Turn Your Shower Into A Spa: The Ultimate Home Spa Experience

When creating a home spa experience, most people assume a bath must be involved. So it’s essential, right? Actually, no. Bathing might not be your favourite way to relax, or you might not have a giant roll-top at your disposal.  

So, if you don’t have access to a bath right now, there is another option.  

The humble shower can deliver more than just a functional quick rinse. When executed the right way, your shower routine can be transformed into the most luxurious experience – the perfect Sunday afternoon activity. And you don’t even have to waste loads of water in the process. Eco-win.  

Here’s how to do it.

Set the scene

Decorate your shower room to create an atmosphere of calm. Adding plants to any space makes it come alive, and did you know that there are certain house plants that thrive in humid bathrooms? The string of nickels and the corn plant are two of our favourites. 

Last year, TikTok introduced a bathroom trend that you could borrow for your shower spa day: hanging fresh or dried eucalyptus leaves on your shower head. The heat and steam from the water activates the oils in the leaves, leaving your room smelling fresh and minty. It’s also supposed to have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties. 

And before you get in the shower, go ahead and light some candles in the bathroom to make it extra cosy. 

Get a smart shower head

Although it may feel good, water that’s too hot can strip your skin of moisture. Instead, aim for lukewarm water – anywhere between 98°F (37°C) to 105 °F (41°C) is ideal. You could also invest in a shower head that controls the temperature.  

Or try Vitaclean’s shower heads that filter water before it touches your skin, capturing pipe rust, harsh minerals and dirt. Plus, the water pressure on these is up to six times higher than standard shower heads, which feel great and also reduces water consumption by 25%. They also offer fragranced filters with aromatherapy oils, so it fills the room with lovely feel-good smells.   

Create an aromatherapy experience

“One thing that’s nice about showers, more so than baths, is that because they tend to be enclosed, you get more steam around you,” says Charlotte McHale, Clarins Training Manager. 

She encourages making the most of your own little steam room. “Use products that have aromatherapy qualities like the Tonic Bath & Shower Concentrate with ingredients like mint and rosemary. The steam lets you breathe in the aromatic benefits. And that makes the experience feel like a spa.”  

Invest in waterproof speakers

Unlike in a bathtub, you can’t sit back and read a book in the shower. You can, however, listen to an audiobook. Just get yourself a waterproof Bluetooth speaker like this one by JBL that you can clip onto a shower rod.  

For a more authentic home spa experience, you could also listen to soothing music – this ‘relaxing massage’ playlist on Spotify will trick your brain into believing you’re in an actual spa. 

Don’t forget to exfoliate

Exfoliating helps remove the dead cells on the surface of your skin to reveal the fresh, glowing skin underneath. It also helps all the products you apply post-scrub to absorb better into the skin. You could use a pair of exfoliating gloves, a body brush or a body scrub. 

Try: The Exfoliating Body Scrub contains natural bamboo powders that help gently exfoliate rough skin. It’s also got shea butter which adds a layer of moisture.

Try a face mask

“The steam from the shower helps open the pores,” says McHale. “So, using a face mask in the shower is a great idea. Just don’t apply it on the forehead, or it could run into your eyes.” 

She adds: “Any hydrating mask would work well. Clay masks are the only ones to avoid as they need to dry up to do their job.” 

Add a hair mask too

If you’re masking your face, why not give your hair some special treatment too? Apply a rich, moisturising one like the Nourishing Strengthening Hair Mask from root to tip and let it soak in while you’re scrubbing your feet or exfoliating your body. 

Hydrate your skin

Once you’ve washed it all off, it’s time to dry up and hydrate. Seal the moisture by massaging in a body moisturiser. There are many types to choose from: lotions, serums, creams or oils. Pick one suits your skin type and if you enjoy its scent too, even better. 

“If you have really dry, flaky skin, try mixing a body oil with your moisturiser in a 50:50 proportion,” advises McHale. 

Finish with fragrance

Complete your home spa experience with a spritz of fragrance. We recommend choosing one of Clarins’ treatment fragrances that offer skincare benefits too. The new Eau Extraordinaire features a delicious blend of jasmine, patchouli, red ginger and citrus notes.  

Next read: Self-Care Tips From A Pro Gardener