Optimize Your Shower Game

You might think you’ve got showers down to a science, but, as LeBron James will tell you, there’s always room for improvement. For instance, you may know that long, hot showers aren’t great for your skin and hair, but did you know that you should be washing your face last? This ensures that no pore-clogging ingredients remain after you wash the shampoo and conditioner out of your hair.

Here are seven other tips to optimize your daily shower (and the immediate post-shower regimen).

Mind the temperature and time.

As noted, you likely already know this much. But do you know why the temperature and duration of your showers matter so much? Warm water—lukewarm, really—opens the cuticles of your hair, which makes it easier for your scalp to be cleaned by the shampoo. Most importantly, it won’t deplete your skin and hair of natural, necessary oils and moisture like hot water will.

But you can take a lukewarm shower and still linger for too long, which could dry out your skin. So, aim for around five minutes, although under 15 is acceptable.

Find the right shampoo and conditioner for your hair type.

Different hair types have different needs. This much is obvious. But whether you’re keeping your hair short or growing it long also matters, as does whether you’re trying to reinvigorate thinning hair.

One piece of universal advice: Avoid shampoos with sulfates, parabens, and alcohols. They’re harsh ingredients that dry the hair and scalp and cause breakage. Synthetic fragrances and colors can trigger an allergic reaction on your scalp. Fragrance-free and dye-free hair promotes a better environment for hair follicles.

Get a hard water filter.

Hard water contains large amounts of calcium and other minerals that can build up in your hair, making it feel especially greasy even after washing it. It’s not kind to your shower door, either.

Replace the loofah.

Synthetic loofahs are bacterial havens. Also, they’re not great for the environment. A natural loofah is a suitable replacement. They’re much easier to keep clean; just toss it in the dishwasher. And they’ll last for a couple months, even as they slowly decompose. Another option is swapping in a moisturizing bar soap.

Shampoo and condition first.

More specifically, shampoo first. And when you wash your hair, which shouldn’t be every day, focus on shampooing mainly the scalp rather than the entire length of the hair. The shaft and ends of the hair will get cleansed as the shampoo rinses out.

Then chase the shampoo with a conditioner. Unlike shampoo, it shouldn’t be rinsed out immediately. Let it set for a couple minutes, at least. Better yet, apply the conditioner, wash your body—but not your face (see above)—then rinse out the conditioner.

Moisturize while your skin is damp.

The aim of moisturizers and serums is to trap moisture in the skin. Some hydrating ingredients, like hyaluronic acid, need moisture to even be able to do their thing. So, it’s best to apply all of this quickly after the shower, while your skin’s still damp. Spreading lotion may be a little awkward, but it’s a small price to pay.

And start with your face. This way you’ll run less risk of accidentally transferring comedogenic ingredients from body creams and hair products into your facial pores.

Handle wet hair with care.

Wet hair looks longer because water weighs hair down, while also being absorbed into each strand. While absorption is great where hydrating products are concerned, in this case it results in the breakage of fibers and bonds that make up the hair’s outer coating. This, in turn, weakens the hair strands and makes them more susceptible to damage. For this reason, never brush wet hair. Instead, use a wide-tooth comb to gently untangle it. Never aggressively rub wet hair, either. Instead, dab excess moisture with a towel or old t-shirt.