8 Weird But Genius Shower Hacks For Skin & Hair

Are you really making the most of your shower time? If you're like me and spend 90 percent of the time just standing under the hot water, probably not. In reality, there are genius hacks you can do in the shower for better complexion and hair. And the best part is that they actually don't take much time at all, so they're better for your schedule, your skin, and the environment.

These beauty products aren’t your typical shampoo and conditioner. Instead, this collection offers lesser-known ingredients to make your bath time a more pleasant (and productive) experience. I’m talking a face mask that heats up and purifies pores in one minute, a shampoo that hydrates your hair like a deep conditioning mask, and a cooking oil that doubles as a shaving cream for those pesky times between drugstore shopping trips — these skin and hair shower products are major game changers. And the fact that they also save time? Well, that's just icing on the cake.

Whether you're the type of person who spends hours in the shower or just give minutes, these beauty hacks are guaranteed to change the way you wash. They may be a tad unconventional, but there are no gimmicks here. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready to hit the shower.

1. Use A Hair Oil While You're Still In The Shower

L'Oreal Mythic Oil, $21, Amazon

You may be wondering if hair oil is really necessary. The answer: Yes, yes it is, and it works even better in the shower, according to Bustle's Associate Fashion and Beauty Editor Erin Mayer. "I've actually starting using a hair oil like L'Oreal Mythic Oil while I'm still in the shower, rather than when I first get out," says Mayer. According to XOVain, using hair oils while your strands are sopping wet actually allows it to absorb product better — a claim Mayer agrees with. "My hair feels softer and my curls are more defined," she remarks.

2. Get Soft, Glowing Skin With Volcanic Ash

Origins Warm Down Warming Lava Scrub to Detox and Smooth, $35, Sephora

It's often the most unexpected ingredients that provide the biggest payoff with your skin, like this volcanic ash body scrub. "The volcanic ash is a great natural cleanser, plus the scrub actually gets hot when you use it, which feels amazing in the winter or after a workout," raves Kara McGrath, Bustle's Deputy Fashion and Beauty Editor. "It's also packed with oils that make your skin super soft." Consider me sold.

3. Swap Out Traditional Shaving Cream For Coconut Oil

Anjou Organic Extra Virgin Coconut Oil, $9, Amazon

If you haven't incorporated coconut oil into your beauty arsenal yet, then you don't know what you're missing. Latina's fashion and beauty assistant Ashley Jimenez told Bustle that she uses it every time she runs out of shaving cream. Swapping your shaving cream for this cooking oil gives her a silky-smooth shave, she says, and notes that it also adds extra moisture to your skin — a total blessing when the cold weather rolls around.

4. Pamper Yourself From Head To Toe With A Body Mask

Karin Herzog Oxygen Body 3% Cream, $54, Amazon

Think masks are just for your face? Think again. This oxygen body cream is basically a fancy spa treatment at home. It renews and detoxifies the skin, providing moisture and essential vitamins for hydration. Andrea Jordan, assistant beauty editor at Essence Magazine, loves applying this treatment post-shower. "I turn the water off, brush on and wait five minutes until it starts bubbling — the more bubbles certain areas develop, the more oxygen they needed," she explains. "To finish, I turn the water back on and rinse for a total head-to-toe treatment."

5. Give Yourself A Fancy Facial Treatment In Just One Minute

Biore Self Heating One-Minute Mask, $16 for two packs of four masks, Amazon

Got a minute right after you get out of the shower? Use this charcoal mask to get a spa-worthy facial treatment. Natural charcoal purifies the pores while the mask warms up as you apply, giving you that pleasant "ahh" feeling. In just 60 seconds, your bathroom transforms into a spa.

6. Detangle And Style Your Strands At The Same Time

Tangle Teezer Compact Styler, $20, Sephora

If your hair is prone to knots, don't just tear through it with abandon. This detangling brush can conquer the most mixed-up of hair while enhancing shine and not yanking on your scalp. To reduce your chances of breakage, splits, and other types of damage, start brushing before stepping into the shower.

7. Moisturize Dry Skin While You're Still In The Shower

Philosophy Fresh Cream Body Polishing Scrub, $20, Amazon

Slathering lotion as soon as you step out of the shower is crucial for locking in moisture, so why don't just do it while you're still in it? This polishing scrub features sunflower, safflower, and olive fruit oils that help hydrate your skin as well as exfoliate. Plus, it has a pleasant, light scent that will get your day started the right way.

8. Save Time With This Two-In-One Hair Mask

Hairstory New Wash, $40, Hairstory

Who has time to wait for 20 minutes while a hair mask slowly soaks in? Cut your time in half with this innovative product from Hairstory. "This hair wash is completely natural and will make your hair feel like you've just done a hair mask without using conditioner at all," says Olivia Muenter, Fashion and Beauty Editor at Bustle. "It doesn't foam up like normal shampoo, so it seems really weird when you're using it but the results are amazing!" With a rating of 4.5 stars out of 5, it's clear that lots of other folks agree with her praise. And on top of all that, New Wash promises to preserve color, eliminate frizz, and keep your hair and scalp healthy.

Images: Freestocks.org (1); Amazon (4); Sephora (2); Hairstory (1)

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