Showering is a daily habit we all partake in, so it’s easy to switch your mind off once you’re in there. But sometimes, we could be a little more mindful about our negative shower habits. Here are 18 things you should probably stop doing in the shower.
Using Harsh Chemical Cleansers
When was the last time you read the list of ingredients in your shower gel or shampoo? Many bathing products contain harmful chemicals that can dry out, irritate, or damage our skin in the long run. These chemicals can also be harmful to our environment.
Taking Excessively Hot Showers
We all love a hot shower on a cold day. But sometimes we can take this luxury a little too far. According to Healthline, excessively hot showers can be damaging to your hair and skin, leading to dry, irritated skin and thin, brittle hair. It can also make certain health conditions worse, such as psoriasis or eczema.
Showering for Too Long
Like taking excessively hot showers, showering for too long can damage the skin and hair by stripping away natural oils. It can also lead to a significant amount of water waste and higher water and electricity bills.
Over-Exfoliating
Exfoliation can be a healthy habit for helping keep your skin smooth and free from blemishes. However, exfoliating too often or too intensely can break your skin’s barrier, causing irritability and redness that can be painful and harmful.
Washing Hair Daily
Washing your hair every day may seem like a healthy and hygienic practice, but it can sometimes lead to damage in the long run. Overwashing strips the hair of its natural oil and can create scalp irritation and imbalance. For the vast majority of people, it is also unnecessary to wash your hair daily.
Ignoring Foot Hygiene
Even if we remember to wash every other part of our body, we often forget about our feet. While it’s tempting to assume the water flowing down to your feet will be enough to clean them off, failing to scrub or exfoliate your feet can lead to excessive dead skin and infections over time.
Leaving Razors in the Shower
It’s tempting and convenient to leave your shaving razor on the side of the shower. However, the moisture produced by your shower will quickly cause the blade to rust and potentially accumulate harmful bacteria. Because of this, it’s recommended to store razors outside of the shower for the best and healthiest results.
Using Loofahs for Too Long
Loofahs are great exfoliating tools, but they can also accumulate scary levels of bacteria, mold, or yeast over time. It’s recommended to change your natural loofahs every 3–4 weeks to keep yourself clean and healthy. Synthetic loofahs can be a little more convenient, as you only need to change them once every two months or so.
Skipping Moisturizer Post-Shower
After exfoliating, scrubbing, and using soaps on our skin, it’s important to remoisturize your skin with a good moisturizer. Failing to do so can leave your skin feeling dry, flaky, or irritated, and this can also lead to acne in the long run.
Letting Hair Fall Down the Drain
Nobody likes a clogged drain, yet many of us fall into the bad habit of letting our hair wash down the drain. This can contribute to drain clogs and plumbing issues that can be inconvenient and expensive to deal with. Drain catchers can be an effective solution to this issue.
Using Old and Ineffective Products
Sometimes, it’s tempting to use products past their expiration date to avoid waste and an unnecessary trip to the store. However, old and ineffective products can be damaging and usually won’t give you the results you’re looking for.
Not Cleaning the Shower Regularly
Failing to clean your shower regularly can cause soap scum and mildew to run rampant, which naturally leads to an accumulation of bacteria. Mold, mildew, and bacteria can all be harmful to human health, so it’s important to keep your shower nice and clean.
Not Replacing Shower Heads Regularly
It can be a hassle to replace an old shower head, but it’s definitely worth it. Old shower heads can harbor unhealthy levels of limescale and bacteria, which can negatively impact water quality and hygiene.
Ignoring Water Temperature Fluctuations
Does your shower have the strange habit of flipping from boiling hot to freezing cold in a matter of seconds? If so, it’s important not to neglect this issue. It is often a sign of plumbing issues, and frequently exposing yourself to very hot water can be damaging to your skin.
Using Soap with Harsh Fragrances
Most of us like nice-smelling shampoos, soaps, and shower gels. But unfortunately, products with harsh fragrances can often be damaging to the skin, leaving it dry or causing allergic reactions in some cases. For this reason, it’s usually healthier to go for fragrance-free products.
Forgetting to Clean Shower Curtains and Liners
It’s easy to forget about the shower curtain when you’re giving your shower a clean. But according to the Cleveland Clinic, it can be especially susceptible to the build-up of mold and mildew that can put you at risk of getting ill.
Leaving the Shower Running Unnecessarily
A lot of people have the bad habit of turning the shower on way before they actually get in and start washing. This can waste a surprising amount of water and energy over time, so it’s important to be mindful of turning the shower off when it’s not needed.
Disregarding Ventilation
Failing to open a window or door when you’re showering can raise humidity levels and promote the growth of mold and mildew. This is why it’s recommended to adequately ventilate your bathroom, especially during and after showers.
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