Taking a shower might seem simple, but optimizing your routine can make a big difference. From adjusting water temperature to choosing the right products, discover how to make your showers more effective and skin-friendly.

Long, hot showers are one of life’s simple pleasures. But as wonderful as they are, sometimes you just need to get down and dirty (err, clean) — fast.

So, whether you slept through your alarm or just want to make sure you’re getting the best bang for your utility buck, here’s everything you need to know for the most effective suds session.

1. Cool it down

Steaming hot showers may feel amazing, but the hot water removes your natural oils and dries out the moisture from our skin like nothing else, says Lauren Ploch, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in Georgia.

So, if you really need a fix, spend a couple minutes max in hot water, then turn it down to lukewarm — aka not hot enough to make your skin red.

2. Keep it short

Your shower should ideally last 5 to 10 minutes, says Marie Jhin, MD, a Silicon Valley-based dermatologist. And remember, it’s all about quality, not quantity.

Showering more than once a day can seriously dry out your skin, Jhin says. Though it seems like more water means more moisture, it’s actually the opposite — over-showering strips the skin, making it even drier.

Refuse to accept a life without that toasty-warm, sinus-clearing shower feeling? Us too. One good alternative is a space heater for your bathroom, says Karyn Grossman, MD, a dermatologist at Grossman Dermatology in Beverly Hills.

And you can skip that final ice-cold rinse, supposedly for shinier hair. You’d have to go all out to make any difference to hair, Grossman says. So, unless you don’t mind a daily polar plunge, it’s usually not worth the displeasure.

3. Lather, rinse, repeat

Once you’ve found the right temperature, get your shampoo out of the way first. And although “lather, rinse, repeat” has been around since the dawn of time (and marketing), Grossman says you only need to “repeat” if you have a super oily scalp. Everyone else, feel free to disregard.

Then slap conditioner on the ends of your hair and let it sink in. In general, use more for thick hair and less for thinner strands.

The warm, wet environment works magic: Follicles open up, letting the conditioner sink in extra deep and making it more effective than if you had rinsed off immediately, Grossman explains. Wait until the end of your shower, then use a comb to detangle hair.

If you’re prone to breakouts, make sure to wash your face again once the conditioner’s out. This is because the oils can cause acne, says J. Scott Kasteler, MD, a dermatologist in Kentucky.

4. Lose the loofah

Blame it on Legally Blonde, but we’ve always had a loofah hanging in the shower. The problem? Ploch says people tend not to clean loofahs and hang onto them past their prime — usually just 2 months — making them a breeding ground for bacteria.

A better choice would be a washcloth, she says, which people find easier to remember to clean every week, or to just use your hands.

5. Clean where it counts

Another shortcut: You really only need to cleanse areas with high density of sweat glands, like the groin, the buttocks, underneath the breasts, and the armpits, Grossman says. Soaping up your whole body every single time actually strips your skin of necessary oils, especially in areas like your shins or arms.

And while those body washes that smell like the Amazon rainforest or fields of lavender are tempting, feel free to keep it simple. Go for a gentle cleanser and don’t overdo it.

6. Add in the extras

If you’ve covered all the basics but still want more alone time (guilty), now’s the time to add in any other steps, like brushing your teeth, shaving, or using a pumice stone on your feet. The warm, wet environment has softened your skin, allowing dead cells to slough off more easily.

Despite common misconceptions, if you’re shaving down there, there’s no need to exfoliate your bikini line with a grainy scrub (or pumice — yikes), Grossman says.

The best way to avoid ingrown hairs: Use a razor that doesn’t go overboard with blades. Too close of a shave takes off the top layer of skin, making it easier for the hairs to grow in the wrong direction.

7. Lotion up

Apply moisturizer right before or after you step out of the lukewarm water, Grossman says. Yes, you read that right — you can moisturize in the shower.

And that’s actually a great time to do it, Grossman says, since it’s the lotion’s job to trap the moisture in the skin. She recommends an in-shower moisturizer like or even just plain coconut oil. Hello, old friend.

If you find your skin is still next-level dry, choose a lotion with a chemical exfoliant like alpha hydroxy acid (AHA), Ploch says. While physical scrubs can be abrasive, AHAs like ammonium lactate or salicylic acid get rid of dead skin while providing moisture (…the essence of wetness).

Finally, if you choose to moisturize fresh out of the shower, make sure to slather on the cream within 3 minutes of patting dry, Ploch says.

Also, Jhin suggests keeping the door closed and overhead fan off while showering. This traps the humidity and steam in the air and softens your skin, so more moisture can sink in instead of evaporating. (Sorry, ceiling mold).

Some mornings it’s all we can do to jump in, lather, and get out of the shower. But covering all your bases can make a big difference in how dry and itchy your skin feels.

Go in with a game plan, and you’ll finally be able to focus on what really matters — whether that’s terrible singing, meditating, or deciding what you want to eat for breakfast.