Did you know that there is a right way to take a shower? Although everyone has their shower style, bad shower habits can be detrimental to your hygiene and overall health. Here are five bad shower habits that you can start avoiding immediately:
1
Showering Too Often
Believe it or not, you can shower too often. According to Harvard Medical School, when you shower daily and adamantly scrub your skin, you can inadvertently irritate or dry out your skin. Also, some lotions and body washes you use could contain ingredients that might not help you stay moisturized. Instead, try showering a few times a week instead of every day.
However, don’t skip that shower after a workout. There are plenty of times when you still need to shower to protect yourself from bacteria that you’re exposed to during the day. If you’re an athlete or you exercise often, try using water at a lukewarm temperature to help your body retain its natural oils.
2
Using Water That’s Too Hot
Many people love showering with hot water because it feels good and produces a calming effect that’s scientifically proven. Research shows that a warm shower could improve your sleep because warm showers make you feel tired.
On the other hand, if the water is too hot, it can damage your skin, especially for those who love to take long showers. Hot water doesn’t work in your favor if you’re trying to clear up your skin or grow a beard.
Instead of taking a shower with hot water for a long time, try taking a contrast shower or a cold shower. Contrast showers consist of alternating between warm water and cold water. That way, you get the benefits of both temperatures without enduring one for too long.
3
Not Washing Your Towels Enough
Although bath towels are for pre- and post-shower, they are just as important for keeping your skin clean. Your towels absorb a lot of moisture from water and humid air in your bathroom, so they are more prone to bacteria. The Cleveland Clinic recommends washing your towels at least once a week and your washcloths even more frequently.
To improve your hygiene, wash your towels more than once a week. You could even pair your laundry day with a twice-a-week self-care day. While your bath towels are in the wash cycle, you could exfoliate your skin to make great use of your time.
If you haven’t replaced your towels in a while, it might be a good idea to buy some new linens. We recommend replacing your bath towels every two to three years.
4
Not Washing Your Feet
If you haven’t been washing your feet, you aren’t alone. Plenty of people on the planet do not wash their feet daily. However, your feet absorb a lot of moisture from your shoes and socks. If you like to be barefoot, your feet might encounter even more dirt. Although some might think that the soap from the shower reaches their feet, the truth is that you still need to scrub your feet.
Healthline recommends washing your feet daily to remove bacteria and keep them clean. For even better hygiene and skincare, apply a lotion or cream to your feet after the shower to rehydrate your skin.
5
Using 2-in-1 Shower Products
2-in-1 shower products, such as shampoos and conditioners, could save you time and be more efficient. However, according to Dove, they don’t offer the same benefits that regular shampoo and conditioners offer. If you plan to use a 2-in-1 product, try not to use it every day.
Haircare is just as important as skincare. When you plan your shower routine, be sure to schedule enough time to give your hair the full shampoo and conditioner treatment.
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