Five shower mistakes that can destroy our skin

You probably don’t think too much about taking a daily shower. That it is just a routine you do to be clean and maybe relax or wake up. However, certain habits can leave your skin dry and prone to infections. Before you take a shower again, make sure you do not make some of these mistakes.

Your water is too hot

Do you have dry skin that often itches? Hot water could actually be to reason for this.

"If a lot of steam comes out, it is a sign that the water is too hot," says a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic. He adds that this habit, in addition to drying the skin, can trigger eczema. You don’t have to completely give up hot showers, but Dr. recommends one trick to prevent skin irritation. Let the water from the shower be as hot as you like and let it fill the shower with heat and steam. Once the shower stall is warm, lower the water temperature to a comfortable one and then enter.

Use strong soap

You may like the feeling of cleanliness that comes from rubbing your skin, but soaps with antibacterial agents or harsher ingredients can do more harm than good. That feeling of rubbing can actually take away all the natural oils. Without this barrier, your skin is even more exposed to hot water, wind, and other things that can dry her out. Namely, triclosan, an antibacterial ingredient used in some soaps, has been linked to more serious health problems. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) points out that the ingredient is not toxic to humans, but animal studies suggest it can change hormone levels. Other laboratory studies have linked this chemical to the development of antibiotic resistance.

Therefore, doctors recommend avoiding antibacterial shower soaps and choosing products that are odorless and contain moisturizers. Everyone’s skin is different so you may have to try a few different products to find the one that’s right for you.

You wash too much

Unless you are covered in dirt, say from working out all day, the only places where more soap is needed are your armpits and crowds. Water will actually clean everything else, even after a sweaty workout, explains Dr. med. Robynne Chutkan, founder of the Digestive Center for Women in Maryland. In addition to containing natural oils, the skin has a lot of good bacteria that are crucial for skin health. Rubbing from head to toe, even if you use mild soap, can remove beneficial bacteria that protect you from acne, eczema and dry skin.

Do not clean the razor

Razors can collect bacteria from your skin, and they can then multiply while standing in a moist shower. So you have to rinse them with hot water before each use. Skipping this step can trigger infections, especially if you cut yourself.

"When you use a razor, you can obviously cut yourself, but the razor will also make very small microscopic cuts that can be a gateway for bacteria or fungi," says Dr. Piliang.

In addition, you should change the razor approximately once a week. If you use a blunt blade, there is a higher risk of cuts and creating entrances to bacteria.

Be careful when you shower in shared bathrooms

Your years of living in a dorm may be long behind you, but that doesn’t mean you should abandon the practice of wearing flip-flops when you are using a shared bathroom.

Athletic feet and nipples can be picked up in public places. Wearing shower shoes or flip-flops when you are taking a shower and getting out of the shower can help avoid these problems.