When did showering get so complicated?
Dark showers, four-hour everything showers, shower oranges and icy cold showers are just a few of the bathing trends that’ve flooded my social media feeds over the years.
But online doesn’t always mimic real life. Many of us don’t have the time to spend the equivalent of two feature-length films washing up or possess the dexterity required to shower in the dark.
That doesn’t mean we can’t find small ways to elevate our shower game. To find affordable upgrades, we have rigorously tested eight shower filters, 13 bath towels and 10 shower curtains already. We’ve also asked dermatologists for the showering products they swear by.
Below are six items, $150 and under, to effortlessly improve your shower routine – including a plastic-free linen shower curtain and a bestselling candle that may trick you into believing you’re on a tropical vacation.
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At a glance
A luxurious bath towel upgrade:
Parachute Organic Plush Towel
A plastic-free shower curtain upgrade:
Quince European Linen Shower Curtain
A clean water upgrade:
Canopy Handheld Filtered Showerhead
A bath slipper upgrade:
Brunch Essential Terry Slipper
A body wash upgrade:
Ceramedx Extra Gentle Body Cleanse
A mood upgrade:
Capri Blue Candle
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<em>A luxurious bath towel upgrade:</em> Parachute Organic Plush Towel
There’s nothing quite like stepping out of the shower and wrapping yourself in an ultra-soft bath towel.
Recently, veteran product reviewer Jon Chan tested 13 of the top brands to find the ones worthy of your linen closet. Parachute’s Organic Plush towel stood out for its durable material and fluffy texture.
In fact, Chan measured it was five times (!) thicker than an Amazon Basics towel. “This bath towel feels like a luxury bathrobe. It gives me the feeling of hygge – a sense of coziness that imparts wellbeing. You just have to try it to know what I mean,” he wrote.
Read our roundup of the best bath towels: The best bath towels of 2026 in the US, from fluffy to quick drying – tested
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<em>A plastic-free shower curtain upgrade:</em> Quince European Linen Shower Curtain
After testing 13 different shower curtains, we fell in love with Quince’s luxurious linen one. Not only was it among the fastest-drying curtains, but it’s also lightweight, plastic-free and made from 100% garment-washed European flax. And it costs a budget-friendly $50.
Read our roundup of the best shower curtains: The 10 best shower curtains, including plastic-free options
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<em>A clean water upgrade:</em>Canopy Handheld Filtered Shower Head
A shower’s hard water may contain chemicals that dry out your skin and hair. But for those of us who can’t spend thousands on an entirely new filtration system, a showerhead filter is an affordable alternative that’s far easier to install.
Recently, lifestyle writer Stephen Treffinger tested out eight models to find the very best. Ultimately, this one snagged the top spot as one of the few filters that made his skin feel better – both “less dry and smoother”.
Read our roundup of the best showerhead filters: The eight best showerhead filters in the US for every budget and bathroom
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<em>For a slipper upgrade:</em> Brunch Essential Terry Slipper
Brunch says its terry slippers mimic the luxurious pair you’d receive at a high-end hotel. I have to agree – whenever I slip these on, their padded and contoured footbed makes my feet feel like they’re vacationing at the Four Seasons. When my mom tried them on, she said their cushiony support made walking on her hardwood floors a bit less painful on her knees.
They also feature an EVA outsole, which makes them versatile enough to wear for stepping on your bathroom’s cold tile floors and slipping on for your weekend breakfast reservation (or should I say brunch). And they’re machine-washable.
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<em>A moisturizing body wash upgrade:</em>Ceramedx Extra Gentle Body Cleanser
I refuse to take a shower with water that is anything less than scorching.
But one dermatologist we recently interviewed cautioned that high water temperatures, though they “feel amazing”, can dry out your skin. So, if you’d like to continue taking your ultra-hot showers, she recommended adding in a moisturizing body cleanser, such as this sensitive skin-friendly vegan option from Ceramedx. And if your skin needs more nourishment, our derms recommend applying this hydrating body cream right before you towel off.
Read our winter skincare recommendations: The 21 winter skincare essentials that dermatologists use when dry weather wrecks their skin
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<em>To elevate the mood:</em> Capri Blue Volcano Capiz Candle
There’s nothing better than lighting a candle before stepping into a hot shower or after drying off in a fluffy bath towel.
While working at Anthropologie in college, I was introduced to this bestselling option from home fragrance brand Capri Blue. Even in the dead of winter, its tropical, citrusy fragrance will transport you and your house guests to a summery paradise.
I also recommended it in our last holiday gift guide. To quote, well, myself: “The mini size of Anthropologie’s most popular candle is my favorite for adding a decorative touch to a small space. And it smells good too.”
Read our mega gift guide: The 175 best holiday gift ideas, vetted by the Guardian US staff
