If you are like me, showering is one of your favorite daily (hopefully) tasks! What if I told you that you could be doing it wrong? Find out what the experts have to say about the matter. Oh yeah, you’re welcome in advance.
1. Using soap
Okay, take few breaths and let that sink in. Yes, as much as we love our bubbly suds, soap may not be as helpful as you think. According to dermatologist Marnie Nussbau, some soaps can be very harmful to skin. It can strip the oil from your skin, leaving it tight and dry. As an alternative, try a soap-free,water-based cleanser. “A body wash like this is water-based instead of oil-based to maintain the slightly acidic pH of 5.5—so it’ll cleanse skin without drying it out”, says Nussbaum.
2. Hot water….YIKES
So it’s already bad enough that we soap up our skin daily, but the hot water is just an added touch of this poor showering experience. Hot water is bad for the skin, as it also causes it to be dry and tight after coming in contact with air after your shower. It’s better to shower in lukewarm water instead.
3. Loofah madness
Bacteria, mold, and yeast….this is exactly what your washcloth and loofah are covered in. According to dermatologist Joel Schlessing, using a loofah is okay as long as you replace it at the very least monthly. Also, it is important to make sure that the loofah/washcloth dries completely in between uses. It’s probably best for you to use a clean/new wash cloth daily. It may be more laundry, but your skin will love you more.
4. Shampooing the wrong way
Did you know that shampoo is not really meant to be used on the bulk of your hair? The best method for shampooing is to focus on the scalp and roots. This is where the majority of the dirt and oil are. Rubbing your hair shafts with shampoo can be very damaging and drying.
5. Shaving time
There is nothing worse than a horrible shave that leaves you with those nasty ingrown hairs. The best practice for accomplishing a close shave is to break out the razor during the last few minutes of your shower. This gives your pores a chance to open up from the steam and the hair to be softened, bringing ease to the shaving process.