Shower Shock

Shower Shock is a peppermint scented glycerine soap that has been infused with caffeine. The manufacturer ThinkGeek claims that when the soap is used, caffeine is exuded in the lather, to be absorbed through the user's skin. However, the idea that caffeine passes rapidly through the skin is unproven, and it has been suggested that the amount absorbed is not significant compared to a cup of coffee. Anecdotal accounts of using this soap also suggest that it is not effective as a delivery method for caffeine.

The addition of peppermint oil to the body soap probably contributes to any perceived stimulating effect. Caffeine's ability to diffuse through human skin is extremely limited and, as a result, users will generally not receive more than one to two milligrams of the drug through the soap itself.