NEW YORK — In a world where the hustle and bustle barely leaves room for a deep breath, a staggering 52 percent of women have found their sanctuary — in the shower! A survey of 1,000 women between 18 and 35 years-old also finds that 79 percent are in need of more “me time” right now.
For many women, the shower is a place to process their stressors, various emotions, and the ups and downs of daily life. They can get bogged down with finances (27%), work (24%), and thinking about the best way to care for their kids (19%), and these thoughts often sneak up on them in the shower.
To escape from it all, respondents turn to the shower to let their random thoughts roam (60%), reflect on the past day or day ahead (44%), and think about their memories (42%).
One in six have even imagined themselves as the triumphant winner of a past argument while in the shower. This newfound energy may be just the boost they need: two in three women feel like they can do anything after a great shower (68%), enjoying a boost of confidence that lasts over four hours.
Conducted by OnePoll in partnership with OLAY to launch their Indulgent Moisture Body Wash, results reveal that shower routines are an essential part of self-care, as 79 percent of those who have a shower routine agree that spending this time on themselves makes them feel good from the inside out.
For example, when they don’t have time for a spa day, 78 percent of women will elevate their shower routine. Women share that they play soothing music (62%), use aromatherapy products (44%), and massage with lotion afterward (44%) to make their shower routine feel more luxe.
For many, how their shower goes also influences how their day will go. The majority of women agree that missing out on their sacred shower routine impacts how they feel mentally (61%), physically (54%) and emotionally (53%), and 67 percent share that how their skin looks and feels can make or break their day.
However, all showers are not created equal. In fact, out of the average six showers a week, women surveyed say only four meet the benchmark for a “great shower.”
So, what makes a great shower? Women want to feel renewed (56%), calm (60%), and more confident (43%). However, only 29 percent of women are very confident that they’re currently getting those feelings out of their current shower routine.
“A shower is more than just a way to get clean, it’s an escape that provides physical and emotional benefits. In fact, the majority of women agree that a great shower with the right body care routine can result in glowing, healthy-looking skin (82%) and believe that achieving this would positively impact their well-being (82%),” says spokesperson Dr. Maiysha Jones, principal scientist at Olay, in a statement. “Just like feeling confident comes from within, glowing skin starts beneath the surface, so it’s important to consider how your shower routine is impacting your skin.”
This confidence impacts how women see themselves, as more than half of the women surveyed say they’d feel more confident for a job interview (51%) or feel less nervous about a date (65%) after a good shower. A “great” shower boosts productivity in 55 percent of respondents, too.
Women also share that showering (71%) — along with watching TV (68%) — helps them unwind the most at the end of a stressful day. Feeling clean (73%), renewed (56%), and ready for the day (55%) are the most important benefits women want from their showers, even though one in eight aren’t sure if their current shower routine is improving their skin’s health.
Respondents also share that they look forward to feeling energized (52%) and beautiful (45%) after showering in the daytime, as well as relaxed (78%) and like they’re glowing (30%) at night.
“With the right shower routine, you can unlock an inner and outer glow that sets the tone for how you approach everyday life. Remember to look for products with moisturizing skincare ingredients that deliver an immersive, luxurious experience in the shower, because you deserve to have it all!” says Dr. Jones.
Survey methodology:
This random double-opt-in survey of 1,000 women 18-35 of different races (White, Black, Hispanic and Asian) was commissioned by OLAY between Nov. 11 and Nov. 15, 2023. It was conducted by market research company OnePoll, whose team members are members of the Market Research Society and have corporate membership to the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR) and the European Society for Opinion and Marketing Research (ESOMAR).
Ignorance is bliss.