,” says Hazan. “With curls, kinks and coils, as hair dries, this means less frizz and more definition to your curl pattern.”

Why you should be steaming your face

7 genius beauty hacks for the body