Chantelle FarrellThe thought of applying body lotion in the shower may have you very concerned, and you wouldn’t be wrong to be worried. The body lotion is oily, and when this mixes with water, it becomes really slippery, which sounds like a recipe for disaster.
If you’re scared of slipping on an oily shower floor, read on. You and your skin will be mightily surprised.
Can You Use Regular Body Lotion in the Shower?
A body lotion applied to wet skin is becoming a great beauty hack. Since soap may make your skin dry, body lotion can moisturize your skin while still standing in the shower.
As a bonus, it’s much easier to apply body lotion in the shower. Simply rub the body lotion onto every part of your wet skin before stepping out of the shower. This saves you time during your morning routine, and it feels great. Some in-shower lotions require rinsing after application, so check your product to see what works.
So can you use just any body lotion in the shower? Probably not. Some body lotions are too oily and become hazardous when wet. A special body lotion, more correctly known as an in-shower moisturizer, is a body lotion that is designed to be non-greasy when applied to wet skin.
There are certain safety precautions when using an in-shower lotion such as avoiding the eye area and not applying the lotion to the bottoms of your feet.
What Are In-Shower Body Lotions?
An in-shower body lotion is specially formulated to be applied straight to wet skin. This activates the special humectants and emollients in the lotion to lock in moisture in the skin. Compared to a regular body lotion that relies on oils to add moisture, an in-shower lotion seals in the existing moisture of your wet skin.
When using an in-shower body lotion, be sure to check the product to see if it is recommended for in-shower use. Each manufacturer may have their own criteria and recommendations for how to best use the in-shower lotion.
As with most beauty products, the full benefit will only be attained when the in-shower body lotion is applied as specified. Performing a skin safety test beforehand is always advised before you start rubbing the in-shower body lotion all over your wet body.
You can safely use an in-shower body lotion every day. Be sure to rinse thoroughly before applying the in-shower body lotion and exfoliate two to three times a week for optimal benefit.
How Does In-Shower Body Lotion Work?
An in-shower body lotion contains different ingredients according to each manufacturer’s proprietary blend. However, most in-shower moisturizers contain humectants and emollients.
These are two compounds that are activated by water, and they actively bind water to the body. The lipids or fatty compounds of in-shower body lotions help soothe and moisturize your body, retaining the moisture that would otherwise have been lost in a traditional shower.
How to Use Body Lotion in the Shower
In four easy steps, you can have smooth, nourished, and hydrated skin.
1. Set Your Water Temperature and Choose Your Cleanser
To start, choose a cool temperature for your shower. It’s not a great idea to shower in high-temperature water as it will lead to wrinkled skin and further strip your skin of vital oils and bacteria. Instead, opt for an invigorating lukewarm shower.
2. Scrub and Exfoliate
Next, you should use a loofah or shower brush to scrub your body from head to toes. A good scrub and the use of a natural exfoliator such as a sugar scrub once or twice a week is a great way to glow up your skin.
3. Rinse Thoroughly
Rinsing is important if you are going to apply an in-shower lotion. If you don’t rinse well, you will be sealing in chemicals that may be leftover from the soap or shower gel against your skin. Using your loofah, gently scrub all of your skin with clear water, checking that there’s no soap buildup in the folds of your skin.
4. Apply Your In-Shower Body Lotion
The final step, while you’re in the shower and still wet, is to apply your in-shower lotion or moisturizer to your wet skin. You can apply your in-shower body lotion by squeezing a pea-size amount of the lotion into the palm of your hand at a time. Firmly rub the lotion over your body, making sure it spreads evenly.
Follow these tips when applying in-shower body lotion.
- Avoid getting any lotion on the soles of your feet or on your face. This will ensure you don’t get any lotion in your eyes or that you slip on the lotion when you step out of the shower. Be careful not to spill any lotion on the shower pan as it will be slippery. Some products require a second rinsing to remove any excess lotion, while others simply instruct you to towel dry your body.
- Use loofah for applying the in-shower body lotion to your back and other hard-to-reach places. Rub the lotion in as you would apply your shower gel. Simply rinse your loofah with soapy water once you have applied lotion to the areas your hand can’t reach.
- Don’t worry about using a towel after applying the lotion. Once you have applied the lotion, step out of the shower and use your towel to dry off the last bit of water from your body by gently dabbing at your skin. Your skin will be nourished and dry enough so you can get dressed without waiting for a traditional lotion to absorb into your skin.
Finish off with a facial moisturizer of your choice and apply your cosmetics as usual. Since the in-shower moisturizer will fully absorb when it mixes with the water from your shower, it will not remain on the skin. It is safe to apply your usual cosmetics once you have toweled any excess moisturizer away.
What Happens if Body Lotion Is Applied to the Face?
The in-shower body lotion is designed for your skin, but it is not advisable to use the in-shower body lotion on your face. If you accidentally apply in-shower body lotion to your face, there is a greater chance of the rich lotion getting into your eyes.
Since the emollients react with water, it is a bad idea to get it into your eyes, where the lipids will mix with your natural tears, leading to a greasy film on your eyes.
Should Men Use Body Lotion in the Shower?
While many would think an in-shower body lotion is for women only, it is an ideal way for men to moisturize without the fuss of having to dry and then wait for the moisturizer to absorb. An in-shower body lotion is ideal for men and women to use. Even children can use it safely when they are shown how to apply it.
Best In-Shower Body Lotions
There are several in-shower body lotions that are popular, and here are the top three choices.
The Nivea Nourishing In-Shower Body Lotion
Nivea’s in-shower body lotion is an ideal in-shower moisturizer to use. The Nivea in-shower body lotion is dermatologically tested, moisturizes your skin for a whole day, and leaves no sticky residue.
Note that the Nivea in-shower moisturizer requires a second rinsing session. It is also available in a cocoa butter variant for extra nourishment. The formula is water-activated, so your shower turns into a moisturizing session.
Curél Hydra Therapy In-Shower Lotion
If you are struggling with itchy and dry skin, then the Curél Hydra Therapy In-Shower Lotion is an ideal shower moisturizer. Water activates the dermatologically tested formula, and Curel’s in-shower lotion is recommended by the National Eczema Association.
With an advanced ceramide complex to further moisturize your skin, their in-shower moisturizer locks in three times as much moisture as a regular body lotion.
Jergens Wet Skin Body Moisturizer With Restoring Argan Oil
Another great in-shower moisturizing product is the Jergens Wet Skin Body Moisturizer, which is also dermatologically tested and absorbs four times as fast as a regular body lotion. There is no need to rinse once you have applied the in-shower body lotion, and you simply towel dry, get dressed, and have a great moisturized day.
