Taking a shower probably doesn’t seem like something you need guidelines for. But to stay comfortable and healthy in the winter, there are actually a few things to consider. So as the weather gets colder, start using these tips when you shower.
Take shorter showers.
Cold winter air is a major cause of dry, irritated skin, so your beauty routine needs to be gentler and more moisturizing to compensate. While it might seem counter-intuitive, getting your skin wet actually dries it out further. The first step to combatting dry skin? Take shorter showers. As a bonus, you’ll save water, too.
Don’t shower excessively.
Similarly, you might consider whether you really need a shower every day – many people don’t, especially in the winter. Depending on your body, skin type, and level of activity, you might be able to get away with skipping a couple days a week. Use that extra time to do something more interesting!
Use cooler water.
While water dries out your skin, hot water dries it out more (even if it feels good at the time). Try showering in slightly cooler water instead to keep your skin happier. Plus, if you gradually turn the temperature down toward the end of your shower, the cold air when you pull back the curtain won’t feel nearly as frigid. You’ll save energy and cut down on your heat bill, too.
Wash with a loofah.
Taking the steps above will keep the dryness from getting even worse, but you’re still likely to experience some level of dry skin. You’ll need some tools to combat it, starting with a loofah, which will slough off dead skin cells. If you don’t already have one, the beginning of winter is the time to switch.
Switch away from bar soap.
Bar soap doesn’t work great with a loofah anyway, and it’s also notoriously drying. Liquid body wash tends to be gentler and more moisturizing, so pick up a bottle to use with your loofah.
Use an exfoliating scrub.
To get rid of all the flaky dead skin cells, washing with a loofah isn’t enough for most people; you really need to use an exfoliating scrub as well. If you don’t want to buy yet another new product, you can even make a scrub yourself by mixing olive or coconut oil with sugar and honey.
Consider splurging on a towel warmer.
Everyone knows how painful those first few seconds after a shower are – when the water’s turned off, you’re still wet, and the air feels frigid. But the one thing that can make it more pleasant is having a warm towel to dry off with. A towel warmer might feel like an extravagant expense, but you (and the rest of your family) will be grateful for it every single time you shower.
As the weather starts to change and you notice your skin feeling a little dry or itchy, try doing these things when you shower to stay more comfortable.