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Showering is something most people do at least once a day, often in a sleepy daze.
Now, it turns out you’ve probably been doing it wrong this entire time.
That’s according to Dr Nicole Negbenebor, a dermatologist at Iowa Health Care, who has revealed the secret to a successful shower.
While many people enjoy dousing themselves in hot water, the dermatologist warns that this can strip away the natural oils your skin needs.
Instead, she recommends opting for a short shower – using lukewarm water.
Slathering your body with expensive body rubs, cleansers, exfoliators, and shower oils is also a no–no, according to Dr Negbenebor.
‘Your skin is a barrier,’ she told The Associated Press.
‘So you want to treat it right, and then sometimes there can be too much of a good thing.’
Whether you do it morning or night, showering helps to remove dirt and oil from your skin, as well as sweat, which can lead to body odour if left untouched.
However, getting carried away with fancy products can actually cause more damage than good.
Thankfully, help is at hand, as doctors have revealed their top five tips to ensure you lather up without getting carried away.
1. Pay attention to time and temperature
After a busy day at work, a long, hot shower might sound pretty tempting.
However, staying in the shower too long or cranking up the temperature too high can actually strip away natural oils your skin needs.
So, to avoid being dry and irritated, it’s better to opt for a short, lukewarm soak.
2. Pick the right soap
Ditch the overly–perfumey soaps, and instead choose one for sensitive skin.
Unless you have hidradenitis suppurativa (a condition that causes abscesses and boils on the skin), it’s also best to avoid antibacterial soaps, which can cause dryness.
3. Don’t double–cleanse
It’s a technique widely promoted by influencers across social media.
But using an oil–based cleanser in the shower followed by a water–based cleanser to remove any remaining residue is unneccessary.
4. Oil up after your shower
While oil–based cleansers aren’t needed in the shower, using an oil after you get out can help to lock in moisture.
5. Don’t overdo it with the exfoliating
Finally, don’t be too overzelous with the exfoliating – whether it’s with a body scrub or a traditional loofah.
This can leave you with dry or irritated skin.
If you do want to exfoliate, opt for products that contain lactic or glycolic acid instead, as these tend to be more gentle on the skin.
