There’s nothing quite like taking a long, hot shower at the end of a gruelling day.
Whether taken during the dead of winter or the height of summer, in the morning or in the evening, when you’re feeling unwell or suffering from an anxious spell– showers have an uncanny ability to instantly relax, soothe and heal. Like simulated rainfall, the pitter patter of the shower has an inherently calming effect, while its heat generates a soothing and all-encompassing steam which opens the sinus and relieves the muscles.
That all sounds delightful, doesn’t it? Well, what if we told you that it gets better? Notoriously, baths have been the sole option for experiencing spa-like aromatherapy. Both their volume and the stillness of the water makes bath time a safe environment for candles, bubbles, bath salts and fizzy bath bombs filled with rose petals. Yet thanks to the increased popularity of shower steamers, the trend is about to be bucked. That’s right, you can experience the same luxurious aromatherapy and detoxing effects afforded by bath bombs in half the time, using half the water.
These miniature, compact discs known as shower steamers have been taking the internet by storm as of late. With TikToks featuring the spa-ready must-have viewed 42.7 million times, it’s safe to say we have a viral trend on our hands.
But what exactly are shower steamers, and how do they work?
As alluded to, we like to think of them as miniature bath bombs. For those of us who thoroughly dislike baths and find them to be a waste of water, shower steamers allow you to enjoy all their benefits without having to wait around for the bath to run or reach the perfect temperature (somewhere between lukewarm and hellfire hot).
Some aromatherapy shower steamers come with a mesh bag. You activate them by running them under water until they begin to fizz, then simply hang the bag on your shower handle and enjoy the delightful aromas. You can also buy these bags separately. With those that don’t include the handy bag, makers and manufacturers recommend activating them the same way, but placing them at the opposite end of the shower to your drain. If you prefer longer showers, this prevents them from fizzling out too quickly under the direct pressure of the shower water.
For the best shower steamers available right now, keep scrolling.
Best dressing gowns and bathrobes for women
Best bathroom extractor fans to deal with humidity and condensation
Best bath mats that are absorbent and add a stylish touch to the bathroom
Best bathroom cabinets that will add the finishing touch and make the most of space
Best shower caddies to get your toiletries tidy and organised
Aromatherapy Shower Steamers
Handcrafted and filled with beautiful dried botanicals, these shower steamers have been expertly crafted with therapeutic essential oils to enhance your mood through the power of aromatherapy. This set contains five wonderful blends of essential oils, with each targeting a different mental goal: clarity, vitality, serenity, purity and tranquillity.
Buy now £20.00, NOTHS
Shower Steamers
These shower steamers from Firebox not only look the part, but they’re packed full of powerful aromas to invigorate your shower experience. Each box contains eight steamer blocks measuring 8.5x8.5x4cm and, for under a tenner, we can’t help but extoll their fantastic value – far better than those singular bath bombs which often cost double for just one use.
We’re particular fans of the ‘Wake Up’ set, which features a soul-awakening mixture of peppermint, rosemary and ginger scents.
Buy now £7.99, Firebox
Lush Comfort Zone Shower Bomb
Lush’s vegan and cruelty free shower bomb is a two-in-one offering. The brand suggest that you activate the shower bomb in the typical way – allowing it to run under water and fizz up. However, unlike most traditional shower steamers, once you’ve enjoyed the swirling aromas of sweet blackcurrant you can also use the foamy paste as a luxurious scrub.
Buy now £3.00, Lush
Chakra Shower Steamer Gift Set
Relax, unwind and align your chakras with these beautiful gemstone shower steamers. Each steamer is filled with an essential oil blend of ylang-ylang, cedarwood, lavender and peppermint – helping to relieve physical aches and pains, as well as open the airways and promote relaxation. Whether you’re an avid crystal enthusiast or know someone who practically jingles with all the rocks and gemstones they carry, this set would make a fantastic gift.
The box contains seven shower steamers, each weighing 35 grams. The seven steamers contain one of the following: clear quartz crystal to represent the crown chakra, amethyst for the third eye chakra, sodalite for the throat chakra, aventurine for the heart chakra, tiger’s eye for the solar plexus, carnelian for the sacral chakra and red jasper for the root chakra.
Buy now £16.99, NOTHS
Rainy Day Blend: Grapefruit, Bergamot and Frankincense Shower Steamers
Save these for a rainy day or use them whenever you need a self-care boost, for these shower steamers were created to help uplift the spirits and unwind.
If your anxious and depressive spells result in you finding it difficult to engage in basic, daily tasks – you’re not alone. Not only does adding an interesting and exciting element to your shower routine help build a desire to engage in self-care, but the aromatic blend of bergamot, grapefruit, earl grey and frankincense present in these steamers is designed to induce a feeling of calmness and quietness.
Buy now £5.24, Etsy
Camphor and Eucalyptus Shower Steamers: essential oils shower melts for cold and sinus
Remember those gnarly olbas oil capsules that your parents used to break and shake all over your pillow when you were suffering from a particularly bad cold? We’d fight against the overwhelming scent, but immediately surrender as soon as we realised our airways were opening for the first time in days – allowing us to finally breathe.
Imagine being able to achieve that wonderful feeling of utter relief and decongestion without the pesky capsules. Rather, these luxurious camphor and eucalyptus shower steamers will help to relieve your rhematic and sinus pains through an expert blend of essential oils and the naturally comforting steam of a piping hot shower.
The maker of these custom blend shower steamers also suggests that you don’t always need to have a shower to enjoy their benefits. You can even pop one into a bowl of warm water and breathe in the aroma of the steamer as it dissolves.
Buy now £12.08, Etsy
Aofmee Shower Steamers
Bright and beautiful, this set of 12 shower steamers contains a selection of lavender, sweet orange, lemongrass, rose and chamomile scents. The all-natural, botanical scents are created with essential oils which are powerfully fragrant – but not overwhelming.
They are safe for septic systems, slip-proof for your safety and each scent is easily identifiable by their unique designs. For instance, the eucalyptus and mint scent is a beautiful turquoise blue, while the rose and ylang ylang combination has a pretty red heart in the centre.
Buy now £9.99, Amazon
Besoft Shower Steamers
According to Besoft, the innovate droplet-shaped design of these shower steamers makes them last for longer, allowing the high concentration of essential oils to permeate your bathroom for hours. The home spa contains eight shower steamers measuring 45g each, as well as two 10ml bottles of pure essential oils for an added boost. The set includes lavender, lemon and grapefruit, peppermint, eucalyptus and menthol, grape and cocoa orange scents.
Buy now £16.83, Amazon
