"Shower Sandwiching" Is The Easiest Skin Care Hack You Need To Try 

The shower has arguably never received so much fanfare. For years, beauty fans have used their rinse as a way to ground themselves and connect with their skin, but lately, a growing number of folks have decided to put their shower routines on full blast. 

Of course, I'm talking about the recent "shower aesthetic" trend commanding the TikTok space. Maybe it's just my algorithm, but practically every other video I see depicts some user's stacked shower scene: eucalyptus leaves, shower melts, body scrubs, the works. No longer must you commit to a long soak in the tub to melt away daily stress—a romanticized shower regimen has you covered. 

All "shower sandwiching" entails is applying body oil before and after the shower—so you're essentially sandwiching your skin between those rich, nourishing fatty acids. 

It's a tip I once received from celebrity esthetician and dermatological nurse Natalie Aguilar: She considers it one of her favorite rituals to care for dry, wintry skin. "This oil barrier prevents excessive water loss and helps with any irritation," she notes. 

You see, scalding your skin with hot water can render your complexion dry and ashy, as the steamy temperature can strip the precious natural oils from your skin. By massaging in a body oil pre-rinse, your skin can better hold on to moisture and keep the water from drying it out.  

It sounds pretty straightforward—don't you just slather on body oil pre- and post-rinse? 

I also personally like to bring the oil into the shower with me, so it serves as a reminder to reapply when I'm still slightly damp. I'll pat dry ever so slightly, grab my oil off the shelf, then lather on. If you're thinking, Uh, doesn't that sound slippery? then I suggest you take a peek at your oil ingredients: I recommend choosing a fast-absorbing dry oil that doesn't leave you feeling slick (or result in greasy shower tiles).