Is your loofah drying out your skin?

Those experiencing dry skin this spring are being told that their loofah and favourite body washes could be the cause.

Shower experts at Vidalux.co.uk have shared that showering too frequently and over scrubbing could be the reason for tight and cracked skin.

During the warm weather many will be taking more frequent showers to stay feeling fresh but the experts are warning that there is a risk of overdoing it.

Showering multiple times a day with foaming body washes can strip our body of natural healthy oils that are needed to keep our skin hydrated.

Using tools such as loofahs on each wash can also lead to overexfoliation which can irritate the skin and leave it feeling much worse.

The experts are advising Brits to keep showers to maximum 15 minutes with warm or cool water and say that skipping the loofah can help avoid irritation and dryness.

Andy Ellis from Vidalux.co.uk said: “As the weather warms up many of us will be taking more frequent showers but it’s important to be mindful of our skin.

“Showering too much with hot water and over scrubbing can have a negative effect on our skin, stripping it of its natural oils and leaving it feeling dry and cracked.

“Ideally you don’t want to be in the shower any longer than around 15 minutes and try to keep the temperature on the cooler side as opposed to hot.

“While loofahs and washcloths are a shower staple to many, you may want to skip using them on some occasions. Over exfoliating your skin with these can cause irritation and cause your skin to feel tight and dry. Try to use these items around 2-3 times a week instead.

“You may also want to rethink which body wash you use. Those that foam up are known to strip the skin which can leave it feeling dry. For a more moisturising option, opt for something that is cream based.”

Reasons your shower is drying your skin out:

The temperature is too hot

Subjecting your skin to water that is too hot will strip away your body’s natural oils and can leave your body feeling dry and tight. Consistently having hot showers over a long period of time can disrupt your skin’s moisture balance so stick to warm temperatures.

Showering for too long

Having long showers can also strip the body of natural oils regardless of if your water is hot or not. Even if you are using warm water, spending too long in it can leave your skin feeling dry and cracked. Try to avoid showers longer than 15 minutes.

Showering too often

If you’re showering multiple times a day then chances are you’re overdoing it. This will remove all the healthy oils from your skin and dry it out. Those suffering with eczema and psoriasis may find that showering too often can worsen their condition.

You’re using the wrong products

A lot of body washes contain harsh ingredients like fragrances which disrupt the body’s natural pH balance. Foaming body washes are also known to strip the skin and leave it feeling dry. Instead, opt for a cream based body wash to help effectively clean your skin and retain its moisture.

Over scrubbing

If you use a loofah, washcloth or exfoliating brush in the shower you’ll want to be mindful of how much pressure you apply when scrubbing your body. These bath accessories are made for exfoliating and should only be used 2-3 times a week. Over exfoliating can irritate the skin and cause cracks and dryness.