How to wash with shower gel

Analyze the time you spend in the bathroom and be horrified by your wastefulness in natural resources and the fact how useless and even destructive it is for your skin and hair. Let's learn how to shower correctly?

Soul habits you should break immediately:

1. Love of very hot water. Yes, it’s nice to stand for 15-20 minutes under the scalding streams after returning from a cold street. But high-temperature water dries out the skin, literally driving all the moisture out of the pores. This is especially dangerous if you emerge from a hot bath so relaxed that you ignore the moisturizing milk or cream. Our first advice is to lower the temperature by a few degrees (the norm is 35-37 degrees).

2. Staying in the shower for too long. When you stand in the shower for half an hour, it is, firstly, not economical (both in relation to nature and to your own pocket), and secondly, it is harmful to the skin (even if the water is not hot, but pleasantly warm) . We see how excess moisture affects the skin when we wash dishes or do laundry without protective gloves: at the fingertips it wrinkles like an old man. Believe me, the skin on your face or body suffers no less from prolonged contact with water. Reduce your shower time to, for example, 5 minutes (if you don't need to wash your hair). (Read: Add water: 5 daily mistakes when moisturizing your skin)

3. Lots of foam. The way to minimize costs - both time and financial - is to use less product than you are used to. Most personal care products contain sodium lauryl sulfate (or a slightly friendlier version, sodium laureth sulfate). These are quite harsh surfactants, responsible for the formation of your favorite fluffy foam, which dry out the skin very much because they wash away not only dirt, but also its own protective hydro-lipid film (and also have a good ability to spur its sensitivity and irritability). A smaller amount will allow you to stay clean, but will reduce the risk of not rinsing off the shower gel or shampoo completely. There is also a wonderful option that practical men will especially like - using two-in-one head and body care: less money ─ less problems.

4. Do not wash off for a long time. On the contrary, do it faster! Do not leave cleansing gel on your skin or shampoo on your hair for too long. A couple of minutes is enough for the product to “work” and deal with dirt and sweat, but without causing any harmful effects associated with dehydration or irritation.

5. Forget about sponges and washcloths. If you love to enjoy not just taking a shower, but also scrubs or peels at this time, thoroughly rinse and dry the available products. The dirty particles remaining on them can become a breeding ground for germs. The ideal option is a massage mitten. Make a supply of several of these copies and send each used one to the wash (necessarily at high temperature!) after using exfoliants.

6. Wash often. Are you sure that a daily shower twice a day is a “must have”? Think about where you even got this idea from. You only need to strictly adhere to this rule if you start every day by going to a fitness club, where you desperately sweat on exercise machines or a treadmill. If not, overzealousness is not so necessary. Believe me, it is quite reasonable to visit the shower once a day - before bed. But if a shower is the only thing that can wake you up in the morning, splash around to your health, not forgetting points 1 and 2.

7. The same is true for hair: who said you have to wash them every day? Even if you have oily hair, slow down: perhaps washing every two to three days is what your scalp needs to reduce the rate of sebum production. For curly and frizzy hair, which is very dry and brittle by nature, try washing it once a week - frequent contact with water and drying with hot air are very unfavorable for it.

Comb your hair before washing - this will remove dead hair and avoid the subsequent formation of tangles (as well as clogging the bathroom drain).

8. Wipe dry. There is no need to subject your skin to the torture called “vigorous rubbing with a towel.” Strong friction can not only cause irritation and injury, but also create the preconditions for dehydration, completely brushing away drops of moisture. Touch the towel to your body gently and carefully, blotting away any remaining water. To dry your back (if there is no one to help you), wrap yourself in it for a couple of minutes ─ and for this reason it is better to have a large enough bath towel.

9. Stay hydrated. After leaving the shower, the skin is saturated with moisture for just a few minutes. To prevent valuable droplets from evaporating and, as a result, proactively combat dry skin, apply moisturizer to slightly damp skin. It is optimal to do this directly in the bathroom: this will help to maximally saturate it with moisturizing agents and maintain the level of moisture afterwards.

Many people Today They prefer to wash their bodies not with ordinary soap, but with shower gel. Shower gels have gained particular popularity in recent years, and this is understandable, because using a gel is more convenient and pleasant for the body. Taking a shower, even with the best soap, cannot bring as much pleasure as you can get after applying gel to your body.

Despite this, many people continue wash soap and do not want to replace it with any other means for cleansing the skin. Of course, if a person washes himself with soap all his life and his skin does not dry out, then there is no need to change traditions any further. But for those people who, after taking a shower with soap, feel dryness, slight itching and flaking of the skin, we advise you to change the soap to shower gel. The fact is that regular soap contains a lot of alkali, which disrupts the normal pH balance of the skin.

If human oily skin, then using soap can only be in her favor. But with dry and normal skin, constant use of soap leads to excessive dryness. Shower gel, unlike soap, contains less alkali, since its base is water. In addition, the harmful effects of a small amount of alkali contained in gels are mitigated with special additives. For example, by adding citric acid, which neutralizes the alkali.

The main component of all gels is a surfactant, that is, a surfactant. The degree of its effect on the skin depends on whether the surfactants are strong or soft. Laurisulfate compounds are intended for deep cleansing of the skin, but substances such as cocoglycerides, laureth sulfates and betaines have a softer formula and are less aggressive for the skin. If the concentration of strong surfactants in the gel is minimal, then the protective hydrolipid film of the skin remains intact and washing does not cause any harm to its condition. In addition to cleansing components, the gel may contain various oils, sea minerals and plant extracts. Shower gels differ from each other mainly in the content of fragrances and additives, the rest of their components are the same.

Everyone should start your morning by taking a shower. And this procedure should be carried out like this: open a tap with warm water and run a stream of water from the neck down to the spine, then apply gel, oil or shower foam to the body. Which product to choose is up to you, taking into account the characteristics of your skin. Most often, a person’s skin is mixed: in the chest area it is oily, and on the legs, arms and back it is dry. In this case, it is best to wash your body with a moisturizing gel. Those whose skin is highly sensitive and excessively dry should choose two-in-one cream gels.

Shower gel with jojoba oil, with calendula and chamomile extracts, with vitamins A and E are great for cleansing and soothing sensitive skin prone to dryness. Shower gels with peeling and massage effects are especially popular today. They not only cleanse the skin, but also stimulate blood circulation in the capillaries, resulting in improved metabolism and weight loss.

After use Such gels exfoliate the upper stratum corneum of the skin, making it soft and smooth to the touch. These gels contain sea minerals, algae and essential oils. Regardless of the purpose for which you use shower gel, apply it to the body not with your hand, but with a special washcloth, mitten or brush. A light body massage and contrast douches in the morning improve the condition of the skin and figure by stimulating blood circulation.

Choosing shower gel, each person is guided by its color and smell. Fragrances and dyes make this product visually attractive and ensure sales success. The pleasant aroma and bright color of the gel are created by adding artificial colors and flavors. You can find gels without synthetic fragrances on sale, but they are not available to everyone due to their high cost.

Gels with natural essential oils oils are usually colorless and do not have a strong aroma. They have a very gentle effect on the skin and do not cause allergic reactions. Gels containing natural ingredients foam very weakly; a lush foam cap indicates that the detergent contains a lot of alkali, which does not leave any of its beneficial properties. The beneficial components in the gel retain their properties only if the label contains the words “Oil” or “Extract”. For example, if they contain extracts of medicinal herbs or natural oils.

Other gels intended for aesthetic pleasure, they do more to cleanse the skin and lift the mood than to improve its condition. Depending on the performance of a particular function, gels are tonic, soothing and stimulating. Toning gels should be used in the morning; they help invigorate and wake up. These gels contain flavors such as orange, cinnamon, lemon, coffee, ginger, sea wave, eucalyptus and mint.

Soothing gels Recommended for use in the evening, they contain aromas of lotus, cherry blossoms, lavender, pine, spruce and juniper. These gels help you fall asleep better. To seduce your partner and excite him, you should choose a shower gel with an aphrodisiac. These gels increase sexual activity. Aphrodisiac substances include pheromones, as well as essential oils of jasmine, bergamot, patchouli, sandalwood, ylang-ylang, cinnamon and lavender.

— Return to section table of contents "Dermatology"

Most of us don’t even think about the fact that such a common procedure as washing in the shower or bath may have some rules. We diligently scrub our skin with a washcloth, as if we were trying to clean a frying pan. We use soap to make the skin “squeak.” In principle, by and large, we pay little attention to what we put on the body during the washing process - it is important for us that it is simply clean. And then... we suffer from dry skin, a feeling of tightness, and dermatological problems.

How should you wash so that your daily ritual brings only benefits to your skin? Natalia Gaidash, PhD, dermatologist, cosmetologist and NIVEA expert, shared recommendations on how to shower or bathe wisely.

Natalia Gaidash, PhD, dermatologist, cosmetologist and NIVEA expert

In fact, there are rules. By following these nuances when washing and caring for your skin after taking a shower or bath, you will soon feel like your skin has a new life.

Rule #1: Shower twice a day

In the morning, this procedure helps to cheer up. It’s good if the bathroom has a powerful lamp that gives a lot of light, or a window. Light helps you wake up and lifts your mood.

In the evening you can take a bath to relax. Warm water, pleasant aromas and gentle products with a soft texture will help relieve stress and fall asleep.

Therefore, even in the cold season, it is necessary to take a shower every day.

Rule #2: The water shouldn't be too hot.

A person should be comfortable, not cold and not hot. Remember the temperature of the water in a warm sea or river? This is what the skin loves most.

Many people enjoy warming up in the bath or shower during the winter, but hot water can have a significant impact on blood pressure and cardiovascular function.

Rule No. 3: determine the duration of water procedures depending on your well-being

To cleanse the skin, 10 minutes spent under running water is enough. And it will take more time to relax. If a person is healthy and feels good, then there are no restrictions on the duration of bath procedures.

Products in the photo: shower gel Zeste de Vigne, Caudalie; moisturizing shower gel with honey extract and jojoba oil, FUNS; soothing shower gel with protective properties Lipikar, La Roche Posay; Soft shower gel NOURISH+™, G&H; sea ​​buckthorn tonic shower gel, Weleda; bubbling bath ball “Rose”, mi&ko; shower and bath gel “Green coffee”, L’Angelica; shower gel “Blackcurrant and massage granules”, “Clean Line”; moisturizing body lotion, Natura Siberica; Silk shower mousse “Lemon sherbet”, Nivea

Rule #4: Choose a body wash based on your skin condition

The choice of product depends on your skin type and preferences.

If the skin is thin, sensitive, dry – choose the softest, most delicate products: shower mousses, foams.

Products should not be alkaline to maintain normal skin pH.

Normal to oily skin Both delicate products and regular gels, as well as cream scrubs, are suitable.

Rule #5: Use a washcloth with extreme caution

If you use washcloths and brushes, then the most delicate and soft ones are made from natural fibers. Synthetic brushes and sponges are too rough and can damage the skin.

Using a gentle washcloth, you can wash any part of the body, but you cannot use it on your face (there are special sponges for this).

When cleansing the body, movements should be smooth and careful, there is no need to press hard or rub the skin. You can actively rub only your heels and feet with a brush; this will be a good massage of biologically active points.

The fact is that if in winter a person regularly destroys the hydrolipid mantle of the skin using soap or a rough washcloth, then the skin will very quickly suffer without natural protection: it will become chapped and roughened. Other dermatological problems may also appear.

Rule #6: Don't wash your skin until it squeaks

If you have this feeling, it means you have destroyed its hydrolipid mantle (natural protection).

The human body is designed in such a way that the skin protects itself from moisture loss by creating a slightly acidic environment with a pH level of 5.5. This environment does not allow microorganisms harmful to us to live and multiply, but at the same time it is favorable for beneficial lactobacilli living on our skin.

Improper care destroys this balance: for example, if a person uses soap, it shifts the pH level to an alkaline environment. Lactobacilli die and are immediately replaced by pathogenic microorganisms.

Rule #7: Wash in the correct sequence

As a rule, you lather your hair first so that the hair product can take full effect. Then they move on to the skin: first it is recommended to wash the armpits and intimate area, then the rest of the body. Afterwards, you can return to the scalp and massage it, and finally rinse off all products with water. For complete cleansing, a small amount of shampoo, shower gel or mousse is enough.

Products pictured: body lotion with lily scent, LIGNE ST BARTH®; body cream “Orchid Flowers”, Elemis; moisturizing body milk “Verbena”, L’Occitane; Moisturizing body milk “O’Thermal”, Uriage; Softening body gel Herbal Aloe, Herbalife; Vanilla Tea Body Butter, The Body Shop; scrub with papaya and red grapefruit, ORLY; hand and body lotion “Nutmeg and Cherry”, CND; Moisturizing body milk Hidraloe, Sesderma

Rule #8: Use moisturizers after washing

If after a shower or bath you have a feeling of skin tightness, you should apply a moisturizer: milk, light cream or toner without alcohol.

It's better if it happens naturally. If this is not possible, then lightly pat your skin with a towel (it should be clean, soft and made of natural fibers - cotton or bamboo). And after that, apply a moisturizer. This should be done at least 40 minutes before going outside.

Rule #9: Use a scrub no more than once a week

It is recommended to use both facial scrub and body scrub no more than once a week. There is no need to rub or scratch the skin too much. The particles of the product should not be hard or sharp.

Choose a product with delicate particles. Today there are even soft gel scrubs suitable for daily use. But still, you should not abuse them, especially in winter, when the skin is very vulnerable. Snow, frost, temperature changes when moving from heated rooms to the street - all this puts a serious strain on the skin.

The small particles included in the scrub will sufficiently exfoliate the skin, and there will be no need to additionally rub it with a washcloth.

Rule No. 10: if you are pregnant, pay special attention to the bathing procedure

Pregnant women are not recommended to take baths, especially hot ones. It's better to limit yourself to a shower.

When washing, consider the following nuances:

1. The water temperature in the shower should be comfortable: neither hot nor cold.
2. You need to wash the abdominal area carefully - no need to rub, massage, or scrub it.
3. Staying in the shower should be no more than 10-15 minutes, since it is not advisable for the expectant mother to steam.
4. You should not use aromatic oils in the bathroom - these are quite potent agents that can affect blood pressure and uterine tone.
5. To minimize the appearance of stretch marks on the skin, it is recommended to use moisturizing mousses and shower gels.
6. After cleansing your skin, you can lubricate your skin with olive oil, coconut oil or moisturizer. During pregnancy, it is important to maintain the elasticity of the skin both externally, with the help of proper and careful care, and internally: drink enough water and eat well.