Many of us complain about it. Here are simple tips from our dermatologist.
Daily hygiene care, the shower allows you to clean up dirt present on the skin, to remove the debris of dead cells, the sweat or even bacterial colonies that smell bad. Unfortunately, many of us complain of skin that feels tight, tingly or itchy after getting out of the shower. Because of soaps used and skin scrubbingthe shower has a double “exfoliating” effect both chemical and mechanical. Washing is used to clean the skin “but at the same time, it will remove the hydrolipidic filmthis famous little protective film on the surface of our skin”, explains Dr Marie Jourdan, dermatologist. Some people are particularly vulnerable to this exfoliation effect, especially those with dry skin or atopic skinthat is to say prone to allergic reactions and itching, or people with skin prone toeczema. Also, limescale in the water can promote tightness. In autumn/winter, when the climate is cold and dry, the skin tends to be drier and tighter. Which is less the case in spring/summer: “The skin is less likely to feel tight after a shower as the days are getting warmerprovided that the air is rich in water (therefore not too dry) because the skin will be able to rebuild its hydrolipidic film more quickly”reassures our interlocutor. Whatever the season, when the skin is tight, you must above all pay attention to how you wash, dry yourself and the products you use:
► Avoid “soaps containing important surfactants (on the label, these are for example sulfates, polyethylenes, acids and sodium, editor’s note)which promote tightness of the skin”continues the expert.
► Avoid using grainy scrubssome products acidic cosmetics Or based on retinol : “THE anti-aging products are for example often based on acid or retinol. Certain acid treatments against acne on the face are also factors of tightness after the shower”explains the dermatologist.
► Prefer shower oils where the fatty soaps.
► Dry well by dabbing the skin with a towel, rather than rubbing.
► Banish the washcloth, brush or shower flower which promote tightness of the skin. The specialist is clear, our hands are enough to clean our skin.
► No showers that are too hot or too long.
► After each shower, she also recommends getting into the habit of anointing yourself, that is, moisturize the skin : “In dermatology, we recommend the use of cosmetic creams pharmacy because they have been the subject of research and study.”