5 Shower Mistakes That Can Wreck Your Skin

By Lindsey Murray
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You probably don’t put too much thought into your daily shower—it’s just something you do every day to get clean and, depending on your routine, wake up or wind down. But certain habits may actually be leaving you with dry, itchy skin, or even prone to a raging infection. Nix these sudsy saboteurs before you lather up next.

These Shower Mistakes Are Wrecking Your Skin
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— Your water is too hot. Dry, itchy skin? Scalding showers might be to blame. But you don’t have to give up steamy showers entirely. To get the same soothing effect, let the steam build up before you step under the water. This way you can enjoy the heat without irritating your skin.

— You’re using a harsh soap. You may love that squeaky-clean feeling that comes from scouring your skin, but soaps with antibacterial agents or harsher detergents may be causing more harm than good. They strip all of the natural oils from the skin. Skip antibacterial soaps in the shower and looking for products that are fragrance-free and contain added moisturizers.

— You’re scrubbing too much. Unless you’re covered in grime, the only places that need major soaping are your armpits and groin. Water does the job for everything else… even after a sweaty workout.

— You’re not cleaning your razor. Razors can collect bacteria from your skin, and can then breed more germs while sitting in a damp, dark shower. Rinse it with scalding hot water before each use.

— You’re skipping gym shower etiquette. Wear shower shoes or flip flops on your feet when you’re in and out of the shower at the gym.

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