A Bath...or A Shower?

Whether you love to soak in the tub or do a quick morning shower, here is some good advice for making the most of your time in the water!

In the shower

*You should not use a wash cloth on delicate areas.

*You should use medium-warm water in the shower. The cooler the better, but not too cold. 

*You should use either a soap free cleanser or nothing at all on mucous membranes

*You should skip a shower as often as you can. This may not seem like appealing advice but the more time you have in between the showers, the better. Skip a shower for a whole day once or twice a week, especially in the winter. Allow your skin to produce and maintain its natural oils. 

*The average woman spends12 minutes in the shower. For your skin's benefit you should cut down your time to 5 minutes.

 In the tub:

 *Use lukewarm water for bathing and washing hands. If water is too hot, it can cause redness and dry the skin.
* Use a mild, non-drying cleanser that’s compatible with your skin type, and pay attention to how it makes your skin feel. Especially for anyone with an inflammatory skin condition, such as eczema, it is essential that a cleaning agent cleanse without causing excessive skin dryness or roughness. 

 *Use a body sponge, loofah or brush to help remove dirt and germs. Massage the skin in a circular motion, then wash your sponge, loofah or brush thoroughly when finished.
 Soak for 15-20 minutes. Let your mind and body relax!
 *When you’re done, pat your skin only partially dry with a towel. Rubbing skin totally dry with a towel removes important natural oils, which dries out the skin.
 *Apply your favorite moisturizer while your skin is damp, usually within three minutes of bathing. Doing so will lock in the moisture from your bath. In the winter (or any time the air is dry), apply a heavy layer of moisturizer to the face, hands, and other skin that will be exposed.

Which do you prefer? A bath or a shower? I'm usually a shower gal but once in awhile if I have time, a warm bath can be heavenly!