This common shower habit seriously harms your skin, dermatologist says
Why long showers are harmful (photo: magnific)
Long showers may negatively affect skin condition and overall well-being, experts warn. Excessive exposure to hot water washes away the skin’s natural protective barrier, causing dryness and irritation, according to Real Simple.
How long you should shower
Dermatologist and medical doctor Shari Marchbein explains that for healthy skin, there is an ideal frequency of showers per week — usually three to seven times, depending on activity level and skin type. The ideal water temperature is warm, and even the order of washing matters: hair first, then body, and finally the face.
However, one of the most important factors for skin protection is how long you stay in the shower. Spending more than 10 minutes under running water can damage the skin barrier — the outer layer responsible for retaining moisture and protecting against environmental irritants.
The optimal shower time is 5 to 10 minutes.
What happens if you shower for too long
Prolonged exposure to water, especially hot water, can strip the skin of natural oils that help keep it soft and protected. Once these oils are washed away, moisture escapes more easily, which can lead to tightness, itching, or irritation after drying off with a towel.
If you have ever gotten out of the shower and immediately reached for body lotion, your skin may be signaling that it needs help restoring lost moisture.
Temperature also matters. The water should be warm, not hot. In particular, the bathroom mirror should not be completely fogged up by the time you finish showering.
Other shower rules
You should wash your hair first, then your body, and your face last. Following this order helps remove any hair products from the body that could cause rashes.
Pat your skin dry instead of vigorously rubbing it with a towel. Apply moisturizer within a few minutes after leaving the shower to help retain moisture.
Regular soap or harsh shower gels can significantly dry out the skin. It is better to use mild shower gels with a neutral or slightly acidic pH that do not damage the skin’s protective barrier. It is not necessary to lather the entire body every day — usually, washing only the armpits, intimate areas, and feet is enough.
It is also important not to scrub the skin too hard. Rough washcloths or aggressive towel rubbing can irritate the skin and damage its outer layer. After showering, it is best to gently pat the body dry.
This material is for informational purposes only and should not be used for medical diagnosis or self-treatment. Our goal is to provide readers with accurate information about symptoms, causes, and methods of detecting diseases. RBС-Ukraine is not responsible for any diagnoses that readers may make based on materials from the resource. We do not recommend self-treatment and advise consulting a doctor in case of any health concerns.
