Do you take a shower every day? ‘That’s actually too much’
If all goes well, we all shower, and now that the cold winter months are approaching, we prefer as warm as possible. But what does all that warm water actually do to our skin?
Dermatologists revealed that showering twice a day is actually too much, even every day shouldn’t be necessary. ‘Showering is especially important when you have visible dirt on your body when you have come into contact with chemicals, substances to which people can be allergic such as pollen or a pet, or if you have sweated a lot. You get rid of most dead skin cells automatically by rubbing your clothes against your body. A quick shower is often enough, and that should not take longer than ten minutes.’
Prefer a lukewarm shower
Showering too hot would also not be good for your body, but what is too hot? Slightly below the average body temperature of 37 degrees is best if you want to take a really hot shower, but a lukewarm temperature is preferable.
Especially for people with fragile skin, if you suffer from eczema, for example, it is not only important that you do not shower too often, but also not too hot, says dermatologist Galimont-Collen. “These people already have a skin where the protective barrier is broken, which makes them more prone to skin infections, such as red and itchy spots on the skin.”
Not only the water but also the soapy products that you apply in the shower ensure that the protective layer of fat disappears from your skin and that damages the skin.
The protective barrier is still good for people with normal skin, but you can also dry out and damage the skin enormously by not showering according to the advice just mentioned, using too aggressive products and soap that contains alcohol, for example.
The right soap and shampoo
Of course, you don’t always have to use shower gel or soap in the shower to get really clean. But if you do, which products are best to use? You can often see on the packaging whether they are mild for your skin or not. Focus on that.
Products containing a high concentration of soap are often more aggressive, but sometimes also necessary when you have come into contact with feces or a virus. It is then important to take care of your skin with oily products afterward, especially at night.
According to the dermatologist, it is not necessary to use only natural products. “Most products are produced and tested according to cosmetic rules.”
There are people with contact allergies, as a result of which they get skin irritations with certain substances in products. “If you notice that you are bothered by this after using a product, you should do tests to find out which substances cause those skin irritations. But that actually applies to everyone: only by trying, you know what works well for you and what doesn’t. If you have sensitive skin, be extra careful.”
