Like many people, I've discovered over the past year and a half that a long, hot shower is a soothing and relaxing escape from reality; got it. Buy foam! Even minutes (or maybe hours ). You leave feeling refreshed.
In fact, the feeling after a hot shower was so exhilarating that I ignored the following minor symptoms of my unhappy skin: redness, tightness and itching from head to toe. But as the colder months approach and my dry, sensitive skin becomes more sensitive (and I try to avoid it), I've decided to strike a better balance between a relaxing shower and keeping my sanity. Leather. Ask any dermatologist, they'll tell you. This task begins with the correct shower temperature, especially at this time of year. Here, New York dermatologist Robert Anolik shares the best showering and skincare habits to keep your skin soft, smooth, and glowing this winter.
What is the ideal temperature for a shower?
"Luke is hot," says Anolik. Most experts agree that a high temperature is slightly warmer than body temperature and is between 37 and 41 degrees.
High temperatures are important to avoid as they can damage the skin's moisture barrier, affecting the skin's appearance, texture and overall health. "The skin barrier is made up of skin proteins and oils that prevent water from evaporating from the skin, protecting it from the outside world," says Anolik. "It's one of our first lines of defense against infection and contamination."
Hot water irritates the surface of the skin in several ways. "This causes inflammation, which can disrupt the skin's natural barrier," says Anolik. "Additionally, high temperatures, like water, can strip the skin of its natural oils, which are vital for maintaining moisture."
How does it affect cold things?
"As the temperature outside cools, the moisture in the air evaporates, which improves the evaporation of moisture from the surface of our skin," added Anolik. Of course, this creates a dilemma. The colder it is outside, the hotter you want to take a shower. "Too hot showers are more common in winter when we like to brave the cold outside, but when you combine the cold, dry air from outside with the hot water from the shower, it doubles the skin barrier and dries out your skin." and less attractive…” he says.
How does the cleaner work?
When it comes to healthy, hydrated skin, the right cleansing routine is just as important as shower temperature. The most important thing to know. Washing with harsh soaps can dry out the skin and strip it of natural oils and healthy bacteria. "In terms of basic chemistry, true soaps are salts of fatty acids," says Anolik. "They are effective at removing oil and dirt, but have a high pH of 9 to 10, which is much higher than the skin's natural pH of 5.4. Real soap helps clean heavily polluted and contaminated skin, and I think even minor blemishes. I believe. But for everyday use, it's usually not necessary. Because of this pH difference, the skin's barrier breaks down. Opt for gentle pH-balanced cleansers instead," says Anolik.
What's the best way to moisturize your skin after a shower?
When you get out of the shower, it's important to dry yourself to prevent chafing. Anolik recommends applying moisturizer within a minute of drying. There are two main categories to consider when choosing the right body moisturizer: emollients and emollients (or occlusives). "Moisturizers draw water to the skin's surface, and great ingredients include hyaluronic acid and glycerin," she explains. "These are more breathable and less likely to cause breakouts." In general, lotions are lighter and creams heavier, and the former should be used especially on dry skin unless an emollient is used. "If needed, emollients can be used to draw water into the skin," says Anolik, noting that they are relatively greasy and often petroleum jelly-based. "These are a great choice for hands and feet in the colder months with very dry skin."
Another important aspect of cleansing and moisturizing the skin is moisture. "The ability to retain moisture and keep the skin healthy decreases [with age], and this is often noticeable when fall and winter skin care becomes more challenging," Anolik explains. "This is mainly due to a biological decrease in our skin's ability to produce what is known as 'natural moisturizing factor' or 'NMF'. As a result, the outer layer of our skin dries out, loses its elasticity and forms small cracks that lead to a rough, dull and scaly surface. ." This means that establishing a healthy bathing and cleansing routine becomes more important over time and can be beneficial for healthy skin in the long run.