The "everything shower" trend has taken social media by storm—especially on TikTok, where it has garnered hundreds of millions of views. But beyond the viral buzz, this extended shower ritual offers more than just aesthetic appeal. It merges hygiene with mindfulness, combining cleansing and grooming steps into a comprehensive self-care experience.

Unlike a regular shower, where you may wash your body and shampoo your hair, the everything shower dives deeper. It includes scalp treatments, exfoliants, shaving, face masks, and even a curated pre- and post-shower ritual.

But how do you do it right—without irritating your skin or spending hours in the bathroom? Here's everything you need to know to build your own everything shower routine, including tips straight from dermatologists.

What Is an Everything Shower?

The everything shower isn't defined by a strict sequence or specific list of products—it’s about creating a ritual that covers all aspects of personal care in one extended session. Most routines fall into three parts: preparation, the actual shower, and the follow-up care afterward.

Pre-shower prep
Begin by setting a relaxing mood. You might want to play your favorite playlist or podcast, light a scented candle, or dim the lights to create a spa-like atmosphere. Prepare all the products you’ll need—this includes hair treatments, facial cleansers, razors, body scrubs, and moisturizers.

In-shower care
The bulk of the everything shower takes place under warm water. This is where you'll wash your hair, exfoliate your skin, shave, and perhaps apply masks or treatments to your face, scalp, or feet. For example, using a foot rasp to slough off calluses or applying a deep conditioning mask to nourish your strands.

Post-shower ritual
Once you're out of the shower, the care doesn’t stop. This is when you apply serums, body oils, moisturizers, or hair products to seal in hydration and protect your skin and hair. Don’t forget to gently cleanse your face again to remove any product residue from your shower session.

What To Include in Your Everything Shower Routine

An everything shower can be personalized based on your skin type, hair needs, and preferences. You don’t need to include every step every time, but these are common tasks people incorporate:

  • Shampoo and conditioner

  • Deep conditioning hair mask

  • Body wash

  • Shaving

  • Facial cleanser

  • Face mask

  • Lip scrub

  • Nail brush or nail file

  • Body exfoliator or scrub

  • Foot rasp or pumice stone

  • Moisturizing lotion or body oil

Wash your face last to clear away any residue from hair or body products. Use a gentle, non-comedogenic cleanser applied in soft circular motions before rinsing with lukewarm water.

Lock in hydration by moisturizing your skin immediately after you towel off. Your skin absorbs moisture best while it’s still damp, so apply your body lotion, serum, or oil within a few minutes of leaving the shower.

The order doesn’t matter too much. According to dermatologists, it’s more about consistency and choosing products that support your skin type than following a rigid sequence.

Why People Love the Everything Shower

While it may seem like a luxurious trend, dermatologists suggest that the everything shower can offer several legitimate benefits when done in moderation.

It promotes self-care
This kind of personal ritual has been shown to help people feel more grounded and secure. Creating a predictable routine—especially one involving physical self-touch like applying moisturizer—can reduce anxiety by boosting oxytocin and decreasing cortisol, the stress hormone.

It builds confidence
By caring for your appearance and hygiene in a meaningful way, you can foster a stronger sense of self-worth. A good skincare routine often reflects positively on how people feel about themselves overall.

It improves skin and hair health
By incorporating exfoliation, moisturizing, and targeted treatments, you’re giving your skin and hair more attention than they might receive in a standard rinse-and-go routine. Over time, this can lead to a healthier, more radiant appearance.

It’s affordable self-pampering
You don’t need luxury products to create a soothing experience. Even basic drugstore items, when used with intention, can create a sense of indulgence and relaxation.

How Often Should You Take an Everything Shower?

Though everything showers can be soothing and beneficial, they shouldn’t become a daily habit for most people. According to dermatologists, once a week is a healthy frequency for most skin types. Going beyond that might lead to over-exfoliation, irritation, or dryness—especially if you have sensitive or dry skin.

Pay attention to shower length
Despite what you may see on social media, an everything shower shouldn’t last for hours. Staying in the shower too long can deplete your skin’s natural oils, leaving it vulnerable to dryness or irritation.

Aim for 5 to 10 minutes of actual water exposure. You can spend more time outside the water stream applying hair or face masks, scrubbing your feet, or using a nail file.

Water temperature matters
Stick to lukewarm water between 98°F and 105°F. Hot water might feel comforting but can strip away essential skin oils and even trigger itchiness in some people by stimulating histamine release.

Try a cool rinse
Finishing with a 30–90 second cool-water rinse may offer added benefits. Studies suggest cold exposure can improve mood, circulation, and productivity—plus, it helps close the pores and soothe the skin.

Mistakes to Avoid During an Everything Shower

While it’s tempting to go all out, not all practices are beneficial. Here are common mistakes to watch out for:

Using too many active ingredients at once
If you’re layering exfoliants, scrubs, and chemical peels, you risk irritating your skin. Choose one or two key treatments per session and space out more intensive ones across your weekly routine.

Using hot water for too long
Excessive heat and prolonged showering can exacerbate conditions like eczema or dry skin. Keep the temperature comfortable—not scalding.

Forgetting to moisturize immediately
Delaying your moisturizer application after showering can reduce its effectiveness. Apply while skin is damp for the best results.

Neglecting the scalp and feet
People often focus on the face and body but forget other areas. Incorporate scalp massage or clarifying shampoo and exfoliate the feet as needed.

Tips for Building a Personalized Routine

The beauty of the everything shower is that it’s highly customizable. Whether your goal is relaxation, glowier skin, or stronger hair, here’s how to build a routine that works for you:

Start simple
Don’t try to cram every possible treatment into one session. Begin with a few core steps—like a shampoo, face mask, and moisturizer—and add more steps over time.

Listen to your skin
If your skin feels tight, itchy, or red after your routine, scale back on harsh products or frequency.

Rotate treatments weekly
Rather than exfoliating, masking, and deep-conditioning all at once, rotate those treatments across different days. For example, exfoliate during one everything shower and apply a hydrating mask during the next.

Use multitasking products
Simplify your routine with products that do more than one thing—like a cleanser with salicylic acid or a body wash that also exfoliates.

Final Thoughts on the Everything Shower Trend

The everything shower is more than a fleeting internet trend—it’s a meaningful way to transform a mundane hygiene task into a full-body self-care ritual. By combining skin treatments, hair care, and mindful practices into one extended shower session, you can boost your mood, support healthy skin, and carve out valuable time for yourself.

Whether you're trying it once a month or incorporating it into your weekly rhythm, the key is to listen to your body. Use products that nourish rather than overwhelm, limit your water temperature and duration, and above all—enjoy the process. The goal isn't perfection but intentional care.