the ultimate everything shower routine

Sometimes a quick shower does the job. Other times, you need the everything shower: the head-to-toe reset where you exfoliate, cleanse, shave, moisturize, and emerge feeling suspiciously put together.

The best everything shower routine combines your favorite full-body self-care steps in an order that helps skin feel clean, moisturized, glowing, and smooooth. Here’s exactly what an everything shower is, which everything shower steps to follow, and how to build a routine that works for your skin.

what is an everything shower?

You may never have given it a name, but you’ve probably been everything shower-ing for a long time. Unlike your standard, everyday routine, an everything shower is a longer, head-to-toe shower that combines multiple grooming and self-care steps in one session, from shampoo to shaving.

So, what is an everything shower? Think of your everyday shower as maintenance and your everything shower as the full reset.

It’s what you might do before a night out with your besties, a hot date, a tropical vacay, or any time you just want to feel like a new, smoother you.

There’s no single correct everything shower routine. You can customize yours depending on your hair, skin, shaving routine, and how much time you have.

the best everything shower routine for next-level self-care

While your everything shower routine can be modified based on your needs and the state of your skin, the order matters—especially if exfoliating and shaving are involved.

For an easy everything shower routine list, follow these six steps:

1. Exfoliate and prep skin
2. Cleanse from head to toe
   Shave
3. Apply body lotion
4. Add body butter where you need extra moisture
5. Finish with body oil to seal in softness and glow

Now let’s get into the full everything shower steps.

step 1: pre-shower prep & exfoliation

Starting your everything shower routine with exfoliation will get you on the fast track to glowing skin. A gentle but thorough exfoliation will buff away dead skin cells, break down buildup from dirt, sweat, and oil, and condition and soften body hair.

Exfoliating before shaving helps create a smoother surface for your razor and can help reduce the buildup that contributes to ingrown hairs.

Use a gentle scrub like our Cashmere Skin Pre-Shave Scrub, a sugar-based exfoliator packed with nourishing butters, or an exfoliating net 2–3 times per week. Show extra love to your drier, rougher parts, like the elbows and knees.

And remember: more scrubbing doesn’t mean more glowing. Gentle is the move.

Should You Exfoliate Before or After Shaving?

Exfoliate before shaving. Removing dead skin and buildup first helps prep both your skin and body hair for a smoother shave. Exfoliating afterward can feel uncomfortable on freshly shaved skin, so save the scrub for step one.

step 2: whole body cleanse

Now that you’ve banished the buildup, your body wash can really do its thing. After exfoliating, what you need is a gentle, hydrating body wash like Cashmere Body Wash.

It’s a creamy-gel formula that gives you the satisfying lather of a gel with the soft, moisturized feel of a cream, leaving skin feeling clean, hydrated, and cashmere smooth.

Massage it over damp skin and rinse thoroughly. If washing your hair is part of your everything shower, shampoo and condition before shaving so you can rinse everything away before reaching for the razor.

Everything shower perfection.

step 3: a smooth & steady shave

For an everything shower shave, we love a shave oil or cream that delivers lots of slip to help you see and reach all those pesky, hard-to-reach hairs and let your razor glide like a dream.

Cashmere Shave Oil cushions skin for a protected shave and silky-smooth after-feel.

Smooth a thin, even layer over the skin, then glide your razor in the direction of hair growth first, especially if you’re prone to irritation.

For a smoother shave:

1. Start with clean, exfoliated, damp skin.
2. Apply an even layer of shave oil.
3. Use a clean, sharp razor.
4. Shave slowly with light pressure.
5. Rinse your razor regularly between strokes.

Remember to take your time. Using a dirty, dull razor and rushing through razor strokes can leave skin feeling irritated.

No speed-running shave day. Your knees will thank you.

step 4: the post-shower moisture lock

You worked hard for that everything shower smoothness, so make sure you protect it.

Right out of the shower, gently towel-dry and moisturize while your skin is still slightly damp. Slather your skin in a hydrating body lotion that absorbs quickly and keeps you smooth all day, like 24H Moisture Body Lotion.

This is your lightweight, everyday moisture layer—and the perfect base if fragrance layering is also part of your everything shower routine.

step 5: add body butter for extra-dry skin

Next, go in with a body butter like Cashmere Whipped Oil Butter for air-whipped, decadent moisture that lasts for up to 72 hours.

You don’t necessarily need body butter everywhere. Focus it on areas that need extra love, like elbows, knees, heels, or anywhere your skin feels especially dry.

A body butter in your everything shower routine adds that extra-cushiony moisture layer that makes your skin feel soft as a cloud long after you leave the bathroom.

step 6: finish with body oil

For the grand finale, seal all that goodness in with a decadent, glow-giving body oil like Cashmere Body Oil.

Smooth it over moisturized skin to help lock in softness and give your skin that just-left-the-everything-shower glow.

Easy way to remember your post-shower order: lotion first, butter where needed, oil to seal it in.

everything shower routine list at a glance

how often should you take an everything shower?

All things considered, how often you take an everything shower is totally up to you.

Think of your everything shower routine as a reset for your skin, and remember to be mindful of your skin barrier’s health. You don’t need to exfoliate every day and doing too much can leave skin feeling sensitive or uncomfortable.

For many people, doing the full routine weekly or every other week may be plenty. You can still shower normally in between without doing every single step.

If your skin feels sensitive or irritated, take a break from exfoliating and focus on gentle cleansing and moisture instead.

Your everything shower should make your skin feel better—not like it just completed an obstacle course.

when should you take an everything shower?

When you take an everything shower can depend on a ton of factors, from smoothing your skin before a sunless tanning session to an impromptu self-care day.

An everything shower can also be perfect before a vacation, date night, big event, weekend plans, or whenever you’re craving a reset.

And sometimes there’s no occasion at all. Sometimes you put on the playlist, take the long shower, moisturize every inch, and become a person who suddenly has their life together for the next 45 minutes. That counts too.

your everything shower, your rules

Whatever the reason, your everything shower should leave you moisturized, glowing, and like your smoothest self.

The best everything shower routine is simply the one that works for your skin. Exfoliate when you need it. Take your time shaving. Moisturize while skin is slightly damp. Layer richer formulas wherever dryness tends to show up.

The goal isn’t doing the most just for the sake of it. It’s stepping out clean, moisturized, glowy, and very, very smooooth.

FAQs about everything showers

What is an everything shower?
An everything shower is a longer, head-to-toe shower that combines multiple grooming and self-care steps in one routine. It can include washing your hair, exfoliating, shaving, cleansing your body, and layering on moisturizer afterward.

What are the steps in an everything shower routine?
The most common everything shower steps are: exfoliate, cleanse, shave, moisturize with body lotion, add body butter where extra moisture is needed, and finish with body oil. If you’re washing your hair, shampoo and condition before shaving so you can rinse away any leftover product first.

What is the best everything shower routine?
The best everything shower routine is one that matches what your skin and hair need that day. For smooth skin, exfoliate before shaving, use a gentle body wash, shave with plenty of glide, then moisturize while skin is still slightly damp.

How often should you take an everything shower?
There’s no set schedule. Many people treat an everything shower as a weekly or every-other-week reset, especially if exfoliation and shaving are involved. If your skin feels dry or sensitive, skip exfoliation and focus on gentle cleansing and moisture.

Should you exfoliate before or after shaving in an everything shower?
Exfoliate before shaving. This helps remove dead skin and buildup while softening the area before your razor goes in. Scrubbing freshly shaved skin can feel irritating, so exfoliation belongs earlier in your everything shower routine.

What should be on an everything shower routine list?
A simple everything shower routine list can include hair wash, exfoliation, body wash, shave care, body lotion, body butter, and body oil. You can add or skip steps depending on your skin, hair, and how much time you have.

How long should an everything shower take?
There’s no perfect length. An everything shower usually takes longer than a normal shower because you’re combining several routines, but it doesn’t need to become a full evening event. Do the steps your body actually needs and skip the rest.

Can I take an everything shower without shaving?
Absolutely. Shaving is optional. Your everything shower can be focused on cleansing, exfoliation, hair care, and hydration without ever picking up a razor.

Can you do an everything shower with sensitive skin?
Yes, but keep it gentle. Avoid over-exfoliating, use a mild cleanser, and prioritize moisturizing products. If your skin already feels irritated, skip scrubs and shaving until it feels comfortable again.

What should I do after an everything shower?
Moisturize while your skin is still slightly damp. Start with body lotion, add body butter to extra-dry areas, then finish with body oil if you want to help seal in moisture and add glow. Lotion first. Butter where needed. Oil to seal it in.