7 Things You Do In The Shower That Are Actually Ruining Your Skin

Showering. It’s not as simple as it seems.

Good showering habits can prevent damaged skin, dryness, and aging, but bad showering habits can cause all of those problems, and even more.

 

Here are seven showering habits you should definitely break.

 

1. You are showering too often.

Disclaimer: This is not an invitation to wear the same clothes for seven days straight.

 

Good hygiene is a necessary, and much appreciated, part of the human experience. But too much showering can actually dry out your skin. Your showering schedule should depend on your level of activity.

If you are at the gym every day sweating it out, then you will definitely need your daily shower. Just remember to keep it short.

 

If, on the other hand, you would rather watch a scrumptious K-Drama hero hit the weights instead of hitting the weights yourself, you can cut back your showering to just a few times a week.

Basically, shower when you smell. No more, no less. Also, don’t spend all day in there singing your favorite K-Pop songs.

 

2. Your showers are too hot.

Not that kind of hot.

The kind of hot that wreaks havoc on your skin. Hot water washes away your skin’s natural oils, which are needed to keep it feeling moist and looking youthful. Some people suggest taking cold showers to improve circulation. However, for those who do not like shivering and their teeth chattering, lukewarm showers are an acceptable alternative.

 

3. You are using the wrong cleansers.

Like hot water, some soaps can strip oils from your skin or hair. Dermatologists suggest using “cleansers” as opposed to “soaps”. In addition, a good body wash will scrub dirt and bacteria away, but also add moisture back into your skin. This is especially important for people with naturally dry or sensitive skin.

 

4.  You aren’t starting from the top.

People with sensitive or acne prone skin should wash their hair before washing their body. Dermatologists recommend the following order for your washing routine: shampooing, conditioning, shaving while the conditioner is still in, then rinsing the conditioner. After all that, it’s time to clean the rest of your body.

 

5. You are being too rough.

Not that kind of rough either.

The kind of rough that involves vigorously rubbing a towel against your skin to dry it. Instead, you should be gently patting your skin with the towel. Rubbing can cause irritation and itchiness. Patting allows some water to remain on the skin’s surface, for added moisture.

However, to reduce the risks of rash and skin infections, it is important to make sure that you dry your groin area, between your toes, under your arms, and anywhere else with skin folds.

 

6.  You are shaving first.

Shaving should happen toward the end of your shower if possible. The hair should be damp, but not too wet. Too much moist heat makes hair swell, which can lead to in-grown hairs. In-grown hairs cause the skin to become itchy and irritated.

 

7. You aren’t moisturizing.

Moisturizing is essential for maintaining smooth, flawless skin. Apply a fragrance-free moisturizer daily, within two or three minutes of showering. For people with dry skin, a cream may prove more effective than a lotion.

 

Experts also highly advise against fighting in the shower.