Skin Care

Does Your Skin Feel Tight After You've Been In The Shower?

Even something as simple as taking a shower can be damaging to your skin if not done the right way. Tap water is often very hard, particularly so in urban areas. The limescale inside it attacks appliances and plumbing, as well as causing skin problems such as eczema, psoriasis and irritations. What's more, the warmer the water, the greater the amount of limescale deposited on the skin. Limescale alone isn't to blame, though. Hot water can harm the skin by removing its protective barrier, meaning the epidermis is stripped of its fatty acids and ceramides. As a result, skin feels dry, tight and itchy. Here are a few ways in which you can protect your skin and keep it feeling soft all day long.

Skip the hot showers

First and foremost, lower the temperature of the water you use. Taking a warm shower, rather than piping hot, will leave less limescale on the skin and cause less damage to its natural barrier. And there's bad news if you're a water baby. You should try to limit your bath/shower time to 10 minutes, as its far better for the skin and even the environment. The average shower uses 62 litres of water, while experts believe the job can be done just as efficiently in four minutes, using 32 litres of water.

Use a mild shower ge

Opt for pH-neutral shower milks or gels that lather very gently. Products that are rich in honey-based active ingredients, cocoa butter, shea butter and sweet almond oil will leave your skin soft and hydrated. They will cleanse and moisturise the skin, leaving a protective film once you've rinsed them off. Avoids soaps or anything that foams a lot; surfactants (the ingredients that make products foam up) can be very harsh on skin that's already suffering from the effects of limescale. And make sure you do rinse off any products well. Stepping out of a shower with soap bubbles still on you will cause further dryness and irritation.

Be gentle on your skin

Avoid rubbing at your skin aggressively and excessively when towelling off. Remember, your skin is very delicate and needs to be treated with care! The best way to dry off is to gently sponge off excess water with an absorbent towel.

Don't forget the post-shower skincare

Finally, apply a moisturiser – a body lotion or oil and face cream, while the skin is still damp. This will create a barrier that retains the water, rehydrating the skin. Use a product that provides your skin with a boost of hydration without feeling sticky or greasy on your skin. The L’Oréal Paris Revitalift Moisturizing Day Cream SPF 35 PA++ not only reduces fine lines and wrinkles and boosts skin firmness, youthfulness, and radiance but also provides UV protection. Use the Revitalift Day Cream in the mornings after you shower for 2-in-1 skincare.

People enjoy taking long, relaxing showers and use extremely fragrant and lathering products, which may look pretty and feel calming, but are actually often loaded with chemicals that are extremely drying for the skin. Keep in mind the four simple points mentioned above to provide some relief from dry and itchy skin post shower.