There are few things in life as relaxing as a nice hot shower. Unfortunately, many people suffer from dry skin after showering as a result. Learn more about what causes dry skin after showering, and how to prevent it.
What Causes Dry Skin After Showering?
Although showering or bathing is a necessity in life, the process of getting clean can also wreak havoc on the skin's natural protective barrier and its hydration balance. There are a variety of reasons to explain why your skin may become too dry after showering. Some culprits include:
1. Long and Hot Showers
Most everyone loves a good hot shower to start or end the day. However, long and steamy showers can strip the skin of its natural protective elements. A shower that is too long or too hot can rob the skin of its crucial oils. This can lead to the drying out and flaking of the skin and also increase itching.
2. Excessive Scrubbing
Scrubbing too vigorously can also strip the skin of its natural oils. Rubbing the skin for too long can remove important lipids and proteins from the surface of the skin, causing it to lose essential moisture. Additionally, using too much cleansing product can also lead to unnecessary drying of the skin. Lastly excessive scrubbing can also exacerbate and make acne redness worse.
3. Wrong Product Choice and Usage
The products that you use in the shower to cleanse can have a great effect on the condition of the skin. It is important to choose products that are water soluble and that do not contain a large number of surfactants. These chemicals attract both oil and water and result in dry and rough skin over time. It is also critical to not leave the product on the skin for too long. Doing so can irritate the skin due to the chemicals and fragrances often found in many bath products.
4. Using Bar Soap
One of the biggest skin offenders is bar soap. Because of the high pH level of most bar soaps, it can lead to irritation and dryness in the skin. The skin has a natural pH level of 5.5. However, must bar soaps ring it at a pH level of approximately 10. This higher level of alkaline properties disrupts the natural balance of the skin, causing adverse reactions in many people.
How to Prevent Dry Skin After Showering
Fortunately, there are a few steps that you can take to keep your skin hydrated even if you shower daily:
1. Choose the Right Products and Do Not Scrub Too Hard
Selecting a product that is free of fragrances and dyes will increase the chances that it will not irritate the skin. Also, take care to scrub gently so that the skin is not stripped of its protective barrier.
2. Use Lukewarm Water and Limit Time in the Shower
Even though it is tempting to stay in the steamy shower for as long as you can, doing so can disrupt the skin's condition. Using lukewarm water is the best choice when looking to seal in moisture.
3. Gently Pat Skin Dry
After exiting the shower, use a clean towel to dry the skin. Gently pat the skin so that you do not strip it of its essential hydration.
4. Follow the Shower with a Moisturizer
Incorporating an effective moisturizer into your shower routine will help to replenish the hydration lost in the shower. It is recommended to immediately apply the moisturizer after the skin has been dried so that the moisture is locked back into the surface.
Recommended Products to Try
There are many products that can combat dry skin from showering.
1. Dove Body Wash for Sensitive Skin
This hypoallergenic and soap-free wash is ideal for those with sensitive, or dry skin. The mild formula is free of sulfates and designed to take special care of skin that is easily irritated. The patented NutriumMoisture helps to maintain the natural moisture barrier of the skin by locking in hydration. This unique blend of lipids penetrates completely into the skin rather than just sitting on the surface like many other heavy moisturizers. The creamy lather is perfect for smoothing and hydrating dry skin.
2. CeraVe Moisturizing Cream
After you step out of the shower, do your skin a favor by nurturing it with this moisturizing cream. The hyaluronic acid and ceramides work in tandem to attract moisture to the surface of the skin and to restore the natural balance of the protective barrier. Developed by expert dermatologists, the non-greasy and hydrating formula is suitable for all skin types.
FAQ
How often should you shower?
Although there is no magic guideline to use for your shower strategy, most experts agree that we all shower too often. A good rule of thumb is to shower daily. Although, if you participate in sports or other activities, you may need to shower more often.
Why does skin peel after showering?
The natural peeling away of skin after a shower is due to desquamation. Also referred to as cell turnover, this process involves the creation and replacement of skin cells in an attempt to continually replenish the epidermis. Desquamation is always happening and is sped up through the process of showering.
What is the white stuff on my skin after I shower?
The visual effects of desquamation after a shower are the white flakes that often appear on the skin. This is a normal function of the body and the presence of this white substance should not be alarming. Cleansing your skin daily will help prevent the build-up of dead skin.
Why do showers dry out your face, but not your body?
Facial skin is the most sensitive area of the body. And because people tend to let hot water fall on their face as they shower, it is only natural that this part of the body dries out more quickly than other regions.
