[Beauty 101] Shower Skincare Tips Every Woman Should Know

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By Joyce Chua from THREAD SG

We put in extra effort to get a smooth, radiant, youthful complexion. But do you pay equal attention to the rest of your body? Getting soft, supply skin can start with good shower practices.

Look your best with these few savvy shower tips:

1. Don’t Get Too Hot!

Showering in piping hot water can strip the skin of its natural oils and dry it out. Warm water is best, preferably lukewarm water. And try not to stand in the warm shower for more than 10 to 15 minutes!

To retain that glow long after you leave the shower, apply moisturizer all over your body right after lightly patting skin dry. This helps to maximize its absorption and lock in as much moisture as possible.

 

2. Invest in a Dry Brush

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This inside-out skin treatment takes only a few extra minutes of your time, and is definitely worth the effort. Dry brushing boosts circulation and the overall flow of lymphatic fluid, which helps to flush toxins that surround our cells. It also sloughs off dull dead skin cells to reveal new, glowing skin beneath. It’s a simple way to stimulate skin cells and improve the appearance of skin.

How: Before entering the shower, work a natural-bristle brush from your feet upwards in the direction of your heart with even strokes for three to five minutes.

 

3. Don’t Exfoliate to Death

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A lot of people think that exfoliation is the answer to dry, flaking skin. They think that scrubbing off the dead skin will magically make skin smooth and silky again. Well, no. It doesn’t work that way. You’re not treating the problem.

To get softer skin all over, it’s actually better to trade the drying soap you’re using for a creamier body wash or cleansing oil, and regular shaving cream for a more hydrating shaving oil.

How: With these skin softening swaps, all that’s left to do is bathe regularly. For an extra-silky finish, sprinkle iodised sea salt onto a dollop of body butter, then rub over your body to gently exfoliate and nourish your skin.

But again, don’t exfoliate to death. Do it only once or twice a week or risk irritating your skin!

 

4. Show Your Hands Some Love

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After conditioning your hair, you might still have that slippery residue left on your hands. Don’t waste it! Milk the last of it for what it’s worth by applying it onto your hands, the heels of your feet, and even the skin under your nails. The skin around these spots are usually prone to dryness and calluses. The cure for cracked heels might just be your conditioner.

After showering, apply some hand cream for extra smoothness.

 

5. Pucker Up

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Like your skin, your lips require moisture or they will end up looking chapped.

Go for products that contain a base of beeswax, paraffin, or petroleum jelly, as these seal in moisture and don’t evaporate too quickly. For dry, irritable lips, aloe vera is an ingredient that helps to sooth and heal sensitive sunburns, and is also safe to ingest. Avoid ingredients like silicone, fragrances, and salicylic acid (which, incidentally, is the cure for acne) as they sap your lips of moisture.

Also, your lip balm works its magic most effectively without buildup in the way. Exfoliate about once a week with a gentle lip scrub.

And when you’ve got healthy, moisturised lips, pucker up so plumping lip gloss!

 

What are some of YOUR shower beauty tips? Share them in the Comments section below!