11 Shower or Bath Habits You Should Ditch

Taking a shower or bath is something most of us do every day. It’s part of our daily routine. But, did you know that some of the most common daily shower and bath habits might not be that healthy for you? Take a look at these 11 habits below that may be doing your skin and your body more harm than good.

Washing Your Face

Sure it’s more convenient to wash your face in the shower or bath tub. But, it’s not so good for your face. The water that you shower or bathe in is usually hotter than the water you wash your face in the sink with. Hot water temperatures can make your skin dry out very quickly. If you have acne or rosacea, you may find that washing your face with hot water can cause excessive redness and irritation, even burst a blood vessel in your face if you wash too aggressively with hot water. So wash your face before taking a shower or bath. Another option, make sure to wash your face while showering or bathing with cool or warm water temperatures.

Neglecting to Wash Your Feet

You probably think that because your feet make contact with water in the shower or bath, there’s no need to wash them. Your feet sweat throughout the day. Also, if you walk around the house or outdoors without socks or shoes, you never know what germs and toxins are on your feet. Don’t just let soap suds run down to your feet anymore. Remember just like you wash your face…wash your feet properly too.

Not Replacing Your Loofah or Bath Sponge Regularly

Has the same loofah you’ve been using hanging in your shower for months? This can be terrible for your health. Here’s why…loofahs last around 3 weeks. Bath sponges last around 7 weeks. This may seem like a very short amount of time, but consider the moist environment and all the holes inviting bacteria to grow. Would you want that on your skin? So make sure to replace them regularly to keep bacteria away from your skin.

Using a Soap Dish

Most people don’t use bar soap but for those of you who do, be aware that leaving a bar of soap in one spot could be encouraging bacteria to grow on it, bacteria that you’re then going to spread over your entire body the next time you take a shower, bath, or wash your face. If you must use bar soap (which I highly don’t recommend), try finding a wire soap dish or one that has holes in the bottom so any remaining water can drain away once you’re out of the shower or bath. Another thing to consider, if you use scented bath soaps for your face or body, the fragrances in them could be doing a number on your skin, even if they smell wonderful. Fragrances can irritate sensitive skin easily, so it’s best to use something unscented. Plus, you won’t have to worry about the scent of your soap mixing with the scent of your perfume to create different smells.

Avoiding Cold Showers

Most people would rather shower or bath is warm/hot water than in cold water. However, cold water can actually be beneficial for your skin and hair, and you only need 30 seconds under a cold stream of water to see a difference. A quick blast of cold water is said to improve your immune function, increase your metabolism, and increase the amount of stress you can tolerate.

Using Old Razors

Do you replace your razor on a regular basis? Or, do you just let it sit in the shower until you finally cave and get a new one? Whether you’re buying replacement heads for your razor or disposable razors, just because an old razor is shaving off your unwanted hairs doesn’t mean it’s doing so effectively. If you notice that your skin gets red and irritated after you shave, it’s because the blades are dull and it’s time for a replacement. An old razor is a breeding ground for bacteria, especially if it’s left sitting in a warm, wet environment like a shower or bath tub.

So how long do disposable razors and razor replacement heads last on average? Depending on your hair texture and how often you shave, your razor should last for 5 to 10 shaves before it’s time to say goodbye. If you want to get the most out of your blades, shave with a shaving cream and rinse the blades after each stroke. When you’re done shaving, rinse your razor fully, let it air dry, and store it in a dry place to help prevent rust. Your blades will still need to be changed eventually, so keep an eye out for dullness or signs of wear.

Over Exfoliating

Exfoliating your skin every day can actually cause more damage to it. Your skin exfoliates itself by renewing every 24 days or so. If you exfoliate your face and body every day, you are aggressively going after fresh skin cells, which can make your skin red and irritated as a result. It’s best to let some dead cells build up on the surface of your skin before reaching for your favorite exfoliation scrub. Exfoliating skin 1-3 times each week using gentle motions is sufficient.

Washing Your Hair Daily

Does your hair feel dry or damaged, even though you take good care of it? It may be that your shower water is too hot and you’re washing your hair too often. You really need to wash your hair a few times a week at most, especially if you have long hair. That’s what dry shampoo is for…it is a beautiful, wonderful thing! Use it on your roots every other day. If you feel that your hair is too oily to go without a daily wash, it could be the daily washing that’s causing that greasy sheen. Washing your hair too often dries out your scalp, which makes it produce more oil to compensate.

Skipping Your Shower After Working Out

Working out and sweating can leave bacteria on your skin that gets trapped in if you choose not to shower or bathe afterwards. This could lead to a skin infection, ringworm, irritation, or redness. You will most likely stink if you go to work or bed without taking a shower or bath after working out. At the very least, take some time to wipe that sweat off with a clean wash cloth and don’t forget to change your clothes.

Reusing Dirty Towels

It’s okay to use your towel 2 to 3 times before you wash it, but that’s only if you hang it up to air dry after every single use. Dead skin cells can build up in your towel and when you don’t let it dry properly, there’s a risk for bacterial growth. Using the same towel for a week or more at a time could mean putting yourself at risk for bacterial skin infections, not to mention a dirty towel can eventually start to smell pretty bad. When drying yourself off with a towel, use a patting motion to dry your skin instead of rubbing against your skin.

Skipping Moisturizer

You’re doing your skin a disservice if you don’t apply moisturizer right when you get out of the shower or bath tub. Moisturizer is absorbed better when your skin is clean and warm, and you’ll also want to replenish any moisture your skin lost from being in that warm or hot water. Apply moisturizer within a few minutes after getting out of the shower or bath tub to lock in that moisture into your skin.

I hope you found these shower tips helpful. Have any questions for me, please feel free to comment below or email me at [email protected].

Source:

https://www.healthyway.com/content/these-are-the-shower-habits-that-you-need-to-ditch/