After a hard day at the office, a shower can help you relax and forget all of your worries. While showers have a lot of beneficial effects to offer, they can also have a negative impact on your skin. This is often caused by poor showering habits, as you will have the opportunity to read below. These shower mistakes can destroy your skin, especially when repeated on a regular basis. Keep on reading and discover the showering habits that you need to say goodbye to before it is too late.
#1 You use a loofah to wash your body
While a loofah might give out a luxurious feel at the beginning, in time, it can accumulate an impressive quantity of harmful bacteria. Even if you are changing your loofah on a regular basis, you might still find yourself exposed to the bacteria collected in the mesh. This is particularly important for those who have oily skin and are prone to acne breakouts. You need to stop using a loofah and concentrate on other options, such as bath poufs. If you have problematic skin, you might also want to seek out acne treatments. According to a study published in the Journal of Cosmetics, Dermatological Sciences, and Applications, proper hygiene is one of the best ways to prevent acne flares.
#2 Hot water
Hot water feels amazing on the skin but, in reality, it only makes matters worse. The higher the temperature of the water, the more intense the drying effect is going to be. When you take hot showers on a daily basis, you are stripping the skin of its natural, protective oils. To maintain a healthy and beautiful-looking skin, it is recommended to opt for lukewarm or warm water temperatures. In this way, you will be able to properly cleanse your skin, without having to worry about skin dryness.
#3 No moisturizing
Even if you are taking showers with water at an adequate temperature, you might still be at risk for skin dryness. Keep in mind that the aggressive cleansing of the skin can have a negative effect as well, eliminating the natural oils that offer protection. Pay attention to your post-shower routine, as you can quickly counteract such problems by using one of the top moisturizers available on the market. These can hydrate the skin to perfection, being enriched with protective oils and other nourishing substances. The beneficial effects of moisturizers at the level of the surface have been confirmed in numerous studies, including one published in Clinics in Dermatology.
#4 Long showers
We all have our shower habits and, let’s face it, we all spent as much time in the shower, as it is humanly possible. However, if you take into consideration the temperature of the water – which is often too high – and the widespread presence in the shower, you have arrived at a combination that is quite damaging to your skin. What you want to do is stick to short showers, as this will not strip the skin of all its moisture.
#5 Wrong cleansing product
Whether you prefer using a regular soap or you are more inclined towards shower gels, you still have to pay attention to its formula. While a scented soap might entice your every sense, this does not necessarily mean it is good for your skin. In fact, many of the scented cleansing products are rather irritating. You should use products that are non-scented and contain ingredients with hydrating properties, such as hyaluronic acid or glycerin. According to a report published in the International Journal of Dermatology, many of the soaps and liquid cleansers recommended for sensitive skin cause irritation.
#6 Dirty washcloth
If you prefer using a washcloth in the shower, you should also try to replace it on a regular basis. Just as with the loofah, the washcloth can accumulate a lot of harmful bacteria, especially when it is used for a prolonged period, without cleaning. In general, it is recommended to use a clean washcloth for each shower that you are taking. Otherwise, you are just exposing yourself to a constantly humid source of bacterial infection.
#7 Washing your hair too often
While we all prefer to have clean hair, this does not mean you should wash it on a daily basis. The more often you wash your hair, the more affected your scalp is going to be. Just like with rest of the body, you will strip the scalp of its natural, protective oils, increasing the risk of irritation and dryness. In general, it is recommended to wash your hair two times per week and no more. According to a study published in Clinica Chimica Acta, the frequent washing of the hair can lead to a surprising variation in cortisol levels.
#8 No post-shower routine
Once you are out of the shower, your skin requires proper attention. It has been subjected to hot water, stripped of its natural oils and probably suffers from excess dryness. Given all of these factors, you need to develop a post-shower skin care routine, which will help you maintain the beautiful aspect of the skin. Apart from moisturizing, you should also consider exfoliation and toning. Use different products for night and day, protecting your skin 100%. You can also use anti-aging products, such as beaute lift serum, which will help you minimize the most common signs of aging (fine lines, wrinkles, etc.).
These are several of the most common shower mistakes, which can have an adverse impact on the health of the skin. As you have read for yourself, it is not difficult to get rid of these habits and establish new healthy ones.
Video- Why Hot Showers are Bad for Skin?
Author Bio-
Meighan Sembrano is an enthusiast and a passionate writer. She is expertise in Beauty and Skin Care articles. Also, have contributed in the Health and Fitness field. Her work gives an enthusiast twist to the readers. She resonates the readers with her sincere and thoughtful words. You can follow Meighan on Twitter and Facebook.