Table of Contents >> Show >> Hide
- What Is an “Everything Shower,” Exactly?
- Why TikTok Is Obsessed With the Everything Shower
- The Benefits People Love (Beyond Smelling Like a Fancy Spa Lobby)
- The “Don’t Turn Your Skin Into a Crispy Croissant” Reality Check
- Everything Shower Checklist: What You Can Include
- The Best Order for an Everything Shower (So You Don’t Undo Your Own Work)
- How Long Should an Everything Shower Take?
- Derm-Friendly Tips: Make It Luxurious Without Overdoing It
- How to Make the Everything Shower More Sustainable
- Who Should Be Extra Careful With the Trend?
- Conclusion: The Everything Shower Works Best When It’s “Everything You Need”
- Experiences: What an Everything Shower Feels Like in Real Life (and Why People Keep Coming Back)
- SEO Tags
Somewhere between “I’ll just rinse off real quick” and “I have become one with the steam,” TikTok crowned a new
champion of modern self-care: the everything shower.
It’s not just a shower. It’s a full productionhair care, body exfoliation, shaving (if you shave), skincare,
moisturizing, and the kind of post-shower glow that makes you walk around your home like you’re in a shampoo
commercial. The vibe is part spa day, part weekly reset, part “I deserve nice things, and today that nice thing is
being extremely smooth.”
If you’ve ever watched a #ShowerTok video and thought, “Why do they have 14 bottles and a candle in there?”welcome.
This is your in-depth guide to what an everything shower is, why it’s trending, and how to do it without angering
your skin barrier (or your water bill).
What Is an “Everything Shower,” Exactly?
An everything shower is a longer, more intentional shower routine where you tackle most (or all) of your
grooming and body-care steps in one go. Think: shampoo + condition, maybe a hair mask, exfoliation, shaving, a deep
body cleanse, face cleansing, then generous moisturizing afterward. It’s often treated as a once-a-week ritualmany
people slot it into a “Sunday reset” or pre-event prep window.
The key idea isn’t perfection. It’s consolidation: instead of spreading extra steps across five rushed weekday
showers, you bundle them into one “I’m taking my time” session. It’s the beauty equivalent of meal-preppingexcept
the leftovers are soft elbows.
Why TikTok Is Obsessed With the Everything Shower
1) It’s satisfying content (and your brain loves a routine)
TikTok is a giant snack tray of little rituals: clean-with-me videos, morning routines, reset Sundays, and “spend an
hour with me doing a normal task as if it’s a movie montage.” The everything shower fits perfectly because it has a
beginning, middle, and endplus lots of visually pleasing steps: foam, scrubs, rinses, shiny hair, neatly lined-up
products, and the final towel wrap like a victory cape.
2) It’s “romanticizing the ordinary,” but make it steamy
A basic shower is functional. An everything shower is a storyline. TikTok culture loves turning everyday tasks into
small moments of luxurymusic on, bathroom cleaned, lighting softened, and suddenly you’re not “washing,” you’re
“resetting your nervous system” (with eucalyptus).
3) It feels like control in a chaotic week
When your schedule is messy, your inbox is aggressive, and the world feels loud, a structured self-care routine can
feel grounding. The everything shower gives you a defined block of time where the only “urgent” thing is whether you
rinse the conditioner before the mask drips into your ear (spoiler: it will).
4) Brands + creators helped supercharge it
This trend didn’t stay “just for fun.” Once routines became content, content became commerce. Product “lineups” and
shower shelves turned into a genrecreators show what they use and how they layer it, and viewers copy the format.
Even if you don’t buy anything, the blueprint is easy to follow: pick steps, pick a vibe, press play.
The Benefits People Love (Beyond Smelling Like a Fancy Spa Lobby)
-
A head-to-toe refresh: Exfoliating (gently) and moisturizing can make skin feel smoother and more comfortable,
especially in dry seasons. - Efficiency: If you’re going to do extra steps anyway, bundling them into one longer session can be more realistic.
-
Stress relief: The ritual aspectmusic, warm water, slow pacingcan feel calming. (Just remember: it’s a tool,
not a cure-all for mental health.) - Confidence boost: Many people use it as pre-date, pre-trip, or pre-event prep because it helps them feel put together.
The “Don’t Turn Your Skin Into a Crispy Croissant” Reality Check
A bigger routine isn’t automatically a better routine. Dermatologists frequently warn that too many stepsespecially
too much heat, too much fragrance, or too much exfoliationcan irritate skin and disrupt the skin barrier. The goal
is to come out feeling refreshed, not itchy, tight, and personally betrayed by your own legs.
The simplest version of this advice: keep water warm, not scorching; exfoliate sparingly; moisturize promptly; and
don’t stack harsh products in the same session. If your skin is sensitive or you have an inflammatory skin condition,
you may need an even lighter touch.
Everything Shower Checklist: What You Can Include
The “everything” part is flexible. Your routine might include a few of theseor all of them if you’re making it a
full at-home spa day.
Pre-shower (2–10 minutes)
- Detangle hair while dry (helps reduce breakage and makes shampooing easier).
- Set the mood: playlist, shower steamer, candle (safe placement!), or just silence if that’s your love language.
- Optional: dry brushing (gentle pressure; stop if it irritates your skin).
- Optional: hair oil or pre-shower scalp treatment (especially if you’re dealing with dryness).
In-shower (15–45+ minutes)
- Hair first: Shampoo and rinse thoroughly.
- Condition or mask: Apply and clip hair up while it sits.
- Exfoliate (1–2x/week, not daily): Use a gentle scrub or a mild chemical exfoliant product designed for the body.
- Shave (if you shave): After skin has softened; use slip (shave gel/cream/oil) and a clean razor.
- Body wash: Cleanse last to rinse away product residue from shaving/exfoliation/hair runoff.
- Face last: Especially if hair products tend to break you out.
- Final rinse: lukewarm water can feel less drying than lava-hot water.
Post-shower (5–15 minutes)
- Pat dry: Don’t sandpaper your skin with the towel.
- Moisturize immediately: Lotions and creams work best while skin is still slightly damp.
- Optional: body oil to seal in moisture (oil “locks,” it doesn’t replace hydration).
- Hair leave-in: cream, spray, or serum depending on your hair type and goals.
- Deodorant, fragrance, and cozy clothesbecause you earned them.
The Best Order for an Everything Shower (So You Don’t Undo Your Own Work)
If you only take one practical tip from this entire article, make it this: do hair care first, then exfoliation and shaving,
then body wash and face. Why? Because shampoo and conditioner runoff can sit on your back, chest, and face and potentially
contribute to clogged pores for some people.
A simple “order of operations” that works for most:
- Hair cleanse: shampoo (and rinse well).
- Hair treatment: conditioner or hair mask (clip up, let it sit).
- Exfoliate: quick, gentle, and not too often.
- Shave: after skin softens; don’t rush this step.
- Body wash: rinse away residue from earlier steps.
- Face cleanse: last, especially if you’re acne-prone.
- Final rinse: cooler than you think you want.
How Long Should an Everything Shower Take?
TikTok versions can look like a full-length film. Real life doesn’t have to. You can do an everything shower in
30–45 minutes if you’re focused. If you’re doing a deep condition, shaving multiple areas, and extra skincare steps,
it might run longer.
A helpful way to think about it is choosing your “tier”:
The “Weeknight Upgrade” (15–25 minutes)
- Shampoo + condition
- Quick body wash
- Moisturize right after
The “Sunday Reset” (30–60 minutes)
- Hair wash + mask
- Gentle exfoliation
- Shave (optional)
- Body wash + face cleanse
- Moisturize + hair leave-in
The “Full Spa Episode” (60+ minutes)
- All of the above + extra treatments (scalp care, longer mask time, body oil, extra relaxation rituals)
- Best saved for when you actually have time and energy (and maybe a snack waiting outside the bathroom)
Derm-Friendly Tips: Make It Luxurious Without Overdoing It
Keep water warm, not scorching
Hot water feels amazing. It can also leave skin dry and irritated. Warm or lukewarm water is a better long-game move,
especially if you’re already exfoliating or shaving.
Exfoliate less than TikTok makes you think you should
Exfoliation can help smooth rough areas, but daily scrubbing is where “glow” turns into “why does my skin sting when I breathe?”
Aim for once or twice per week, and be extra gentle if you’re prone to redness, eczema flares, or irritation.
Be picky about your tools
Loofahs and sponges can feel great, but they can also harbor bacteria if they stay damp and aren’t cleaned or replaced.
If you’re sensitive, using clean hands or a freshly washed washcloth can be a safer, gentler choice.
Moisturize like it’s your job (especially right after)
Post-shower moisturizing matters because water alone doesn’t equal hydration once it evaporates. Applying lotion or cream
while skin is still slightly damp helps keep moisture where you want it: in your skin.
Don’t stack “intense” products in one session
If you’re using an exfoliating body treatment, skip other harsh steps that day (like multiple scrubs, strong fragranced products,
or aggressive tools). Your skin barrier will thank you by… not being angry.
How to Make the Everything Shower More Sustainable
Long showers can use a lot of water, and sustainability is part of self-care too. If you love the ritual but want to be smarter:
- Turn off the water while shaving or while your hair mask sits.
- Use a timer (or a “three-song rule”). When the chorus ends, so does the loitering.
- Choose multi-taskers when it makes sense (a gentle cleanser that works for daily use; a moisturizer that does face + body if you like it).
- Use reusable tools (washcloths you can launder) and keep them clean and dry.
Who Should Be Extra Careful With the Trend?
If you have very sensitive skin or a history of eczema, frequent irritation, or allergic reactions, keep your everything shower
simple and fragrance-light. Also, if your skin feels tight, itchy, or flaky after your routine, that’s a sign to back off and
let your barrier recover.
And if you’re leaning on the everything shower as your main stress-management strategy: it can be a lovely tool, but it’s not a
substitute for support if you’re dealing with significant anxiety, depression, or persistent distress. Think of it as a calming ritual
that pairs well with other healthy habits.
Conclusion: The Everything Shower Works Best When It’s “Everything You Need”
TikTok made the everything shower famous, but you don’t need a bathroom that looks like a beauty retailer to enjoy it. The real magic
is the intentionality: slowing down, doing a head-to-toe reset, and stepping out feeling like you gave yourself real carenot just a quick rinse.
Keep the routine fun, flexible, and skin-friendly. Choose an order that makes sense (hair first, face last), exfoliate with restraint,
moisturize like you mean it, and remember: the best everything shower is the one that fits your lifenot the one that takes three hours
and requires a spreadsheet.
Experiences: What an Everything Shower Feels Like in Real Life (and Why People Keep Coming Back)
The funniest part about the everything shower is that it’s wildly personal. Two people can follow the same “steps” and have completely
different experienceslike ordering the same coffee and somehow one of you gets joy and the other gets existential dread. For a lot of folks,
the first everything shower starts with a simple goal (“I want softer skin and manageable hair”) and quickly turns into a mini ritual that
signals, the week is changing gears. It’s not only about hygiene; it’s about creating a moment that feels yours.
One common experience is the “Sunday reset” effect. People describe doing the routine late afternoon or evening, when the pressure to be
productive fades and the focus shifts to being ready for Monday. There’s something comforting about lining up your products, putting on music,
and moving through the routine in the same order each week. Even if the rest of life feels unpredictable, the sequence is steady:
shampoo → mask → scrub → shave → rinse → lotion. It’s like a checklist where the reward is soft pajamas and the confidence to face your calendar.
Another popular experience is the “pre-event glow-up.” Before a date, a party, a trip, or even a big meeting week, people use the everything shower
to feel polished from head to toe. It’s not necessarily about looking different; it’s about feeling prepared. Smooth legs (if that’s your thing),
hydrated skin, clean hair with a little extra shinethese details create a sense of readiness that can be surprisingly calming. Even the smallest step,
like moisturizing elbows or using a hair mask, can feel like a vote of confidence for your future self.
Plenty of people also talk about the sensory side: the way a warm shower quiets background noise in your brain, the scent of body wash, the satisfying
“squeaky clean” feeling after a thorough rinse, the comfort of lotion on damp skin. In comment threads and routine videos, you’ll see variations like
“everything shower + candle + playlist” or “everything shower but make it quiet and dark” because the sensory environment matters as much as the products.
It’s basically a DIY spa moment, except the spa is your bathroom and the receptionist is your cat scratching at the door.
Then there’s the learning curvebecause the first few times can be… chaotic. People often say they underestimated how long it takes, forgot a towel,
got conditioner in their eyes, or realized halfway through that they hate shaving and would like to unsubscribe immediately. Others discover they
exfoliated too hard and their skin felt cranky afterward, so they dial it back next time. That “trial and tweak” process becomes part of the experience.
Over time, most routines get simpler and smarter: fewer steps, better timing, and more focus on what actually makes you feel good.
A realistic “I tried it and here’s what changed” experience often looks like this: by the end of the routine, you feel physically refreshed and mentally
quieterbut also a little tired, in a satisfying way. The post-shower phase becomes its own cozy ritual: moisturizer, comfy clothes, maybe tea, maybe a show,
maybe an early bedtime. The everything shower, for many people, works like a bridge between “doing” and “resting.” It’s the transition that tells your body,
“We’re done for today.”
And that’s probably why it keeps trending. It’s not just a viral routineit’s a flexible container for self-care. Some weeks it’s a full reset. Other weeks
it’s simply washing your hair thoroughly and putting lotion on like you’re auditioning for a skincare ad. Either way, the experience is the point:
taking a normal task and turning it into something a little more intentional, a little more enjoyable, and a lot more you.
