Believe it or not, your shower can either boost your sun-drenched skin to help maintain your gorgeous tan or it can strip away all that’s healthy about your skin and cause flaking and drying that will not only wreck your tan, but prevent you from getting a better tan the next time you’re out soaking in the sun. To make your shower work for you this summer, stock up on a few items that will protect and upgrade your skin from great to sensational.

Start with water temperature that is 75 degrees, not more than 80. This will help hold your skin’s natural moisture and will decrease dry skin. Even though you may live for a hot shower, this small change will make a big difference to summer skin.

If you plan to camp out in your shower, do your skin a huge favor and add a body oil designed for the spa or shower to your arsenal of beauty products. A shower of longer than 10 minutes will begin to strip the skin of all sorts of goodness, not the least of which is your natural layer of moisture protection. Slather the oil from neck to ankles, but forget your feet – you don’t want to take a spill.

Try a shampoo with avocado oil to really treat summer damaged hair. Follow up with a conditioner packed with amino proteins that strengthen hair against, sun, wind and chlorine damage. Leave the conditioner in the ends of your hair for up to fifteen minutes so the heat can help it to really penetrate and treat.

When you shave in the summer, you’re running a razor over skin that has been exposed to chlorine, sand, salt and sun. Be kind and opt for a shave cream that uses soy and almond oil to soothe and condition your legs. The results are remarkable!

To make the most of the oil you’ve been enjoying, finish your shower with an exfoliating scrub. It removes the oil so you don’t have buildup and it polishes your skin for a shine and glow that others pay big money to achieve. If your skin is especially dry, once a month use an all-over body scrub before you get in the shower, rinse and use again once skin is wet. Use a scrub with jojoba to feel refreshed and leave skin nourished. Gently exfoliate with a nubby washcloth and rinse clean.

Also add a bottle of moisturizer to your shower. Applying lotion to damp skin helps lock in moisture and can help prevent shaving bumps.

To really make your shower work for you, take a look inside; if you notice white buildup on your shower door or walls, you have hard water which is very drying to skin and hair. Be sure to use moisturizing products to help counter the effects of your hard water. Also check the chlorine level of your tap water. High chlorine levels fade hair color. Add a showerhead with a vitamin C cartridge to filter the chlorine so your color stays as vibrant as your skin.

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