Showering is second nature to many of us. It’s not something we often think twice about—we just do it. But did you know there’s a possibility you could be doing it all wrong? 

Sure, anything that involves soap, water, and shampoo should get you clean and fresh on some level, but showering isn’t only about that. There’s also a science to showering that leads to optimal physical and mental outcomes. 

Do your showering practices align with this science? Let’s find out.

Why You Could Be Showering Wrong Based on the Science of Showering

From the products you use and the time you shower to the water temperature you bathe in, here are a few ways you could be showering incorrectly. 

1. Using the Wrong Water Temperature

In most cases, we’re referring to very cold water. Most usually steer clear of this temperature, while others might either not mind it or don’t have a choice. Whatever the case, it’s just as wrong as bathing in scalding-hot water. Don’t do it. Period.

When water is too hot, it effectively removes any traces of oil from your body. While you don’t care for much oil, you want to leave some behind, so your skin doesn’t dry. Dry skin means dull and itchy skin, and you don’t want that.

2. Using a Washcloth or a Pouf 

Using a pouf reduces the amount of body wash you use to cleanse your body. But this solution for using less product isn’t always the wisest, especially if you don’t retire your poufs on time.

Not only can these things become a haven for bacteria, but they can also irritate dry or sensitive skin. Washcloths aren’t any better, especially if you don’t wash them afterward. The best tools to use are the ones you were born with—your hands.

3. Too-long Showers

We’ve all been there. The warm water cascading down our bodies can sometimes be too hard to resist that our showers become longer than necessary. 

Showering for too long can have a negative impact on the skin. Exposing your body to warm water longer than you’re supposed to can remove essential oils and moisture from your skin as a result. 

If you’re having problems with dry skin, it could be because your shower sessions are a bit too long. Cut back on your shower time, ensuring that it doesn’t exceed the recommended five to 10 minutes.

4. Using Cleansers That Are Too Harsh

Your cleanser should align with your skin type and needs. Covid-19 has made germaphobes of many of us, and we’re constantly thinking of better ways to clean and disinfect everything. 

A common mistake among many is thinking that harsh cleansers are part of the solution. On the contrary, they can make you more prone to bacterial infection by removing the skin’s protective barrier.

Choose a cleanser formulated based on the needs of your skin. The most natural and antibacterial soaps and shampoos should fit under this category—and they’re really all you need. There’s no need to look elsewhere.

5. Soaping Before Shampooing

Guilty? Well, you’re not the only one. Apparently, the order in which you shampoo, soap, and rinse yourself also matters.

Soaping before shampooing may mean leaving traces of shampoo and conditioner behind once you’re done showering. This could put you at risk of skin conditions such as acne and skin irritations.

The right way to do things would be to take care of your hair first: shampoo, condition, and rinse. That’s when you wash your body along with any leftover shampoo and conditioner. 

6. Showering Too Often

We get that those shower heads for pleasure are doing their job, but showering too often might not be a good thing, regardless. This is especially true in colder regions or during the cold, winter months when the skin is more prone to dryness. 

Even if you’re an active individual who runs or works out every day, showering twice daily may not be such a good idea. If you truly feel the need to do so, a good solution would be to make one a full shower and the other a quick rinse.

Focus on washing parts of your body that tend to gather bacteria and develop a smell like your groins, armpits, and private parts.

7. NOT Showering Too Often

Another problem occurs when you don’t shower as often as necessary, or only in the mornings. 

The time of day one showers boils down to personal preference, though many may prefer a morning shower because it helps wake them up. 

While it’s great to shower in the morning, you mustn’t underestimate the benefits of showering before bed. Even a quick and thorough rinse before bedtime can help rid you of the accumulated contaminants on your hair and skin.

Parting Thoughts

Are you not showering as effectively as you thought you did? Seeing as you just finished reading this piece, you know what to do next! Ensure you get the best, most effective showers moving forward.

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