Guide · 3 min read
Why does your skin itch after a shower?
Hot showers, harsh shower gels and rubbing with a towel dry out your skin. Small changes to your shower habits make a big difference.
lukewarm water, moisture right away
Why does hot water dry you out?
Hot water softens the lipids in the top layer of your skin and makes them easier to wash away. In measurements, skin washed with hot water loses noticeably more water than skin washed with lukewarm water, and redness goes up too.
The ten-minute rule
In a study measuring moisture after bathing, the water in the skin dropped back to its starting level within ten minutes of stepping out of the shower. So the best moment for moisturizer is right after you've towel-dried.
Choosing a shower gel
More foam doesn't mean a better clean. Harsh sulfates (SLS, SLES) remove dirt well, but they also remove your skin's own oils. The surface of your skin is slightly acidic; a sulfate-free gel with a pH close to that cleanses more gently.
Small changes in the shower
- 1Keep the water lukewarm and finish your shower in 5-10 minutes.
- 2Don't rub with the towel, pat dry.
- 3Apply moisturizer to dry areas right after your shower.
- 4If the itching lasts a long time, or cracks or redness spread, see a dermatologist.
Related to this guide
Sources
- 1.Effect of water temperature on the skin barrier, PMC8778033
- 2.Skin hydration and water loss after bathing, PubMed 33769640
- 3.Ananthapadmanabhan et al., cleansers and skin lipids, 2013
- 4.American Academy of Dermatology, tips for dry skin
This article is for information only and is not a substitute for medical advice. If a complaint persists or gets worse, see a dermatologist.