Showers and baths can strip your skin of the natural oils that keep it soft. For those with dermatitis, psoriasis, or eczema, not moisturizing after a shower can worsen symptoms. Here’s how to properly moisturize after showering for those with dry skin or for those who are looking for a little extra hydration.
Skip the Hot Water
If you’re looking to properly moisturize after showering, you need to set yourself up for success, and the process starts when you get in the shower. Unfortunately, hot water lovers are going to want to skip out on the steaming bath. Now, this doesn’t mean that you need to take a cold shower every time, just make sure the water isn’t leaving your skin red and blotchy. The hotter the water is, the more oil it will take from your skin.
Avoid Fragrant Products
Another way to keep your skin soft after showing it avoid using fragrant products in and out of the shower. Most of the time, manufacturers pair the fragrance with some kind of alcohol, which dries out the skin.
In addition, look for products that say unscented instead of fragrance-free. Often, fragrance-free products actually just have chemicals that mask the odor, and these chemicals can be harsh on dry, sensitive skin.
Keep the Door Closed
When getting in and out of the shower, you want to try and keep the door closed as long as possible. Trapping the steam in the room allows your skin to stay relatively wet and protected when you get out of the shower to dry. This will create a thin layer of water on the skin for you to benefit from throughout the day.
Blot Dry
The biggest mistake people make when drying off is rubbing or swiping the towel over their bodies. Drying like this removes the water that can hydrate your skin and rubs off the natural oils. You don’t want to be completely dry when you finish showering. Blotting instead of rubbing can also help prevent tugging and scratching eczema flare-ups.
Use an Occlusive Moisturizer
Choosing the right moisturizer for your skin is critical to hydration, and the moisturizer you put on your body is no different. When you get out of the shower, you want to use a moisturizer with a high-quality occlusive. An occlusive creates a barrier on the skin that traps the moisture and gives it a better chance of absorption. That thin layer of water is an excellent source of hydration and will lock in when you use an occlusive moisturizer.
Now that you know how to properly moisturize after showering, you can keep your skin glowing and moisturized when you step out of the shower so you can avoid that tight, itchy feeling and enjoy bath time again.