Bath people have it made. Tub-specific products abound, with everything from bath bombs to crystal-infused magnesium salt soaks stocking the shelves. Bath aficionados know how to turn their tubs into a full-on detoxifying sweat session, steep it in green tea in order to help reduce inflammation while they soak, or just simply sit back and relax into the suds. Some people, however, don't like baths, but that doesn't mean that they have to forfeit the right to a relaxing, spa-like experience. So, what's for them?
As it turns out, quite a lot. While relaxing shower experiences aren't nearly as trendy as their seated counterparts, they're just as easily attainable and can provide many of the same benefits to your mind, body, and spirit. If you love a good shower, there are innumerable ways to up its benefits. As you stand beneath the faucet, eyes closed while the water pounds your aching body, you can actually seriously supercharge this luxurious moment and soak up all the benefits. Step one: Stock up on relaxing shower products.
7 ways to turn your next shower at home into a spa experience
1. Use shower bombs
These super-affordable discs transform your shower into a giant diffuser—they're packed with essential oils which release into the steam. To unlock all of their olfactory magic at once, place them on the shower floor while you bathe. For a slower steam, add them into a mesh pouch ($11) and hang it from the faucet instead.
Harness the power of aromatherapy with these Uncommon Goods Essential Oil Shower Steamers. They’re available in four scents: soothing lavender, calming eucalyptus, relaxing lemongrass, and invigorating orange.
Get that spa-like scent with this Whim by Ulta Beauty Breathe Shower Flower that releases a refreshing blend of eucalyptus, peppermint, and tea tree.
Never have I ever met a shower steamer prettier than the Anthropologie Miss Patisserie Shower Steamer. It has a colorful yet organic vibe that relaxes your body by just looking at it. It’s available in two scent blends. De-Stress, which features crisp, woodsy juniper berry to soothe anxiety and help you to relax and focus. And Uplift, which has bright notes of lemongrass to put a pep in your step and invigorate your senses.
2. Add plants
This simple decor upgrade will transform the experience of stepping into your shower—it's like forest bathing and regular bathing all at once. Here, three options that will absolutely thrive in your shower.
Snake plants thrive in well-lit, high-humidity environments, so if you’ve got a sunny bathroom, air plants are the perfect fit. No soil required, just plop them on your shower shelf and let the steam from the shower work its magic.
Bird’s Nest Ferns love soil that’s constantly moist, making a shower a perfect home for them. Sit one on a shelf or hang it the ceiling to really get that showering-in-the-jungle vibe.
Snake plants are practically indestructible, making them great to put pretty much anywhere. I’ve had a snake plant in my bathroom for years and I’m awful at remembering to water it, but it soaks up what it can for the shower and has been thriving with minimal effort.
3. Upgrade your shower head
On move-in day, it's likely that your shower head wasn't a top priority. You can choose simply to replace it with one which filters the water (and preserves your hair color in the process), one that turns your shower into a rain forest, or one that's app-connected and helps you track water usage; below, one of each option.
This Vitaclean showerhead features a vitamin C aromatherapy pod that makes your shower smell amazing while neutralizing chlorine. This is great for anyone with hard water, managing dry skin and brittle hair.
Transform your shower into a luxurious rain head experience with this dual shower head. If you have a standard wall-founded shower head, you easily install this rain head shower without having to move around any plumbing to get that overhead stream. Plus, it features also a detachable shower head.
If you want to experience a spa-like shower while being mindful of your water usage, this is the head for you. It features a larger-than-average shower head for more coverage while you shower and a simple spray controller slider to allow seamless spray setting transitions. It’s features LED notifications to keep you posted on how much water you’re using while you shower and is app-connected to allow you to track and analyze water usage.
4. Invest in spa-quality products
Bath products might get all of the good PR, but that doesn't mean the shower game isn't equally strong for some of your most beloved beauty brands. Scrubs, super-charged washes, and exfoliating bars will ensure your experience holds its own with the best of baths.
This body scrub from NCLA beauty uses sugar and coconut to exfoliate and deeply moisturize your skin. You’ll feel soft as a baby and smell amazing.
Start your morning right with this energizing cleanser from Neom. It’s made with natural spearmint, rosemary, and eucalyptus essential oils plus a vitamin- and antioxidant-rich shot of organic coffee extract and moisturizing oat milk.
Get nice and clean with this invigorating body soap from Meow Meow Tweet. It pairs refreshing tangerine is with relaxing baisil and poppy seeds to massage and stimulate circulation in the skin whilst exfoliating.
5. Accessorize
For many, baths are more about getting calm than getting super clean, which is one advantage it has over the more utilitarian feel of a shower. But when you want to create a relaxing experience, deep scrubs and exfoliators are encouraged—imagine you're at a Korean spa, minus the massage therapist sloughing off your dead skin.
Add a bit of cleanser to this Dehiya Beauty tool and exfoliate your skin. It’s handcrafted from terra-cotta and covered with organic cotton that’s dyed with natural pigments extracted from flowers and clay indigenous to the Atlas Mountains.
Traditional loofahs and poufs are difficult to keep clean. Yes, they get wet and soapy every time you shower, but they can hold on to dirt, dead skin, and bacteria. Instead, get this easy-to-clean dual-sided silicone body scrubber.
This washcloth is hand-woven in Mexico from ayate which is derived from the agave plant. It has a naturally coarse texture making it great for exfoliation. They dry quickly when hung and are resistant to mold and mildew.
6. Play some tunes
If you like the calming effects of typical spa music, you can easily recreate them with the help of these waterproof speakers. If you're more into the cathartic effects of crying along to the sounds of Sam Smith, that's okay, too.
This wireless, waterproof speaker is your perfect shower companion. A full charge powers up to 10 hours of playtime, providing tunes for tons of showers.
The Ampere Shower Power Pro screws onto your showerhead and is powered by water. No cords or charging necessary. It provides endless sound when the water is running and up to 16 hours of play time when the water is off.
This waterproof speaker attaches to your shower wall with a suction cup, keeping the controls within reach. One charge powers up to 10 hours of playtime.
7. Dry off in style
You don't want to undo all of the good work you've done to relax, detoxify, and cleanse by drying off with a stiff towel. Invest instead in at least one of five-star spa-quality—soft, fluffy, and actually absorbent—to optimize your experience.
Get that true spa feeling with a bath sheet, which is a bit larger than a standard bath towel. This set from Brooklinen includes two super-plush towels made from 100 percent Turkish cotton.
Turn your bathroom into a Turkish spa with this Coyuchi towel. It’s a traditional lightweight towel with a high-low weave for excellent absorption. It’s Woven from yarn-dyed organic cotton and edged in hand-knotted fringe.
This bath sheet from Riley Home is crafted in Portugal from 100 percent long-staple Egyptian cotton. It’s incredibly soft and luxurious.
Get inspired by a derm's shower routine:
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