5 Dermatologist-Approved Shower Tips For Very Dry To Atopic Skin
As the cooler fall months approach, managing very dry and atopic skin can become a big challenge. Lower humidity levels and blasting indoor heat can leave your skin feeling tight, itchy and uncomfortable. To help soothe and protect your skin, it's important to adjust your shower routine and choose the right cleanser.
Finding a gentle oil cleanser that doesn’t strip away your skin's natural moisture is key. Enter: Bioderma's Shower Oil. Packed with hydrating ingredients like glycerin and niacinamide, it gently cleanses and soothes while helping to restore your skin's barrier.
Bioderma has created new eco-conscious packaging to reduce its plastic consumption and make its skincare products more sustainable. The shower oil's refill packaging is made with 71 percent less plastic, making it a great choice for the planet, as well as for your family.
To help you create the perfect shower routine for fall, we connected with an expert dermatologist and the director of Toronto's Bay Dermatology Centre, Dr. Sandy Skotnicki, to find out her top bathing tips for keeping your skin happy and healthy.
Tip 1: Choose the right cleansing product
The right cleanser is essential for managing very dry to atopic skin. The Bioderma Shower Oil, for example, is specifically formulated for very dry, irritated skin and leaves you moisturized for up to 24 hours.
Dr. Skotnicki praises the gentle formula of this soap-free cleansing oil, which is lightly scented to enhance patient comfort (children with atopic dermatitis front of mind). “Its fragrance is very well tolerated, and it does not contain any of the 82 most common fragrance allergens,” she says, adding that with low allergenic properties and minimum concentration, it’s ideal for patients with dry, irritated and eczematous skin.
Unlike traditional soaps which can strip away natural oils and disrupt the skin's barrier, the Bioderma Shower Oil maintains the skin's pH balance, helping to prevent dryness and irritation.
Tip 2: Use lukewarm water
While a hot shower might feel soothing, it can actually strip your skin of its natural oils, exacerbating dryness and irritation. “The hotter the water, the more it will dissolve the skin barrier mortar (natural oils), thus disrupting the skin barrier,” says Dr. Skotnicki. Instead, keep your showers under 10 minutes and opt for lukewarm water. Bathing in lower temperatures helps maintain your skin's moisture barrier, keeping it hydrated and less prone to irritation. This simple change can make a big difference in how your skin feels post-shower.
Tip 3: Use gentle cleansing techniques
Harsh scrubbing can damage your skin’s protective barrier and lead to further irritation, especially if you have sensitive skin. For all our loofah lovers, remember to use a lighter hand when scrubbing. Dr. Skotnicki recommends only a few gentle swipes to clean key areas and also to keep your loofah in a dry place post-shower to avoid mould growth.
Bonus tip: Gentle circular motions will cleanse your skin effectively without causing damage. The goal is to clean your skin while preserving its natural oils and protective barrier.
Tip 4: Hydrate from within
Staying hydrated is crucial for overall skin health. Drinking plenty of water helps maintain your skin’s elasticity and plumpness, making it less susceptible to dryness and irritation. Aim to drink at least eight glasses of water a day, and consider incorporating more hydrating foods like cucumbers, watermelon and oranges into your diet. Internal hydration is just as important as external care when it comes to keeping your skin healthy and radiant.
Tip 5: Moisturize immediately after showering
One of the best times to apply moisturizer is when your skin is still damp right after your shower. You are already naked, and you can pat yourself dry and trap a bit of water when you moisturize,” says Dr. Skotnicki. This helps to lock in moisture and enhance the effectiveness of your skincare products.
For an added boost of hydration, you can follow your shower with the Bioderma Intensive Balm which works synergistically with the Bioderma Shower Oil, providing additional hydration and nourishment. It’s especially effective for very dry to atopic skin, and its rich, soothing formula nourishes the skin instantly and keeps it hydrated for up to 24 hours.
