This Post Contains Affiliate Links. Please Read Our Disclosure For Full Information.
Keeping up with good hygiene is super important, but did you know that some of our shower habits might actually be harming our health? The shower is supposed to be a place to relax and refresh, but certain mistakes can mess with your well-being. Are you making any of these common shower mistakes? Let’s dive into the top ones and see how you can fix them!
Using Water That’s Too Hot
We all love a hot, steamy shower after a long day, but super hot water can strip your skin of its natural oils, leading to dryness, irritation, and even eczema flare-ups.
Fix it: Try switching to lukewarm water to keep your skin’s moisture barrier intact. If you can’t give up hot showers, gradually lower the temperature until it’s just warm enough to be comfortable.
Tip: Invest in a Shower Thermometer to make sure you’re showering at the right temperature.
Showering Too Frequently
Showering multiple times a day might make you feel squeaky clean, but it can actually strip your skin of essential oils, leaving it dry and more prone to infections. Your skin needs those oils for hydration and protection.
Fix it: Aim to shower once a day or even every other day, depending on your activity level and skin type.
Tip: For a gentle cleanse, try the Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash for hydrating care.
Over-Exfoliating
Exfoliating is great for removing dead skin cells, but doing it too often can cause irritation, redness, and even tiny tears in your skin. Over-exfoliation can make your skin dry, acne-prone, and more sensitive.
Fix it: Limit exfoliating to 1-2 times per week and always follow up with a good moisturizer.
Tip: Use a gentle exfoliant like Tree Hut Shea Sugar Scrub to avoid harming your skin while exfoliating.
Skipping Moisturizer After Showering
After a shower, your skin’s moisture barrier is a bit weakened, making it the perfect time to lock in hydration. If you skip moisturizer, you might end up with dry, flaky, and irritated skin.
Fix it: Apply a moisturizer right after you step out of the shower while your skin is still damp. This helps seal in moisture and keeps your skin soft.
Tip: Try the CeraVe Daily Moisturizing Lotion for long-lasting hydration.
Not Cleaning Your Showerhead Regularly
Your showerhead can harbor bacteria and mold if it’s not cleaned regularly. Over time, these can build up and spray harmful pathogens onto your skin during showers, potentially causing respiratory infections or skin irritation.
Fix it: Clean your showerhead every few months by soaking it in a vinegar solution or using a store-bought cleaner.
Tip: Consider installing a Filtered Showerhead to remove chlorine and bacteria from your water.
Using Old, Mildewed Towels
Damp or improperly washed towels can harbor bacteria and mold. Using these on your skin after a shower defeats the purpose of cleaning yourself. You might unknowingly transfer bacteria back onto your freshly washed skin, increasing the risk of infections or acne.
Fix it: Make sure your towels are dry before use and wash them at least once a week.
Tip: Invest in fast-drying towels like the JML Microfiber Bath Towels to prevent mildew growth.
Washing Your Hair Too Often
Many people think they need to wash their hair every day, but this can strip your scalp of its natural oils, leading to dryness and irritation. Over-washing can also cause your hair to produce excess oil to compensate for the lost moisture, making it greasy faster.
Fix it: For most hair types, washing every 2-3 days is ideal. If you exercise regularly, consider using dry shampoo on non-wash days.
Tip: Try the Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo to keep your hair fresh between washes.
Using Harsh Soaps or Body Washes
Some soaps contain harsh chemicals or fragrances that can irritate your skin, especially if you have sensitive skin. These soaps can strip your skin’s natural oils, leaving it dry and prone to inflammation.
Fix it: Switch to sulfate-free, fragrance-free cleansers that are gentler on your skin.
Tip: The Vanicream Gentle Body Wash is a great option for sensitive skin types.
Not Rinsing Thoroughly
Leaving soap or shampoo on your skin can cause irritation, dryness, or even acne breakouts. If you don’t rinse thoroughly, you might leave behind a film that clogs pores and causes discomfort.
Fix it: Spend enough time rinsing off all body wash, shampoo, and conditioner before stepping out of the shower.
Tip: Use a Back Scrubber to make sure you reach every part of your body and rinse off all products.
Standing Under Water for Too Long
While standing under the water can be soothing, too much exposure can strip your skin of its natural oils, leaving it dry and itchy. Plus, long showers waste water, which isn’t great for the environment.
Fix it: Try to limit your showers to 10 minutes to prevent your skin from drying out and to save water.
Tip: The Luxsego High-Pressure Showerhead has a water-saving feature that can help reduce your water usage without sacrificing water pressure.
Not Conditioning Your Hair Properly
Conditioning your hair is essential to keep it soft, shiny, and tangle-free, but many people either skip it altogether or don’t leave it on long enough for it to work effectively.
Fix it: Apply conditioner from mid-length to the ends and leave it on for a few minutes before rinsing to get the full benefits.
Tip: Try the Olaplex No. 5 Bond Maintenance Conditioner for added moisture and strength.
Neglecting Your Feet
Many people neglect their feet while showering, thinking that the soap running down from their body is enough to clean them. However, your feet can harbor bacteria, sweat, and dirt, especially between the toes.
Fix it: Be sure to scrub your feet gently with soap and water to avoid infections, bad odors, or fungal issues.
Tip: Use the Kerasal Foot Therapy Cream after showering to keep your feet soft and moisturized.
Wrapping Up
Showering is something we do every day, but it’s worth taking a moment to check if our habits are actually good for our skin, hair, and overall health. By avoiding common mistakes and making a few simple tweaks, you can really boost your hygiene routine and keep your skin and hair looking and feeling great. Little changes like adjusting the water temperature, showering less frequently, and choosing the right products can make a big difference in promoting a healthier body and lifestyle.
Helpful Links
10 Shower Mistakes That Are Wrecking Your Skin
Showering daily — is it necessary?
Discover more from Serenity Talks
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Amazon's Best Sellers
- The Real Snail Essence: Formulated with 96.3% Snail Secretion Filtrate, this essence repairs and rejuvenates the skin from dryness and aging. It improves skin vitality by reducing dullness and soothing dehydrated skin.
- 💖💖【Puffy Eyes And Dark Circles Treatment】: Our castor oil under eye patches are highly effective eye skin care treatment which will quickly work against skin aging, smooth wrinkles & fine lines, eliminate dark circles, remove puffiness and speed up cell and collagen Rejuvenation. These under eye patches for dark circles and puffiness make a great beauty gifts for women. Our under eye patches for puffy eyes are truly worth having
- One of Brazilians’ essential beauty secrets is being cheirosa (sheh-ro-zah), which means to always smell incredibly delicious from sunrise to sundown
- QUICK, EASY TOUCH-UPS – Schick Hydro Silk Touch-Up is a versatile beauty tool that works as an eyebrow shaper, facial razor and dermaplaning tool to remove fine hairs.
- LOCK IN MOISTURE: Dove Original Beauty Bar is the classic white bar cleanser you trust to nourish and pamper skin and give you softer, smoother, more radiant-looking skin