How to Take a Shower Properly

We know what you’re thinking.

Does anyone really need to be told how to take a shower?

Isn’t the process fairly straightforward?

If you’re not the slightest bit interested in achieving healthy hair and skin, then yes—showering is simple.

But if you want both of those things, then making a few simple tweaks to your cleansing routine can be a game-changer for your hair and skin.

Here are three things you need to know about showering properly:

• Showering with lukewarm water (as opposed to hot water) is better for your skin’s health.
• Depending on your hair type, shampooing daily may not be necessary.
• Use a mild cleanser and avoid over-scrubbing to keep skin healthy.

Ready to get more out of your daily shower?

Here’s how to take a shower the right way for amazing hair and skin every time.

1. Opt for Warm Water

If you enjoy taking hot showers, we have bad news: Hot water is terrible for your skin’s health.

The hot water from your steamy shower can strip away healthy oils and fats from the skin, leaving your skin barrier dehydrated and impaired.

Stick to lukewarm showers instead, especially if you have eczema, rosacea or sensitive skin in general.

Certain skin conditions like eczema and rosacea can be exacerbated by hot showers.

2. Rinse, But Don’t Repeat

You don’t need to wash your hair twice in one shower like the back of your shampoo bottle says.

In fact, you probably don’t need to shampoo your hair daily.

Shampooing your hair too often can strip the healthy oils from your scalp and contribute to dry, brittle strands.

To achieve healthy, hydrated locks, choose a shampoo formulated for your hair type.

Experiment with washing frequency until you find the number that works for your hair and lifestyle.

3. Use Gentle Cleansers

When it comes to washing your body, choose your daily bar soap and your facial cleanser wisely.

Many traditional soaps are far too harsh for the skin on your body, let alone the skin on your face.

For your body, stick with a bar soap that contains moisturizing ingredients such as Jojoba Seed Oil. 

According to a 2017 study published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, plant oils such as Jojoba Oil help the skin retain moisture and may have antioxidant effects (see claim: “…plant oil application may act as a protective barrier to the skin by an occlusive effect, allowing the skin to retain moisture…”)

Keep in mind that the skin on your face is different than the skin on your body.

For best results, we recommend using a gentle facial cleanser (like our WASH daily cleanser) that is formulated for all skin types.

4. Avoid Over-Scrubbing

There are many incredible benefits to exfoliation.

Scrubbing your skin helps slough off dead skin cells and encourages new cell growth, resulting in better skin tone and less acne breakouts.

However, there can be too much of a good thing.

Scrubbing your face too frequently can have the opposite effect and lead to dry, flaky skin or stubborn breakouts.

To keep skin happy and healthy, use a gentle exfoliating scrub no more than two times a week.

If you have dry or sensitive skin, you may want to reduce the scrubbing to once a week.

5. Nix the Loofah

Not only are loofahs too rough on your skin, they’re also pretty gross.

A 1994 study published in the Journal of Clinical Microbiology found that loofahs are a breeding ground for infection-causing bacteria which can spread to your skin (see claim: “Our data show growth enhancement of sterile loofah fragments for numerous gram-negative (Pseudomonas, Xanthomonas, and Klebsiella) and gram-positive (Enterococcus and group B Streptococcus) species of human and environmental origin.”)

You don’t need a loofah or a washcloth to exfoliate your skin.

Your hands and a gentle face scrub will do the trick!

6. Finish with Moisturizer

After you step out of the shower, apply a daily moisturizer to your face and a body lotion everywhere else.

Try to do it within five minutes of your shower.

Applying a soothing moisturizer to your skin after a shower will “seal” in moisture and help prevent dry, flaky skin.

Maximizing Your Shower Routine

As you can see, there is more to showering than you may have realized.

With these showering tips, you can start to get more out of your daily cleansing routine.

Once you begin to see the amazing results of a solid showering routine, you’ll wish you had made these changes sooner.

References

Lin, Tzu-Kai, et al. “Anti-Inflammatory and Skin Barrier Repair Effects of Topical Application of Some Plant Oils.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 19, no. 1, 1, Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute, Jan. 2018, p. 70.

Bottone, E J et al. “Loofah sponges as reservoirs and vehicles in the transmission of potentially pathogenic bacterial species to human skin.” Journal of clinical microbiology vol. 32,2 (1994): 469-72.