Testing the shower waters this month. These are the standouts.

We moved into a new apartment with three bathrooms, which sounds glamorous on paper. In reality, each one has something. One sprays like it’s not even trying, one drains at Madrid-bureaucracy speed, and the third only commits if you stand in the exact right four-inch square while thinking calm thoughts.

So yes, I have been spending an absurd amount of time showering, rinsing, adjusting angles, and questioning Spanish plumbing choices. And since I am stuck in there troubleshooting water pressure anyway, I have been testing and embracing products right along with it. Below, five in-shower picks that made an impression this month. Some great, one regrettable, and a couple that fall into the “worth your curiosity” category.

Acnemy Zit Calm Anti-Redness Calming Cleanser

I picked this up fully knowing I am not the target acne customer. But the promise of a soothing, everyday cleanser for breakout-prone and sensitive skin spoke to me. As the weather turns cooler here in Madrid and my routine is still settling after the move, anything that keeps my skin calm has my attention. It is fragrance free, which I always appreciate when my barrier feels temperamental.

Texture wise, it glides across the skin with a silky slip and generates a barely there lather. Just a soft, comforting cleanse that feels right on days when your face needs a break from radiators and overambition with acids. Even if you are not dealing with blemishes, the gentle oat and ferment combo makes this an unexpectedly reliable winter wash when your skin wants kind, uncomplicated care.

9,95 € (150ml) at nichebeautylab.com

Sephora Collection Vitamin C+E Brightening Glow Cleansing Powder

Most powder cleansers rely on fruit enzymes for gentle exfoliation. This one does not. It uses mild surfactants to cleanse, with rice starch and calcium carbonate offering a very soft polish. You still get a brightening boost from ascorbyl glucoside paired with vitamin E, and it foams easily once water hits it. The finish is clean and fresh, not tight or squeaky.

The relaunch brought a few changes. Sephora swapped out the coconut-derived cleansing agents from the earlier version and added fragrance. I miss the original because it was superb. This one is still good, especially for the price. Oddly enough, it is available everywhere except the United States. If you want a budget friendly powder cleanser that brightens and travels well without the enzyme intensity, this is one to explore.

13€ (25g) at sephora.es or £12.99 at sephora.co.uk

ISDIN Ureadin Calm Oil Gel

I wanted to love this. A gel-oil cleanser for dry or easily irritated skin, packed with dexpanthenol, soybean and castor oils, and vitamin E sounded ideal for colder months and heater season. And to its credit, the texture is lovely in the shower and my skin feels genuinely soft and comforted afterward. If you are prone to tightness and flakiness, this style of formula absolutely has its place.

Where things go sideways is the execution. I am not anti-fragrance, especially in European pharmacy skincare where it is often done beautifully. This particular scent just misses. It smells inexpensive and leans more men’s body spray than soothing body wash. The pump adds to the frustration. The first pump dispenses properly, then each pump after needs a full pause to reset. It turns your shower into a slow-motion performance. My skin likes the formula, but between the stop-start dispenser and the unimpressive scent, I will reach for one of the many better-thought-out oil cleansers available at pharmacies here.

18€ (400ml) at amazon.es

Kérastase Nutritive Bain Satin Shampoo

There are shampoos you try, like, and move on from, and then there are formulas that justify their reputation every single time. Kérastase Nutritive Bain Satin sits firmly in the latter camp. It is part of the same Nutritive family that gave us my all-time favorite hair product, Nectar Thermique, so expectations are always high. This one is all about nourishment without adding any weight. The texture feels salon grade and it leaves my hair soft, smooth and easy to manage.

There is a reason this line has had a devoted following for years. The lather is generous, the rinse feels clean and the scent has that unmistakable Kérastase signature. If you want a shampoo that consistently delivers a glossy, cooperative finish, this remains a classic worth keeping in rotation. Pair it with Nectar Thermique and I am certain you will be blown away.

$43 (250ml) at sephora.com or kerastase-usa.com

Everist The Conditioning Concentrate

The metal tube might look minimal, but it delivers maximum impact on dry or stressed hair. The formula is water-free and concentrated, so you only need a pea-sized amount. Once it meets damp hair it spreads beautifully, giving that silky “my hair will behave today” slip without feeling heavy. With aloe, glycerin and nourishing plant oils like pumpkin seed and baobab, it delivers unparalleled softness. It’s the kind of smoothness you notice right away, especially if your routine or water quality has been in flux.

It feels indulgent without being fussy, rinses cleanly and consistently brings my hair back to a calm, hydrated place. If your hair has been reacting to seasonal changes, this is a clever, efficient formula worth having in the shower. A little really does go a long way.

$24 (100ml) at thedetoxmarket.com

In conclusion…

That is just one angle into my November shower rotation. Trust me, there were more contenders circling the drain but I am keeping this edit to five so no one feels overwhelmed. If you are in your “my face needs extra kindness right now” era, I insist you read my post on seven ideal cleansers for dry, stressed winter skin. It is a lineup even the pickiest skincare people will appreciate. And if you like a minimalist moment in the shower, my breakdown of body washes that double as face cleansers is another smart place to explore.

Affiliate disclosure: some of the links above may be affiliate, which means I may earn a small commission if you choose to shop through them. It does not influence my opinion or what I feature; it simply supports the time and testing that goes into posts like this. Thank you for being here and indulging my very thorough shower research phase.