Personal hygiene is a significant part of your overall health, but you might not know the best way to go about it. While taking a shower might seem like a task you could do in your sleep, you may be making one or more mistakes that lead to unpleasant issues inside or outside of your body. Showering may not be the only part of your daily beauty and hygiene routine, but it is one of the most significant. Follow along to learn more about some of the potential mistakes you are making in the shower and how to avoid them.
Using Extremely Hot Water
Taking a steaming hot shower might seem great for soothing your achy muscles, but it’s not the best idea for your skin. In fact, most skincare specialists would agree that you should use a heating pad for your muscles and stick to lukewarm water in the shower. Bathing in extremely hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils and damage the moisture barrier.
Pro Tip
Hot water increases blood circulation, which can cause your skin to become inflamed. If your skin turns red in the shower, the water is too hot.
Washing Your Hair Too Often or Not Enough
Washing your hair is an incredibly important part of your beauty routine, but washing it too often or not frequently enough can wreak havoc on your hair and scalp. Even if you feel it’s necessary, you should avoid shampooing your hair daily, as doing so can strip your scalp of natural oil. This might sound counterintuitive, but your hair could be extra oily because you wash it too frequently—your body produces more oil in an attempt to prevent dryness.
On the other hand, not washing your hair often enough can cause issues, too. By going days to weeks without shampooing, dirt and debris can build up on your scalp and clog your hair follicles.
What To Do
For most people, washing their hair 2–3 times weekly is a perfect balance. It may take some time to adjust to this schedule, but there’s no reason to wash it every day or wait weeks between washings.
Using Loofahs or Harsh Cloths
You might believe that loofahs or scrubbing washcloths are great for daily exfoliation, but they can actually damage your skin and cause dryness or irritation. Exfoliating daily isn’t a good idea, as this practice can damage your skin’s protective barrier. In fact, you don’t have to routinely scrub your skin with harsh materials to clean it.
What To Do
Rather than using a loofah or scrubbing cloth, consider using your hands or a soft cloth to wash your body. If you must use a cloth, be sure to change it out frequently to prevent bacteria growth.
Washing Your Hair Without Combing It
You already know that washing your hair is an important part of your beauty routine, but that doesn’t mean you should just hop in the shower and get to work. Washing your hair without combing it first can be painful and damaging to your hair and scalp. Even if your hair seems okay in the shower, tangles are much more difficult to overcome when they’re wet.
What To Do
Be sure to comb or brush your dry hair before washing it to ensure all knots and tangles are out. This way, it’ll be much easier to comb through after your shower.
Skipping Conditioner
Many people believe shampoo is enough to keep their hair clean and beautiful, but conditioner is a must. Your hair can become dry and fragile when you remove oil constantly without restoring moisture. That said, conditioner is imperative for your overall hair health.
What To Do
When washing your hair, be sure to apply shampoo to your scalp. When it’s time for conditioner, keep it away from your scalp and only apply it to your ends.
Using Body Soap on Your Face
Some people might think it’s fine to use the same bar of soap for their entire body, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best idea. It’s common to have different soaps for your hair, body, and face, as each type has a different formula that is best suited for particular needs. Even though your face is part of your body, it requires a gentler formula to remove dirt and debris while restoring moisture.
What To Do
Be sure to find separate shampoo, body wash, and facial cleanser products to care for your entire body with the various ingredients each area needs.
Neglecting Your Feet
It’s no secret that you should wash your body in the shower, but you may not think to pay attention to your feet. Feet sweat more than any other body part and can host countless odor-causing bacteria. If you have smelly or itchy feet, these are common signs they aren’t being cleaned properly.
What To Do
If you want to maintain your foot health, you should thoroughly cleanse your feet in the shower by using a mild soap. Be sure to scrub the bottoms, get in between your toes, and dry your feet completely to prevent bacterial growth.
Not Rinsing Well Enough
Soap is necessary for cleaning, but it can’t stay on your skin; many soaps have the potential to clog your pores and cause acne or other skin issues if they aren’t rinsed away adequately. If you’re in a hurry to get through your shower, you might not spend enough time removing the soap from your hair and hard-to-reach places.
What To Do
Be sure to take your time when rinsing off your soap, as the residue could cause issues. That said, using non-comedogenic shampoo and conditioner is an excellent way to help prevent clogged pores.
Waiting Too Long To Moisturize
While you might think it’s okay to moisturize whenever you feel like getting around to it, waiting too long after your shower can lead to dry, irritated skin. When you allow your skin to dry completely before applying lotion or facial moisturizer, the air can take away a lot of your skin’s natural hydration.
What To Do
If you apply moisturizer when your skin is still damp, this barrier can lock in the hydration and allow your skin to absorb it. Be sure to lather on your lotion no more than three minutes after exiting the shower for best results.
Now that you know the mistakes you are making in the shower and how to avoid them, you can make the most of your beauty routine. Showers are a crucial part of proper hygiene, and these helpful tips can make a significant difference in your hair and skin health.
