These 6 Mistakes You Make In The Shower Are Ruining Your Skin

via Giphy

So you probably think that the way you’ve been showering for the last 20 years was on point. Like, really, how wrong can you go in the shower? As long as you get your body clean, goal achieved, right? Well, yes, but it’s like your skincare routine: you can get WAAAY better results just by layering your products in the right order, and showering is the same. By doing different steps at the optimum time, it’ll result in cleaner and softer skin. Intrigued? Here’s what you’re doing wrong and how to shower the right way:

1. Blasting the heat to high

We know, we know, it feels great, but soaking your skin in hot water is actually drying your skin out. Super hot showers strip your skin of its natural oils and dehydrate it, making it feel dry and itchy; it can even lead to rashes. You should also cut back on how long you spend showering: five to 10 minutes is ideal – if you’re washing your hair, aim for 15 minutes max, to avoid stripping the skin of its natural moisture levels. The drier your skin, the more likely you are to get rashes, as it makes it easier for bacteria to penetrate the cracks in your skin.

2. Not washing in the right order

If you’re in a hurry, you most likely take advantage of those few minutes when you let your conditioner do its thang and multitask by washing your body. But doing this could be the reason you get pimples on your chest, body, or back. When you wash out conditioner, it can leave a film on your skin that can block your pores, so always wash your body last. We love using the Bioderma Atoderm Shower Gel; it’s hypoallergenic, soap and paraben-free, moisturizes dry skin, and is also amazing for addressing body acne.

Another tip is to use your shower gel only in the places where your skin is oily, so down there (look for fragrance-free), underarms and feet. Because your arms and legs have far fewer oil glands and are more prone to dryness, using soap here regularly can make your skin drier. However, if you’ve been exercising and sweating excessively, then consider going head to toe.

3. Not masking in the shower

This is juicy news to us, but it makes so much sense! The experts say the best time to do your face mask is in the shower when your pores are open from the warmth of the water. This means that hydrating and nourishing masks can deliver all their vitamins and minerals as they can soak into your pores more easily. Similarly, ‘extracting’ masks like clay, mud, and charcoal can pull more toxins from your open pores without running the risk of dehydrating your skin, as the mask won’t completely dry out. For a quick nourishing and moisturizing DIY, you can apply a thin, sticky layer of organic honey over your skin for five minutes while you shower.

 4. Shaving at the beginning of your shower

Shaving is an eternal pain in our butts – no matter how much you do it, it keeps coming back. If you’d like to maximize your silky soft skin for as long as possible, wait until the end of your shower (about ten minutes in). By this time, your hair will have softened, and your pores will have opened, making it much easier to get a closer, smoother shave.

Another hack, don’t keep your razor in the shower, as the steam will gradually rust the blade and speed up blunting. Instead, leave it to soak in baby oil, which keeps the metal from oxidizing, so it stays sharper for longer.

5. Using old sponges and loofahs

We know it’s painful to throw something away that seems like it still has at least another six months of effective use, but sometimes it’s what you can’t see that you need to be cautious of. Loofahs and sponges collect bacteria and mold due to the damp conditions they’re stored in, which can lead to rashes or dry patches. Ideally, you shouldn’t use either for longer than a month. To keep your loofah or sponge in the best condition, ring it out as much as possible after using it and allow it to dry completely before you next use it. Store it in a dry place, not directly in your steamy shower.

6. Not moisturizing immediately after showering

First things first, instead of vigorously rubbing your skin dry with a towel, try gently patting it instead. The aim is not to be completely dry but to use any leftover moisture on your skin to your advantage when you moisturize. Experts agree that within three to five minutes after you shower is the best time to rehydrate your skin so that you can trap any excess water on the surface of your skin without it evaporating. Moisturizers and body oils act as a barrier to lock in moisture; we love using body oils (Cindy Crawford’s fav is the Neutrogena Body Oil, $10) as these contain natural vitamins, minerals, and fatty acids to help restore your skin. Otherwise, rich moisturizers like shea butter or cocoa butter are amazing natural moisturizers.

Which of these showering mistakes are you guilty of?