01/13These mistakes in the shower can ruin your skin

These mistakes in the shower can ruin your skin

Blasting the heat to maximum: We all love taking warm showers but amazing as they are, they aren't really ideal for your skin. Hot showers strip skin of their natural oils and dehydrate it, making it feel dry and itchy. And this can also lead to rashes. Try spending 5 - 10 minutes or maximum 15 minutes in the shower and not more than that. The drier your skin is, the easier it is for bacteria to penetrate the cracks in your skin.

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02/13You use a fragranced bath product

You use a fragranced bath product

Don’t we all love the sound of a delicious smelling bath gel or bath bomb? But it may not be so great for your skin. "Fragrance, both synthetic and natural (yes even lavender), can be irritating to skin," Dr. Skotnicki says. Fragrances used in products like lotions, soaps, shampoos can cause contact dermatitis, either in the form of an allergic reaction or just a skin irritant.

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03/13You apply a retinoid cream right after

You apply a retinoid cream right after

While the skin must definitely be moisturised right after a bath, the same doesn’t apply true for a retinoid cream. Hydrated skin increases the absorption of any product. . But applying a retinoid cream right after shower, not only increases the absorption of Vitamin A, but also cause increased redness, irritation and flaking, and nobody wants that!

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04/13You are not careful about infections

You are not careful about infections

Just because one is getting themselves cleaned in the shower, it doesn’t mean you can’t contract infections. If you’re showering in the gym, or sharing it with someone who has toenail fungus in it, you could pick up the infection as well. "Fungus is very hearty and loves to hang out in the shower, so consider footwear if you are sharing the shower with fungus-affected individuals," Dr. Palm says.

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05/13You scrub too aggressively

You scrub too aggressively

Most people end up using their loofas too aggressively. They're meant to be used very gently on your skin. If you scrub too harshly with them, they'll end up removing the protective barriers on your skin, which will just lead to an excessive production of sebum to make up for the lost moisture. And this, in turn, can lead to bacterial infections. Also, make sure to regularly wash your loofah with warm water to clean it properly.

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06/13You wash your hair every day

You wash your hair every day

Washing your hair every day is a big no-no. Using shampoo every day can strip your hair and scalp of its essential oils. This will lead to hair fall and might also cause dandruff. If you have thin and fine hair, stick to shampooing it only twice a week. And if you have thick, coarse, dry hair then you should shampoo only once a week so that the oils from your hair don't get stripped off too often.

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07/13You don't rinse properly

You don't rinse properly

Whenever you're taking a shower, you need to ensure that all of the products you use on your hair and your body are rinsed away properly. If you don't do this then the residue from these products can clog your pores and lead to acne. This is why when you use your shampoo and conditioner, you should tilt your head to the side and wash your hair so that the water just runs down into the drain rather than running down your back.

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08/13You use your fingernails to scrub your scalp

You use your fingernails to scrub your scalp

While a good head massage may make you feel amazing, it isn't as great for your hair and your scalp if you use your nails to do it. Using your nails can cause scratches on your scalp and can strip your scalp of its oils which can cause flaking. So, use your fingertips when you apply shampoo to your scalp and don't be too harsh on your hair ends when you apply conditioner.

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09/13Not masking in the shower

Not masking in the shower

This actually makes a lot of sense. When you're in the shower, the steam helps keep your pores open. So, this actually makes for the perfect time to apply face masks to your skin. Hydrating and nourishing masks will work really well while ‘extracting’ masks like clay, mud, and charcoal will also be able to pull out toxins from your skin more effectively. Plus, your skin won't get dehydrated because the mask won't dry out completely. For a quick nourishing and moisturizing DIY, you can also apply a thin sticky layer of organic honey over your skin for 5 minutes while you shower.

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10/13Not washing in the right order

Not washing in the right order

Usually, when we're in a rush we let conditioner do its thing while we wash our body first. Now this is a bad choice. This is probably the reason why you have all that acne on your shoulders and back. When you wash off conditioner, it leaves a coat of oil on your skin. So, washing your body after you've washed off your conditioner makes a lot more sense. Secondly, try using your shower gel only in areas that really require it because your hands and legs have very less oil to spare.

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