I often find myself in a rush, and the challenge is to scrub, shampoo, condition, and shave (if you’re into that) in five minutes or less. But when I’ve got JOMO vibes, I hang out in the shower for the better part of an indulgent hour while contemplating the meaning of life. No matter what time allows, skin experts say following certain shower practices will keep your complexion happy. No surprise, the first step is figuring out how to shower for your skin type.
“It’s truly important to remember that what works for you may not work for the person next to you,” says Jen Kramer, a paramedical esthetician and founder of Corrective Skincare LA.
In fact, the only hard-and-fast rule is that you shouldn’t linger too long in the shower (i.e., 30-minute showers are too much).
“You might think standing in a hot, steamy shower sounds like it would hydrate your skin (not to mention relax you!), but the longer you stay, the more your skin is stripped of natural proteins and oils that protect your cells from the environment,” says Kramer. “No matter what your skin type, limit the time you’re in the shower to 10 minutes. This makes Mother Earth happy, too.”
Keep it short, sweet, and full of products that make your skin look and feel its very best.
How to shower if you have oily skin
Joshua Zeichner, MD, a dermatologist based in New York, advises sticking to cleansers that contain salicylic acid, an acne-fighting ingredient that’s notorious for clearing skin. “If your pores are congested, or if you have chicken skin (prominent pores in the back of your arms), you can add on a scrub to help manually exfoliate and remove dead cells from the surface of the skin,” he says. “Be careful not to over scrub as it can lead to irritation and inflammation.”
Shower products for oily skin
Neutrogena T/Gel Shampoo $10
Neutrogena Acne Proofing Salicylic Acid Facial Gel Cleanser $10
Humane Benzoyl Peroxide 10% Acne Treatment Body & Face Wash $21
How to shower if you have dry skin
Repeat after me: hydration, hydration, hydration. “Traditional soaps contain alkaline surfactants that disrupt the pH of the outer skin layer. The newest generation of cleansers contain mild surfactants and the same types of ingredients do you find in traditional moisturizers,” says Zeichner.
Shower products for dry skin
Dove Deep Moisture Body Wash $6
Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Cream Cleanser $5
SkinFix Resurface+ Glycolic Renewing Scrub $30
How to shower if you have sensitive skin
Those with dramatic skin (present!) should do everything in their power to avoid fragrances in their beauty products. “I will always lean toward quality product with better ingredients, less fragrances, sulfates, preservatives,” says Kramer.
Shower products for sensitive skin
Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Body Wash with Soothing Oat $30
Aquareveal Gentle Action Water Peel for Body $38
Fresh Soy Face Cleanser $39
Wondering exactly how long you should spend in shower? Here’s your answer. Plus, what it’s like to scrub your body with CBD.
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