It may be part of your daily routine, but are you doing it right? And in the age of COVID-19, should you refine this routine? Showering can be the first thing you do every morning or the last before bed. It’s a basic, daily habit that you probably don’t even think twice about.
We shower to help remove dead skin cells, as well as to remove grease, dirt, sweat and bacteria. Plus, grease feeds bacteria, so when you wash both of them, you also reduce the risk of skin infections. But showering too long can contribute to dry, itchy skin, as well as eczema.
As you’ll see, proper showering isn’t just about turning on the water, jumping in the shower, lathering up, rinsing off, and patting yourself dry. And as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, we’re all wondering how and how often to wash. From the water temperature to the products you use and when, here are a few ways to make sure you don’t go wrong while showering.
1. Showering at the wrong temperature
Very cold showers are not necessarily the most pleasant. They will probably wake you up, but won’t help you relax. On the other hand, a hot, scalding shower is not the answer either. Hot water causes your body to lose its natural “oil”.
Which makes your skin dull, dry and eventually itchy. The best solution is usually somewhere in the middle. A lukewarm shower temperature is best to avoid dry skin problems, such as eczema. Choose a comfortable temperature without steam.
2. Showering too long
Standing under a stream of hot water can be pleasant. But staying there too long can harm your skin. As with hot water, a longer shower causes the skin to lose more “oil” and therefore more moisture. If you find that you have problems with dry skin, give up taking a daily shower and if you do, limit it to five minutes.
3. Wash with shower flower or washcloth
THE Shower flowers are a great way to minimize the use of your shower gel. You can definitely get away with using less product while lathering your whole body. Additionally, they can act as a reservoir of bacteria and can also irritate sensitive or dry skin. Likewise, washcloths can too, especially if you don’t clean them thoroughly. Just lather up with your hands.
4. Use an aggressive cleaner
At the moment, with the COVID-19 pandemic, we were thinking a lot about the best way to clean and disinfect ourselves. However, be aware that plain soap and water kills the virus that causes COVID-19. This includes antibacterial soaps, non-antibacterial soaps, natural soaps, shampoos, and any other soap-based product. There’s no reason to look for anything more aggressive.
5. Wash it in the correct order: soaping before shampooing
The optimal order for washing in the shower would be: Shampoo, rinse, apply conditioner, wash the body, then rinse conditioner and shower gel at the same time.
Following this order in the shower means that washing removes any hair conditioner and conditioner from your skin. As for shaving, if you save it for the end, your hair will be softer thanks to heat, water and steam and easier to eliminate.
6. Take a shower (only) in the morning
There’s no better time of day to shower than in the morning. It depends on your schedule and personal preferences. Remember that a shower in the morning can help you feel more awake. Don’t ignore, however, the potential benefits of a shower before bedtime.
On the one hand, a hot shower for 10 minutes, one to two hours before bedtime, helps to fall asleep faster. When your body cools down from the heat of the shower, it’s more prone to letting go. Another potential benefit of a nighttime shower: If you’re allergic, taking a bath before bed will wash the pollen from your hair and skin and flush it down the drain.
Finally, given the pandemic, use your shower as an extra precaution against the spread of COVID-19. Because soap and water can kill the coronavirus that causes illness. If you work in a place where you are in contact with many people in a confined space, it is good to take a shower as soon as you return home and before greeting your family.
7. Showering too often
Not everyone needs to shower daily. Especially during the colder winter months when you probably sweat less and your skin tends to be drier. In fact, a few times a week may be enough. If you exercise or have a dirty job and feel like you need to shower twice a day, a quick rinse once and a full shower the other time. You don’t get so dirty as adults. Focus on your “dirty parts” like your armpits and groin, and you’re good to go.
