If your skin feels tight, itchy, or unusually dry after a shower, you might automatically blame your body wash, moisturizer, or even the temperature of the water. While all of those things can play a part, there is another possibility that is easy to overlook: the water itself.
Depending on where you live and how your water is treated, your shower water can contain minerals and chemicals that may leave your skin feeling less comfortable than usual. The good news is that there are a few simple changes you can make to create a more skin-friendly shower routine.
Table of Contents
Pay Attention To How Your Skin Feels After Showering
One of the easiest ways to spot a potential problem is to notice how your skin feels when you step out of the shower. If it regularly feels tight, rough, or irritated, your water could be contributing to the issue.
Hot water can strip away some of the natural oils that help keep skin soft, while minerals found in hard water can leave deposits behind. Chlorine, which is commonly used to treat water supplies, can also be drying for some people.
Of course, shower water is not always the only cause of dry or sensitive skin, but it is worth considering if changing skincare products has not made much difference.
Turn Down The Temperature
A steaming hot shower can feel great, particularly on a cold morning or after a long day, but very hot water is not always kind to your skin.
Try switching to warm or lukewarm water instead. You do not need to make your shower uncomfortably cold. Simply reducing the temperature can help your skin hold on to more of its natural moisture.
You may also want to avoid lingering in the shower for too long. Shorter showers can reduce the amount of time your skin spends exposed to hot water and cleansing products.
Think About Filtering Your Shower Water
If you are concerned about the quality of the water coming through your showerhead, adding a filter may be another option worth exploring.
Aquabliss shower filters are designed to filter shower water before it reaches your skin and hair. This can be a useful addition for people who want to reduce their exposure to certain substances commonly found in household water while keeping their existing shower routine largely unchanged.
A shower filter can also be an appealing option because it does not require you to completely overhaul your bathroom or install a whole-house filtration system.
Choose Gentler Shower Products
Your cleanser matters too. Strongly fragranced soaps and harsh cleansing products can sometimes.
Look for gentle body washes that are designed to leave already-dry skin feeling even more uncomfortable cleanse without leaving your skin feeling stripped. You may also find that you do not need to use soap on every part of your body during every shower.
Moisturize While Your Skin Is Still Damp
What you do immediately after showering can make a noticeable difference. Rather than waiting until your skin is completely dry, gently pat yourself with a towel and apply moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp.
This can help lock in moisture and leave your skin feeling softer for longer.
If your shower water seems to be leaving your skin dry or irritated, there is no need to put up with it. Adjusting your water temperature, reviewing your products, introducing a shower filter, and moisturizing properly can all help make your daily shower much more comfortable.