Clean, preferably pore-deep clean we want to be – and always. A proud 93 percent of Germans therefore shower often and gladly because they find it hygienic, according to the results of a Forsa survey. But is such pronounced cleanliness desirable at all – at least from the point of view of our largest organ, the skin?
Daily showering puts a strain on the skin
Dry skin in particular is strained by frequent showering. As a result, it loses important lipids and moisture. The acid mantle, which protects the skin from external influences, is damaged in dry skin by every shower. Although too intensive cleansing is also a burden for oily skin, it can rebuild the acid mantle more quickly.
Conclusion: daily showering is not necessary. Underarms, genital area and feet can also be cleaned with a washcloth. Those who have to shower every day should do so for as short a time as possible and not too hot, and should not soap themselves completely every time.
Extra tip for athletes: if you have already showered in the evening after sports, you should only wash briefly the next morning – this is completely sufficient and protects the skin from drying out.
Which skin needs what?
Dry skin People with low-fat and therefore dry skin should avoid anything that extracts additional fat from it, because “even the best body lotion is never as good as the protection provided by the body’s own fats,” says Dr. Axt-Gadermann. That means: shower as briefly and lukewarmly as possible. Shower gels for dry skin should be pH neutral (pH 7) to “acidic” (pH 5). This is stated on the label – possibly in the small print. Shower oils or cream showers are also recommended. Dr. Axt-Gadermann: “They don’t have a ‘refatting’ effect, as often stated on the package, but at least they extract significantly less oil from the skin than a normal shower gel.” Peelings should be performed no more than once a month.
Sensitive skin With this skin type, the regeneration of the acid mantle and oil production are disturbed. As a result, the skin reacts quickly with redness, burning or itching to mechanical (such as wool) or chemical stimuli (such as fragrances and dyes). Dr. Axt-Gadermann comments: “Similar recommendations apply here as for dry skin. For showering, you should prefer products that contain as few surfactants as possible as well as few fragrances, dyes and preservatives.” To avoid irritation, it’s best to treat your skin like a raw egg: dab with soft towels, lukewarm water only, no exfoliants.
Oily skin “This skin type takes frequent showers better, because the removed skin lipids are quickly replenished,” says Dr. Axt-Gadermann. Nevertheless, mild shower gels should also be used for oily skin. Too aggressive cleaning would namely stimulate the skin to produce even more fat.” “It’s best to take a lukewarm shower and save drying yourself: the evaporating water has a cooling effect – even with a somewhat longer effect. The famous cold shower, on the other hand, cools only briefly and then stimulates the skin’s circulation: the best prerequisite for the next outbreak of sweat.”
Do cooling shower gels or lotions help against a heat wave?
The cooling effect is often achieved by adding essential oils (such as menthol in peppermint oil). However, this is not always well tolerated by sun-irritated skin. With cooling lotions and after-sun gels, the effect is usually based on the alcohol they contain – which in turn dries out the skin. So: good times for (lukewarm) showerers!
Rubbing increases the blood circulation of the skin
Skin circulation and thus the immune system can be stimulated by special scrubs for the body, with brushes or glove massages, at the same time removing dead skin cells.
Shower gel as skin care
Shower gel is still the most popular product for both women and men. While female users like it more gentle with a care effect, for men it may be quiet fresh and sparkling with invigorating active ingredients.
