Showering Mistakes You Might Be Making

All bodies are different, and our biggest organ – our skin – reacts in different ways to sweating and showering. Whereas some can shower twice a day and feel no ill-effects, some people can suffer from dry and irritable skin as a result.

There is no one-size-fits-all approach to showering but understanding some of the mistakes people make may help you develop the best routine for you and your skin, especially when you’re training.

Showering too often

If you are training frequently you may be showering up to twice a day. Showering is important to remove the excess oils, sweat, dead skin cells, bacteria and dirt which can clog pores and cause acne and folliculitis (infected hair follicles). But for some people, frequent showers can remove too much of your skins essential oils, leaving it dry and irritated. Try and let your skin rest by showering less or replacing a morning shower with a quick wash.

Showering For Too Long

It is recommended that your shower should take no more than 5 minutes. Not only does this help save energy, water and money, it also will help prevent your skin from over-drying. If you work out twice a day, or like to shower each morning and evening regardless, try capping your showers to a quick three-minute rinse.

Finding The Right Temperature

Our skin produces its own natural moisturisers which are stripped away when we shower in hot water. Instead, aim for lukewarm water or alternate between hot and cold to give your skin a cryotherapy treatment; which will also help your body recover from exercise.

Contacts

Those who wear contact lenses whilst they shower have been found to be at a high risk of sight-threatening eye infections. Studies found that only 34% of wearers comply with good care and wear practices; the most common problem being those who exercise forgetting - or not having time - to remove their contact lenses before they showered. Microbes found in water can easily absorb into the matrix of contact lenses, so it is advised that you store them in solution while you shower after a workout.

Training for running events can be hard on skin, so adapt your personal hygiene routine to suit your needs and to keep your skin healthy.