Skin saboteurs lurk in your daily shower.
You probably don't think too much about your daily shower - it's just something you do every day to get clean and wake up or relax depending on your routine. But certain habits can actually leave you with dry, itchy skin or even susceptible to a raging infection. Nix those sudsy saboteurs before lathering up next.
Your water is too hot
Dry, itchy skin ? Scalding showers could be to blame. "If tons and tons of steam is coming out, it's a sign that your shower is too hot," says Dr. Melissa P., a dermatologist at the Cleveland Clinic. As well as drying out your skin, Dr Melissa P. warns that hot showers can lead to eczema.
You don't have to give up steamy showers altogether. To get the same calming effect, she recommends letting the steam build up before you step under the water. "Turn your shower on as hot as you like first," she explains. "Let it get nice and steamy and warm in there, and after it's all heated up, turn it down to a comfortable temperature and then get in." This way you can enjoy the heat without irritating your skin.
You use a sharp soap
You may love that squeaky clean feeling that comes from cleansing your skin, but soaps with antibacterial agents or harsher cleansers can do more harm than good. That squeaky feeling occurs when all the natural oils have been removed from the skin. In contrast, "when the oils are present, they act as a lubricant so your hand glides smoothly over the skin," she says.
Without this barrier, your skin is even more exposed to hot water, whipping winds and other things that dry it out. In addition, triclosan, an antibacterial ingredient used in some soaps, has been linked to more serious health concerns.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) claims that the ingredient is not toxic to humans. However, studies on animals have shown that triclosan can alter hormone levels. Other laboratory studies have linked the chemical to contributing to the development of antibiotic resistance . Dr Piliang recommends avoiding antibacterial soaps in the shower and looking for products that are fragrance free and contain additional moisturisers. Everyone's skin is different, so you may need to try a few different products to find the one that works for you.
You scrub too much
Unless you're covered in dirt (working outside all day, for example), the only places that require more soap are your armpits and groin area. Water does the job for everything else - even after a sweaty workout, explains Dr Robynne Chutkan, founder of the Digestive Centre for Women in Chevy Chase, Maryland, and author of The Microbiome Solution.
In addition to these natural oils, your skin is also crawling with "good" bacteria that are crucial for skin health. Scrubbing from head to toe, even if you use a milder soap, can still rid your skin of these beneficial bacteria that protect you from acne and eczema, as well as dry skin.
You do not clean your razor
Razors can collect bacteria from your skin and then breed more germs in a damp, dark shower. That's why you need to rinse it with hot water before each use, says Dr. Vieder of Lakes Urgent Care in Michigan. Skipping this step can open you up to infection, especially if you cut yourself, but even if you don't. "If you use the razor , of course you can nick yourself and make a cut, but the razor will also cause very microscopic tears in the skin that can be an entry portal for bacteria or fungus," she adds.
You should completely replace your razor blade about once a week. "If you use a dull blade, you run a higher risk of cutting your skin and creating an entrance for these bacteria to get in," warns Dr Vieder.
You skip the gym etiquette
Your years in the dorm may be long behind you, but that doesn't mean you should give up wearing flip-flops when using a communal bathroom. "Foot and wart athletes can be picked up in public places," she warns. "Wearing shower shoes or flip-flops on your feet when getting in and out can help avoid these problems."