[Summer Skin Care] 5 Bathing Tips
Soap Free Wash Soothes Dry, Itchy Skin
During the hot summer, many people go swimming in pools or use air conditioning to cool down, but these habits can actually be harmful to skin health. The chlorine in pools causes a significant loss of the skin’s natural oils that maintain moisture, while air conditioning removes moisture from the air. Both of these factors can lead to dry, itchy skin and even damage to the skin barrier. In addition to applying moisturisers, using soap-free shower gels can help nourish dry, itchy skin in the summer. This article will explain what “soap-free” means, the effects of soap on the skin, and provide 5 summer bathing and skin care tips.
What is "Soap-free"?
“Soap-free” refers to cleansing products that do not contain traditional soap ingredients. Soap is an alkaline substance produced by the reaction of fats and alkali during the soap-making process. While soap can effectively remove oil and dirt from the skin, long-term or excessive use can dry out and sensitise the skin.
How does Soap Affect the Skin? Why Choose Soap-free Cleansers?
Healthy skin has a slightly acidic pH (around 4.5-6.5). Although soap can effectively remove impurities, it also disrupts the skin’s natural pH balance. Prolonged exposure can damage the skin’s protective lipid barrier, causing the skin to lose moisture and become dry, rough, and potentially more sensitive. Using soap-free cleansers can help minimize damage to the skin, maintain the natural skin barrier and pH balance. Therefore, individuals with dry or sensitive skin types are recommended to use cleansers without added soap.
5 Summer Bathing Tips: Effective Ways to Soothe Dry, Itchy Skin
Proper bathing is an important part of caring for dry, itchy skin in the summer. Here are 5 summer bathing tips to help keep your skin healthy and moisturised.
Choose a Gentle, Soap-free, SLS-free, Fragrance-free, Paraben-free Shower Gel
Many people intentionally buy shower gels with strong cleansing power in the summer, but most contain common cleansing ingredients like SLS (Sodium Lauryl Sulfate), fragrances, and preservatives (like parabens). However, these ingredients can over-cleanse, stripping away the skin’s natural oils that maintain moisture, leading to dryness, itchiness, and even peeling.
Therefore, to gently cleanse the skin while providing proper hydration, it’s recommended to use a shower gel that is soap-free and free of other additives. This can help maintain a fresh, moisturized complexion even on hot, humid summer days!
Avoid Bar Soaps
While handmade bar soaps often use natural ingredients, the soap-making process involves the use of alkaline soap agents. As mentioned earlier, the alkaline nature of these soap agents can disrupt the skin’s pH balance, leading to dryness and allergic reactions. Dry or sensitive skin types are more susceptible to these effects.
Limit Shower Time
Prolonged showering can cause the skin to lose more of its natural oils and moisture, exacerbating dryness and itchiness. It’s recommended to limit shower time to 10-15 minutes, which can effectively cleanse the skin without causing excessive dryness.
Use warm water, not hot
Very hot water can quickly strip away the skin’s natural oils, causing dryness. During summer, opt for using lukewarm water for showering to avoid putting additional stress on the skin.
Apply Moisturizing Lotion or Cream Immediately After Showering
Even in the summer, it’s important to follow up showering with a moisturizing skincare routine! Showering is the best time to moisturize, as the pores are open and the skin is primed to absorb the products. It’s recommended to apply a lotion or cream containing ingredients like glycerin within 3 minutes of finishing your shower, in order to maintain soft, hydrated skin.
Summer Shower Gel Recommendation:
The Dermeze Soap Free Wash is specially formulated for dry, sensitive skin types. It uses a gentle, non-soap based formula to thoroughly nourish delicate complexions.
The key ingredients include:
- Emollients – Repair and strengthen the skin barrier, improve skin quality, soothe dryness-related itchiness and discomfort, boost skin softness and elasticity.
- Humectants – Increase skin hydration, allow nourishing ingredients to deeply penetrate the skin, enhance overall moisturizing effects.
- Occlusives – Form a protective layer on the skin surface to lock in moisture and shield against external irritants.
This moisturizing, soap-free cleansing wash is free of steroids, SLS, fragrances, parabens, and is non-irritating. It is also infused with the moisturizing ingredient glycerin, making it suitable for use on the face and body, leaving skin feeling soft and smooth. Dermeze Soap Free Wash is the perfect summer skincare companion!