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Showers are part of our daily routine-but for many of us, they can also be a great way to relax and decompress at the end of the day. Hence, you might be surprised to learn that you’ve been making plenty of skincare mistakes when you’re sudsing up. Whether you like the shower water scalding hot, or enjoy scrubbing yourself raw with a loofah, some of the things that make you feel “clean” actually aren’t doing your skin any favors.
The good news is that you can easily correct the mistakes responsible for your lackluster hair and less-than-stellar complexion. Let’s take a look at one of the worst errors you could make in the shower that may be sabotaging your quest for glowing skin.
Spending too long in the shower
Who among us hasn't luxuriated in an extra-long, hot shower from time to time? But as it turns out, doing so is wreaking havoc on your skin. "A common culprit of dry, itchy skin is taking long, hot showers," Dr. Ailynne Marie Vergara-Wijangco, a clinical dermatologist and researcher with ThankYourskin.com, explains. "I recommend taking short showers lasting no longer than five minutes. Get in, get clean, and get out!"
Pro tip: to save water and your skin, she advises turning off the faucet while you let the conditioner set in your hair, or while shaving. Got it!
Furthermore, cranking the hot water is equally problematic. "In addition to spending too long in the shower, it’s a common mistake to crank up the temperature and indulge in a steamy, ultra-hot shower," adds Dr. Ailynne. “I always tell my clients that showers should be all business, not pleasure. Hot showers really strip the skin of its natural, lubricating sebum, so the goal should be short, lukewarm showers."
It can also be a good idea to hit your body with a burst of cold before you get out and towel off. (No, this doesn't mean taking a freezing shower!) Because cold water is said to tighten your pores and prevent clogging, turning the temperature to cold as you do a final rinse helps hair look healthier and shinier overall.
Taking shorter, colder showers might not sound that appealing, but the sacrifice is well worth it. That's because taking a longer shower gives you a tendency to wash your face more frequently-but this is a big no no.
When you do so, you're actually "ruining your skin instead of protecting it from acne and other skin problems," Amber O'Brien of Mango Clinic tells us. "Taking long showers and washing your face over and over weakens the moisture barrier of your skin and makes you look dull and older."
"Apart from long showers, hot water also dries out your skin while removing all the natural oils of your face," she says.
The solution? Commit to about 10 minutes of washing up, and remember to moisturize post-shower. Because the very nature of showering-even if you keep it short and sweet-leads to sebum stripping, hydrating after you towel off is key to healthy skin.
