Bathing has become one of the must-haves in our skin hygiene and health routine! But how come your skin gets even drier after a shower? This can happen due to a number of things such as soap incompatibility, shower duration, and water temperature! Even the selection of body wash products can be that crucial! Instead of being confused, let us spill some useful tips that you can do to keep your skin moisturized and healthy!
Recognize the Functions and Types of Cleansers and Body Washes
Soap or cleanser itself has the main function of removing all the impurities from the top layer of our skin. It’s the first step in any skincare routine! By thoroughly cleansing the surface and pores, the other skincare components can then be absorbed and put to work.
The form of soap varies, but we divide it into 2 most common ones, namely bar soap and liquid soap (body wash). Bar soaps are great for removing dirt and sweat emulsified on the surface of the skin and reducing the risk of bacterial growth. Liquid soaps have more or less the same function but often contain some combination of ingredients for specific skin problems. Examples include clogged pores or dry skin.
Each has its pluses and minuses. Bar soap is more environmentally friendly and economical, but improper placement can make it less hygienic. Liquid soap is more practical and hygienic however there is also the risk of producing plastic waste. So, the choice depends on your own preferences. Apart from the form, the composition of the soap also varies, some are oil-based (suitable for cleaning makeup) and water-based (easier to rinse off, suitable for combination/oily skin).
As a recommendation for gentle and eco-friendly cleansers, you can check out Serenitree’s natural bar soap and body wash!
Causes of Dry Skin After Showering
There’s more than one reason for dry skin after a shower! It starts with the duration of the shower and the temperature of the water. If we shower for too long, especially using hot water, we risk losing the natural oils on our skin. These natural oils are important for keeping the skin moisturized and healthy. Therefore, it’s best to shower for 10-15 minutes only and the right water temperature is no more than 38 degrees Celsius.
Another cause could be an incompatibility or allergy to the ingredients of the body wash and body lotion we use. Harsh chemicals like SLS and fragrances can dry out or even inflame the skin. Not only that, everyone has a different level of sensitivity. Even safe ingredients can still potentially cause a negative reaction. The solution? Consult, find out what works for you and do a patch test!
In addition, medical conditions such as eczema and dermatitis can be the cause. Medical conditions usually have specific routines and treatments, so make sure to follow the professional advice, Sereni-Trees! If you have very dry skin, even shower gel is not enough to provide hydration. Extra care is needed such as the use of lotion afterwards.
In conclusion, let’s not forget to be careful when looking for skincare products. Make sure the products we use are BPOM registered and contain safe ingredients. Also, adjust your skincare routine to your skin condition and environment!
3 Dry-Causing Ingredients in Body Wash
Usually, we have heard of harsh ingredients like phthalates, SLS, and parabens. But this time Serenitree will spill some other ingredients that you might not know before! We also have to be aware of ingredients such as:
- Propylene Glycol (anti-freeze):
It can cause immunotoxicity, respiratory toxicity, and skin or sensory organ toxicity (eye irritation, skin irritation, dry skin, removal of natural skin oils).
- Triclosan (antibacterial and anti-fungal agent):
In addition to being irritating, it has been linked to the development of allergies in children and if mixed with chlorine in tap water, can be a carcinogen (cancer-causing). Hence its restricted use in cosmetics in Canada and Japan!
- DMDM hydantoin (antimicrobial)
Exposure to this ingredient can cause irritation and formaldehyde allergy!
To be on the safe side, you should always double check the ingredient label before using a skincare product. Make sure there are no allergies and all ingredients are safe to use! Better safe than sorry!
The Importance of pH Level
Indeed, there are so many things that we must pay attention to in order to avoid the risk of skin irritation. Skincare ingredients are one thing, but there’s more. Why is pH level important? The natural pH balance of human skin is around 4 to 6, which means the skin is mildly acidic. pH is important for maintaining the skin’s barrier function, protecting against harmful bacteria, pollutants, and maintaining moisture.
If we choose a body wash with a pH level that is too high or low, the risks include: Loss of natural oils, disruption of the skin’s pH balance (leading to irritation and dryness), more sensitive skin, damage to the lipid layer, and decreased ability to regenerate the skin.
As a recommendation, you should choose a body wash according to your skin condition, Sereni-Trees (For more information, please refer here).
Can Body Wash Cause Dry Skin?
The answer to that question is yes, body wash can be one of the causes of dry skin! To summarize, this is the “culprit” component of irritation and dry skin:
- Harsh chemicals in body wash (SLS, parabens, fragrances, etc.)
- Allergies and sensitivities to ingredients
- pH level
Meanwhile, some contributing factors also include showering for too long, too hot water temperature, lack of lotion use, hot weather, exfoliating too often, and medical conditions. As a solution, it is important that we choose a body wash with safe ingredients, such as Shea Butter and Vegetable Glycerin. Although natural ingredients, they are no less effective at nourishing the skin!
Pst, another secret tip, after showering instead of rubbing with a towel, you should dry it by patting. This way, the moisture will be better preserved and the risk of skin irritation/dryness will be minimized! Hope this article helps, Sereni-Trees!