Winner, are you looking for a few simple shower essentials to make your shower routine a whole lot easier?
Then keep reading.
Because in this post, I share with you not many, but ONLY 7! shower essentials that take all the pressure off showering.
Bonus point? They won’t bankrupt you!
In fact, if you DIY some of them (like I do), you’ll save money!
Using fewer shower essentials is one of these 130 genius frugal living tips you need to start now.
Why do you need these 7 simple shower essentials?
Because the thought of showering can be overwhelming on those days when you just don’t want to face the world. (Hello? Anyone?)
And if you have a complicated shower routine, then all the more reason to crawl back into bed.
But I mean, it’s just water over your body. How hard can it be?
Well, cluttering it with products and tools does make it tiresome to even think about (unless it’s your thing, of course).
But what if you want to take the hassle out of showering? What if you want to make showering so simple that you don’t even need to think about it?
Well, it’s possible. I know because it happened for me.
Once I simplified showering with my 7 simple shower essentials, I opened up a lot of mental space. And energy. Not to mention time. To begin my productive day.
Now you can get cleaner for a lot less effort!
7 simple shower essentials you need now
(I’m going to go out on a limb and assume you use water for your showers. Unless you’re a cat and you lick yourself. Or you’re a reincarnate of Cleopatra and you take milk baths.)
But for us mere human beings, you need:
Shower essential #1: Shower cap
If you have 4c hair you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about.
Because just a tiny drop of water on your hair, and it shrinks at the blink of an eye!
Solution? Enter shower cap.
As long as you have a shower cap, you don’t need to worry about your new hair-do.
This is one of those shower essentials that just changed the game for me completely.
Because I can get my 4c hair ready for my day, even before I jump into the shower.
You can get a shower cap for at least $4 at beauty stores.
Need one now but can’t get to the store?
Don’t worry. Brace yourself because here’s your shower cap: get up from your chair, walk into your kitchen. Open a drawer. And pull out a plastic bag without any holes on it.
It’s just as secure on your head as a shower cap.
Except, the bag is free! Now you can run the water over your body without worrying about getting your hair wet.
See my DIY shower cap in the picture above!
How do you use a plastic shower cap?
Pull it over your head. Make sure to cover ALL of your hair, including your edges (hairline).
Then tie the plastic handles at the back of your head to secure the bag.
Now, you’re ready to go under your shower. Sans fear!
Shower essential #2: Wash cloth
I know many people omit this essential.
I have a friend in another part of the world whose mother taught her never to use a wash cloth because it’s too hard on her skin. To each their own, right?
Winner, what about you? Do you use a wash cloth?
Because I most certainly do.
In fact, I don’t know anybody from my part of the world who doesn’t own a wash cloth.
For $1 or less, you can get a pretty decent wash cloth at any beauty store.
But you know how else?
Brace yourself: You can cut up an old towel into any size you want. And there you have it? A free wash cloth.
(Sure, you’re welcome).
How do you use a wash cloth?
Wet your wash cloth. Then rub it against your body, with and /or without soap (preferably with soap).
This way, your wash cloth will remove the dead skin off your body.
And now, rinse your body with clean water.
Congratulations, Winner! You’re now clean.
Shower essential #3: Exfoliating stone/pumice stone
Do you own one of these?
Because for $3 you can buy one from any beauty store.
And it’s great for exfoliating your body.
Want to know where I got the pumice stone on the picture above?
From the river. Yes, I handpicked it.
In fact, we have several pumice stones at home which we hand-selected.
Some are for the body. And others are for the soles of feet.
How do you use an exfoliating stone?
Wet either the stone or your body (otherwise the stone just glides over your skin without really doing any work). And then scrub your body.
Use fresh water, not soapy water. (Again, to minimize the gliding effect).
You need the friction between the stone and your body to give you the exfoliating results you want.
But don’t hurt yourself in the process.
My experience with the pumice stone is that, you can’t really feel in the moment when you’re being too hard on your skin.
Until later when your skin burns.
Here’s a quick test to see if you’re using your exfoliating stone the right way:
Use the stone to exfoliate a small area of your body.
And then use soap on that very area.
If the skin burns, then yes, you got a little bit carried away.
But if there’s no sting, then you’re OK.
Important! You don’t need to use the stone every day. That would be too much for your skin. I say once a week is fine. Two at most.
Shower essential #4: Loofah
A loofah is one of those shower essentials that you can get for no more than $2.50 at almost any beauty store.
You know how else to get it if you’re stranded for money?
You can make your own loofah at home using an empty fruit/vegetable bag.
Yes. At zero cost. I know!
How do you use a loofah?
You can rub your dry body with it before showering, just like you would with a brush (yes, dry brushing using a loofah. It works).
You can also lather your loofah with soap. And then rub it all over your body to further loosen the dead skin after using your pumice stone.
I’d say, just as with a pumice stone, don’t use a loofah in every shower.
Regardless of your skin type, I’d still say not more than twice per week.
Shower essential #5: Soap
It doesn’t matter what form your soap is in. Soap is one of those shower essentials that you just can’t omit.
Without soap, you’re only half clean, if not less.
Just use a soap that’s suitable for your skin type. And you can get a simple bar from pretty much any store for as little as $1, even less!
The kind I’m using now has been a staple in my household for as long as I can remember.
In fact, I have a post on how to air-dry soap to make it last longer.
As well as how I use even the bits and pieces to make new soap altogether.
How do you use soap?
Wet the soap. And then rub it all over your wet wash cloth until a generous amount of lather forms.
Now, rub the lathered wash cloth all over your body to distribute the soap evenly on your body, before rinsing.
And yes, use soap in every shower for 100% cleanliness.
Shower essential #6: Body scrub
If you’re like me, then you’re big on DIYs.
And body scrub is just one of those shower essentials I always DIY.
Using ONLY sugar, coffee grounds and some oil, I can whip up a scrub in no time.
Really, it’s as simple as that.
I also went to my favorite beauty store and saw that their ready-made sugar scrub cost $4.50.
It’s a worthwhile investment, trust me. As long as you stretch its usage as much as you possibly can.
How do you use a body scrub?
Scoop out some scrub.
And then, using circular motions, rub it on to any area of your body you desire.
(Even the whole body, including the soles of your feet, if you have enough scrub.)
After rubbing for about two minutes, rinse your body.
Just like with a pumice stone and loofah, you shouldn’t scrub your body in every shower.
Use your scrub definitely no more than twice per week (I use mine only on Sundays).
Shower essential #7: Shaving tool
If you take your razor with you into the shower, you’ll always ensure that you’re clean and hair-free on those funny areas you don’t want to be caught with hair on.
For as little as $4 at beauty stores, you can get a pack of razors that will last you quite a while.
Now, I won’t add shaving cream to this list. And that’s because shaving cream is not an absolute must.
For example, I use my shower soap in please of shaving cream. Talk about a money-saver!
How do you use a shaving razor?
Wet the area you want to shave with soap and water. Use a generous amount of soap. Then shave that area in only one direction (this is important).
Because haphazard directions will likely score you some nasty abrasions. Or worse, cuts.
Then wash away the shed hair.
Use your razor again ONLY when you see some new growth. Not before. (Because did I mention abrasions? And cuts?)
Wondering about the order of your shower essentials?
Here’s how I do it:
Step 1: Start by dampening your body with a bit of water and exfoliating it with a pumice stone.
Step 2: Lather your loofah with soap. And rub the loofah all over your body in circular motions to loosen the dead skin removed by the pumice stone.
Step 3: Lather your wash cloth with soap, and further rub your body.
Step 4: Go in with your shaving razor. Before rinsing with clear water.
Step 5: Apply body scrub to your body. Rub it over the areas your want in circular motions. And then rinse with clear water. (Add a little bit of soap if you need to get rid of any oil from your scrub).
Remember: you don’t have to use the pumice stone, loofah and body scrub in every shower. You can alternate the essentials according to your skin type.
The truth about your shower essentials
Truth #1: There’s no set rule on how many shower essentials you should have.
It all depends on what you want. It’s all about you.
Is it 1 product? Great! Is it 7 products (like me)? Great! Is it 30 products? Guess what? Still great!
You decide.
Truth #2: You don’t have to DIY every essential.
Maybe you’re just not into DIYs? That’s OK.
Or maybe you love DIYs but don’t have the time for this one. That’s OK too.
Or maybe you just want a store product. Yes, that’s OK.
In fact, right now, you can head over to Amazon for amazing deals on shower products.
Winner, there’s nothing wrong with having as many (or few) shower essentials as you want.
The point is only to make your shower routines easier.
If that’s with 20 or more products, that’s completely up to you.
But, do you see how much I SAVE on my shower essentials just by making my own shower cap, loofah, pumice stone, and body scrub?
That’s a whopping $12.50 out of the $18.50. How about that?
Final thoughts
You can simplify your showers as much as possible by using these 7 simple shower essentials. Potentially saving money. And making your showers more enjoyable.
I hope you found this post useful.
In that case, please share your thoughts with us by commenting:
- What do you think of the shower essentials in this post?
- Do you use any of these essentials differently.
- Do you disagree with anything on this list? What is it? And why?
- Can you share with us your own shower essentials?
Winner, by sharing your feedback, you can educate another Winner out there to also begin loving their shower routine.
Last but not least, remember that it’s your life. So, there’s no rush. No right or wrong. Only progress.
Also, remember that in everything you do, you’re a Winner. And in everything that happens, your life is always a win!